Satellite navigation software
{{Short description|Software used for GPS navigation}}Satellite navigation software or GNSS navigation software a category of software that provide positioning services by utilizing data from satellite navigation systems.
Key functions of satellite navigation software usually includes:
- Positioning: determines the device's precise location using signals from multiple satellites
- Route planning: calculates optimized route based on user needs, such as starting point, destination, and travelling mean, et cetera. This functionality could be extended to driving assistant.
- Tracking: shows where the tracked object have been. (This functionality relies past positioning data to be stored, so not just the "software" technically).
Additional functions that extends the capabilities of satellite navigation software includes:
- Searching: finds locations with addresses or GNSS coordinates (latitude and longitude).
- Traffic updates: shows real-time traffic information, enabling the software to suggest a better route during driving.
- Offline map: allows regions of map to be pre-downloaded, enabling usage with minimal connectivity.
- Bookmarking: saves locations for later use.
Requirement
{{see also|GPS navigation device}}
Hardware-wise, a GNSS receiver is needed to interpret satellite signals and compute the user’s location. Nowadays, it is usually a single integrated circuit (IC).
Satellite navigation software is most commonly used on mobile devices, particularly mobile phones, to provide the positioning functionality. However, relying exclusively on GNSS data is not accurate enough due to the limitations of GNSS services, To address this, Assisted GNSS (A-GNSS) is used instead. By leveraging data from nearby cellular towers, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections, A-GNSS enhances accuracy, reduces power consumption, lowers the risk of signal blockage, and effectively mitigates the limitations of GNSS.{{Cite web |last1=Han |first1=Kahee |last2=Lee |first2=Jung-Hoon |last3=Im |first3=Ji-Ung |last4=Won |first4=Jong-Hoon |date=15 December 2018 |title=A-GNSS Performance Test in Various Urban Environments by Using a Commercial Low Cost GNSS Receiver and Service |url=https://koreascience.kr/article/JAKO201809242559900.page }}
Software products{{anchor|Software}}
{{see also|Comparison of satellite navigation software}}
There are many navigation software products available. The primary distinction is whether it is designed for use on land, water or air.https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/techops/navservices/gnss/gps/usersegments/aviation Below is a short-listed software products:
= Land-based =
Free and open source
- OpenStreetMap (Cross-platform) open source and free
- OsmAnd (Android) open source, and free
- MoNav (Cross-platform) open source and free
- Navit (Cross-platform) open source and free
Proprietary (available for free)
- Apple Maps (iOS, macOS, watchOS)
- Google Earth (Windows, Mac, Linux, with [https://earth.google.com/web/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r/data=CgRCAggBOgMKATBCAggASg0I____________ARAA website])
- Google Maps (platform independent, with [https://www.google.com/maps website])
- Mapy.cz (Android, iOS, with [https://en.mapy.cz/ website]) - freemium
- Windows Maps (Windows)
Commercial
- DeLorme Street Atlas USA and Topo USA
- HERE
- Rand McNally
- Navigon
- Navman
- Magellan
- Mireo
- iGO
- ROUTE 66
- TomTom Navigator
- TomTom Mobile
- TeleType WorldNavigator
- TPL Maps {{Cite web |date=28 June 2020 |title=TECH TALK: Local company takes on Google Maps |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1565687/tech-talk-local-company-takes-on-google-maps}}
- Waze
- OziExplorer
- GPSS