Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) is a Satellite Navigation System

GPS is funded by and controlled by the U. S. Department of Defense (DOD). While there are many thousands of civil users of GPS world-wide, the system was designed for and is operated by the U. S. military.

There are three basic segments to the GPS Navigation system, they are:satellite

  • The Space Segment consists of 24 satellites that orbit the earth in 12 hours.
  • The Control Segment is a system of tracking stations located around the world that monitor signals from the Satellite Vehicles (SV).
  • The GPS User Segment which consists of the GPS receiver. GPS receivers convert SV signals into position, velocity, and time estimates. Four satellites are required to compute the four dimensions of X, Y, Z (position) and Time. GPS receivers are used for navigation, positioning, time dissemination, and other research. Navigation receivers are made for aircraft, ships, ground vehicles, and for hand carrying by individuals.

GIS … What is it?

Geographic Information System is the study of geographic features and the relationship between them.

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Crop Insurance and GIS

We at Golden State Crop & Insurance Services are utilizing GIS and handheld computers to obtain and share field data for our clients before a loss occurs. Why? If there should be a claim, we can readily assist the grower by having the field precisely mapped to show where the specific damage occurred, and have exact acreage of the field.

GIS data collection in the field

Farmers and others involved in agricultural production at the field level, through firsthand knowledge have great insight as to how to best manage a farm's natural resources. To assist in the planning and implementation of important decisions related to land management, farmers need to have the best information at hand, often in the field. With GIS, and handheld computer technology, decisions about various crop growing stresses found within a field such as pest infestations, nutrient deficiencies, soil conditions and water distribution irregularities can be recorded while out in the field. This data can then be utilized more effectively by the producer in real time.

We at Golden State Crop & Insurance Services want to help our clients to begin the process or to complement the harnessing of this new technology which can aid their operations productivity.map2

 

We offer GPS mapping of their fields as a courtesy service to our customers.

To find out more about our mapping services contact us.