[gps-talkusers] Re: how to deal with multi path in cities

  • From: Michael May <mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:46:04 -0700

Dave,

The location does not vary in terms of its absolute position. You might here 
that it is to your left, then to your right. However, it would always be at a 
consistent compass direction and the distance to the location would be reliable.

Mike
At 06:07 PM 6/27/2006, you wrote:
>Mike, if the heading varies during signal degradation, would the location of 
>what  ever you are looking for vary as well?
>
>Dave
>
>taxation WITH representation isn't so hot, either!
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael May" <mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: "GPS-talkusers-freelists.org" <GPS-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 7:19 AM
>Subject: [gps-talkusers] how to deal with multi path in cities
>
>
>>There is one minor down side to the latest super sensative GPS receivers. 
>>When you are among tall buildings, it is amazing how well these receivers, 
>>like the Holux, report several satellites. The problem is that the quality of 
>>those signals is degraded because they are bouncing between the buildings. 
>>this is called multi path. The good news is that your position can be tracked 
>>but the bad news is that your accuracy and particularly your heading is 
>>degraded by this multi path.
>>
>>You'll know this is happening when you find your direction of travel swinging 
>>all over the place. Walk in a constant direction and keep hitting the H key 
>>for heading and see if there is any consistency or not. If you see 90 degree 
>>shifts in your heading, you are experiencing multi path.
>>
>>So I ask myself, "Self, what can I do about heading swings?" First, note that 
>>the compass direction for your destination will not shift as the compass 
>>reading is by definition constent. If your destination is reported as 
>>Northwest, that will not change no matter what your relative heading says. 
>>You must then rely on this compass direction by either using an actual 
>>tactile or audio compass to verify your real heading, or determine your 
>>compass direction from the GPS when you are not among tall buildings and keep 
>>track of that heading once you are among the buildings. In other words, if 
>>the GPS heading is going to be flakey, it is up to you to know the compass 
>>direction.
>>
>>If you know the compass direction, you can then utilize the other information 
>>the system is giving you to navigate a route or to use the getting warmer 
>>method to get to your destination.
>>
>>Besides the compass direction, you will want to rely heavily on the distance 
>>to your destination or waypoint decreasing. Even if your heading is reported 
>>to be South and your Destination is north, if the distance to the destination 
>>decreases, don't turn around. A decreasing distance to your destination is 
>>something you can depend upon.
>>
>>This multi path is not something that will vary among receivers or systems. 
>>We have tested the $900 Garmin Nuvi receiver against the Holux in this kind 
>>of situation and there was no difference.
>>
>>Until you get out of the tall buildings, pay close attention to that compass 
>>direction and to the distance to destination.
>>Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>Michael G. May
>>
>>CEO Sendero Group
>>
>>Developers and distributors of BrailleNote GPS
>>Distributing BrailleNote, VoiceNote, Talks, Miniguide, The Tissot Silen-T 
>>tactile watch, and the ID Mate bar code reader
>>
>>MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>http://www.SenderoGroup.com
>>
>>1-888-757-6810, Fax (530) 757-6830, Mobile (530) 304-0007
>>Sendero Group, LLC
>>1118 Maple Lane, Davis, CA 95616-1723, USA
>>
>>Latitude, 38 33 9.239 North
>>Longitude, 121 45 40.145 West
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>


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