Electronic Breadcrumbs
Brian Siegel
INFO Sena Research Paper
GPS (focus on Garmin auto products and receivers)
Electronic Breadcrumbs
Land, Sea, and Air
How hide and seek has just become seek
It’s about 12:15pm in June 2007, and I am cruising around in a car, looking to my right to speak to the driver. Yes, to the right, I am in Tokyo, Japan, driving around with Mr. Kimura, CEO and owner of the Kimura Corporation, who sells parts, specifically bearings etc. I am blessed to be in Tokyo on this warm Spring day, traveling around with him due to being part of an international study abroad, “Doing Business in Asia”, class. In the backseat were his son, and another colleague that is part of the class with me. While venturing around the city streets from their corporate headquarters on our way to another hospitable meal, then to tour a garden, he asks if we mind a specific restaurant. He conjures up a place he enjoys personally, and enters some data into his GPS instrument, which comes standard on most cars in Japan, and it displayed where we were, our destination, and directions. Along our journey, it updated us as to how far we had gone, had to go, and various other data. His car had 4 cameras on it to that were displayed on the screen when backing up or parallel parking.
My colleague from the United States and I were impressed at the functionality and interactive capabilities this wireless machine utilizes. It gives clear direction, warns of an upcoming turn, gives other options that are close with similar cuisine, and great detail of the surroundings. This device is much needed in Japan due to no street signs being around! The product sits in the middle of the dash, isn’t in the way, fits perfectly with the body of the car so it’s not a nuisance, and inspires one of those, “Why didn’t I think of that?” thoughts! The GPS product, system, and market is one that is growing in America, and personally I have been made aware of it through the sales staff I work with and for at General Electric.
The tracking devices here were smaller, not as detailed, but provided a similar service with similar quality. I wondered, how does this technology function? How does it communicate? What kind of programs does it use, etc? What else is being utilized by this location tracking equipment? It intrigued me, and I am out to find out more about GPS.
Background: GPS: how it works, where it was derived from
We can thank the United States Department of Defense for the GPS (Global Positioning System), officially named NAVSTAR GPS, and its sophisticated technology. It started as a military navigation system, but then the government opened it up as a public good to civilians (technically free, our tax dollars paid for it!). The design was based on a ground based radio navigation systems utilized during World War II in the 1940s. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, the US military was more energetic in producing a sophisticated means of satellite technology. After monitoring how Sputnik worked, they discovered due to the Doppler Effect (change in frequency and wavelength of a wave due to where one is in relation, affecting the relationship between observed and emitted frequencies), the radio signals allowed for precise measurement of where the satellite was traveling. By harnessing this principal, utilizing the sound waves frequency and radio emission, one could measure location and other information. There are at the moment 27 (24 that are working, 3 in case one has an issue) medium Earth orbit satellites are transmitting microwave signals to enable the GPS receivers to measure speed, location, and direction. They weigh 3-4K lbs, circle the Earth about twice a day, using trilateration to communicate between other satellites and figure out its location, and process various other data.
Harnessing this knowledge and power of high frequency and low power radio frequencies amongst the GPS satellites, calculating distance from the Earth, and communicating with other satellites, the process to pin point and produce precise data emerged. Once a satellite communicates the radio transmission amongst 4 other satellites and the distance from Earth, it is then processed into a reader friendly map file stored in the memory of a device, measuring latitude, longitude, and altitude (or info of similar data). The radio frequency is transmitted through the mechanism, processed with integrated software (in this case a map file) and information is given on where ones device location may be. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) utilizes battery less micro chips to transmit radio frequencies once prompted to by a reader. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) are a network of devices that connect radio frequencies. To locate something a LAN, RFID, or combination device will process the radio frequency from the satellite and relay information.
Examples of data processed and measured by GPS devices
How long you have traveled
How far you have traveled (odometer)
Speed (speedometer) and average speed
A "bread crumb" trail: where been, at, and going
Estimated time of travel based on speed, time, distance
Location tracking has become very popular. GPS (Global Positioning System) and GIS (Geographic Information System) technology has been utilized to enhance business processes. Intersections now have cameras the take your picture if you stroll through a red light, companies scan and locate packages during distribution and shipment (supply chain), pets have locating devices sewn under their skin, cashiers scan bar codes that track your purchasing habits, then you get coupons linked to your buying habits at the local grocery, cell phones, planes, cars, ships, people, and many more items are increasingly being tracked. Weather, earthquakes, and other uses for time reference utilizes GPS as a resource to investigate such occurrences.
“A GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more GPS satellites. Measuring the time delay between transmission and reception of each GPS microwave signal gives the distance to each satellite, since the signal travels at a known speed. The signals also carry information about the satellites' location. By determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration.”
Depiction of satellites and their movement patterns along their “cones”
Receivers and Transmission
Within the unit there are stored almanacs of data. This allows the receiver to locate the satellites position, and then interact to process the signals with the internal map and or measurement systems established in the device. Due to timing, a product can be deemed “cold”, or “warm”, depending on how long it has been off or on. This is due to the science of locating the signal and traveling satellites. Parallel multi function receiver technology enables numerous signals to be analyzed and processed. Previously single channel signal tech was prominent, yet failed to provide continuous strong data and reception.
Receivers typically do not have perfectly accurate clocks and therefore track one or more additional satellites to correct the receiver's clock error.” The current GPS consists of three segments. The space, control, and user segment. Without getting into much detail, the space segment consists of the location of the satellites (30 broadcasting as of April 2007), and their angle (55 degrees – 60 degrees) and altitude (12,600 miles) in comparison to the Earth. The control segment consists of the Air Forces bases/ground support that monitors and controls the satellites. The user segment entails the receivers that process the information we use for our technological needs (for example, us – the user). “GPS receivers include an input for differential corrections, utilizing a RTCM SC-104 format. This typically is in the form of RS-232 port at 4,800 bit per second speed. Data is actually sent at a lower rate that limits the accuracy of the signal sent using RTCM.”
RTCM = Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services: international standards organization based in the United States to specify radar systems
RS-232 = standard for binary data signals connecting from data terminals and circuits
Receivers in equipment that are manufactured by such companies as Garmin, Trimble, and Leica are placed within items marine related, to planes, phones, mapping systems, and many others. Satellites processes transmissions through encrypted code (Coarse/Acquisition Code = public, and Precise Code = military). The unique transmissions are transmitted based on frequency such as its own “language”, identified, and liked to its source. The signals are unique to prevent P code “spoofing”.
Frequencies used by GPS
· L1 (1575.42 MHz): Mix of Navigation Message, coarse-acquisition (C/A) code and encrypted precision P(Y) code. (Civilian GPS, between 88 and 108 MHz)
· L2 (1227.60 MHz): P(Y) code, plus the new L2C code on the Block IIR-M and newer satellites.
· L3 (1381.05 MHz): Used by the Defense Support Program to signal detection of missile launches, nuclear detonations, and other high-energy infrared events.
· L4 (1379.913 MHz): Being studied for additional ionosphere correction.
· L5 (1176.45 MHz): Proposed for use as a civilian safety-of-life (SoL) signal (see GPS modernization). This frequency falls into an internationally protected range for aeronautical navigation, promising little or no interference under all circumstances. The first Block IIF satellite that would provide this signal is set to be launched in 2008”
Product: Usage
This technology and communication methods are used to transmit data for digital television, cell phone communications, tracking weather, the map you use in a navigation system in a car, wireless handhelds for scanning, and many more uses. The inspiration for this research was based on the GPS that is growing very popular in the automobile industry for directions. It’s a same time map questing tool that is conveniently places on the windshield, dashboard, or near the front ceiling of ones vehicle. There are even talks of displaying information via a projected screen on the windshield. There have been debates over this and the existing features that some feel are a distraction while driving, such as cell phones (recently outlawed to hold phone while driving in California) due to safety reasons.
Garmin, software, hardware
Devices manufactured for GPS locating purposes such as the products the company Garmin produces utilizes software, hardware, and links receives to satellites for processing data for end users. Garmin, established in 1989, started specializing in GPS for marine and aviation markets, then moved into the civilian market such as maps, cell phones, etc. Their first product launch was in 1990, a dash mounted receiver aimed at the marine market. 5000 were ordered after a debut at a tech expo, and they grew from there. They are headquartered in Kansas City, and manufacture our of Taiwan. They manufactured and sold the Forerunner (for recreational runners) that measured distance, speed, time, altitude, and pace. They also launched the StreetPilot/Nuvi for car mapping and navigation of directions. Maps needed to be loaded on a Transflash card. Information updates are linked via MSN and blue tooth technology.
They segment their products by compactness, capabilities, screen size, and label them such as the i2, i3… Garmin has a series of products for the aviation niche branded as the G series, and integrates with the cockpit, displays, transponders, and radar. As long as the receiver can intercept a signal, GPS can locate an item. Difficulties arise when there is interference such as a building, in a parking garage, or under water for example. Nonmapping units provide basic data of where you are located related to routes and basic data. Basemap units display location with roads, highways, rivers, railroads, and airports. Mapping units display ones location based on detailed maps downloaded from CD ROM. Info is downloaded internally to a GPS unit, and you can base direction via info such as the nonmapping and basemaps functions, but this system allows for surrounding businesses, maps, landmarks, and detailed directions and options. “Waypoints” or location destinations one seeks and stores (for example house, work, etc.) relates data to your search information/destination. “Routes” are connected to “waypoints”, and data integration forms between the receivers, internal mapping systems, and you location in perspective to the satellite space location.
It “connects the dots”, and has “track logs” that are like electronic breadcrumbs. This memory capability allows for one to recall data, track destinations, and utilize mapping needs. Location is specified by true or magnetic north, and utilizing latitude and longitude. Reference points, or datums, allow one to utilize surveyed maps with data (grids), and integrate the satellite signal related to ones position. Most devices contain over 100 map datums. The maps and charts match up to the mathematical (not actual) models of the Earth in the internal memory. These models are based on US Geological Survey and topography.
Functions and options:
Blacklight to view in dark
Mapping detail
Position awareness
Navigation capability, directions, traffic, ATM’s, home, etc.
Integration: Online info updates (ex. MSN), weather, news, cameras (parking)
Easy to use “intuitive” menu driven user friendly
Battery life, lithium battery
Size, weight, screen size, touch screen
Antenna configuration
Downloads, upgrades, data transfer, online software (free updates)
Differential GPS (DGPS) accuracy
Different price ranges for budget and functionality (Blue tooth, traffic)
Accessories: remote or built in antennas, mounts, chargers/external power sources
Software: Mapsource (interactive maps via PC), utilizing waypoints and routes, online map transfers and resources
G Charts: chart plotters, cartographic cards, Marine (port cards, navaids, port plans)
Customer service: online, phone, free downloads
Trends and Market
The trend is typical for a tech device. Smaller, faster, more powerful, more capabilities, more integration. Screens are being formatted for touch screen use. Cars are being equipped more with these devices in the United States, and places like Asia (Japan in particular) they come standard on a vehicle. It is quickly becoming like cell phones by becoming a necessary luxury item of comfort and convenience. Like the internet, GPS started as a military tool turned civilian convenience. It integrates science, math, research and development; consumer needs and wants, business, military, and technology. Products range from basic, middle of the line, and luxury lines with related pricing, options, and capabilities. The market has grown tremendously the past five years with the civilian population, and possibilities look promising for continued growth.
Conclusion, Personal thoughts, and Recommendations:
This goes to demonstrate how science, people power, and technology intertwine. Technology such as GPS is the result of countless hours of math, innovation, and harnessing of natural resources to create super natural resources such as utilizing radio and microwaves like a baseball into a catcher’s mitt. It’s simple, yet complicated. Technology is as smart as the creators can create. Like any gadget, computer, or GPS system, it must be constantly monitored, used wisely, and made for the better good of mankind. If teams of people, the government, society, culture, and businesses did not work together, then technology would not flourish. We need to stay innovative, and I am curious to see where GPS goes. There are many news articles now where GPS has been beneficial to locating a stolen vehicle, where a thief dropped a loaded trailer full of goods, where your phone may be, where you may be. Careful where you drop your “crumbs”, your trail may be followed. The internet is monitored, and for example your “google trail” or links and searches you perform can be looked up, tracked, monitored, and measured for numerous data analysis quantification.
We’re in an age where big brother is watching now more than ever. Homeland Security is able to monitor our computer, phone, and other activities mainly drawn from the technological resources we utilize. It can be used for the better good of society, such as tracking terrorist cells, child predators, or even the electronic paper trail one leaves within work email. In courts, email at work is considers circumstantial evidence during trial, and what one perceives as private, is actually as good as your word in court, and can plus will be used in court for or against you. This isn’t as much GPS and it is tracking, but they intertwine with the location and information segment point that I am attempting to reiterate. Where do we draw the line? Religion and spiritual realms feel that part of the demise of society is the abundance, connectivity, and speed of information that we can matrix together. Who goes to the library to use an encyclopedia Britannica for book reports? Google, wikipedia, how to sites and more are accessed for such searches as how I am writing on GPS. All at the touch of a fingertip lays more power and knowledge of information. How we use that information is up to us. It may not seem powerful, but as more information and technology emerges, we shall see great enhancements in things, as well as great demises.
We utilize GPS heavily in our military divisions to locate, track, launch, and communicate with teams, missiles, locate people, sites, and numerous other advantages that aid in securing members of our country daily. We are at war in Iraq, and without GPS, we could lose soldiers if we couldn’t track enemy movement with GPS, and navigate our Humvees through treacherous terrain or if they are in dangerous territory. There aren’t as many guessing games, and hide and seek becomes more about seeking. What we seek is up to us, and the power of information is literally in our hands. Like the game “Marco – Polo” we played in the pool as kids, Marco doesn’t have to guess where Polo is located. We have electronic maps, eyes, and ears. We’re technology hungry, and what we desire is fed to us. We don’t want to be lost anymore, and the cliché husband who yields to having to hide his pride and ego doesn’t have to sacrifice by going into a BP and actually ask for directions, for a third time! This technology is virtually flawless. The complicated system it seems it needs merely utilized the power of some radio/micro waves, integrated it with some software in a receiver, and awaiting the human touch to engage with some buttons and destinations. Simple steps to freedom, or are we tied to yet another convenience? With power to aim, launch, and obliterate objects within 30 feet of range anywhere and anytime in the world, GPS sure gives a sense of security.
Like the tree that falls in the forest, GPS needs a human to be there to hear and see the functionalities to make it worth something. How we measure the worth, weather it be a simple stroll to a store, or the extreme situation of tracking a nuclear bomb launched in Korea, GPS is a powerful tool on our planet. Perhaps the original thoughts on how the world was flat wasn’t far off after all. A matter of perception. Herein lies how flat we become, and if we fold over on ourselves. In this case I speak to mere GPS tracking to avoid embarrassment of being lost, tracking shipments, stolen goods, and smaller purposes rather than the obliteration or inspiration to enhance mankind. Another device to think for ourselves. Will we lose capability to read maps on our own? Some children today don’t memorize and process the multiplication tables, but utilize calculators. Are we becoming that lazy? We have blue tooth for phones that have voice recognition. One does not have to even dial numbers.
I make the point to bring about the power of technology, and its use. Where to now? I am curious to see how far we go! Will we install receivers in newborn babies? Require them at work? Will big brother take steroids and become big father, and we can be tracked, traced, and found doing whatever someone wants to discover, at anytime? Not to take it to the movie like arena such as the “Matrix”, or a “Mark of the Beast”, but, what next? Our government, personal choices, limits, and innovation will dictate how far we really take it! When the Jetsons cartoon came out, we all thought we would be flying around in cars, somehow it would happen, we just didn’t know the path to take. We’re not there yet, but our information travels around more than we ever imagined. What goes around comes around, and history does repeat itself. How we use these radio waves will determine the frequency and wavelength of life we as a human race live.
Works Cited:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us
http://www.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm
http://www.picks-finder.com/search.php?searchname=gps+tracking
http://gpssystemtracking.net/
http://ariel1.xu.edu:2052/universe/doclist?_m=8f868037473aca51166157a2cd844b95&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVb&_md5=a02a9e297aeb3a7c6c6179c3cc652c1b
http://www.map-reading.com/appendj.php
http://gpsinformation.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garmin
http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPSGuideforBeginners_Manual.pdf
http://www.weathergraphics.com/tim/gpsflite.jpg
Contact Support
North America
(for all Garmin products except Apollo aircraft)
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Central time (closed holidays)
Email Product Support
Product Support
Phone
1-800-800-1020 (U.S.)
1-888-442-7646 (U.S.)
1-866-429-9296 (Canada) or (913) 397-8200
Questions to Garmin: (after being on hold for ½ an hr!)
Features and Products:
Nuvi 680 MSN direct, movies, blue tooth, MP3, link to car stereo (direction through FM radio), jpeg reader (can do slide show), directions, cost - $1000, compatible with phone
Nuvi 660 like 680, but doesn’t not have MSN direct, has FM traffic receiver for just traffic and directions, but not about gas, 4.3” diagonal screens. Traffic, blue tooth, weather cost = $857.13
Nuvi 350 $535.70, basic GPS text to speech, says names, speaks, high sensitivy GPS receiver, maintaining satellites, 3.5” diagonal screen
Install:
Plug into cigarette lighter or power port of auto, also comes with suction cup to mount, if you’re in CA and Minnesota you can’t mount in windshield.
Maps are pre loaded; all of North America is loaded. Map updates come out every 12-15 months. Cost is $69.99.
Repairs and Updates:
Products come with 1 yr warranty. If you have issues, have to send to office in Olathe, Kansas. Software can be downloaded directly from website. You can update the operating unit, daylight saving, route and save better. There are no charges on software updates. Engineers and techs constantly work to improve. Mapping updates come from Map Tech (outsourced).
Misc: what to look for, size, shopping
Make sure you don’t want blue tooth (can’t be added). Traffic can be added. All come standard with driving directions, points of interests (6M such as restaurants, ATM’s, etc.). Nuvi’s have built in Lithium battery, interactive by giving commands, speaks street names to you, 3.5” diagonal screen, and .8” thick. About the size of a wallet ($535.70), can get cheaper. We sell accessories only, we sell GPS to dealers such as Wal Mart, Bass Pro shop, and we give manufacturer retail price. Dealers determine price. We have a minimum they can charge, and it’s a pretty competitive industry. You can pick up the Nuvi 350 for around $400. You can’t buy a device direct; they only deal business to business. As far as new tech, the engineers keep the projects secret till it’s launched.
Survey at GE of 50 co-workers: distributed with my weekly rollout at work
1.How many of you own a device for directions either personally or professionally?
20 (mostly salesman)
2.On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate the difficulty of using the system, 5 being the most difficult, and one being easy?
10 said 1, easy to use
5 said 2, fairly easy to use
4 said 3, somewhat easy, sometimes have problems to use
1 said 4, difficult to use
No one said 5, extremely difficult to use
3.If you don’t own a GPS device, do you plan on purchasing one?
Of the 30 that didn’t have a device for directions, one had one for a boat, and 2 has one for their running routines and when hiking/camping/rock climbing. 9 said they were thinking about purchasing one for direction use.
4.What kind of GPS device do you own?
All twenty had a Garmin device!
5. How long have you owned a GPS device?
< year =" 15" years =" 5"> 15 years
6.What is your age?
18 – 25 = 4
26 – 35 = 15
36 – 45 = 18
46 – 55 = 8
> 55 = 5
7.What are some of the issues you have had or foresee with your GPS?
Battery life not lasting long. Not using properly. Not knowing how to use or figure out all the functions. The device shutting down due to technical error. Maps making mistakes on smaller streets. Purchasing a device and a new one comes out, and have to spend lots of money to upgrade. Having issues and not being able to get a hold of customer support.
8. How much time a week do you spent using your GPS?
0 min to 1 hr 7
1hr to 2 hrs 12
2 hrs – 5 hrs 1
5+ hrs
9.Comment on where you think GPS is going and any other thoughts:
Comments included how our phones, PC, and GPS will be more integrated together. Information such as weather, sports, and more will be included in the auto devices. More marketing and sales will be integrated with the units. One comment suggested that businesses may start placing GPS units in their employees (and that they already with Blackberry’s!). It helps our military and soldiers with information. And numerous comments stated how it’s saved them from having to call, get lost, or use mapquest.
10.Did you use GPS to navigate through this survey?
NO 43
YES 7(You got me?! Ha)
From my data I conclude that generally the products are easy to use, they’re used a lot, they’re fairly new to the market for most (utilized by our sales staff) for directions, and are still rather new to the civilian market and merging to be a mainstream product.
INFO Sena Research Paper
GPS (focus on Garmin auto products and receivers)
Electronic Breadcrumbs
Land, Sea, and Air
How hide and seek has just become seek
It’s about 12:15pm in June 2007, and I am cruising around in a car, looking to my right to speak to the driver. Yes, to the right, I am in Tokyo, Japan, driving around with Mr. Kimura, CEO and owner of the Kimura Corporation, who sells parts, specifically bearings etc. I am blessed to be in Tokyo on this warm Spring day, traveling around with him due to being part of an international study abroad, “Doing Business in Asia”, class. In the backseat were his son, and another colleague that is part of the class with me. While venturing around the city streets from their corporate headquarters on our way to another hospitable meal, then to tour a garden, he asks if we mind a specific restaurant. He conjures up a place he enjoys personally, and enters some data into his GPS instrument, which comes standard on most cars in Japan, and it displayed where we were, our destination, and directions. Along our journey, it updated us as to how far we had gone, had to go, and various other data. His car had 4 cameras on it to that were displayed on the screen when backing up or parallel parking.
My colleague from the United States and I were impressed at the functionality and interactive capabilities this wireless machine utilizes. It gives clear direction, warns of an upcoming turn, gives other options that are close with similar cuisine, and great detail of the surroundings. This device is much needed in Japan due to no street signs being around! The product sits in the middle of the dash, isn’t in the way, fits perfectly with the body of the car so it’s not a nuisance, and inspires one of those, “Why didn’t I think of that?” thoughts! The GPS product, system, and market is one that is growing in America, and personally I have been made aware of it through the sales staff I work with and for at General Electric.
The tracking devices here were smaller, not as detailed, but provided a similar service with similar quality. I wondered, how does this technology function? How does it communicate? What kind of programs does it use, etc? What else is being utilized by this location tracking equipment? It intrigued me, and I am out to find out more about GPS.
Background: GPS: how it works, where it was derived from
We can thank the United States Department of Defense for the GPS (Global Positioning System), officially named NAVSTAR GPS, and its sophisticated technology. It started as a military navigation system, but then the government opened it up as a public good to civilians (technically free, our tax dollars paid for it!). The design was based on a ground based radio navigation systems utilized during World War II in the 1940s. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, the US military was more energetic in producing a sophisticated means of satellite technology. After monitoring how Sputnik worked, they discovered due to the Doppler Effect (change in frequency and wavelength of a wave due to where one is in relation, affecting the relationship between observed and emitted frequencies), the radio signals allowed for precise measurement of where the satellite was traveling. By harnessing this principal, utilizing the sound waves frequency and radio emission, one could measure location and other information. There are at the moment 27 (24 that are working, 3 in case one has an issue) medium Earth orbit satellites are transmitting microwave signals to enable the GPS receivers to measure speed, location, and direction. They weigh 3-4K lbs, circle the Earth about twice a day, using trilateration to communicate between other satellites and figure out its location, and process various other data.
Harnessing this knowledge and power of high frequency and low power radio frequencies amongst the GPS satellites, calculating distance from the Earth, and communicating with other satellites, the process to pin point and produce precise data emerged. Once a satellite communicates the radio transmission amongst 4 other satellites and the distance from Earth, it is then processed into a reader friendly map file stored in the memory of a device, measuring latitude, longitude, and altitude (or info of similar data). The radio frequency is transmitted through the mechanism, processed with integrated software (in this case a map file) and information is given on where ones device location may be. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) utilizes battery less micro chips to transmit radio frequencies once prompted to by a reader. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) are a network of devices that connect radio frequencies. To locate something a LAN, RFID, or combination device will process the radio frequency from the satellite and relay information.
Examples of data processed and measured by GPS devices
How long you have traveled
How far you have traveled (odometer)
Speed (speedometer) and average speed
A "bread crumb" trail: where been, at, and going
Estimated time of travel based on speed, time, distance
Location tracking has become very popular. GPS (Global Positioning System) and GIS (Geographic Information System) technology has been utilized to enhance business processes. Intersections now have cameras the take your picture if you stroll through a red light, companies scan and locate packages during distribution and shipment (supply chain), pets have locating devices sewn under their skin, cashiers scan bar codes that track your purchasing habits, then you get coupons linked to your buying habits at the local grocery, cell phones, planes, cars, ships, people, and many more items are increasingly being tracked. Weather, earthquakes, and other uses for time reference utilizes GPS as a resource to investigate such occurrences.
“A GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more GPS satellites. Measuring the time delay between transmission and reception of each GPS microwave signal gives the distance to each satellite, since the signal travels at a known speed. The signals also carry information about the satellites' location. By determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration.”
Depiction of satellites and their movement patterns along their “cones”
Receivers and Transmission
Within the unit there are stored almanacs of data. This allows the receiver to locate the satellites position, and then interact to process the signals with the internal map and or measurement systems established in the device. Due to timing, a product can be deemed “cold”, or “warm”, depending on how long it has been off or on. This is due to the science of locating the signal and traveling satellites. Parallel multi function receiver technology enables numerous signals to be analyzed and processed. Previously single channel signal tech was prominent, yet failed to provide continuous strong data and reception.
Receivers typically do not have perfectly accurate clocks and therefore track one or more additional satellites to correct the receiver's clock error.” The current GPS consists of three segments. The space, control, and user segment. Without getting into much detail, the space segment consists of the location of the satellites (30 broadcasting as of April 2007), and their angle (55 degrees – 60 degrees) and altitude (12,600 miles) in comparison to the Earth. The control segment consists of the Air Forces bases/ground support that monitors and controls the satellites. The user segment entails the receivers that process the information we use for our technological needs (for example, us – the user). “GPS receivers include an input for differential corrections, utilizing a RTCM SC-104 format. This typically is in the form of RS-232 port at 4,800 bit per second speed. Data is actually sent at a lower rate that limits the accuracy of the signal sent using RTCM.”
RTCM = Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services: international standards organization based in the United States to specify radar systems
RS-232 = standard for binary data signals connecting from data terminals and circuits
Receivers in equipment that are manufactured by such companies as Garmin, Trimble, and Leica are placed within items marine related, to planes, phones, mapping systems, and many others. Satellites processes transmissions through encrypted code (Coarse/Acquisition Code = public, and Precise Code = military). The unique transmissions are transmitted based on frequency such as its own “language”, identified, and liked to its source. The signals are unique to prevent P code “spoofing”.
Frequencies used by GPS
· L1 (1575.42 MHz): Mix of Navigation Message, coarse-acquisition (C/A) code and encrypted precision P(Y) code. (Civilian GPS, between 88 and 108 MHz)
· L2 (1227.60 MHz): P(Y) code, plus the new L2C code on the Block IIR-M and newer satellites.
· L3 (1381.05 MHz): Used by the Defense Support Program to signal detection of missile launches, nuclear detonations, and other high-energy infrared events.
· L4 (1379.913 MHz): Being studied for additional ionosphere correction.
· L5 (1176.45 MHz): Proposed for use as a civilian safety-of-life (SoL) signal (see GPS modernization). This frequency falls into an internationally protected range for aeronautical navigation, promising little or no interference under all circumstances. The first Block IIF satellite that would provide this signal is set to be launched in 2008”
Product: Usage
This technology and communication methods are used to transmit data for digital television, cell phone communications, tracking weather, the map you use in a navigation system in a car, wireless handhelds for scanning, and many more uses. The inspiration for this research was based on the GPS that is growing very popular in the automobile industry for directions. It’s a same time map questing tool that is conveniently places on the windshield, dashboard, or near the front ceiling of ones vehicle. There are even talks of displaying information via a projected screen on the windshield. There have been debates over this and the existing features that some feel are a distraction while driving, such as cell phones (recently outlawed to hold phone while driving in California) due to safety reasons.
Garmin, software, hardware
Devices manufactured for GPS locating purposes such as the products the company Garmin produces utilizes software, hardware, and links receives to satellites for processing data for end users. Garmin, established in 1989, started specializing in GPS for marine and aviation markets, then moved into the civilian market such as maps, cell phones, etc. Their first product launch was in 1990, a dash mounted receiver aimed at the marine market. 5000 were ordered after a debut at a tech expo, and they grew from there. They are headquartered in Kansas City, and manufacture our of Taiwan. They manufactured and sold the Forerunner (for recreational runners) that measured distance, speed, time, altitude, and pace. They also launched the StreetPilot/Nuvi for car mapping and navigation of directions. Maps needed to be loaded on a Transflash card. Information updates are linked via MSN and blue tooth technology.
They segment their products by compactness, capabilities, screen size, and label them such as the i2, i3… Garmin has a series of products for the aviation niche branded as the G series, and integrates with the cockpit, displays, transponders, and radar. As long as the receiver can intercept a signal, GPS can locate an item. Difficulties arise when there is interference such as a building, in a parking garage, or under water for example. Nonmapping units provide basic data of where you are located related to routes and basic data. Basemap units display location with roads, highways, rivers, railroads, and airports. Mapping units display ones location based on detailed maps downloaded from CD ROM. Info is downloaded internally to a GPS unit, and you can base direction via info such as the nonmapping and basemaps functions, but this system allows for surrounding businesses, maps, landmarks, and detailed directions and options. “Waypoints” or location destinations one seeks and stores (for example house, work, etc.) relates data to your search information/destination. “Routes” are connected to “waypoints”, and data integration forms between the receivers, internal mapping systems, and you location in perspective to the satellite space location.
It “connects the dots”, and has “track logs” that are like electronic breadcrumbs. This memory capability allows for one to recall data, track destinations, and utilize mapping needs. Location is specified by true or magnetic north, and utilizing latitude and longitude. Reference points, or datums, allow one to utilize surveyed maps with data (grids), and integrate the satellite signal related to ones position. Most devices contain over 100 map datums. The maps and charts match up to the mathematical (not actual) models of the Earth in the internal memory. These models are based on US Geological Survey and topography.
Functions and options:
Blacklight to view in dark
Mapping detail
Position awareness
Navigation capability, directions, traffic, ATM’s, home, etc.
Integration: Online info updates (ex. MSN), weather, news, cameras (parking)
Easy to use “intuitive” menu driven user friendly
Battery life, lithium battery
Size, weight, screen size, touch screen
Antenna configuration
Downloads, upgrades, data transfer, online software (free updates)
Differential GPS (DGPS) accuracy
Different price ranges for budget and functionality (Blue tooth, traffic)
Accessories: remote or built in antennas, mounts, chargers/external power sources
Software: Mapsource (interactive maps via PC), utilizing waypoints and routes, online map transfers and resources
G Charts: chart plotters, cartographic cards, Marine (port cards, navaids, port plans)
Customer service: online, phone, free downloads
Trends and Market
The trend is typical for a tech device. Smaller, faster, more powerful, more capabilities, more integration. Screens are being formatted for touch screen use. Cars are being equipped more with these devices in the United States, and places like Asia (Japan in particular) they come standard on a vehicle. It is quickly becoming like cell phones by becoming a necessary luxury item of comfort and convenience. Like the internet, GPS started as a military tool turned civilian convenience. It integrates science, math, research and development; consumer needs and wants, business, military, and technology. Products range from basic, middle of the line, and luxury lines with related pricing, options, and capabilities. The market has grown tremendously the past five years with the civilian population, and possibilities look promising for continued growth.
Conclusion, Personal thoughts, and Recommendations:
This goes to demonstrate how science, people power, and technology intertwine. Technology such as GPS is the result of countless hours of math, innovation, and harnessing of natural resources to create super natural resources such as utilizing radio and microwaves like a baseball into a catcher’s mitt. It’s simple, yet complicated. Technology is as smart as the creators can create. Like any gadget, computer, or GPS system, it must be constantly monitored, used wisely, and made for the better good of mankind. If teams of people, the government, society, culture, and businesses did not work together, then technology would not flourish. We need to stay innovative, and I am curious to see where GPS goes. There are many news articles now where GPS has been beneficial to locating a stolen vehicle, where a thief dropped a loaded trailer full of goods, where your phone may be, where you may be. Careful where you drop your “crumbs”, your trail may be followed. The internet is monitored, and for example your “google trail” or links and searches you perform can be looked up, tracked, monitored, and measured for numerous data analysis quantification.
We’re in an age where big brother is watching now more than ever. Homeland Security is able to monitor our computer, phone, and other activities mainly drawn from the technological resources we utilize. It can be used for the better good of society, such as tracking terrorist cells, child predators, or even the electronic paper trail one leaves within work email. In courts, email at work is considers circumstantial evidence during trial, and what one perceives as private, is actually as good as your word in court, and can plus will be used in court for or against you. This isn’t as much GPS and it is tracking, but they intertwine with the location and information segment point that I am attempting to reiterate. Where do we draw the line? Religion and spiritual realms feel that part of the demise of society is the abundance, connectivity, and speed of information that we can matrix together. Who goes to the library to use an encyclopedia Britannica for book reports? Google, wikipedia, how to sites and more are accessed for such searches as how I am writing on GPS. All at the touch of a fingertip lays more power and knowledge of information. How we use that information is up to us. It may not seem powerful, but as more information and technology emerges, we shall see great enhancements in things, as well as great demises.
We utilize GPS heavily in our military divisions to locate, track, launch, and communicate with teams, missiles, locate people, sites, and numerous other advantages that aid in securing members of our country daily. We are at war in Iraq, and without GPS, we could lose soldiers if we couldn’t track enemy movement with GPS, and navigate our Humvees through treacherous terrain or if they are in dangerous territory. There aren’t as many guessing games, and hide and seek becomes more about seeking. What we seek is up to us, and the power of information is literally in our hands. Like the game “Marco – Polo” we played in the pool as kids, Marco doesn’t have to guess where Polo is located. We have electronic maps, eyes, and ears. We’re technology hungry, and what we desire is fed to us. We don’t want to be lost anymore, and the cliché husband who yields to having to hide his pride and ego doesn’t have to sacrifice by going into a BP and actually ask for directions, for a third time! This technology is virtually flawless. The complicated system it seems it needs merely utilized the power of some radio/micro waves, integrated it with some software in a receiver, and awaiting the human touch to engage with some buttons and destinations. Simple steps to freedom, or are we tied to yet another convenience? With power to aim, launch, and obliterate objects within 30 feet of range anywhere and anytime in the world, GPS sure gives a sense of security.
Like the tree that falls in the forest, GPS needs a human to be there to hear and see the functionalities to make it worth something. How we measure the worth, weather it be a simple stroll to a store, or the extreme situation of tracking a nuclear bomb launched in Korea, GPS is a powerful tool on our planet. Perhaps the original thoughts on how the world was flat wasn’t far off after all. A matter of perception. Herein lies how flat we become, and if we fold over on ourselves. In this case I speak to mere GPS tracking to avoid embarrassment of being lost, tracking shipments, stolen goods, and smaller purposes rather than the obliteration or inspiration to enhance mankind. Another device to think for ourselves. Will we lose capability to read maps on our own? Some children today don’t memorize and process the multiplication tables, but utilize calculators. Are we becoming that lazy? We have blue tooth for phones that have voice recognition. One does not have to even dial numbers.
I make the point to bring about the power of technology, and its use. Where to now? I am curious to see how far we go! Will we install receivers in newborn babies? Require them at work? Will big brother take steroids and become big father, and we can be tracked, traced, and found doing whatever someone wants to discover, at anytime? Not to take it to the movie like arena such as the “Matrix”, or a “Mark of the Beast”, but, what next? Our government, personal choices, limits, and innovation will dictate how far we really take it! When the Jetsons cartoon came out, we all thought we would be flying around in cars, somehow it would happen, we just didn’t know the path to take. We’re not there yet, but our information travels around more than we ever imagined. What goes around comes around, and history does repeat itself. How we use these radio waves will determine the frequency and wavelength of life we as a human race live.
Works Cited:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us
http://www.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm
http://www.picks-finder.com/search.php?searchname=gps+tracking
http://gpssystemtracking.net/
http://ariel1.xu.edu:2052/universe/doclist?_m=8f868037473aca51166157a2cd844b95&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVb&_md5=a02a9e297aeb3a7c6c6179c3cc652c1b
http://www.map-reading.com/appendj.php
http://gpsinformation.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garmin
http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPSGuideforBeginners_Manual.pdf
http://www.weathergraphics.com/tim/gpsflite.jpg
Contact Support
North America
(for all Garmin products except Apollo aircraft)
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Central time (closed holidays)
Email Product Support
Product Support
Phone
1-800-800-1020 (U.S.)
1-888-442-7646 (U.S.)
1-866-429-9296 (Canada) or (913) 397-8200
Questions to Garmin: (after being on hold for ½ an hr!)
Features and Products:
Nuvi 680 MSN direct, movies, blue tooth, MP3, link to car stereo (direction through FM radio), jpeg reader (can do slide show), directions, cost - $1000, compatible with phone
Nuvi 660 like 680, but doesn’t not have MSN direct, has FM traffic receiver for just traffic and directions, but not about gas, 4.3” diagonal screens. Traffic, blue tooth, weather cost = $857.13
Nuvi 350 $535.70, basic GPS text to speech, says names, speaks, high sensitivy GPS receiver, maintaining satellites, 3.5” diagonal screen
Install:
Plug into cigarette lighter or power port of auto, also comes with suction cup to mount, if you’re in CA and Minnesota you can’t mount in windshield.
Maps are pre loaded; all of North America is loaded. Map updates come out every 12-15 months. Cost is $69.99.
Repairs and Updates:
Products come with 1 yr warranty. If you have issues, have to send to office in Olathe, Kansas. Software can be downloaded directly from website. You can update the operating unit, daylight saving, route and save better. There are no charges on software updates. Engineers and techs constantly work to improve. Mapping updates come from Map Tech (outsourced).
Misc: what to look for, size, shopping
Make sure you don’t want blue tooth (can’t be added). Traffic can be added. All come standard with driving directions, points of interests (6M such as restaurants, ATM’s, etc.). Nuvi’s have built in Lithium battery, interactive by giving commands, speaks street names to you, 3.5” diagonal screen, and .8” thick. About the size of a wallet ($535.70), can get cheaper. We sell accessories only, we sell GPS to dealers such as Wal Mart, Bass Pro shop, and we give manufacturer retail price. Dealers determine price. We have a minimum they can charge, and it’s a pretty competitive industry. You can pick up the Nuvi 350 for around $400. You can’t buy a device direct; they only deal business to business. As far as new tech, the engineers keep the projects secret till it’s launched.
Survey at GE of 50 co-workers: distributed with my weekly rollout at work
1.How many of you own a device for directions either personally or professionally?
20 (mostly salesman)
2.On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate the difficulty of using the system, 5 being the most difficult, and one being easy?
10 said 1, easy to use
5 said 2, fairly easy to use
4 said 3, somewhat easy, sometimes have problems to use
1 said 4, difficult to use
No one said 5, extremely difficult to use
3.If you don’t own a GPS device, do you plan on purchasing one?
Of the 30 that didn’t have a device for directions, one had one for a boat, and 2 has one for their running routines and when hiking/camping/rock climbing. 9 said they were thinking about purchasing one for direction use.
4.What kind of GPS device do you own?
All twenty had a Garmin device!
5. How long have you owned a GPS device?
< year =" 15" years =" 5"> 15 years
6.What is your age?
18 – 25 = 4
26 – 35 = 15
36 – 45 = 18
46 – 55 = 8
> 55 = 5
7.What are some of the issues you have had or foresee with your GPS?
Battery life not lasting long. Not using properly. Not knowing how to use or figure out all the functions. The device shutting down due to technical error. Maps making mistakes on smaller streets. Purchasing a device and a new one comes out, and have to spend lots of money to upgrade. Having issues and not being able to get a hold of customer support.
8. How much time a week do you spent using your GPS?
0 min to 1 hr 7
1hr to 2 hrs 12
2 hrs – 5 hrs 1
5+ hrs
9.Comment on where you think GPS is going and any other thoughts:
Comments included how our phones, PC, and GPS will be more integrated together. Information such as weather, sports, and more will be included in the auto devices. More marketing and sales will be integrated with the units. One comment suggested that businesses may start placing GPS units in their employees (and that they already with Blackberry’s!). It helps our military and soldiers with information. And numerous comments stated how it’s saved them from having to call, get lost, or use mapquest.
10.Did you use GPS to navigate through this survey?
NO 43
YES 7(You got me?! Ha)
From my data I conclude that generally the products are easy to use, they’re used a lot, they’re fairly new to the market for most (utilized by our sales staff) for directions, and are still rather new to the civilian market and merging to be a mainstream product.
Comments