I remember driving around not wanting to stop at the corner store and get directions. Ahh, the good ole days.
That is exactly what they are becoming thanks for GPS car navigation devices. Unless you just got of the boat from Antarctica then you are fully aware of just how cool these devices are.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. This is a system developed by our friends at the Department of Defense. It uses a grid of many satellites to triangulate positions anywhere in the world.
Our tax dollars really did the trick this time too because these devices can put you within 10 feet of the exact location. Pretty amazing.
Now, GPS car navigation devices come in different sizes and have different features. Most commonly you have the systems that come built-in to your car when it was made. Those usually have a larger popup screen and cost a lot more money.
The other is the portable kind. These devices and have a decent size screen and can literally fit in the palm of your hand. The great advantage to this is that they for one are inexpensive, and two can plug into any car using the cigarette lighter.
Now a days $150 gets you precise GPS navigation… instantly!
The benefits to having a GPS car navigation device are plain to see.
It can save you a ton of gas. All those U-turns and miles going in the wrong direction are not exactly free. Last time I checked it cost me money for every mile I put on my car.
It can also save you a ton of time. This not only translates right back to saving you money, but also a lot of frustration. Having the route mapped out in front of you makes driving more pleasurable. Not to mention that shorter routes are often figured out for you.
Lastly, it can help you avoid traffic. These slick little units can spit out alternate routes in about 10 seconds. Dodging all that accident traffic has never felt better or been so easy.
For the cost they are today I would highly suggest picking one up. It is quickly becoming one of those items that we will all wonder how we lived without years from now. Remember life before the microwave?
By: Cathy Seiler
Posts Tagged ‘Department Of Defense’
GPS Navigation
March 4th, 2010Posted in Article
Tags: Alternate Routes Car Navigation Devices Cigarette Decent Size Department Of Defense Exact Location Frustration Global Positioning System Good Ole Days Gps Car Navigation Gps Device Gps Devices Gps Navigation Last Time Navigation Device Palm Of Your Hand Popup Screen Satellites Tax Dollars Wrong Direction
Magellan GPS Product Information
January 19th, 2010
Global Positioning Systems have taken the world by storm. Those who use a navigation system rely upon its accurate directional services. Magellan GPS is one of the more popular brands of navigation products and can be bought at just about any electronics store.
GPS utilizes the government’s network of satellites that consistently circle the earth, providing timely and accurate logistical information. It was designed in the late 1970’s by the US Department of Defense to be used as a reliable navigational tool for the military. However today, it has become main-stream, finding its way to consumers through a variety of suitable systems. Global positioning system receivers are hand-held units that fit into the palm of your hand. These portable systems have the ability to connect to the global positioning satellites which, through a series of calculations based on longitude and latitude can instantly and accurately pinpoint the user’s location. The screen of the receiver will then illustrate a map of the area, including landmarks, terrains, roads, and places your location relative to these points of reference. Those who travel and enjoy outdoor activities like camping and hiking have found the Magellan GPS receivers to be very useful in providing accurate navigation and ensuring safety.
Lots of people prefer to use the Magellan navigation system as a hand-held device, where others prefer to use it as a navigational device that they mount in their vehicles. It uses a destination address supplied by the driver to efficiently navigate the driving route. Also, if your vehicle is stolen, it can be effectively tracked by the signals sent by the Magellan GPS.
The prices vary depending on the number of features offered by each system. You can also find lots of information online detailing the different global positionig systems, including price, features, and user reviews. Make sure you take the time to research any GPS before you purchase.
By: B Green
Posted in Article
Tags: Accurate Navigation Department Of Defense Destination Address Driving Route Electronics Store Global Positioning Satellites Global Positioning System Global Positioning Systems Longitude And Latitude Magellan Gps Receivers Magellan Navigation System Main Stream Navigation Products Navigational Device Navigational Tool Palm Of Your Hand Price Features Suitable Systems Terrains Us Department Of Defense
GPS And How It Works
January 17th, 2010
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a satellite navigation system with twenty-four satellites in orbit. These satellites were put in place by the United States Department of Defense for military uses, and were called NAVSTAR. The first satellite was launched in 1978 and the twenty-fourth and last satellite was finally in place in 1994. In 1980 NAVSTAR was made available to the general public for commercial use.
GPS works 24 hours a day in any weather. The satellites orbit the earth twice a day in a specific orbit that is about 12,000 miles above us. In orbit, the satellites travel as fast as 7,000 miles an hour. As they are orbiting, they transmit information to receivers on earth. The receivers use this information to calculate the user’s location. This calculation is made by determining the difference between the time a transmission was made and when the receiver received it. This is then used to calculate the distance and the position is displayed on the receiver.
For a receiver to calculate a latitude and longitude position is to receive information from three satellites. To calculate latitude, longitude and altitude a receiver must be able to receive information from four or more satellites. After position is known the GPS can then tell the user information about speed, trip distance, the distance to a desired destination, sunrise and sunset times, bearing and other information.
While in orbit, the satellites are powered by solar energy. They also have backup batteries that are used in the event of no solar power such as an eclipse. The energy is used to power small rockets on the satellites that keep them in the proper orbit. At any one time only about 50 watts of power or less is used to transmit information. The satellites are designed to last about ten years, and the U.S. Department of Defense is constantly making and launching replacement satellites. Each satellite is about 2,000 pounds and seventeen feet across when the solar panels are out.
GPS receivers are generally accurate within 15 meters. Other than investing in a receiver there are no fees or other equipment required to access the GPS signal. If very accurate readings are needed, Differential Global Position Systems (DGPS) will provide accuracy within three to five meters. The United States Coast Guard operates the most popular DGPS.
Two power signals are transmitted and are referred to as L1 and L2. The L1 frequency is used for civilian purposes. These signals are relatively low power signals and travel by line of sight, so they can go through clouds, glass, and plastic, but not solid objects like buildings or mountains. In every transmission the satellite sends three types of information, its pseudorandom code, ephemeris data and almanac data. The pseudorandom code is an I.S. code that identifies which satellite the information is being sent from. Ephemeris data tells the receiver where the satellite should be at any time of the day, and almanac data sends information about the status of the satellite, the current date and the time. The almanac data is the part that is essential for determining the user’s position.
By: Chris Simons
Posted in Article
Tags: Altitude Backup Batteries Department Of Defense Global Positioning System Latitude And Longitude Latitude Longitude Proper Orbit Receivers Satellite Navigation System Satellites Small Rockets Solar Energy Solar Panels Solar Power Sunrise And Sunset Sunrise And Sunset Times Sunrise Sunset U S Department United States Department United States Department Of Defense
