Communication technology

Why are GPS units showing up everywhere? You might find one in your rental car, on your wristwatch or even built into your wireless phone. Anti-theft systems use one, heavy construction equipment might use one and having one on your boat now seems to be a requirement. Anytime we want to know our exact location on the face of the Earth, the GPS becomes indispensable. Like many other technologies, feature rich GPS units are now affordable for the average person. So how do you know which one to purchase? Let’s look at few things to consider prior to buying your next GPS unit, but first, what is a GPS unit?

A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit has the primary function of calculating its own location on land or water by using satellite signals. Once the GPS unit knows its own location, it can help the user determine direction and distance to other known locations. For instance, a GPS on a boat can tell the captain how far it is to the shoreline or how far it is to a favorite fishing spot. For the outdoor sportsman a GPS can help with finding your campsite, your vehicle or your next geocache. Popular outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, trail running, backpacking, rock climbing, canyoneering and canoeing are all made more enjoyable and safer when you take along your GPS.

When buying a GPS system the first thing to consider is how you intend to use it. If you plan on using it while on foot, you’ll want a GPS that is lightweight, compact, weather resistant and that is equipped with features important to foot travel. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) is one such feature. WAAS greatly increases the accuracy of your GPS, in most cases to within 10 feet. Accuracy within a few meters is important for the outdoor enthusiast but not nearly as important for navigating through town in your rental car. Next, be sure your GPS has at least 12 channels of reception too. Since your GPS will only work when it receives signals from satellites orbiting the Earth, less than 12 receiving channels will not get the job done in wooded areas or in steep terrain. If you plan on using

your GPS to navigate while driving in your car, its weight is not nearly as important as its ability to display street maps. The GPS mounted to the dash of your truck probably doesn’t need to be weatherproof, but the one on your boat better be.

Here are the features and products I recommend. For the outdoor athlete or sportsman, be sure your GPS has these features: topographical mapping, back tracking, a computer interface, weatherproofing, 12 receiver channels and WAAS. I recommend portable GPS units in the Garmin eTrex Series and the Magellan Meridian Series. For driving applications, be sure your GPS has these features: street mapping, large display, a computer interface and external antenna compatibility. I recommend automotive GPS units in the Garmin StreetPilot Series and the Magellan RoadMate Series. For boating and other marine applications, be sure your GPS has these features: marine mapping, color screen, active sonar, back tracking, a computer interface and weatherproofing. I recommend marine GPS Units in the Garmin GPSMAP Series.

Prices for GPS units vary a great deal and in general, you get what you pay for. While some units cost around $100 and offer relatively few features, others may cost as much as $1000 or even more and are loaded with dozens of features. Here is a good rule of thumb for determining how much money to spend on your next GPS. You should expect to pay between $200 and $300 to get a decent GPS Unit. I own a Garmin eTrex Vista. I believe it is the best GPS available for under $300.

If you don’t have a GPS or yours is more than five years old, now’s the time to get one. Adding a new GPS to your inventory of backcountry toys will take your outdoor adventures to a new level of enjoyment. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online specialty store with the “Best Gear Out There” and dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts to “Get It Right The First Time” with timely educational information. Please visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com to find great gear and to receive the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, “FreshAir”; (800) 316-9055.

Once they were only for the rich and were only fitted in the very high end cars but today SatNav systems are available to all. You can either opt for the in-car fitted systems that are still quite expensive or you can go for the handheld or protable units. This article is about the latter.

What is SatNav?

SatNav is a system that comprises of 2 elements, a GPS data receiver and a CPU/display unit. The receiver gets information from orbiting GPS navigational satellites and communicates it to the CPU/display unit. This unit is then able to find its exact location on the planet by comparing signals from various satellites.

The unit incorporates road maps of the area and places an indicator on the map showing where the car is on the maps.

Features

The units allow you to plan a journey ahead of time and then the unit will guide you to you destination by displaying a map showing you where you are and the direction you should be heading. Most now have voice instructions so the unit will tell you, when you are approaching a junction, which turning you should take. The units are also capable of making real time adjustments to the route, this means that if you go the wrong way the until will recalculate the route to your destination taking into account the wrong turning you have just made.

Maps

The maps for the unit can be loaded for the different regions you visit, so they may have a map of the UK and another for France and so on. Most modern unit have the maps stored on a removable memory cards like SD cards or similar memory card but some units read directly from a CD or DVD. The display can be set to show the conventional flat map view or the new 3D view that shows a view as if it was above you and looking forward. This view is very good and clear.

Traffic

Some units offer systems that will warn you of road works/traffic jams etc as they happen, and offer suggestion as to how to avoid them.

POI

Most units have POI’s (Points of Interest) incorporated into them that will show things like garages, restaurants, historic sites, airport and ferries etc. You can also add your own POI’s of your favourite places.

One POI that is very popular is the location of all the speed camera and accident black spot locations.

Weather

Another feature that is becoming increasingly available is the weather for a location. The system will tell you the weather at a certain location on the map i.e. at that beach location you are planning to visit.

When you want to plan a journey you will need to enter the start and end destination, this can be done in a number of ways, the city, street and house number. The street intersections, the post codes and a location chosen on the on screen map. The start can be done in the same way with the addition of the present location as the starting point (remember the unit knows where you are). There are then itinerary or way points, these allow you to program destinations along the way. Finally you are usually presented with choices of routes with choices like, Fastest Route, Shortest Route, Scenic Route, Avoid Motorways etc some have the choice to avoid toll charges.

Fitting

The units can be fitted into the car in a number of ways but the 2 most popular ways are with a mounting bracket that has a strong suction cup that sticks to the windscreen. The second way is a bracket that fixed to the cars air vents, this method can be very good but required a fixing for each type of car. The unit is then fitted to the brackets and adjusted to the best viewing angle.

There are dozens of systems available now with a variety of choices of the options available. You need to choose which of the above options are important to you and then choose the until that best suits you or suits you price range.

You can see a large variety of different units at different costs at my favourite comparason site www.wangled.co.uk just type in “Mobile GPS”

The preceding article may be freely reprinted provided:

1. The article is not edited or modified in any way

2. The source is credited: reprinted by permission of Wangled.co.uk

Paul Davies is a professional engineer and product reviewer, he submits articles on product guides and reviews. All his articles can be seen on the premium shopping comparison site http://www.wangled.co.uk on the following page http://www.wangled.co.uk/buyersGuides.asp

Since the US Department of Defense established the worldwide Global Positioning System (GPS) network, it has been put to a very wide variety of uses by governments, corporations, organizations, and individuals alike.

It has been put to good use for many years in its original, and most obvious, purpose of coordinating military operations. In fact, if it weren’t for GPS, many modern military operations and practices would simply not be possible. It is also frequently used in search-and-rescue missions as well as disaster relief efforts.

In addition to this, GPS technology has proven to be instrumental in numerous scientific research expeditions, especially in very remote regions such as mountain ranges and the north and south poles.

The other side of GPS functionality, which is sometimes forgotten, is the many uses

it can be put to by individual consumers. GPS handhelds and other GPS devices are available for sale through many ordinary retail channels, and can be very useful for a variety recreational purposes. For example, having a GPS device handy when camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, or boating can be an excellent way to ensure that you don’t get lost, even if you somehow manage to wander off course.

Another common consumer use of GPS technology is for safety security purposes. Using a GPS tracking system can be an excellent way to combat crimes such as theft and kidnapping.

About the Author: Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of www.GPSDevices.info, an informational site about GPS Devices, and TeleClick.ca, a useful telecommunications news resource.

In this second of a three part series we’re going to go over how GPS receivers actually measure distance. A lot of math and science goes into this stuff so sit back and get ready to strain your brain.

At any given time, let’s choose midnight for this example, the satellite begins transmitting a digital pattern called a pseudo-random code. At that same time the GPS receiver begins running that same random pattern. When the satellite’s signal reaches the receiver the pattern transmission will lag a little behind the receivers playing of the same pattern. The length of the delay is equal to the travel time of the signal. The receiver multiplies this time by the speed of light to measure how far the signal actually travelled. We assume the signal travelled in a straight line and this therefore is the distance from receiver to satellite.

In order for this measurement to be able to be made the receiver and the satellite both need clocks that can be synchronized to the nanosecond. In order to make this possible you need atomic clocks, not only in the receiver but in every satellite as well. Atomic clocks cost between $50,000 and $100,000. That makes them a little too expensive for everyday use.

To overcome this cost problem the GPS system has a very clever solution. Every satellite contains an expensive atomic clock but the receiver contains a regular quartz clock which the receiver itself constantly resets. The receiver looks at the incoming signals from four or more of the satellites and compensates for it’s own inaccuracy.

Once it calculates the correct time value this will cause all the signals that the receiver is getting from the satellites to align at a single point in space. That is the time value held by the atomic clocks in the satellites themselves. So the receiver sets it’s clock to that time value and therefore has the same time value as all the satellites. Atomic clock accuracy for quartz clock prices. You can’t beat that.

When you measure the distance to four satellites you can draw four spheres that all intersect at one point. Three spheres will intersect even if you’re way off but four spheres will only intersect if you are exactly right. The receiver can calculate the time needed for the spheres to intersect at one point. Based on this it resets it’s clock to match the atomic clocks of the satellites. The receiver does this constantly as long as it is on, which gives it the same accuracy as the atomic clocks in the satellites.

In order for this info to be of any use, the receiver also has to know where the satellites actually are. To do this, the receiver stores an almanac that tells where each satellite is at a given time. Any adjustments that need to be made because of gravitational pull are transmitted to the receivers by the department of the military.

In the last instalment of this series we’ll go over problems with the system, how they can be compensated for and how to use the data itself.

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Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Global Positioning Systems

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GPS, or Global Positioning System, is the latest thing in keeping from getting lost when trekking out to visit your Aunt Louise. Years ago you had to rely on landmarks, your handy compass or the guy at the corner gas station, assuming he knew where everything was. Today for about a hundred bucks you can get a little gadget that will tell you exactly where you are, any place on Earth. By using some basic mathematical calculations and a rather complex system, you can be in the middle of the desert, lost as can be, push a button and have your GPS tell you exactly where you are so that you can hopefully find your way back home.

So what exactly is GPS and how does it work?

GPS is actually a very complex and expensive system but the fundamental concepts of the system are very simple.

The GPS system is a group of 27 Earth orbiting satellites. Twenty-four of them are in operation and 3 are backups in case one fails. The system was originally created for the US military but was eventually opened up to everyone else.

Each one of these satellites, weighing in at about 4,000 pounds, circles the Earth at about 12,000 miles per hour and makes 2 complete rotations everyday. The orbits are arranged so that at any one point in the day 4 of these satellites are visible from any place on Earth.

The complimenting receiver that was created to receive signals from these satellites has the job of locating 4 or more of these satellites, figure out the

distance to each and from that information determine where on the planet the receiver itself is located. It then transmits this location back to the person who happens to be in possession of the receiver. The operation is based on a simple mathematical principal called trilateration. To simply explain how this works, let’s say someone tells you that you are 10 miles from Newark, NJ, another person tells you that you are 15 miles from Maplewood, NJ and a third person tells you that you are 20 miles from Woodbridge, NJ. By taking those three facts you can figure out exactly where you are because each radius of each distance when linked together will intersect at only one point. That point is where you are located.

In order to actually do the calculation from space the GPS receiver needs to know 2 things. The location of at least 3 satellites above you and the distance between you and each of those satellites. The reason that only 3 satellites or spheres are needed is because the Earth itself can act as a fourth sphere. The GPS receiver itself works by radio waves which are a kind of electromagnetic energy and travel at the speed of light The receiver can actually figure out how far the signal has travelled by timing how long it took for the signal to arrive from each of the satellites.

In the next article on GPS we’ll go over exactly how this system works to measure distance.

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Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Global Positioning Systems

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The NovTel GPS system is definitely something to talk about and indeed becoming quite famous as it just happened to be the GPS system riding on board of Stanford University’s Volkswagon which just happen to win the DARPA Grand Challenge and the 2-million dollar cash prize. If you will recall the DARPA Grand Challenge had over 50 challengers driving vehicles through desert course almost 200-miles long, without any driver.

The UGV Unmanned Ground Vehicle nicknamed “Stanley” averaged 19.1 miles per hour that day. Stanley completed the race with the NovAtel’s Propak(R)LBplus with Omnistar HP Service for precise positioning data aboard. It worked better than all the others including super star Grad students from such notable Universities as Cal-Tech, Berkeley, Virigina Tech, Georgia

Tech, MIT and Carnegie Mellon all known for their robust robotic prowess.

The NovTel Propak GPS receiver coupled with the OmniSTAR L-band signals was able to correct its movements while it drove through the tough course. The accuracy is said to be within such tight tolerances that their was no competition at that point. The system even was able to make quick transitions while coming from GPS blackouts in tunnels, without error. The winning combination is something to talk about and the NovTel Propak is indeed the system of choice and the race for robotic warfare continues.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Due to the substantial change of technology advancements, so many things appear to have changed all around us. In recent years, the ease of use of wireless data transfer has been furnished due to the newer technology of Bluetooth. In terms of GPS technology, now there is a Bluetooth GPS, which can simply be utilized particularly when traveling. It is important to keep in mind that when it comes to wireless technology the utilization of the Bluetooth System is one of the most commonly reliable and accepted technology since its accuracy as well as its dependability is highly regarded.

Bluetooth GPS Functionality:

This technology operates by using a small area networking protocol which gives the user the ability to get rid of any user involvement completely. Owners of

a Bluetooth GPS system have the capability of transferring the data contained on there GPS straight into there computer system without having to do any user input at all.

Lets say you own both a Bluetooth enabled GPS system as well as a Bluetooth equipped PC in your home, you will have the ability to easily transmit the information you have within your GPS system to your computer system as soon as you come within the radius of the signal.

Because the technology functions on arrangement and file transfer protocol at the level of the physical, just the data that you approve for transmission will be sent to a specific destination so you do not actually need to worry yourself when it comes to unauthorized data transfer.

GPS systems all started out in the army in the year 1970. In the army, many soldiers needed navigation systems to know their directions around other countries. Without this device it would be really hard for them to find their way around. This device has saved much of the soldiers time in war and has also saved them many lives. GPS systems are very powerful devices and are a great navigation system to use to get around. So what exactly are GPS systems?

GPS which stands for global positioning system, according to dictionary.com is: A system of satellites, computers, and receivers that is able to determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by calculating the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver.

GPS systems have gone for beyond just serving the army. They now serve just about everyone. These navigation systems help drivers find there way through city streets and help hikers find their way through the rough terrains of the mountains. They also help pilots find their way around the skies as well as helping mariners find their way around the great sea. The GPS systems technology can help serve

anyone in need of it.

GPS systems are especially a great thing to have for men, and I’m sure all women would agree. As everyone knows men don’t ask for directions. If a man is just to cool to ask for directions he could simply use his navigation system and would never get lost and of course would never have to ask for directions again. This saves the time of the wife who always would have to end up asking for directions. If you really think about it, using the GPS to get directions is a form of asking for directions, but shhhh don’t tell any man this.

When you decide to buy a GPS system for yourself, I would recommend any Garmin GPS. Garmin’s are the number one brand name for GPS’s and I’ve heard nothing but good things from people who have bought them. By all means do your research on all different types of GPS systems but at the end you’ll realize that no other navigation system can beat the Garmin brand.

Shakib Nassiri, CEO of SplayTech – For the lowest priced GPS systems or any other consumer electronics product please visit http://www.splaytech.com

Do you know of many cars today that do not have a GPS tracking device installed in them? You probably do not. One of the most popular fleet management devices out there today is GPS. The most important use that GPS has is in giving directions to those vehicles, both commercial and private that spend many hours on the road each day. These directions are given based on the exact coordinates of the vehicles location at that time.

Widening GPS Usage

More and more people, companies, and communities are realizing the value of a good global positioning system. One good example of this can be found in Dakota County. They are gearing up to use a GPS system to monitor the whereabouts and movements of disabled people.

Project Lifesaver is underway in Dakota County. Fleet management devices will be modified to be used in a bracelet for those who are suffereing from autism, Alzheimer’s, or other mentally incapacitating diseases.

In the UK, one company has made use of the GPS for a unique reason. They are using it to help ensure better food retail management. Common sense tells you that you must be on time if you provide food to cafes, restaurants, or fast-food chains. Even better, you should be early. If you are late, meals will be delayed, resulting in a loss of sales for the food chain, and, ultimately, for you.

There is a company in the UK called PHS Teacrate. PHS Teacrate rents crates to companies in the UK. This company has recently installed a GPS tracking system in every single one of their collection and delivery vehicles. Use of these

GPS units will allow route managers and dispatchers to give customers valuable information about their shipments and reroute a driver as needed for a last minute pickup. This information can provide the customer with an accurate time frame on when they can expect their crates to be delivered. Response times have been reduced as has mileage, which creates a significant savings for PHS Teacrate.

The school system in the town of Mobile County has experienced an unusually large number of recent copper thefts. More than five of their schools lost 40 copper units last summer alone. Sadly, the consensus is that the problem will only get worse, not better. For this reason, the school system is considering installing GPS tracking devices in their copper in order to locate the criminals and bring them to justice.

The copper coils will have GPS devices installed on them. The copper coils are commercial units that can weigh as much as 70 pounds. The small size of the GPS units will make their detection by thieves very difficult.

Companies that manufacture various instruments used in fleet management have a lot of optimism that the demand for GPS systems will grow in the future as the crime rates continue to rise. Add to that their value as a deterrent to vehicular accidents and they expect that GPS will not fade out, but become ever more commonplace in today’s world.

About the Author:

John Mahoney is an expert on reviewing GPS fleet management equipments and technology. Follow these links to find best gadgets and information on: fleet management in Dublin and global positioning system

The worldwide Global Positioning System (GPS) network was designed by the US Department of Defense, as a way to track one’s exact location anywhere in the world.

The GPS network consists of 24 navigation satellites, which orbit the planet at a height of approximately 12,000 miles. These satellites each orbit the earth twice every 24 hours, and they are set up in such a way that they can send signals to any location on the planet, whether it be land or sea, and no matter how remote.

The 24 GPS satellites are continuously beaming positioning data, which can be picked up by GPS Devices on the ground, and used to calculate exact latitude and longitude coordinates. Depending on the device that is used, this

data can be accurate to within a few meters.

Some GPS devices also provide advanced features such as dynamic mapping and detailed driving directions.

Despite the common misconception that GPS-enabled devices are prohibitively expensive, and only useful in scientific and military operations, many of these useful gadgets are primarily designed with the consumer in mind. For example, GPS handhelds can be carried around on one’s pocket, and are very useful for a number of functions. Certain companies, including Nextel GPS, have even begun integrating GPS technology with common consumer products such as mobile phones.

About the Author: Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of www.GPSDevices.info, an informational site about GPS Devices, and TeleClick.ca, a useful telecommunications news resource.