7
Navman
Smart
S
™
Professional for Palm
OS
®
5
What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a network of satellites launched by the US military in the 1970s. The satellites
continuously transmit accurate time and position information, which is freely used by commercial and military applications
worldwide. GPS receivers are designed to pick up the high frequency radio signals from these satellites, and use the
information to determine your exact location. Today, there are many applications that use GPS, from marine to automotive,
aviation and military.
There are 24 satellites in total, orbiting approximately 12,000 miles above the earth. While a GPS receiver can detect
signals from up to 12 satellites at any one time, only three are needed to provide the two-dimensional position or “
fi
x”
(latitude and longitude) that is required for vehicle navigation systems. A three dimensional
fi
x requires four satellites and
provides improved positional accuracy.
Smart
S
Professional is designed speci
fi
cally to use GPS information to
fi
nd your current position, and to calculate the
best route to your desired destination using the road maps stored on your memory card. Smart
S
Professional will then
guide you with voice and visual commands to your destination using the continuous stream of GPS data to track your
position as you make a trip.
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