Relativistic Positioning Systems: current status

2009

A {\em relativistic positioning system} consists in a set of four clocks broadcasting their respective proper time by means of light signals. Among them, the more important ones are the {\em auto-located positioning systems,} in which every clock broadcasts not only its proper time but also the proper times that it receives from the other three. At this level, no reference to any exterior system (the Earth surface, for example) and no synchronization are needed. The current status of the theory of relativistic positioning systems is sketched.