Beidou vs GPS: A Peak Showdown of Global Navigation Systems
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Beidou vs GPS: A Peak Showdown of Global Navigation SystemsIntroductionIn 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite into space, igniting global passion for space exploration and ushering in a new era of global navigation system development. The US and the Soviet Union became the frontrunners in this space race
Beidou vs GPS: A Peak Showdown of Global Navigation Systems
Introduction
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite into space, igniting global passion for space exploration and ushering in a new era of global navigation system development. The US and the Soviet Union became the frontrunners in this space race. After witnessing the Soviet Union's achievements, the US quickly launched its own satellite navigation program, eventually giving birth to the world-renowned GPS system. In 1994, the last GPS satellite successfully entered orbit, marking humanity's entry into the age of great navigation. However, what is surprising is that the US built a global navigation network with only 24 satellites, while China's pride, the Beidou Global Navigation System, requires 55 satellites. Does this mean that the US is technologically advanced and Beidou cannot compete with GPS?
Beidou vs GPS: Who reigns supreme?
On the surface, the number of satellites in Beidou is significantly greater than that of GPS, but this is only a one-sided conclusion. Evaluating a navigation system cannot be solely based on the number of satellites; it is crucial to delve deeper into its core functionalities and technological advantages.
Beidou's Powerful Functionality
China's Beidou system holds a leading position worldwide, particularly in Asia, where its positioning accuracy even surpasses GPS, achieving a horizontal accuracy of up to 9 meters and a timekeeping accuracy of 20 nanoseconds. More importantly, Beidou's stability is remarkably high, with almost no errors. Even over centuries, its error remains only one second, a miracle in the field of navigation.
Beidou's capabilities are not limited to navigation; it has permeated every aspect of our lives, including transportation, communication, aerospace, and more, showcasing its powerful functionalities:
- Advantage of "Active Positioning": Unlike GPS's "Passive Positioning," Beidou can receive user signals while also transmitting signals outwards, enabling real-time tracking of user locations. This plays an irreplaceable role in various search and rescue operations, a capability that GPS cannot achieve.
- Powerful Short Message Functionality: Beidou users can send short messages to connect with nearby rescue teams, especially crucial in mountainous regions or snowy plateaus with limited communication infrastructure. During disasters, the short message function can be a lifeline for rescue efforts.
- Continuous Improvement of Short Message Functionality: Initially, the short message function could only send a few hundred words. Thanks to the continuous efforts of researchers, it has been expanded to 1200 words, significantly enhancing information transmission efficiency and capacity.
A Breakthrough in Chip Manufacturing
The development of cutting-edge technology relies heavily on chip manufacturing, and the Beidou system is no exception. To ensure system stability and national security, Beidou must use independently developed chips. Therefore, the implementation of the Beidou project has significantly propelled the development of China's chip industry. As of 2020, sales of Beidou basic chips have exceeded 100 million units, with supporting facilities spread globally, demonstrating strong market competitiveness.
The Development Trajectory of GPS
As early as 1958, the US recognized the immense potential of satellite navigation and began relevant research and development work. In 1964, they initially completed the "Transit Satellite Positioning" system, but due to technological limitations, the system could only receive ground signals and could not transmit signals to the ground. Moreover, it only had 5-6 satellites, and its positioning accuracy was far inferior to today's standards.
The US military was dissatisfied with the system's functionality and tasked NASA with developing a new navigation system. It wasn't until 1973 that the US formulated a new navigation system plan. The goal was to use satellites to monitor ground activities and intercept space signals, gathering intelligence for the US military. Subsequently, GPS navigation satellites were gradually launched into space. After more than two decades of construction, the entire system was finally completed at the turn of the century, with a total of 24 satellites launched.
Advantages and Limitations of GPS
Many wonder why GPS only needs 24 satellites to meet its requirements. There are two reasons:
- First-mover Advantage: The US initiated satellite navigation system development earlier, securing the best orbital resources on Earth, laying the foundation for the subsequent GPS system.
- "Passive Positioning" Technology: GPS satellites only need to transmit signals, simplifying their structure and reducing the requirement for satellite numbers.
However, "Passive Positioning" also has limitations. In the event of a disaster, it cannot transmit the location information of stranded individuals to the outside world, a fatal weakness of GPS. To overcome this shortcoming, China opted for the more complex "Active Positioning" technology.
The Future of the Beidou System
The Beidou system was born to meet China's massive travel navigation needs, even exceeding the capabilities of the GPS system in this aspect. After years of development, the Beidou system has become increasingly sophisticated, and now the navigation systems on our phones have all switched to Beidou.
Looking back, in the 1960s, China proposed the "Lighthouse Plan" to explore independent satellite navigation technology. However, due to technological limitations at the time, the plan could only remain in the theoretical stage. Nonetheless, aerospace workers made significant progress in theoretical research.
With China's strengthening economic power, the Beidou system construction plan was officially launched. It also faced various challenges, including limited funding and technological blockades from Western countries. However, Chinese researchers overcame numerous obstacles and achieved groundbreaking progress in satellite development, completing the construction of the Beidou system entirely independently, breaking the Western technological monopoly.
At the end of 2023, China launched its 57th and 58th Beidou navigation satellites, further refining system functionality and enhancing navigation accuracy.
Comparison of Beidou and GPS
Although the GPS system currently dominates the global market, this is solely due to its first-mover advantage. In terms of functionality and reliability, the Beidou system has already surpassed GPS. Currently, over 80% of domestic mobile phones use Beidou navigation, but ordinary users cannot distinguish between the two, leading to the misconception that they are using GPS.
The development of the Beidou system showcases China's strong scientific and technological capabilities, from the initial theoretical stage of the "Lighthouse Plan" to today's mature global navigation system. Beidou's progress is inseparable from the hard work and spirit of exploration of researchers.
In the near future, the Beidou system is destined to play an even more significant role in various fields, contributing to China's development, and we will all benefit from it. Let us all witness how Beidou changes the world!
References:
- Global Times, July 31, 2020, "Five Capabilities Revealed: The Applications of Beidou Are Only Limited by Human Imagination"
- Science and Technology Daily, October 15, 2020, "Five Capabilities Revealed: The Applications of Beidou Are Only Limited by Human Imagination"
Conclusion
The success of the Beidou system is a prime example of Chinese technological innovation, demonstrating China's tremendous progress in the aerospace field. It not only provides China with powerful navigation services but also offers more options for users worldwide. As the Beidou system continues to evolve, it will play an even more crucial role in the future, contributing to humanity's exploration of space and the building of a better world.
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