What Is GPS Navigation?
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What Is GPS Navigation?

Project Lead in an IT Organisation
GPS is short for Global Positioning System, a satellite-guided system of electronically determining the position and other variables that specify the movement of an object like a ship or a craft. GPS navigation is used for a number of both academic and daily life purposes. That is why the progress in enhancing the technology of GPS navigation has become quite rapid over the last two decades.

Now, GPS navigation is used widely in developed countries in devices like pocket computers, autos, and even cell phones. Many people findGPS navigation a useful guide in locating and specifying the movement of their personal cars along roads and streets.

Navigation refers to the processes of moving ships, aircrafts, or spacecrafts from one place to another. These processes aim at determining the position and course of the object, and the distance traveled by it. GPS navigation is a kind of modern navigation that is broadly called Celestial Navigation, which has been used by sailors for a long time. Celestial navigation uses celestial objects (mostly the sun, moon, starts, and planets) to determine the course of a ship or craft. Modern celestial navigation started in the 19th century. GPS navigation is the process of navigating by means of the Global Positioning System (GPS).

The Global Positioning System, or GPS, is essentially a small radio receiver capable of receiving signals from particular satellites in space. This gives a navigator the exact information about the position and velocity of his/her navigating ship/craft in real time. Earlier GPSnavigation used non-mapping GPS receivers which presented the course of the navigator (ship/craft) in the form of dots on a computer screen. Later in GPS navigation, mapping GPS receivers were invented which show the movement or course of the navigator on a computerized map of a particular region. GPS navigation with mapping GPS receivers obviously has an advantage over the non-mapping GPS receivers. However, they also have their limitations since majority of the earth’s surface maps are in formats that are not recognized by the computer programs used for running the data of mapping GPS receivers.

Modern GPS navigation mostly uses GPS receivers (both mapping and non-mapping) that are resistant to water, shock, and rough weather. Besides having fast processing speeds and large storage capacity, these receivers can be connected to one’s personal computer, including pocket computers. If the mapping GPS receiver does not have a map for a particular area, the user may choose to use his/her own maps (scanned or downloaded from the Internet). Bluetooth GPS receivers do not even require a cable to connect with a pocket computer, though they need to be recharged independently of the computer. Other GPS receivers used in GPS navigation include GPSMice, extended CF (Compact Flash) cards, and extended SD (Secure Digital) cards, each having its own advantages and limitations. The bestGPS navigation device, invented so far, seems to be Pocket PCs with a built-in GPS receiver.

Passive GPS Navigation is widely used now in some developed countries. This kind of navigation is done by using portable car GPSnavigation systems that have their own database of maps of the streets and roads of a particular region. The GPS guides the traveler from one point on the map to another as long as the traveler stays on the road. This type of GPS navigation is especially useful in case of emergencies, particularly for people who do not know the area very well and need immediate guidance on the road. Now a day, many new cell phone models allow both passive and active forms of GPS navigation.


Four Basic Types Of GPS Navigation Systems

Why carry around maps when you can make life easy with global positioning system (GPS). This system not only saves precious time but to some extent gas as well. You do not need to roam around from one turn or street to another. Just punch in the address and the GPSnavigation system will take care of the rest making your journey tension free and enjoyable.

You can go out with your family to a picnic location and trust this technology to give you the correct directions. The four basic types of global positioning system allow you to choose from any one of them according to your needs.

Tired of searching the map every time you accidentally make the wrong turn or take the wrong street. Where technology is taking care of a lot of our worries, global positioning system (GPS) is also one of them. The GPS navigation system now comes built in the cars or can be installed in your car to make your journey easier and comfortable for you. Now you can enjoy the beautiful scenery around you rather than worrying about the next turn you have to make. These GPS navigation systems is the maps of every major city and country so no matter which state you are in just punch the right address and let GPSnavigation system take care of the rest.

When talking about GPS navigation systems four basic types of GPSsystems is available that can be picked according to your requirements. The basic one is called the Mapping Software which is used for places that you are already familiar with. This software tells your exact location, different paths that can be adopted to reach your destination and can be installed in your car for under $50. Mapping-GPS peripheral bundle comes in second in the GPS navigation systems. This system requires a PDA, a smart phone or a Bluetooth enables laptop that can be connected to without using a wire that connects to the receiver. Their modern functionality costs a little bit more than the mapping software starting from almost $200. Navigation systems that come built in to the cars are referred as In-vehicle systems. These are really expensive costing almost $1000 alone. You need to be in the car to check your destination distance unlike portableGPS units which is the fourth basic type of navigation system. As the name suggests, this navigation system is portable for you to install in your home, car or even office. All you need is a monitor, color screen to show the map and hardware of navigation system.

You can choose from any one of the above mentioned GPS navigation systems according to your wants. Make sure you enquire for a reliable navigation system company with maps for urban and mountainous areas where one might definitely need some directions. Internet upgrading of maps and directions in a navigation system is a huge plus point as it will keep your database updated to minimize the chance of you getting lost in an unknown state or country. You can also ask for navigation systems that have a brighter and bigger screen, internal antennas that can be helpful at a place where there is no signal available and of course voice activation system where you can save addresses of your loved ones. Browse online for reliable companies offering the most in a GPS navigation system in prices that suits you well and you won’t be disappointed.

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