Ever been driving around an unfamiliar city and been guided by SatNav? It’s an experience becoming increasingly common for many drivers as SatNavs have gone from high tech luxury items to a feature that many drivers expect as standard. If you’re new to SatNavs you might find yourself wondering exactly how it is the small device on your dashboard knows exactly where to go, or even if it can be trusted, so for the curious among you here is a guide to the science behind SatNavs.
How it works
Sat Nav devices find your position by detecting radio signals being broadcast from navigational satellites orbiting the earth. It takes 24 of these satellites each of which weighs between three and four thousand pounds, to ensure the entire planet can get navigational coverage. Currently orbiting the earth are 27 navigational satellites ensuring that should one become damaged there are still an additional 3 available to provide constant coverage. Your Sat Nav device picks up a signal from three or more of these satellites. It records how long it takes the signal from each satellite to reach it and thus how far away the satellite is. Recording this information from three or more satellites allows your SatNav to triangulate and calculate its position. SatNavs can also work out your velocity by monitoring exactly how quickly this information changes. SatNavs have maps saved on then, once the Sat Nav knows exactly where you are it can display this on the map, and use its own sophisticated mapping software to work out the best route to get to the destination you have selected.
The origins of satellite navigation technology
SatNavs like a lot of modern technologies were originally developed by the military. The navigational satellites that SatNavs utilize were originally launched to guide smart bombs and missiles. In WWII a high level bomber could drop a bomb that landed within a mile of its target and it would still be counted as a hit. Now day’s bombs and missiles can be guided to hit individual buildings, or even individual rooms of buildings all thanks to satellites. The result is wars have become a lot cleaner with far less civilian casualties.
As with most technologies as it is further developed its costs have decreased and navigational satellites were made increasingly available for the wider population. Many businesses that have a lot of motor vehicle assets such as delivery companies or security companies started installing GPS trackers made by companies like RAM tracking in their vehicles so the location of vehicles could be tracked at all times. The advantage of this is that the nearest car can always be sent to a job saving fuel costs, and customers can be kept advised of any delays helping improve the customer’s experience. The technology continues to progress and we have now reached the stage where almost anyone has access to it either in their car or on there phone.
As with most technologies as it is further developed its costs have decreased and navigational satellites were made increasingly available for the wider population. Many businesses that have a lot of motor vehicle assets such as delivery companies or security companies started installing GPS trackers made by companies like RAM tracking in their vehicles so the location of vehicles could be tracked at all times. The advantage of this is that the nearest car can always be sent to a job saving fuel costs, and customers can be kept advised of any delays helping improve the customer’s experience. The technology continues to progress and we have now reached the stage where almost anyone has access to it either in their car or on there phone.
The future of SatNav technologies
In just a few short years the technology has gone from a very exclusive military weapon to something that we all have access to, but where will it go next. Just this week the UK motor insurance company the AA launched a new insurance scheme aimed at younger drivers that based prices on driving style. Cars are fitted with sat nav devices that monitor driving speed, how aggressively corners are taken and how hard drivers break all this is used to establish the ability of a driver. Good drivers using the system are expected to pay significantly lower driving fees which could be good news for young UK drivers who often face prohibitive insurance costs.
Google have plans to use satnav technology to finally launch the long dreamed of self-drive car. Although the idea has been around for years Google recently filed a patent for a car that used sat nav as well as other sensors to allow a car to drive its self. Although this system is still a long way off it could completely change the face of driving.
Satellite navigation technology is one of the most exciting innovations of recent years with so many possible applications it seems we are still only just scrapping the surface. The navigation device on your dash board might be your first experience with satellite navigation, but it is unlikely to be your last.
Google have plans to use satnav technology to finally launch the long dreamed of self-drive car. Although the idea has been around for years Google recently filed a patent for a car that used sat nav as well as other sensors to allow a car to drive its self. Although this system is still a long way off it could completely change the face of driving.
Satellite navigation technology is one of the most exciting innovations of recent years with so many possible applications it seems we are still only just scrapping the surface. The navigation device on your dash board might be your first experience with satellite navigation, but it is unlikely to be your last.
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