A satellite navigation system (often known as SatNav) comprises of two elements: a GPS data receiver and a CPU/display unit. The GPS receiver determines the location (longitude, latitude and altitude) of the unit from data received from orbiting navigational satellites. This information is then displayed on the display screen. Although originally developed for the military, satellite navigation systems now have a wide variety of civilian uses:
- Navigation, ranging from personal hand-held devices for hiking to devices fitted to cars, trucks, ships and aircraft
- Location-based services, such as enhanced 911
- Time synchronisation
- Surveying
- Search and rescue
- Entering data into a Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Tracking devices used in wildlife management
One of the most popular uses of SatNav is for navigation and route planning, and so we've put together a guide to some of the most important aspects of using a Sat Nav system for finding directions and planning journeys.
