TABLE OF CONTENTS This section examines integrated positioning systems found in vehicle systems, automotive electronics, and mobile consumer electronics. Low-cost sensors and methods used to augment GPS solutions are presented, and example systems are discussed.
Ever since GPS was first conceived, it was envisaged that receivers would be used for positioning in motor vehicles. By the early 1990s, GPS receiver technology had advanced to the point where GPS products functioned reliably in automotive environments and costs had dropped to a point where widespread use was possible. GPS is now used in automotive systems for locating vehicles, tracking vehicles, and providing navigation assistance to drivers.
Vehicle navigation systems are available on dozens of vehicle models in the market today. The purpose of these systems is quite simply to help a driver get to a destination. A generic vehicle navigation system architecture is depicted in Figure 9.18. Major components include a user interface to enter a destination, a GPS receiver to determine the absolute position of the vehicle, possible auxiliary sensors for augmenting the positioning solution, access to a digital map database for planning routes and determining maneuvers, and means to present the directions to the driver by voice, graphics, or both via the user interface. Access to digital map data is essential for route planning and guidance, and when available in the vehicle may also be used to improve the positioning, as will be discussed in this chapter. GPS is used for positioning in virtually...
