Positioning modules offer a small footprint, fast time to market, moderate effort of development and limited cost of qualifications. Different combination of positioning modules are available such as GPS only, GNSS, with or without embedded patch antenna.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. The system provides critical capabilities to military, civil, and commercial users around the world. The United States government created the system, maintains it, and makes it freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.
In addition to GPS, other systems are in use or under development. The Russian Global Navigation Satel ite System (GLONASS) was developed contemporaneously with GPS. There are also the planned European Union Galileo positioning system, India's Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System.