Navigation System Function

Description

• The AV control unit controls navigation function while GPS tuner has built-in map data, GYRO (angle speed sensor), on the HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
• The AV control unit inputs operation signal with communication signal, through display (touch panel) and multifunction switch and steering switch.
• Guide sound is output to front speaker through BOSE amp. from AV control unit when operating navigation system.
• A vehicle position is calculated with the GYRO (angle speed sensor), vehicle sensor, signal from GPS satellite and map data stored on HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and transmits the map image signal (RGB image, RGB area, RGB image synchronizing) to the display.

Position Detection Principle

The navigation system periodically calculates the current vehicle position according to the following three types of signals.

• Travel distance of the vehicle as determined by the vehicle speed sensor
• Vehicle turning angle determined by the gyroscope (angular speed sensor)
• The travel direction of the vehicle determined by the GPS antenna (GPS information)

The current position of the vehicle is then identified by comparing the calculated vehicle position with map data, which is stored in the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) (map-matching), and indicated on the screen with a current location mark. More accurate data is used by comparing position detection results from GPS to the map-matching.

Fig 1: Position Detection Principle

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

The current position is calculated by detecting the travel distance from the previous calculation point, and its direction change.

• Travel distance

  The travel distance is generated from the vehicle speed sensor input signal. The automatic distance correction function is adopted for preventing a miss-detection of the travel distance because of tire wear etc.

• Travel direction

  The gyroscope (angular velocity sensor) and GPS antenna (GPS information) generate the change of the travel direction. Both have advantages and disadvantages as per the following descriptions.

  Fig 2: Accurating Vehicle Position

  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Input signals are prioritized in each situation. However, this order of priority may change in accordance with more detailed travel conditions so that the travel direction is detected more accurately.

Map-matching

Map-matching repositions the vehicle on the road map when a new location is judged to be more accurate. This is done by comparing the current vehicle position (calculated by the normal position detection method) from the map data stored in the HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

Fig 3: Identifying Map-Matching

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

There is a possibility that the vehicle position may not be corrected in the following case, and when vehicle is driven over a certain distance or time in which GPS information is hard to receive. Correct manually the current location mark on the screen.

• In map-matching, several alternative routes are prepared and prioritized in addition to the road judged as currently driving on.

  Therefore, due to errors in the distance and/or direction, an incorrect road may be prioritized, and the current location mark may be repositioned to the incorrect road.

  If two roads are running in parallel, they are of the same priority. Therefore, the current location mark may appear on either of them alternately, depending on maneuvering of the steering wheel and configuration of the road, etc.

  Fig 4: Identifying Actual Vehicle Traced Route

  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
• Map-matching does not function correctly when road on which the vehicle is driving is new, etc. and not recorded in the map data. Also, map-matching does not function correctly when road pattern stored in the map data and the actual road pattern are different due to repair, etc.

  Therefore, the map-matching function judges other road as a currently driving road if the road is not in the map, and displays the current location mark on it. Later, the current location mark may be repositioned to the road if the correct road is detected.

• Effective range for comparing the vehicle position and travel direction calculated by the distance and direction with the road data is limited. Therefore, correction by map-matching is not possible when there is an excessive gap between current vehicle position and the position on the map.
  Fig 5: Identifying Vehicle Position On Newly Constructed Road

  Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

GPS (Global Positioning System) is developed for and is controlled by the US Department of Defense. The system utilizes GPS satellites (NAVSTAR), transmitting out radio waves while flying on an orbit around the earth at an altitude of approximately 21,000 km (13,049 mile).

The receiver calculates the travel position in three dimensions (latitude/longitude/altitude) according to the time lag of the radio waves that four or more GPS satellites transmit (three-dimensional positioning). The GPS receiver calculates the travel position in two dimensions (latitude/longitude) with the previous altitude data if the GPS receiver receives only three radio waves (two-dimensional positioning). GPS position correction is not performed while stopping the vehicle.

Fig 6: Global Positioning System

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Accuracy of the GPS will deteriorate under the following conditions:

• In two-dimensional positioning, GPS accuracy will deteriorate when altitude of the vehicle position changes.
• The position of GPS satellite affects GPS detection precision. The position detection may not be precisely performed.
• The position detection is not performed if GPS receiver does not receive radio waves from GPS satellites. (Inside a tunnel, parking in a building, under an elevated highway etc.) GPS receiver may not receive radio waves from GPS satellites if any object is placed on the GPS antenna.