GPS in Sports and Recreation

Presented by:

Elizabeth Brocklehurst

Christopher Cook

Walter Sarabia

Elizabeth Brocklehurst

• Solar Vehicle Racing

• Other Interesting Applications

Solar Vehicle Racing

Sunrayce 95

Forces acting on Vehicle

• Aerodynamic Drag

• Vehicle System Losses

• Road Grade

Determining Topography

• Digitize topographical maps

• Barometric Sensors

• GPS

GPS Process Used

“Surveying Van”

– 3 computers

– roof mounted GPS

– meteorological instruments

“Additional Car”

– 1 receiver

– 1 computer

DGPS

• 10 Channel

• L1 and CA code

• Phase data post-processing

• Achieved 1mm accuracy (X,Y)

• S/A on

Difficulties Encountered

• Location of reference marks

• Re-calibration after loss of signal

• Reduction of data– Removal of S/A errors– Filtering of segments less than 5m– Smoothing of any remaining errors– Recalculating the total distance

Other Applications of GPS• Hiking

– Layout paths

– Retrace paths

– Locate hikers in distress

• Biking– Collect GIS data

– Layout Race courses

– Navigate Predetermined Routes

Other Applications of GPS• Skiing

– Determine Cable Safety

– Avalanche & Glacier Rescue in Iceland

• Traveling– Automated Tolls

– Airline Navigation & Fleet Monitoring

– Automotive Applications

TV Watching

• NETCUE– Uses precise timing to plan commercial breaks

– Provides precise synchronization between headquarters and affiliates

– Allows affiliates to adjust to real time changes (e.g. live broadcasts)

– Helps prevents dead air time

– Helps to maximize sales of local air time

Christopher Cook

• Fishing

• Boating

DGPS Helps the Fishing Industry Trawlers use the DGPS to give them a significant

precision (<0.1 knot) and a reliable calculation of the vessels speed. This is ver y important for optimum utilization of the trawl (the optimal capacity of a fishing net is linked to a large extent to the precise control of the ship’s speed).

Different types of trawling activities, such as shell drags, use DGPS for a more precise combing of the sea bottom

Longliners use this system to increase the output of the fishing process and to provide recovery of equipment more easily.

DGPS Helps the Fishing Industry

Sea farmers use DGPS to improve the exploitation of submerged cultures, plotters, netters, etc.

In the event of losing a trawl it is also possible to return some time later to exactly the same location with a grappling hook in order to attempt to retrieve any lost gear.

Successful fishing locations or dangerous areas can be easily found or avoided, such as reefs, wrecks, or other underwater obstructions.

Boating

• DGPS is used primarily as a navigation instrument in boating and sailing.

GPS is also used in all types of boat racing. The race committee will position and set the course markers. With the use of the DGPS corrections, they will have the ability to accurately position the race course marks within 3 to 5 meters at any given location. The coordinates of these markers are published in the race instructions, allowing the racers to use their onboard GPS to effectively plot out their strategy.

With the accuracy of GPS, race course lengths can remain consistent in all weather conditions.

Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)

• A technique used to improve the accuracy of the GPS. DGPS reduces the effect of selective availability, propagation delay, etc. and can improve position accuracy to greater than 10 meters.

• Based on the use of two or more receivers, one is stationary (beacon) and located at a known base point, and the position of the (mostly moving) remote receivers are to be determined.

Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)

• At least four common satellites must be tracked.

• The GPS position of the differential beacon from the satellite will be off by up to 100 meters. By comparing the known position of the stationary differential beacon to its GPS position, the error is calculated and a correction is transmitted to all differential receivers within range. Most of the error is eliminated.

GPS vs. DGPS

Position 50% of Time 95% of Time

GPS 25m 100m

DGPS 40cm 90cm

Velocity 50% of Time 95% of Time

GPS 1 knot 4 knots

DGPS 0.05 knot 0.10 knots

Walter Sarabia

• Gliding

• Golfing

GLIDING

The GPS (Global Positioning by Satellites) system wasimplemented by the United States military to help them figure outwhere they are and to deliver their "hardware" accurately andefficiently. GPS is now used extensively in sports: mounted onmotorcycles for desert ralleys; in racing sailboats, hand-held unitsfor hikers, and competition gliding.

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is apparently a morecomplete navigation system based on the GPS technology. GNSSreceivers and flight recorders (FR) are now used in glidingchampionships, with the position and height of the glider beingrecorded every 4 seconds.

Flight Path

GOAL

The HGFA comps committee has requested thattraditional means be used for determining goalcrossing times. At the Canungra Classsic we will alsocalculate the crossing time based on the GPS as adouble check and also to evaluate the feasibility ofusing it in future competitions

Examples of Track Log Verification

GOLFING

Designed as a tool for thegolfer, the ParView Systemcombines the tradition of thegame with Global PositioningSystem (GPS) technology tosignificantly enhance theoverall golfing experience.

Graphical Hole and GreenOverview

As a golfer approaches eachhole, ParView displays agraphical overview of the holefeaturing distances to the pin,fairway hazards, landmarks,pro tips on how best to play thehole, and an elapsed timer tomonitor pace of play.

As the cart approaches thegreen, ParView displays thecurrent pin placement withdistances to the front and backof the green, and pin distancefrom the center of the green.

Exact Distancing

Using GPS technology, the ParView system providesdistancing from each tee to the center of the green, allowinggolfers to view the distance of their drive or distanceremaining to the pin.

Two-Way Communications

Using Radio Frequencytechnology, golfers are able toquickly communicate with the proshop for emergency assistance orreceive messages from the proshop including storm warnings.This can be a life-saving feature

SOFTWAREProLink’s proprietary navigation technology is the only system availablethat allows courses to accurately track and provide precise yardagereadings in any type of golf surroundings, including harsh terrain, undertrees and other obstructions that typically interfere with traditional GPS-type systems. “This multiple navigation system called Acutrak™ wasspecifically developed for the severity of the golf environment and is onlyone of the technological advancements that separate ProLink from itscompetition,” stated Lecker.

ProLink, Inc., is the fastest-growing provider of golf course informationmanagement systems. Available at over 85 courses worldwide, ProLink isthe winner of the 1998 National Business Incubator Technology of theYear Award and was named Arizona’s 8th fastest-growing high-techcompany in 1998

Gliding Websites

• http://www.provence-beyond.com/sports/gps.html

• http://www.triptera.com.au/canungra/gps/

• http://www.take-off.ch/soe_prod02.htm

Golfing Websites

• http://www.ttggolf.com/gps.htm

• http://www.ttggolf.com/gps.htm

• http://www.uplinkgolf.com/product/product.html