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GPS

Johnny-5Johnny-5 Posts: 34
edited 2007-11-16 19:43 in General Discussion
anyone who has had experience with the GPS module they sell here: It says its to be used outdoors, but a guy at work had a GPS reciever hooked up to his laptop and it workd fine inside. I'm wondering how well these work indoors?

Comments

  • Brian_BBrian_B Posts: 842
    edited 2007-11-15 05:03
    GPS works by "seeing" at least 3 satellites in the sky , if you where close to a window it might work , otherwise it won't

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    Thank's Brian


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  • LilDiLilDi Posts: 229
    edited 2007-11-15 16:02
    Some GPS units with very high gain receivers will work indoors. They are usually very expensive. The PIR that Parallax sell, will not work indoors unless its next to a window with an unobstucted view of the sky.
  • Paul Sr.Paul Sr. Posts: 435
    edited 2007-11-15 16:06
    LilDi said...
    Some GPS units with very high gain receivers will work indoors. They are usually very expensive.

    Never heard of this - and I can't technically digest it - can you give an example?
  • LilDiLilDi Posts: 229
    edited 2007-11-15 17:10
    I have heard that TV satellite signals can be used for GPS triangulation indoors, but haven't seen one on the market yet. Garmin and Tremble sell High gain GPS units that work indoors.

    Here is an example of an indoor unit.


    Post Edited (LilDi) : 11/15/2007 8:46:55 PM GMT
    GPSmag_FathersDay.jpg
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  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2007-11-15 17:37
    GPS receivers have to receive the signals from the satellites. Walls and roofs and juicy tree leaves all absorb the signal. If you have a relatively insensitive receiver, a wall or roof or big ol' tree with lots of water in the leaves will absorb the signal to where it can't reliably be received. If you pay extra for a more sensitive receiver with a larger antenna too, it can receive the signals adequately despite the attenuation of the walls or roof or trees.

    The Parallax device is simply made to be used outdoors or near a window with a fairly clear view of several satellites. It might function in some situations indoors, but that's not what it's designed for and it may or may not work reliably that way.
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2007-11-15 18:06
    Also note that any coatings on your windows (windshields included) may attenuate the signal without you realizing.

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    <FONT>Steve



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  • Johnny-5Johnny-5 Posts: 34
    edited 2007-11-16 19:43
    good to know, thanks.
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