Task: Please read the following text and complete the reading

English (TDE)
Name:
Date:
Class:
Task:
Please read the following text and complete the reading comprehension tasks.
What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a
network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was
originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the
system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the
world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.
How it works
GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and
transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this
information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact
location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal
was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The
time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite
is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites,
the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on
the unit's electronic map.
A GPS receiver must be locked on to the signal of at least three satellites to calculate a 2D
position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. With four or more satellites in view,
the receiver can determine the user's 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). Once
the user's position has been determined, the GPS unit can calculate other information,
such as speed, track, trip distance, distance to destination, sunrise and sunset time and
more.
How accurate is GPS?
Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, thanks to their parallel multi-channel
design. Modern 12 parallel channel receivers are quick to lock onto satellites when first
turned on and they maintain strong links, even in dense foliage (Laub) or urban settings
with tall buildings. Certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can affect the
accuracy of GPS receivers. GPS receivers are accurate to within 15 meters on average.

Please read the text and the following statements.

Decide whether the statements are true or false.

Quote or paraphrase words from the text that confirm or disprove the ideas
in the statements.

You must give evidence in the right-hand column.
Statement
1. GPS stands for Global Parallels
Standard.
2. GPS was originally set up by the United
States Government.
3. There are certain natural conditions
which limit the usefulness of GPS.
True
False
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⃝
⃝
⃝
⃝
⃝
⃝
⃝
⃝
⃝
⃝
⃝
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4. Anyone can use GPS for free.
5. In order to determine the position, the
GPS receiver must be linked to at least
one satellite.
6. The position is calculated on the basis
of time differences between sending
and receiving signals.
7. GPS receiver can calculate more data
than just the position.
8. GPS data is always absolutely
accurate.
Evidence
Please complete the following statements by circling the correct option(s).
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)
In order to determine the position, GPS uses …
… 12 satellites.
… six satellites.
… 24 satellites.
… four-dimensional images.
2.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Since when have civilians been allowed to make use of GPS?
1960s.
After 9/11
The fall of the Berlin Wall.
1980s.
3.
a)
b)
c)
d)
The mathematical operation which is used to calculate the position is called…
… orthogonal projection.
… vector algebra.
… triangulation.
… limiting value.
4.
a)
b)
c)
d)
For a 2D location calculation, the system needs data on…
longitude.
attitude.
latitude.
altitude.
5.
e)
f)
g)
h)
For a 3D location calculation, the system needs data on…
longitude.
attitude.
latitude.
altitude.
English (TDE)
Name:
Date:
Class:
Homer Simpson Now On GPS Systems
Homer Simpson is the latest voice people can download for their car navigation
systems. A new “voice system” of Homer giving directions is available for $12.95.
The voice is that of Dan Castellaneta, the same actor who plays Homer in the TV
show. Simpsons fans can listen to Homer "woohoo" and "d'oh!" as they drive around
the streets. The recordings will delight Homer enthusiasts as he adds his own
commentary. Users will hear Homer giving directions such as: "Take the third right.
We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm... ice cream." The software is only
available for the TomTom GPS systems.
TomTom president Jocelyn Vigreux said: “With
Homer Simpson’s voice helping people to
navigate their trip, TomTom customers will not
only travel safely and with less stress, but will
also be highly entertained along the way.”
TomTom’s GPS offers up to 70 preloaded
voices in 36 languages, but Homer only speaks
in English. Homer becomes the seventh
celebrity voice in TomTom’s catalogue. It may
be a few years, however, before there are
versions of Homer speaking in Chinese, Russian
or Arabic. The marketing director at TomTom,
Chris Kearney, said he would like more
celebrity voices but there are problems getting permission. There are illegal
websites where you can download Arnold Schwarzenegger and George W. Bush
giving directions.
Tasks:
1. Which other voices would you like to have to give GPS directions?
2. Whose voice do you NOT want to hear giving you directions?
3. Is it useful or dangerous to use celebrity-voices?
English (TDE)
Name:
Date:
Class:
Mediation
Handlungsrahmen:
Ihr Ausbildungsbetrieb muss neue GPS-Empfänger anschaffen. Ihr Chef ist gerade
damit beschäftigt, entsprechende Informationen zu sammeln, um eine sinnvolle
Entscheidung treffen zu können. Er hat den folgenden Informationstext von einem
amerikanischen Unternehmen erhalten, aber da seine Englischkenntnisse nicht
besonders gut sind, bittet er Sie um Hilfe. Er benötigt dringend einen kurzen
Überblick über den Textinhalt.
Übertragen Sie den Text ins Deutsche, indem Sie ein strukturiertes Thesenpapier
erstellen, das die Funktionsweise und den praktischen Einsatz von GPS darstellt.
The Global Positioning System
(GPS)
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based radio navigation system
that provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to civilian users
on a continuous worldwide basis -- freely available to all. For anyone with a GPS
receiver, the system will provide location and time. GPS provides accurate
location and time information for an unlimited number of people in all weather,
day and night, anywhere in the world.
The GPS is made up of three parts: satellites orbiting the Earth; control and
monitoring stations on Earth; and the GPS receivers owned by users. GPS satellites
broadcast signals from space that are picked up and identified by GPS receivers.
Each GPS receiver then provides three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude,
and altitude) plus the time.
Individuals may purchase GPS handsets that are available through commercial
retailers. Equipped with these GPS receivers, users can accurately locate where
they are and easily navigate to where they want to go, whether walking, driving,
flying, or boating. GPS has become a cornerstone of transportation systems
worldwide, providing navigation for aviation, ground, and maritime operations.
Disaster relief and emergency services depend upon GPS for location and timing
in their life-saving missions. Farmers, surveyors, geologists and many other people
perform their work more efficiently, safely, economically, and accurately using the
free and open GPS signals.
(Source: www.gps.gov)
English (TDE)
Name:
Date:
Class:
Vocabulary
(“What is GPS?”)
satellite-based navigation system
___________________________________________
network
___________________________________________
applications
___________________________________________
weather conditions
___________________________________________
(to) circle
___________________________________________
precise
___________________________________________
orbit
___________________________________________
(to) transmit
___________________________________________
signal information
___________________________________________
(to) calculate
___________________________________________
exact position
___________________________________________
GPS receiver
___________________________________________
time difference
___________________________________________
distance measurements
___________________________________________
(to) determine
___________________________________________
latitude
___________________________________________
longitude
___________________________________________
altitude
___________________________________________
accurate
___________________________________________
sources of error
___________________________________________
accuracy
___________________________________________
(to) provide
___________________________________________
reliable
___________________________________________
control and monitoring stations
___________________________________________
(to) pick up signals
___________________________________________
(to) identify signals
___________________________________________
English (TDE)
Name:
Date:
Task:
Please use this chart to explain in your own words how GPS works.
Class:
English (TDE)
Name:
Date:
Class:
Mediation
Handlungsrahmen:
Für ein Referat im Unterrichtsfach Englisch sammeln Sie Material zum Thema GPS.
Übertragen Sie den Text ins Englische, indem Sie kurz die historischen
Navigationsprobleme aufgreifen und die GPS-Grundfunktionen in Form einer PowerPointPräsentation darstellen.
EIN KURZER BLICK IN DIE GESCHICHTE DER POSITIONSBESTIMMUNG
Seit die Menschen auf diesem Planeten Reisen unternehmen, ist es für sie wichtig
ihre jeweilige Position zu kennen. In früherer Zeit wurden die Sterne und Planeten
beobachtet. Aber bei schlechtem Wetter, waren weder die Sonne noch die
Sterne zu sehen.
Der erste Kompass ist vom Engländer Alexander Neckham ca. 1188 erwähnt
worden. Damals wurde er als magnetisierte Nadel beschrieben, die auf einer
Pfeilspitze lagert, immer zum Polarstern zeigt und so den Seeleuten den Weg weist.
Im 18. Jahrhundert waren es britische Astronomen die einen Nautischen
Almanach, ein Verzeichnis über die genaue Sichtbarkeit der Gestirne und deren
Bahnen, erstellten, sowie den Oktanten und danach den Sextanten entwickelten,
mit deren Hilfe die Seeleute den Breitengrad ihrer Position genauer bestimmen
konnten.
Es folgten noch eine Reihe weiterer Entwicklungen zur Positionsbestimmung, doch
konnte man erst mit dem Einzug der Elektronik die nicht immer sichtbaren Sterne
durch Satelliten ersetzen, das sind Sender, die vom Wetter unabhängig
empfangbare Funksignale aussenden.
GRUNDFUNKTIONEN DES GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)
Das Global Positioning System wurde ab 1973 vom amerikanischen Verteidigungsministerium entwickelt. Der Auftrag bestand in der Erstellung eines satellitengestützten Systems, das die Navigation eines beliebigen bewegten oder ruhenden
Objekts ermöglicht. Dieses System sollte bei jedem Wetter, zu jeder beliebigen Zeit
und an jedem beliebigen Ort – also zu Lande, zu Wasser und in der Luft – funktionieren.
Das GPS ist die derzeit modernste Vermessungsmethode und beruht auf der Nutzung von Informationen erdumkreisender Satelliten. Die interessanteste Komponente des GPS ist die dreidimensionale Positionsbestimmung (Längengrad, Breitengrad
und auch Höhenmeter). Dieses Funktionsweise beruht auf dem Prinzip der Streckenmessung zwischen Satellit und GPS-Gerät an der Erdoberfläche.
Um eine genaue Position bestimmen zu können, benötigt man vier Satellitensignale. Die momentanen Standorte der Satelliten sind den Wissenschaftlern immer bekannt. Es werden nun die Strecken zwischen den einzelnen Satelliten und dem
Empfänger gemessen. Da man jedoch nur die Standorte der Satelliten kennt, muss
man den Standort des Empfängers ausrechnen. Hierzu wird die Zeitmessung verwendet. Es wird genau abgelesen, wie lange das Funksignal vom Empfänger zu
den Satelliten dauert. Somit lassen sich die Strecke und der Standort des GPSEmpfängers relativ genau ausrechnen.