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Történettudomány - Csaba Kasza: Evolution and human benefits of the GPS
CSABA KASZA: EVOLUTION AND HUMAN BENEFITS OF THE GPS to an entire network of transportation systems in a geographic area, has resulted in a whole new way of doing business. Location information provided by GPS, coupled with automation, reduces delay in the dispatch of emergency services. In addition, today’s widespread use of GPS systems in passenger cars provides another leap in developing a comprehensive safety net. This information, when coupled with automatic communication systems, enables a call for help even when occupants are unable to do so. In short, GPS has become an integral part of modern emergency response systems throughout the world-whether helping stranded motorists find assistance or guiding emergency vehicles. An adjunct to surveying applications is the use of GPS for real time monitoring of earth-crustal movement. In California, USA, there is a network of over 250 precision GPS receivers that measure fault movement with accuracies of a millimeter better in three dimensions. This allows scientists to observe the buildup of stresses in the earth crust that leads to earthquakes. Other earthquake prone areas around the Pacific Rim are using GPS in a similar way. Japan has established a network of over 600 precision monitoring stations. Precise predictions of earthquakes are not yet possible, but, using GPS, the risk probabilities can be assessed more accurately. Recreation. GPS has eliminated many of the hazards associated with common recreational activities by providing a capability to determine a precise location. GPS receivers have also broadened the scope and enjoyment of outdoor activities by simplifying many of the traditional problems, such as staying on the “correct trail” or returning to the best fishing spot. Outdoor exploration carries with it many intrinsic dangers, one of the most important of which is the potential for getting lost in unfamiliar or unsafe territory. Hikers, bicyclists, and outdoor adventurers are increasingly relying on GPS instead of traditional paper maps, compasses, or landmarks. GPS technology coupled with electronic mapping has helped to overcome much of the traditional hardships associated with unbounded exploration. GPS handsets allow users to safely traverse trails with the confidence of knowing precisely where they are at all times, as well as how to return to their starting point. Agriculture. The development and implementation of precision agriculture and farming has been made possible by combining the GPS and geographic information systems (GIS). GPS-guided tractors routinely achieve position accuracies of 10 centimeters or better. GPS-based applications in precision farming are being used for farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop scouting, variable rate applications, and yield mapping. In the past, it was difficult for farmers to correlate production techniques and crop yields with land variability. This limited their ability to develop the most effective soil/plant treatment strategies that could have enhanced their production. Today, the use of GPS allows more precise application of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, and better control of the dispersion of those chemicals through precision agriculture, thus reducing expenses, producing a higher yield, and creating a more environmentally friendly farm. Crop advisors use rugged data collection devices with GPS for accurate positioning to map pest, insect, and weed infestations in the field. Pest problem areas in crops can be pinpointed and mapped for future management decisions and input recommendations. The same field data is used by aircraft sprayers for accurate swathing of fields without use of human “flaggers" to guide them. Crop dusters equipped with GPS are able to fly accurate swaths over the field, applying chemicals only where needed, minimizing chemical drift, reducing the amount of chemicals needed, thereby benefiting the environment. Although many expect that the benefits of precision agriculture can only be realized on large farms with huge capital investments and experience with information technologies, such is not the case. There are many inexpensive and easy-to-use methods and techniques that are used in the developing world. Through the use of GPS, farmers can now achieve additional benefits by combining better utilization of fertilizers and other soil amendments, determining the economic threshold for treating pest and weed infestations, and protecting the natural resources for use by future generations. References: Admiralty List of Radio Signals (NP) 281-282-285 Kasza Csaba A GPS kifejlődése és emberi haszna A GPS (Globális Helymeghatározási Rendszer) története az űrkorszakot megelőzően kezdődött. Kifejlődése majd ötven évig tartott, és fejlesztése a mai napig tart. Kifejlesztése kezdetben alapvetően katonai célokat szolgált, de hamarosan a civil alkalmazása is elkezdődött. Ma már az élet számos területén emberek milliárdjait szolgálja nap mint nap. A szerző csak vázlatosan érinti a rendszer megalkotásának fázisait, nem volt célja technikatörténeti kibontása a témának. A cél a GPS alkalmazási lehetőségeinek bemutatása volt, a légi - tengeri - vasúti - közúti közlekedés, a térképezés - földmérés, az idő megállapítás - szinkronizálás, a környezetvédelem, a meteorológia, a közbiztonság - kárenyhítés, a szabadidős tevékenységek és a mezőgazdaság területén. 237
