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How Does Satellite Navigation Work?

How Does Satellite Navigation Work?

This isn't the usual 'how does sat nav work' article! There's nothing complicated or tricky to understand. Plus, there's a demo for you to try yourself!

Here's how sat nav systems work in a nutshell. In the system itself, there is a GPS receiver. That uses satellites to provide near accurate coordinates to pinpoint your location. The system then plots this on a map. When you turn it on and it shows your starting position, it has deciphered the GPS response, and plotted your location on a map.

If you move, the GPS coordinates change and the map is plotted again.

The routing is done by the software within the system. It plans the best route to your destination, taking into account any factors you specify such as avoiding toll roads or motorways.

Sat nav systems with traffic modules have the ability to alert you to busy, congested roads and some can re-route your journey to avoid these. The traffic information is supplied via a separate service to GPS.

Most sat nav screens offer simplified views of just the roads. This is easier for driving. The above demonstration simply shows how a route can be plotted and executed as the vehicle moves.

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