Oh, for the "good old days" when GPS navigation consisted of locating the North Star in the night sky or watching the needle of a compass spin as it located true North. If neither the North Star nor a compass was available, there should at least be one tree with moss growing on its north side that could be used as a GPS navigation device.
As technology has evolved and advanced, however, so, too, have navigation tools. Today, the majority of cell phones, cars, computers, and other electronic devices contain global positioning satellite, or GPS devices or capability. Some GPS equipment uses technology similar to that of an ordinary radio receiver. However, instead of picking up sound waves like a radio receiver does, GPS technology involves the use of a microchip that picks up signals broadcast from satellites that are orbiting around the earth. In order to pinpoint and display a map of a particular location, GPS devices must receive information from a number of different satellites, through a process called triangulation.
Not all GPS devices make use of a navigational map system. Some, such as certain cell phones or compasses, are simply devices to let you know your longitude and latitude for informational purposes. The map technology has to be added into the device from the manufacturer and even this still has some limitations. These systems can only determine your route based on the map data they incorporate. If a road is changed or even eliminated, or if you leave a mapped road, to an unmapped off-road, the device will know where you are, and can give you coordinates,but it won't be able to offer directions and it will most likely repeatedly tell you to get back on the known road.
Other GPS navigation devices only provide latitude and longitude information. If mapping capabilities are required, the devices must have programming or retrieval information added to the system. Mapping information, however, may be restrictive, because it can only work from inputted data, which may not take into account any changes which may have occurred.
There are PocketPCs with GPS navigation systems incorporated into their design. These PocketPCs are some of the most intelligent uses of a GPS navigation system for many people. Along with software for the GPS navigation systems, you are able to see where you are and also what is around you through satellite photography. This combined technology can be extremely helpful if you become lost or your car breaks down in a remote area.
GPS navigations systems are available under different brand names such as TomTom, OnStar, and Garmin. These systems are rapidly becoming standard equipment on automobiles, especially the newer models. These systems, which are more advanced that other GPS systems, can provide an extra measure of safety, as quite often they are monitored by real people who can relay messages to emergency or law enforcement personnel if necessary.
As technology has evolved and advanced, however, so, too, have navigation tools. Today, the majority of cell phones, cars, computers, and other electronic devices contain global positioning satellite, or GPS devices or capability. Some GPS equipment uses technology similar to that of an ordinary radio receiver. However, instead of picking up sound waves like a radio receiver does, GPS technology involves the use of a microchip that picks up signals broadcast from satellites that are orbiting around the earth. In order to pinpoint and display a map of a particular location, GPS devices must receive information from a number of different satellites, through a process called triangulation.
Not all GPS devices make use of a navigational map system. Some, such as certain cell phones or compasses, are simply devices to let you know your longitude and latitude for informational purposes. The map technology has to be added into the device from the manufacturer and even this still has some limitations. These systems can only determine your route based on the map data they incorporate. If a road is changed or even eliminated, or if you leave a mapped road, to an unmapped off-road, the device will know where you are, and can give you coordinates,but it won't be able to offer directions and it will most likely repeatedly tell you to get back on the known road.
Other GPS navigation devices only provide latitude and longitude information. If mapping capabilities are required, the devices must have programming or retrieval information added to the system. Mapping information, however, may be restrictive, because it can only work from inputted data, which may not take into account any changes which may have occurred.
There are PocketPCs with GPS navigation systems incorporated into their design. These PocketPCs are some of the most intelligent uses of a GPS navigation system for many people. Along with software for the GPS navigation systems, you are able to see where you are and also what is around you through satellite photography. This combined technology can be extremely helpful if you become lost or your car breaks down in a remote area.
GPS navigations systems are available under different brand names such as TomTom, OnStar, and Garmin. These systems are rapidly becoming standard equipment on automobiles, especially the newer models. These systems, which are more advanced that other GPS systems, can provide an extra measure of safety, as quite often they are monitored by real people who can relay messages to emergency or law enforcement personnel if necessary.
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