The covariance of GPS coordinates and frames

DOI10.1088/0264-9381/23/10/019zbMATH Open1101.83007arXivgr-qc/0602052OpenAlexW3125533776MaRDI QIDQ5481065FDOQ5481065

Marc Lachièze-Rey

Publication date: 7 August 2006

Published in: Classical and Quantum Gravity (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We explore, in the general relativistic context, the properties of the recently introduced GPS coordinates, as well as those of the associated frames and coframes. We show that they are covariant, and completely independent of any observer. We show that standard spectroscopic and astrometric observations allow any observer to measure (i) the values of the GPS coordinates at his position, (ii) the components of his [four-]velocity and (iii) the components of the metric in the GPS frame. This provides to this system an unique value both for conceptual discussion (no frame dependence) and for practical use (involved quantities are directly measurable): localisation, motion monitoring, astrometry, cosmography, tests of gravitation theories. We show explicitly, in the general relativistic context, how an observer may estimate its position and motion, and reconstruct the components of the metric. This arises from two main results: the extension of the velocity fields of the probes to the whole (curved) spacetime; and the identification of the components of the observer's velocity in the GPS frame with the (inversed) observed redshifts of the probes. Specific cases (non relativistic velocities; Minkowski and Friedmann-Lema^{i}tre spacetimes; geodesic motions) are studied in details.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0602052

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Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Equations of motion in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C10) Einstein's equations (general structure, canonical formalism, Cauchy problems) (83C05)

Cited In (10)

• A Feynman functional for the global positioning system
• Probing of violation of Lorentz invariance by ultracold neutrons in the standard model extension
• Minimal detectable biases of GPS data
• Impact of temporal correlations on GPS-derived relative point positions
• Relativity in the global positioning system
• USING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS TO TEST EXTENSIONS OF GENERAL RELATIVITY
• Relative velocities for radial motion in expanding Robertson-Walker spacetimes
• In search of relativistic time
• Four causal classes of Newtonian frames
• Discrete relativistic positioning systems

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