UPSC Prelims 2018 Q55: Science & Technology – Technology
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
GPS - Applications
Global Positioning System (GPS) is a US-owned satellite navigation system (24 operational satellites) providing positioning, navigation and precise timing (PNT) services worldwide.
| Application | GPS Used? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mobile phone operations | YES | Smartphones use GPS for location services (maps, ride-hailing, delivery). Also, mobile network cell towers use GPS for time synchronization to coordinate hand-offs between cells. |
| 2. Banking operations | YES | GPS's ultra-precise atomic clock timing is critical for timestamping financial transactions, ATM synchronisation, high-frequency trading, and stock exchange operations. |
| 3. Controlling power grids | YES | GPS-derived precise time synchronization enables phasor measurement units (PMUs) and grid stability monitoring; smart grid operations rely on sub-microsecond timing. |
All three sectors depend on GPS - not just for location, but critically for precise timing signals from GPS's atomic clocks.
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. GPS is used in banking (timestamping) and power grids (synchronization), not just mobile phones.
- (b) Incorrect. Mobile phone operations also depend on GPS for location and cell tower time synchronization.
- (c) Incorrect. Banking depends on GPS timing for transaction timestamps and settlement synchronization.
- (d) CORRECT. GPS provides both positioning AND precise timing signals critical to mobile networks, banking and power grid operations.
Key point
GPS = Positioning + Navigation + Timing (PNT). Precise timing (atomic clocks on satellites) is critical for: mobile networks (cell handoffs), banking (transaction timestamps), power grids (synchrophasors), stock exchanges (HFT), aviation.
Remember
GPS technology is used far beyond navigation. In mobile phone operations, it enables location services and cell-tower time synchronization. In banking, it provides ultra-precise timestamps for transactions and settlements. In power grids, GPS timing enables synchrophasor measurements and grid stability monitoring. So GPS is critical infrastructure in all three domains.
Common mistakes
- Thinking GPS is only for navigation/maps - it also provides ultra-precise timing that underpins many critical infrastructure sectors.
- Confusing GPS (US, global) with GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), BeiDou (China), NavIC (India, regional).
- Missing that a GPS disruption could cripple banking, telecom and power grid operations - it is dual-use critical infrastructure.
Exam tip
GPS trilogy: Positioning (where), Navigation (how to get there), Timing (when). Timing signal reliance goes far beyond location - it silently synchronises banking, telecom, power grids and financial markets.
Sources
- US Space Force - GPS Technical Documentation (gps.gov)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology - GPS Timing for Critical Infrastructure