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For K-12 Students · GPS Trilateration

GPS Trilateration for a trilateration fix

Built for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework. Simulate a trilateration fix live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

GPS TrilaterationLive

position from distances

Controls

Presets

Ranging noise (m)

A GPS receiver knows its distance to several satellites from signal travel time. Each distance places it on a circle (a sphere in 3D); where three circles intersect is the fix. With perfect ranges they meet at one point, but timing noise blurs the intersection into a small region — which is why GPS uses many satellites and least-squares to pin down position.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Satellites3

Ranging noise0 m

Position error0.0 m

Governing equation

(x - x_{i})^{2} + (y - y_{i})^{2} = r_{i}^{2}, σ_{r} = 0 m

Reading this result: With zero ranging noise the three distance circles meet at exactly one point, so the computed fix lands on the true position.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for k-12 students?: Yes — this version of "GPS Trilateration for a trilateration fix" is framed for k-12 students learning it in middle or high school. Watch the idea come alive with plain-language steps and everyday examples — perfect for projects and homework.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.