A GPS navigation device is any device that receives Global Positioning System (GPS) signals for the purpose of determining the present location. These devices are used in military, aviation, marine and consumer product applications.
Consumer GPS navigation devices include:
1. Dedicated GPS navigation devices
A taxi in Kyoto, equipped with GPS navigation systemThese devices feature pre-installed embedded software. Most dedicated devices are mobile, yet special purpose devices (eg car devices) may be stationary. The software includes interactive street maps (of certain regions) that may also show points of interest, route information, and step-by-step routing directions.
2. Mobile phones with GPS capability
Commercial navigation software is widely available for most current smartphones as well as some Java-enabled phones that allows them to use an internal or external GPS receiver (in the latter case, connecting via serial or Bluetooth). Some phones with GPS capability work by assisted GPS (A-GPS) only, and do not function when out of range of their carrier's cell towers. Others can navigate worldwide with satellite GPS signals as a dedicated portable GPS receiver does, upgrading their operation to A-GPS mode when in range.
3. Laptop PC GPS
Various software companies have made available GPS road navigation software programs for in-vehicle use on laptop computers. Benefits of GPS on a laptop include larger map overview, ability to use the keyboard to control GPS functions, and some GPS software for laptops offers advanced trip-planning features not available on other platforms. Laptop computers allow for other uses beside GPS.
4. GPS modules
A modern SiRFstarIII chip based 20-channel GPS receiver with WAAS/EGNOS support.Other GPS devices need to be connected to a computer in order to work. This computer can be a home computer, laptop or even a PDAs, or smartphones. Depending on the type of computer and available connectors, connections can be made through a serial or USB cable, as well as Bluetooth, CompactFlash, SD, PCMCIA and the newer ExpressCard.
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