Does the GPS System Rely upon Einstein's Relativity?
Barry Springer
Keywords: GPS, GPS operation, GPS error, GPS navigation, GPS time, Einstein, relativity
A large scale overview of GPS system operation is provided and the process of achieving a navigation solution is explained. The process is based on classical physics. The one instance where a prediction of General Relativity appears to be realized is shown to actually not depend upon General Relativity. A closed loop feedback control system approach is shown to provide the error detection and correction that produces the high accuracy of the GPS system, without reliance on Einstein's relativity.
