How many satellites does it take for GPS to find something?

Answer 1

Your receiver must pick up at least 4 to get an accurate 3D lock.

If your receiver can safely assume you are on or near surface of earth it can get a good 2D lock with just 3. This is usually a safe assumption to make, especially with civilian receivers.

Less than 3, all it can do is set its clock.

Answer 2

The US Air Force maintains a minimum of 30 satellites in orbit, 24 of those active with the others in standby mode as spares should any active satellites fail. There will be 12 active satellites above the horizon and thus receivable at any point on the earth.

A GPS receiver needs to receive a minimum of 3 satellites' signals to determine latitude & longitude and a minimum of 4 satellites' signals to determine latitude, longitude & elevation; if more than 4 satellites' signals are received these coordinates can be determined to greater accuracy.

Answer 3

All of the GPS satellites are sending out a signal all the time. In order to

calculate your latitude, longitude, and altitude, your receiver needs to hear

at least four (4) of them. Most receivers are capable of processing the signals

from 12 satellites or more at the same time. The more satellites yours can hear,

the more accurate the calculated position is.

Answer 4

-- At the present time (last gasp of 2013), there are 36 satellites in orbit,

operational, and healthy, in the GPS 'constellation'.

-- If your hand-held receiver can see four (4) of them, it can give you

a pretty accurate readout of your latitude and longitude, plus a readout

of your purported elevation.

-- The more satellites your receiver can see, the more accurate the readout is.

Answer 5

GPS receivers typically require signals from at least four satellites to accurately determine a three-dimensional position on Earth (latitude, longitude, and altitude). This is because each satellite sends out signals that contain precise timing and positioning information which the receiver uses to triangulate its position.

Answer 6

• There are 6 satelites that make up the gps

Answer 7

Minimum - 3

Answer 8

3