| If you've ever gotten lost on the way to a | | | | Akron and Seidio.Bluetooth GPS ReceiverThe |
| business or social function, then it's time | | | | Bluetooth GPS Receiver is a stand alone |
| to consider a GPS system. It can pinpoint | | | | receiver that can communicate with a Pocket |
| your exact location and provide a map that | | | | PC or Smartphone. To use the GPS receiver |
| shows you how to get to your destination.How | | | | with your Windows Mobile device it needs to |
| does GPS work?GPS measures the satellite | | | | have Bluetooth capability, or you can simply |
| signals in proximity to your location. The | | | | add the receiver to the unit with a CF or |
| GPS receiver absolutely needs to know where | | | | SDIO Bluetooth card.You don't have to be |
| it is! This happens by receiving signals from | | | | exactly near your GPS receiver to use it. |
| a minimum of three satellites. If it wants | | | | This is what is really cool about this |
| elevation, then a fourth satellite needs to | | | | receiver. It's very flexible too. You can |
| come into play.Next, is the high end math; | | | | place it within 30 meters of your other |
| GPS locks onto a position and uses | | | | Bluetooth devices and still have full GPS |
| trigonometry to calculate its position. This | | | | functionality. Even more surprising...it can |
| is measured in latitude and longitude. From | | | | actually produce a map and location details |
| that point, as long as it stays locked onto | | | | while inside a clothing item or in a |
| your location, it can provide the speed, | | | | container.It's convenient too. Before you |
| distance and that most valued of all things; | | | | leave for a trip, you can input where you |
| a map to your destination.What is the signal | | | | want to go and have it all mapped out when |
| accuracy of GPS?GPS signal accuracy is | | | | you depart for your new destination.Consider |
| approximately 50 feet. But some systems go | | | | these factors when selecting a GPS system: |
| beyond this range.Ground stations help GPS | | | | |
| systems achieve an accuracy greater than 50 | | | | |
| feet. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) | | | | |
| correct satellite orbital errors. With 25 | | | | 1. Watch out for lost signals. The GPS |
| ground stations in the U.S., WAAS calculates | | | | signal with a satellite could conceivably get |
| and transmits the corrected data to | | | | lost in rough or remote terrain, like in a |
| fixed-position satellites. WAAS-enabled GPS | | | | canyon or forest. This can be minimized with |
| receivers reach accuracies of 10 feet or | | | | a system that continuously monitors 12 |
| less.DGPS (Differential GPS) also has a | | | | satellites.2. Is the GPS system programmable? |
| correction method with its network of towers. | | | | What is the data package like? Is it |
| DGPS systems achieve an accuracy of between | | | | cost-effective?3. What is the power supply |
| 10 and 20 feet, but the downside is that | | | | like? Some in-car systems come with their own |
| these systems require an antenna to receive | | | | batteries, while others are dependent on the |
| the corrected signal.What options are there | | | | car itself.4. Pay attention to interface. |
| for a GPS system?You can either choose a | | | | Some GPS interfaces run better than others. |
| dedicated GPS receiver with displays, or a | | | | Find out about their performance from tech |
| receiver that works in conjunction with your | | | | journals and colleagues.5. Look at how the |
| PDA or notebook computer. At the lower end, | | | | maps and directions are displayed. Do you |
| dedicated receivers with displays show the | | | | like the presentation? Is it easy to |
| location and basic maps. Others at the higher | | | | navigate?GPS - Gets you on trackThink of GPS |
| end offer downloadable capability so you can | | | | as a modern take on that classic refrain |
| receive more sophisticated map configurations | | | | heard by car passengers everywhere,"Just ask |
| from a PC.Pocket PCs, Palm OS devices and | | | | for directions." Only now, you can ask your |
| notebook computers also offer GPS receivers | | | | very own GPS system without worrying about |
| combined with mapping programs. GPS devices | | | | getting lost. |
| come built into some PDA mounts offered by | | | | |