Question 90 from UPSC CSE 2018 - General science and Science & Technology

Question

In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used?
1. Mobile phone operations
2. Banking operations
3. Controlling the power grids
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1, 2, and 3

Strategy: - Focus on GPS's dual capabilities: highly accurate timing in addition to navigation.
- Confirm Statement 1, which asserts mobile phone operations rely on GPS for location and network synchronization.
- Validate Statements 2 and 3, which involve precise timing for banking operations (transaction timestamping) and power grid management (synchronization).
- Conclude that all three statements are accurate, as GPS is essential for both location and timing in these critical sectors.

Key Info: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that provides geolocation and highly accurate time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on Earth.

### Key Applications

- **Mobile phone operations**: GPS is widely used in smartphones for mapping, navigation, location-based services, emergency response, and network time synchronization essential for cellular operations.
- **Banking operations**: Modern banking systems, especially electronic funds transfer and high-frequency trading, require highly accurate time-stamping and transaction synchronization, often derived from GPS satellite timing signals.
- **Power grids**: Electric power grid management depends on precise timing for grid synchronization, load balancing, and fault location. GPS time signals synchronize the operation of various grid components over wide areas, enabling reliable and stable power delivery.

### Additional Broader Context

- GPS technology is vital across many sectors for tracking, mapping, logistics, disaster management, aviation, maritime operations, and autonomous vehicles.
- The United States developed and operates the GPS; comparable systems include Russia's GLONASS, European Galileo, and India's NavIC.
- The 'timing' function of GPS enables precise clock synchronization across the world, which underpins many modern digital infrastructures.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1 and 3 only

In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used? Mobile phone operations Banking operations Controlling the power grids Select the correct answer using the code given below:

In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used?

Mobile phone operations

Banking operations

Controlling the power grids

Select the correct answer using the code given below: