The Global Positioning System has been active for sometime, with a number of upgrades. The origins were military, aviation, and seafaring consumers. In the old days, navigators would use the positions of stars to figure out where they were, and where they were headed. Some of them were quite effective at this. GPS navigation isn't that much different!
GPS navigation involves multiple satellites in the earths atmosphere transmitting signals to devices that can then determine there current location on the ground. With advances in computerizations these devices have been extended to do about the same that old world navigators would do, and much more.
The satellites began being launched in 1978 and since they have accumulated a network of 24 of them globally. These satellites give full coverage for GPS navigation everywhere with reasonable accuracy. To the consumer that part is free. There is no service charge to pay for that; though additional maps and other features that don't originate from these satellites may have fees.
The Many Uses For GPS Navigation
One of the earliest places that enjoyed widespread GPS navigation would have to be aviation of all sizes. Pilots found it easy to chart their systems to keep them on track for various airports using either ground signals or those from the satellites. Today GPS is a major use in this area.
Later it entered the consumer market in expensive luxury vehicles. GPS navigation features showed up in a number of foreign vehicles and in the well known on-star system in the states. Cab drivers have had similar add-on features as have other public services as well.
Over recent years, inexpensive portable units have cemented GPS navigation as a useful option for nearly anyone traveling anywhere. Whether on roads, water, air, or out in the middle of no-where; this handy moving compass with even mapping has proven very valuable.
In other words, today you can have the benefit of many navigators of old, in the palm of your hand; the GPS navigation unit. It's coming to the point now where official forms sometimes include latitude and longitude.
GPS Navigation into the Future
This technology is still growing and there are many combinations and ideas yet to try. New innovations in GPS navigation devices are coming out monthly. Combined with computers and nearly any other portable media device; many new trends will result. CallerID is nothing compared to the possibilities of GPS combined with the cellular phone. These features are already out there. Though they are still in infancy compared to what is possible.
Combined with transmitters, GPS has been used to track stolen property. With a few simple actions, location can be in shortly and the authorities on the way to recovery. This is possible in relatively small components concealed on the traceable items.
The possibilities are endless. Watch the headlines on GPS navigation and you will find much amazement. Now that you know more; you may want to do some shopping as GPS navigation might be your next favorite toy!
Gps Navigation: Then, Now, And The Future
Improve The Reach Of Your GPS Devices With The Use of Antennae And Mounts
GPS antennas are an important part of any and all wireless systems. The GPS antenna works by combining a planar antenna and a frequency converter, which converts the high-frequency phase-modulated spread spectrum signal of the GPS system to an intermediate frequency. Nowadays, you can find many different types and brands of GPS antenna available in the market. You can select the one that is most suitable for your own personal or business needs. You can look up the details on the Internet of the various models available and select one that fits your needs and your budget.
Some of the key reasons to consider getting a GPS antenna include:
1) For use in a car or any other vehicle where the GPS device cannot or will not be placed near a window
2) For use when trekking or hiking in challenging geographical locations like jungles or canyons
3) For use in highly built-up areas like urban city centers
4) For use in any place where the GPS device does not have good line of sight to the sky
5) For use in a vehicle in motion to minimize temporary signal loss
6) For enhancing the best possible GPS signal accuracy by having a lock on the most number of GPS satellites
In fact, specific to piloting here a number of advantages in using the GPS antenna:
1) Reduces flight time
With a GPS antenna, it is possible for a pilot to reduce the time spent on aircraft turning from around five minutes to as low as one minute.
2) Increase efficiency
As the antenna is constantly maintaining a constant phase lock with GPS stations, no flight time is wasted while waiting to reacquire the lock on lost GPS signals. In addition, it also reduces the overall flight costs due to the reduction in turning time. Without a doubt, a GPS antenna helps to increase efficiency.
3) Minimum investment required
Since the technology is based on commercially available components, only a minimal investment is required. A low-cost and stabilized GPS antenna can be added to any existing vehicle or aircraft.
Generally, a GPS antenna can handle many different types of situations regardless of the outside environment as the antennas are designed mainly for stationary applications. The GPS antenna is a high-quality solution for adding GPS RF signals to marine GPS navigation systems. One particular model of GPS antenna is the Bullet III which is an active antenna with 35-dB preamp and dual band pass filter.
In fact, this brand has been in use for many years as it has proven its strength, durability and reliability. However, regardless of which brand of GPS antenna system you choose to purchase, all that matters is that you does what you need it to do at the right price and with the expected levels of reliability and durability.
Get The Correct GPS Mount To Secure Your GPS Device
It is important to get the proper GPS mount in order to secure your GPS device so that it is less likely to get damaged. In fact, it is quite tough to find the perfect GPS mount subsequent to your initial purchase of the GPS device, since your retailer may longer hold inventory of GPS mounts suited to older GPS equipment. You may need to spend some time and effort trawling through the Internet's various auction sites to find a GPS mount for an older device. For this particular reason alone, after you have decided on the GPS device you plan to buy, you should also consider buying the GPS mount at the same time since your retailer might be able to recommend one that fits your device and its intended use.
Get as much research regarding GPS mounts done on the Internet. Many GPS device manufacturers may suggest suitable GPS mounts in their online literature describing the devices' features and functions. There is a wide variety of GPS mounts designed for various purposes. For those who are not familiar with their GPS devices, some mistakes may be made in the process of purchasing GPS mounts.
Some examples of different mounts available include:
1) Aviation mounts
This type of mount gives the pilot an option of positioning the mount over or under the yoke depending on their requirements. Some pilots may even bring along their own portable GPS mount and fix it to an area where they prefer.
2) Marine mounts
Marine GPS mounts are generally used by boaters to fix it onto their marine craft so that they are able to use the GPS device with ease. Like aviation units, most of the marine units are easily removable for safe-keeping and convenience.
3) Laptop mounts
There are people who use laptop GPS mounts for fleet vehicles. Therefore the dealer of the GPS mount has to ensure that the mount has the same specifications to fit all the vehicles in the fleet.
Using a GPS Navigation System
Finding your way through complex city streets and freeways has never been easier if you have a map with you. However, a map with complicated drawings, figures, and incomprehensible images would not be sufficient; especially if you are driving alone or you don't know how to read the map. Then the purpose becomes useless and the reason for having a map is pointless. So before you take your next trip to an unfamiliar location or discovering new routes to shorten your trip, you should forget the maps and instead consider the GPS navigation system. The GPS navigation system serves as a good location finder when you are lost or trying to make your way through busy streets. While several car owners opt to have a good leather seat, dependable safety features, great entertainment systems, and luxurious interior, others opt for a good sense of direction and peace of mind while driving only offered by having a GPS system. The GPS navigation system replaces a map while still maintaining its main purpose, to give direction. However, unlike traditional maps you can usually find in your glove compartment, this system makes driving easier, faster, and more enjoyable. You don't have to read those complicated maps while you are trying to drive. You don't have to argue with the person sitting next to you whether you go left, right or make a U-turn. You don't have to stop and ask for directions. And you don't have to loose focus on your driving. The GPS navigation will eliminate all these hassles a conventional map can bring. The system provides your precise location and the distance of your destination, plus the approximate time of your arrival. Now that's something you certainly cannot expect from a map. What to look for GPS navigation: Some new vehicles are equipped with this type of nav system, but if it's not included, consider the following tips for the best system: Make sure it has a large and clear screen so that you can easily read the maps. Focus on a global positioning system that is easy to use, the ones that would not require you hours to learn how to operate. A good device should make navigation easy for you. With several different GPS navigation devices on the market, focus on the ones that have available software that could be installed easily on your navigation system. This software should contain detailed road mapping and streets, as well as landmarks such as restaurants, hotels, and gasoline stations. GPS navigation system should come with a voice-enabled system that communicates the right direction to the driver without requiring the driver to take his/her eyes from the road. You should also consider the factor of the memory capacity of the GPS. If you want better and larger storage capacity, which lets you install all the maps you need, then you should opt to have a GPS with large memory capacity. There are also GPS navigation devices that alarm the proper authorities in case the vehicle has deployed its airbag or if the vehicle is reported stolen. For those who drive without a GPS navigation system, the idea of having one might not be very appealing at the moment, but in a given situation where you need some guidance, it is always nice to have such a device to help you.
A Sneak Peek at the Future of GPS Navigation
I've had the very fortunate opportunity to get a sneak peek at the future of GPS navigation. The future where 3D maps and integrated traffic are old school.
I would be remiss if I didn't share the future with my readers so I now present a short list of features coming to a GPS navigation system near you:
The ability to show all vehicles driving near you on your GPS navigation screen. If one car gets to close to you or you get to close to it, the GPS will avoid the pending accident for you.
Integrated traffic lights. If you are approaching a stop light the background color of your GPS navigation screen will mimic the color of the stoplight. If the GPS navigation system detects that you are about to run a red light, it will stop for you.
3rd party integration with local businesses. For example, if you have a PO Box, when you drive by the post office, your GPS navigation system will tell you whether or not you have mail waiting in the PO Box so you don't have to waste a trip inside the post office if you don't have any mail.
When will all of these features be available? As soon as my soon-to-be seven year-old son is able to build them. That's right. All of the above ideas really only exist in my son's imagination. So I guess I tricked you but laugh it up now. People used to think guaranteed overnight delivery was a joke too.
Incidentally, if any of you plan on inventing these new features before my son does, please don't use the name GPS 3000. That's what my five year-old son told his older brother he needed to call the new GPS navigation system once he invents it.
The Benefits of Having a GPS
Lots of classy control systems of the modern automobiles need measurements of vehicle's attitude. The commercial GPS systems are method of option for measuring approach in lots of aircraft & farm automobile applications, however are not usually used on the automobiles. Prohibitive aspects of the commercial GPS systems on car include their high cost & significant loss of reliability & signal availability in the urban road settings.
The modern automobiles are prepared with various control systems, which improve passenger safety & comfort. These systems take in anti-lock brakes, disparity steering & cruise control. Recently, the automotive GPS systems also got added to lots of cars for exercise in positioning purposes, permitting driver to view their position on map, and get directions in the real time. Advent of the GPS receivers in the cars has efforts to improve existing systems, and to make new ones like car following & lane keeping control. Some of these systems need measurements of vehicle's attitude.
Few other type of interesting integrations & functions of the automotive GPS control system are that color LCD monitors on a few automotive navigation systems that can as well be used to show television broadcasts and DVD movies. Some systems integrate with phones for the hands-free talking & SMS messaging. Automotive navigation control systems will include personal info management for meetings that is combined with traffic & public transport system.
Safety Features
Vehicles made by Subaru * Lexus, and Lexus' company, Toyota, exclude many of features when vehicle is in the motion. Manufacturers state this is safety feature to evade driver being distracted. Lots of users have also complained that the passengers are not capable to enter location while in the motion, even if it is very safe to do. Additionally, the drivers have also complained that it is unsafe to pull off highway & stop than it is to enter destination in a system.
The automotive system is satellite navigation system that is designed for the exercise in automobiles. It normally makes use of GPS navigation system to obtain position data to place the user on road in unit's map database. By using road database, unit will give directions to the other locations all along roads in its database. The dead reckoning utilizing distance data from the sensors attached to drive train, gyroscope and accelerometer is used for the greater dependability, since GPS signal loss and multipath will occur because of urban canyons and tunnels.
Advantages of this kind of GPS unit take in low cost and capability to move them simply to other automobiles. Their portability states they are simply stolen if left in the vehicle however can't be stolen if driver carries it with him while he gets out. In addition not having compass, accelerometer and inputs from vehicle's speed sensors, states that they can't navigate as precisely by dead weighing up as a few built- in the devices when there is not any GPS signal. More current portable devices like TomTom 920 have inbuilt accelerometer to attempt and address this.
Save Fuel With a Portable GPS Navigation System
Save Fuel With a GPS Vehicle Navigation System. When gasoline is reaching all time highs in terms of price, every bit of fuel saved is significant money that doesn't leave your pocket. One of the most interesting weapons you can possibly utilize to save gas could be the GPS vehicle navigation system. If you are confused, or do not know what that is, then read on to find out what your very own vehicle installed GPS navigation system can do for you in terms of increased adventure and gas saved. An auto navigation system, or a hand held navigation system is simply a gps navigation system controlled by a satellite system. A portable GPS Navigator system that realy listens. The Garmin nuvi 880 is the newest member of the Garmin navigator family. So take some time to say hello to the next generation of GPS navigator sysytems, and I do mean say hello. You see the Garmin nuvi 880 navigator is voice activated. The Garmin nuvi 880 is the first portable GPS navigation system that is voice activated, the first portable GPS device that boasts full speech recognition capabilities. Most all of its functions are accessed by using your voice. There are only a few tasks that will require you to use the user friendly touch screen. The Garmin nuvi 880 portable GPS device is truly amazing and will quickly win the hearts of all that places one on their windshield.
First of all, what is GPS? GPS stands for "global positioning system." Global positioning systems come in many types for many applications, from hand held, to automobile, to boat and airplane. The basic idea behind every GPS navigation system is using a series of satellites to relay information to the GPS receiver and therefore make a very accurate estimation of the location of the receiver on the earth's system. GPS can typically give coordinates of your location accurate to one square meter.
There are a number of GPS navigation systems, which include the Go One GPS vehicle navigation system and the nextar GPS navigation system. The idea behind a vehicle navigation system is utilizing GPS technology as well as imbedded map programs to superimpose your location on a virtual map. This allow the GPS navigation system to not only tell you were you are, but even tell you exactly what turns to make to get you where you want to go! With an effective GPS navigation program, you are guaranteed to get where you are going in the fastest, and most direct way possible because your map program can calculate the exact distance between you and your desired destination and can compare every single route and tell you the shortest one!
GPS navigation systems, along with preventing you from getting lost out there on the highways, also prevents you from making the wrong turn when going places you may think you already know how to go to. When the GPS navigation system is on, the most direct route is always king.
So, if you have not put two and two together, the fact of the matter is that when you are consistently taking the shortest route possible to each and every one of your destinations, you are saving precious miles. With every mile you save, you are saving fuel. The more fuel you save, the more money you save! This is one of the major luxuries that come with owning your own GPS vehicle navigation system. You will not only never get lost, but you will always know the shortest route to your destination. With a GPS tracking system on your side doing the navigating, you are guaranteed to win with decreased fuel consumption.
If you are intrigued, it is time you looked into your very own car portable GPS navigation system today. Find out how the newest, hottest technologies on the market can help you save. With an effective auto GPS navigation program, you are guaranteed to get where you are going in the fastest, and most direct way possible, so get an auto navigation system, or a hand held navigation system in your hands today. This portable GPS device will take a backseat to no one. The amazing speech recognition and ease of use will steal the show. The Garmin nuvi 880 portable GPS navigation system should be on everyones list to purchase. So if you are considering a portable GPS device, the Garmin 880 with voice activation is the one. A simple gps navigation system will cost pennies compared to the fuel you will save. Save gas today.