Silverado 3500 2WD V8-6.6L DSL Turbo VIN 2 (2004)
Antenna, Navigation: Description and Operation
CELLULAR AND NAVIGATION ANTENNAS
This vehicle will be equipped with either separate cellular and navigation antennas, or a combination cellular and navigation antenna, which brings the
functions of both into a single part.
The cellular antenna is the component that allows the Onstar(R) system to send and receive data over airwaves by means of cellular technology. This
antenna is connected at the base to a coax cable that plugs directly into the vehicle communication interface module (VCIM). The navigation antenna is
used to collect the constant signals of the orbiting satellites. Within the antenna, is housed a low noise amplifier that allows for a more broad and precise
reception of this data. The current global positioning system (GPS) location is collected by the module every time a keypress is made. The Onstar(R)
Call Center also has the capability of pinging the vehicle during an Onstar(R) call, which commands the module to retrieve the latest GPS location and
transmit it to the Onstar(R) Call Center. A history location of the last recorded position of the vehicle is stored in the module and marked as aged. In the
event the VCP loses, or is removed from power, this history location is used by the Onstar(R) Call Center as a default. Actual GPS location may take up
to 10 minutes to register in the event of a loss of power. This antenna requires a clear and unobstructed path to the satellites in the sky. Window tinting
on vehicles may interfere with the GPS sensor functions, depending upon the amount of darkening and/or metallic particles that are embedded in the film
of the tinting material.
