Digit Technology Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Difference between GPS & A-GPS and between N82 & N95

vilas_patil · 11-01-2008, 11:21 AM

Nikeel, I was scanning through CNET - ASIA, and could find the answer to your qurey..

The difference between GPS and A-GPS is actually pretty straightforward. A GPS phone comes with a built-in GPS chip. GPS, short for Global Positioning System, is typically used to determine the location, speed, direction and time of the device. So, for example, in the case of the N95, when GPS is activated on the unit, the system would be able to triangulate the position of the receiver when three or more satellites are connected. And since it is able to calculate speed and direction, GPS is also commonly used as a navigation device while driving.

A-GPS (Assisted-GPS), on the other hand, was developed to enhance the performance of GPS. This is especially useful in environments where the GPS chip may have difficulty in getting a satellite signal, such as an urban canyon, or places where there is too much overhead obstruction. What A-GPS does is it leverages on an intermediary called an Assistant Server which provides information on cell ID or other data to help the device identify the right satellites to connect to. This shortens the time needed for a location lock although certain A-GPS solutions require an active connection to a cell phone network.

If you have anything further query pls put it on this forum .

11-01-2008, 11:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
vilas_patil Broken In Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 145	Re: Difference between GPS & A-GPS and between N82 & N95 Nikeel, I was scanning through CNET - ASIA, and could find the answer to your qurey.. The difference between GPS and A-GPS is actually pretty straightforward. A GPS phone comes with a built-in GPS chip. GPS, short for Global Positioning System, is typically used to determine the location, speed, direction and time of the device. So, for example, in the case of the N95, when GPS is activated on the unit, the system would be able to triangulate the position of the receiver when three or more satellites are connected. And since it is able to calculate speed and direction, GPS is also commonly used as a navigation device while driving. A-GPS (Assisted-GPS), on the other hand, was developed to enhance the performance of GPS. This is especially useful in environments where the GPS chip may have difficulty in getting a satellite signal, such as an urban canyon, or places where there is too much overhead obstruction. What A-GPS does is it leverages on an intermediary called an Assistant Server which provides information on cell ID or other data to help the device identify the right satellites to connect to. This shortens the time needed for a location lock although certain A-GPS solutions require an active connection to a cell phone network. If you have anything further query pls put it on this forum .