|
|
Extremely Fast Moving Smartphones May Have to Shut Down GPS Receivers
By: Suzzie Christodulu |
A video has emerged of someone switching on their smartphone while on a plane in flight, and then tracking their flight using the built-in GPS tracker.
Setting aside the safety issue of switching on a cell phone while 45,000 feet in the air and travelling at 500mph, the video resulted in a discovery about how GPS works, and a very specific restriction on its abilities.
As noted by a user on the Reddit website, GPS signals receivers - as could be used in mobile phones - are required to shut-down when the device realizes itself to be moving faster than 1,200 mph and is at an altitude higher than 60,000 feet.
This restriction was designed to avoid the use of GPS receivers in intercontinental ballistic missile-like applications.
Some manufacturers apply this limit literally (disable when both limits are reached), other manufacturers disable tracking when a single limit is reached.
Although it is highly unlikely that the average smartphone is going to be break those limits, a couple of smartphones were recently sent up to the International Space Station which orbits far lower than the GPS satellites. In theory, if GPS tracking was switched on, those phones should automatically disable it - as the ISS would breach both requirements for height and speed.
We wonder what the on-screen error message says.
On the web: Reddit
Tags: [gps]
| Previous Story | Next Story |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |