Design Evolution of GPS Navagation
When the compass was invented it produced a revolution in navigation. This innovation meant that sailors no longer had to rely solely on the position of the sun and stars to find their way, permitting explorers like Columbus, Magellan, and He Zheng to accomplish great voyages.
While the world saw improvements in the compass over the centuries, the next big step in navigation technology came relatively recently with the Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is a U.S. space-based, global navigation satellite system which provides reliable positioning, navigation and timing to users worldwide on a continuous basis in all weather, day and night, anywhere on or even near the Earth.
GPS is made up of three parts: as much as 34 satellites in medium Earth orbit, four Earth bound control and monitoring stations, and the actual navigation devices (signal receivers) users carry. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space to provide three-dimensional location coordinates (latitude, longitude, and altitude) and time.
While the GPS plan was launched in 1973 it has gone through many changes since its full introduction to the public in 1995. Foresighted engineers knew the advent of accurate positioning and navigation information available on an instantaneous, worldwide, all-weather basis would have a tremendous impact on many application fields involving the measurement of time or space. Charlie Trimble, founder of Trimble Navigation in Sunnyvale, California, is recognized as a leading pioneer in the GPS industry.
The end user GPS device evolved with the development of the corresponding technologies. The Texas Instruments TI 4100 NAVSTAR Navigator was the first commercial GPS receiver the public could purchase.
The TI 4100 was first offered for sale in 1987 when the GPS satellites system was still in its testing stage. While primitive by today’s standards, the bulky $140,000 instrument was carried by surveyors and explorers, and used for remote surveys all around the world. The unit was huge—weighing roughly 80 pounds—and needed two 12V car batteries to power it.
Over 20 years later, portable GPS systems have developed greatly and the new devices have become smaller, easier to use, and significantly less expensive.
Today, GPS devices are primarily designed to guide a driver to a destination. Modern units are expected to be functional, intuitive, and even elegant.
GPS features such as lane guidance and the ability to calculate the quickest or shortest route have made driving to a new destination much less harrowing. Other useful features such as text-to-speech and speed warnings make for even safer road travel.
The newest GPS units can connect to a computer to download updated maps from the Internet, giving the user access to the latest road changes due to construction.
While the technology of portable GPS systems continue to advance, the devices become increasingly easier to use. “Plug & Go” is the advertising slogan of one unit—the TomTom ONE. Just switch it on, touch the screen, enter the address, and start driving. Getting around has never been easier.
Read the original story at The Epoch Times
While the world saw improvements in the compass over the centuries, the next big step in navigation technology came relatively recently with the Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is a U.S. space-based, global navigation satellite system which provides reliable positioning, navigation and timing to users worldwide on a continuous basis in all weather, day and night, anywhere on or even near the Earth.
GPS is made up of three parts: as much as 34 satellites in medium Earth orbit, four Earth bound control and monitoring stations, and the actual navigation devices (signal receivers) users carry. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space to provide three-dimensional location coordinates (latitude, longitude, and altitude) and time.
While the GPS plan was launched in 1973 it has gone through many changes since its full introduction to the public in 1995. Foresighted engineers knew the advent of accurate positioning and navigation information available on an instantaneous, worldwide, all-weather basis would have a tremendous impact on many application fields involving the measurement of time or space. Charlie Trimble, founder of Trimble Navigation in Sunnyvale, California, is recognized as a leading pioneer in the GPS industry.
The end user GPS device evolved with the development of the corresponding technologies. The Texas Instruments TI 4100 NAVSTAR Navigator was the first commercial GPS receiver the public could purchase.
The TI 4100 was first offered for sale in 1987 when the GPS satellites system was still in its testing stage. While primitive by today’s standards, the bulky $140,000 instrument was carried by surveyors and explorers, and used for remote surveys all around the world. The unit was huge—weighing roughly 80 pounds—and needed two 12V car batteries to power it.
Over 20 years later, portable GPS systems have developed greatly and the new devices have become smaller, easier to use, and significantly less expensive.
The Modern Portable GPS Device
Today, GPS devices are primarily designed to guide a driver to a destination. Modern units are expected to be functional, intuitive, and even elegant.
GPS features such as lane guidance and the ability to calculate the quickest or shortest route have made driving to a new destination much less harrowing. Other useful features such as text-to-speech and speed warnings make for even safer road travel.
The newest GPS units can connect to a computer to download updated maps from the Internet, giving the user access to the latest road changes due to construction.
While the technology of portable GPS systems continue to advance, the devices become increasingly easier to use. “Plug & Go” is the advertising slogan of one unit—the TomTom ONE. Just switch it on, touch the screen, enter the address, and start driving. Getting around has never been easier.
Read the original story at The Epoch Times
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