GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

68Part II: All About GPSThe Future of GPSModern technology rapidly evolves, and the same holds true for GPS. Sinceconsumer GPS receivers first became available in the mid-1990s, the markethas grown tremendously because of cheaper receiver prices and new ways touse GPS. A peek into a crystal ball shows what the future may hold for GPS. More accurate: The United States has started planning the next generationof GPS, dubbed GPS III. Driving factors are better accuracy and reliability,improved resistance to signal jamming, and the looming European Galileosystem. Increasing the number of WAAS satellites in orbit is also planned.The first GPS III satellite is tentatively planned for launch in 2012. The U.S.government budget will have an impact on plans to improve the presentGPS system; the Iraq invasion delayed the launch of several satellites. Smaller: GPS receivers will continue to shrink. GPS units already areintegrated into wristwatches, and PC Card GPS receivers can plug into alaptop or PDA.The three limiting factors that prevent a consumer receiver from shrinkingare antenna size, screen size, and power source size Cheaper: Prices will continue to decline as manufacturing costsdecrease and production quantities increase. Easier to use: Simplified and less technical user interfaces will becomemore of a priority as GPS receivers become more appliancelike to meetthe needs of specialized markets. An example is Garmin’s Forerunnerproduct, which is targeted to runners and lacks a number of featurestypically found in traditional GPS receivers. Easier to view: Improved screen technology will make GPS receiverscreens brighter and easier to read. More integrated: GPS receivers are being integrated into cars and trucks,cellphones, PDAs, Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, and other consumerelectronic devices. Expect some new products and services that takeadvantage of location-aware data. Thriftier: User-replaceable AA and AAA batteries have long poweredportable GPS receivers, but expect some changes in power sources.• Built-in Lithium ion (Li-Ion) and nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries,popular in cellphones and laptops, make sense for GPSreceivers. Garmin started releasing rechargeable GPS receivers atthe end of 2003.• Further on the horizon, miniature fuel cell technology will keepGPS units going and going without frequent battery changes. Less wired: Most GPS receivers transfer data from personal computersthrough a cable. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth (www.bluetooth.com) and wireless USB are well suited for fast and easy datatransfers to GPS receivers without using cables.