Freelander System Description and Operation
NAVIGATION SYSTEM
87-2
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Description
General
The navigation system provides audio and visual route guidance to help the driver reach a selected destination. The
system is an optional fit consisting of a Traffic Pro navigation computer and antenna, manufactured by Harman/
Becker Automotive Systems, which are fitted in place of the In Car Entertainment (ICE) head unit and antenna.
Compact Disc (CD) and radio functions are incorporated into the navigation computer.
The navigation system allows the driver to choose between the shortest and fastest routes between the vehicle's
current position and a selected destination, and to select a stopover point in the journey and a route that avoids
motorways, ferries and toll roads. Directions to Points Of Interest (POI) e.g. airports, hospitals, petrol stations etc,
either local, national or in another country, can also be selected. A traffic jam function enables the driver to request
diversion instructions, around an obstructed part of the selected route, during the journey. A Traffic Management
Control (TMC) function, currently only available in some European countries, monitors traffic broadcasts and
automatically selects an alternative route during the journey if the original route is effected by a traffic jam, accident
or road works etc.
The position of the vehicle is determined by the navigation computer using a combination of vehicle sensor inputs and
radio signals from the 24 Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites orbiting the earth. The position of the vehicle is
then plotted on a digitised map, loaded into the navigation computer from a CD-ROM, to determine the journey route
and provide the route guidance.
The GPS satellite signals are used for initial determination of the vehicle's position and periodic position updates. The
vehicle sensor inputs are used to monitor the vehicle's direction of travel and distance travelled between position
updates from the GPS satellite signals. The vehicle sensor inputs consist of:
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A vehicle speed signal from the ABS ECU, to monitor the distance travelled and for automatic volume control.
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A reverse gear signal from the selector and inhibitor switch, to enable the navigation computer to differentiate
between forward and rearward movement of the vehicle.
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A gyro in the navigation computer, to monitor changes of direction, i.e. steering inputs.
The signal from each GPS satellite contains information about satellite position, almanac data and time (almanac data
is the current status of the satellite). Signals from between five and 11 of the GPS satellites can be received at a given
point on the earth's surface at any one time. The number and quality of separate GPS satellite signals received also
varies with vehicle location. In hilly or tree lined areas, built up areas with tall buildings, multi-storey car parks,
garages, tunnels, bridges and during heavy rain/thunderstorms, signal reception of some or all of the GPS satellites
will be poor or non existent.
A minimum of three separate GPS satellite signals are required for the navigation computer to calculate a three
dimensional (3D) positional fix. When only two signals are being received, the navigation computer will calculate a
less accurate two dimensional (2D) positional fix. The more widely dispersed that the GPS satellites are, the more
accurate the positional fix. The navigation computer can store information from a maximum of 12 GPS satellites at
any one time. When more than three signals are stored, the navigation computer selects the three most widely
dispersed signals for the position calculation.
Antenna Assembly
The antenna assembly consists of a GPS antenna, installed at the front of the roof centreline, and an FM radio
antenna which screws into the GPS antenna. A diplexer unit on the underside of the GPS antenna amplifies the radio
signals received from the GPS satellites and radio stations and transmits them through separate co-axial cables to
the navigation computer for processing.
