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