Pioneer SPH-DA210 User Manual

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Appendix
Appendix
77
En
Appendix
Positioning technology
Positioning by GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS) uses a 
network of satellites orbiting the Earth. Each 
of the satellites, which orbit at a height of 
68 900 000 feet (21 000 km), continually broad-
casts radio signals giving time and position in-
formation. This ensures that signals from at 
least three can be picked up from any open ar-
ea on the ground’s surface.
The accuracy of the GPS information depends 
on how good the reception is. When the sig-
nals are strong and reception is good, GPS 
can determine latitude, longitude and altitude 
for accurate positioning in three dimensions. 
But if signal quality is poor, only two dimen-
sions, latitude and longitude, can be obtained 
and positioning errors are somewhat greater.
Handling large errors
Positioning errors are kept to a minimum by 
combining GPS, dead reckoning and map 
matching. However, in some situations, these 
functions may not work properly, and the error 
may become larger.
When positioning by GPS is 
impossible
•  GPS positioning is disabled if signals can-
not be received from more than two GPS 
satellites.
•  In some driving conditions, signals from 
GPS satellites may not reach your vehicle. 
In this case, it is impossible for the system 
to use GPS positioning.
In tunnels or en-
closed parking 
garages
Under elevated 
roads or similar 
structures
When driving 
among high 
buildings
When driving 
through a dense 
forest or tall trees
•  If a car phone or cellular phone is used 
near the GPS antenna, GPS reception may 
be lost temporarily.
•  Do not cover the GPS antenna with spray 
paint or car wax, because this may block 
the reception of GPS signals. Snow buildup 
can also degrade the signals, so keep the 
antenna clear.
If a GPS signal has not been received for a 
long time, your vehicle’s actual position 
and the current position mark on the map 
may diverge considerably or may not be up-
dated. In such a case, once GPS reception 
is restored, accuracy will recover.
Conditions likely to cause notice-
able positioning errors
For various reasons, such as the state of the 
road you are traveling on and the reception 
status of the GPS signal, the actual position of 
your vehicle may differ from the position dis-
played on the map screen.