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Outdoor Navigation consists in the navigation in outdoor environments such as natures trails. Outdoor Navigation is use mainly by outdoor enthusiasts (such as hikers, backpackers, geocaching enthusiasts, mountaneirs or bikers) and outdoor workers (such emergency workers, wildlife preservation workers, forestry workers, farmers or mining workers).


Outdoor Navigation is somewhat different from Pedestrian Navigation or Road Navigation since it uses the concepts of trails and waypoints instead of a turn by turn navigation. Maps is not always required since individual trails can be loaded on the device or trails can be created from hikes. When present maps are very different from the maps used in Pedestrian Navigation or Road Navigation being more closely related with topographic charts and military charts instead of being street and road oriented.
Outdoor Navigation consists in the navigation in outdoor environments such as nature trails. Outdoor Navigation is used mainly by outdoor enthusiasts (such as hikers, backpackers, geocaching enthusiasts, mountaineers or bikers) and outdoor workers (such emergency workers, wildlife preservation workers, forestry workers, farmers or mining workers)<ref>[[Wikipedia:GNSS applications|GNSS applications on Wikipedia]]</ref>.
 
Outdoor Navigation is somewhat different from [[Pedestrian Navigation]] or [[Road Navigation]] since it uses the concepts of trails and waypoints instead of a turn by turn navigation. Maps are not always required since individual trails can be loaded on the device or trails can be created from hikes. When present, maps are very different from the ones used in [[Pedestrian Navigation]] or [[Road Navigation]]; outdoor navigation maps more closely related with topographic charts and military charts, rather than being street and road oriented.




== Application Architecture ==
== Application Architecture ==


Pedestrian Navigation applications are normally implemented using a standalone application running on a [[Wikipedia:Mobile device|mobile device]]. This [[Wikipedia:Mobile device|mobile device]] can be GNSS-enable [[Wikipedia:Mobile phone|phone]] with multimedia capabilities or a custom [[Personal Navigation Device]].
[[File:Garminetrexh.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Handheld Outdoor Receiver]]
Outdoor Navigation is normally done using a custom [[Handheld Outdoor Receivers|Handheld Outdoor Receivers]] although standalone applications running on a [[Wikipedia:Mobile device|mobile device]] can also be used. [[Handheld Outdoor Receivers]] are preferred by "heavy users" since these devices are normally ruggedized devices to endure an outdoor environment. For the occasional users there are applications that can run on GNSS-enabled [[Wikipedia:Mobile phone|phones]] with multimedia capabilities.


Normally the map and database of these applications are local although in some case the local application is supported by an online services that provide database updates, additional dynamic data (such as weather) or even parts of the navigation functionality.
These applications normally work in a totally offline mode, since cellular coverage is usually unavailable in the places where Outdoor Navigation applications are to be used. Outdoor Navigation can be done without embedded map support although most devices support terrain maps with elevation information.


The process normally followed by these applications is:
These applications have normally the following concepts<ref>[http://www.garmin.com/ Garmin site]</ref>:
* '''Waypoint''': Point with coordinates. The user can mark waypoints in the device and can select the waypoint to go to.
* '''Track''': List of sequential waypoints that lead the user from the initial waypoint to the last waypoint through the trail.
* '''Waypoint Navigation''': The device leads the user through the trail by leading him from the last waypoint reached to the next one on the trail.
* '''Track Log Recording''': The trail taken by the user is stored in the device as a successive list of waypoints. This keeps a record of the trail done that can be later downloaded and can be used to return back in the trail.
* '''Return Back''': The track log is reversed and the user is lead back to the starting point of the trail.
* '''Compass''': These devices can be used as digital compasses. Some have an electronic compass that can be integrated with the GNSS positioning information.
* '''Altimeter''': These devices can be used as digital altimeters. Some have a barometric altimeter that can be integrated with the GNSS positioning information.


* The user uses the application to define a destination. Restrictions may be applied on how to get to the destination (e.g. use of public transport).
* The application will guide the user using visual and audio information to its destination.
* If the user diverts from the suggested route the application will recalculate the route.


These applications are considered as non-critical applications, although they can be used on emergency situations.


Variants to this architecture are:
The accuracy required by these applications is low. The current accuracy provided by civilian GPS is enough for these applications. Availability, however, can be reduced by heavy foliage and deep canyons in this type of environment.
 
* The more basic pedestrian navigation applications support only outdoor pedonal movements not supporting public transportation.
* These applications can be combined with [[Location based Information Streams]] to provide additional information to the user.
 
 
These applications are considered non-critical applications.
 
The precision required by these applications is medium. The current accuracy provided by civilian GPS enough in most situations but not in all since pedestrian are more often in situations with less visible satellites. To support indoor navigation these applications would need a much higher availability than normally given by civilian GPS that might require the use of inertial sensors or other indoor localization techniques.
 


== Application Characterization ==
== Application Characterization ==


Pedestrian Navigation as been wrongly seen as a mode of [[Road Navigation]]. But the fact is that the environments where pedestrians move around are generally more difficult than the road environment. Pedestrians normally move in sidewalks where the buildings shadow the GNSS signals, in tree shadowed environments and in indoor tridimensional environments.
Outdoor Navigation was one of the first personal uses of GNSS and the first consumer handheld GNSS receivers were intended for outdoor use. Normally, these devices are waterproof or at least ruggedized. An additional design driver is a low power consumption using regular batteries to endure continuous use during hours.
 
These environments are much more difficult than [[Road Navigation]] that even in urban environments will have better satellite visibility. To support indoor navigation these application would have to support inertial sensors integration or other indoor navigation techniques<ref>[http://www.insidegnss.com/node/513 Pedestrian Navigation Hybridization of MEMS and Assisted GPS], Inside GNSS, January 2007</ref>.
 
In simplified pedestrian applications the maps used for [[Road Navigation|road navigation]] can be reused but this limits the degree of functionality that the application can provide. Pedestrians move in the sidewalks, not in the roads and can move more freely in the environment since they can use pedestrian streets or pathways and go across open areas.
 
The mapping of indoor environments is also much more complex and dynamic requiring tridimensional mapping that is not generally required for road applications.  


Also to support public transportation, the routes and the frequency or the timetable of the public transports must be supported making the database and the routing algorithms more complex.
[[Games#Geocaching|Geocaching]] is normally done using the same devices and applications used for generic Outdoor Navigation.


Currently the interface for these applications is supported by the graphical and audio interfaces of mobile phone but these applications would benefit significantly from the used of [[Location based Information Streams#Augmented reality|augmented reality]] technologies<ref>[http://occipital.com/blog/2009/02/28/the-future-of-pedestrian-navigation/ The future of pedestrian navigation], Occipital, February 2009</ref>.
From a technical perspective outdoor navigation is one of the most simple navigation uses of GNSS. The receiver simply points a straight line towards the next waypoint in the track (loaded or recorded by the user). No maps are required and the display can be a simple monochromatic screen to save battery. Currently there are some ongoing studies aiming of creating simple indications that may help the users to easily understand how to reach a given destination. Two examples of those studies are the [[Step By Step Navigation#Direction Codes|Direction Codes]] and [[Step By Step Navigation#Location Codes|Location  Codes]].


Despite this, there are [[Handheld Outdoor Receivers|outdoor receivers]] with color touch screens and that support also turn by turn navigation with street and road maps.


== Application Examples ==
== Application Examples ==


Applications and services that fit in this category are<ref>[http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800545489_499488_NT_72d6b5cc.HTM Will pedestrian navigation take off?], EE Times Asia, September 2008</ref>:
There are numerous outdoor navigation applications available for different smartphones and every major consumer GNSS receiver brand has several [[Handheld Outdoor Receivers|Handheld Outdoor Receivers]] in their portfolio.
* Journey Pro by Navitime<ref>[http://www.navitime.com/ Journey Pro by Navitime]</ref>: Journey is pedestrian navigation application for [[Wikipedia:iPhone|iPhone]] and [[Wikipedia:Android (operating system)|Android]].
* Ovi Maps<ref>[http://europe.nokia.com/support/product-support/maps-support Ovi Maps]</ref>: Nokia free navigation solution that supports pedestrian navigation in the Walk mode.
* Google Maps<ref>[http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/ Google Maps]</ref>: Google free map solution that supports pedestrian navigation including public transportation.
* [[Personal Navigation Device|Personal Navigation Devices]]: Most [[Road Applications|road]] oriented [[Personal Navigation Device|personal navigations devices]] support pedestrian modes although usually the same maps and routing algorithms as for road navigation are used.




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[[Category:Applications]]
[[Category:Civil Applications]]
[[Category:Personal Applications]]
[[Category:Personal Applications]]

Latest revision as of 15:41, 24 July 2013


ApplicationsApplications
Title Outdoor Navigation
Author(s) Rui Barradas Pereira.
Level Basic
Year of Publication 2011
Logo GMV.png


Outdoor Navigation consists in the navigation in outdoor environments such as nature trails. Outdoor Navigation is used mainly by outdoor enthusiasts (such as hikers, backpackers, geocaching enthusiasts, mountaineers or bikers) and outdoor workers (such emergency workers, wildlife preservation workers, forestry workers, farmers or mining workers)[1].

Outdoor Navigation is somewhat different from Pedestrian Navigation or Road Navigation since it uses the concepts of trails and waypoints instead of a turn by turn navigation. Maps are not always required since individual trails can be loaded on the device or trails can be created from hikes. When present, maps are very different from the ones used in Pedestrian Navigation or Road Navigation; outdoor navigation maps more closely related with topographic charts and military charts, rather than being street and road oriented.


Application Architecture

Handheld Outdoor Receiver

Outdoor Navigation is normally done using a custom Handheld Outdoor Receivers although standalone applications running on a mobile device can also be used. Handheld Outdoor Receivers are preferred by "heavy users" since these devices are normally ruggedized devices to endure an outdoor environment. For the occasional users there are applications that can run on GNSS-enabled phones with multimedia capabilities.

These applications normally work in a totally offline mode, since cellular coverage is usually unavailable in the places where Outdoor Navigation applications are to be used. Outdoor Navigation can be done without embedded map support although most devices support terrain maps with elevation information.

These applications have normally the following concepts[2]:

  • Waypoint: Point with coordinates. The user can mark waypoints in the device and can select the waypoint to go to.
  • Track: List of sequential waypoints that lead the user from the initial waypoint to the last waypoint through the trail.
  • Waypoint Navigation: The device leads the user through the trail by leading him from the last waypoint reached to the next one on the trail.
  • Track Log Recording: The trail taken by the user is stored in the device as a successive list of waypoints. This keeps a record of the trail done that can be later downloaded and can be used to return back in the trail.
  • Return Back: The track log is reversed and the user is lead back to the starting point of the trail.
  • Compass: These devices can be used as digital compasses. Some have an electronic compass that can be integrated with the GNSS positioning information.
  • Altimeter: These devices can be used as digital altimeters. Some have a barometric altimeter that can be integrated with the GNSS positioning information.


These applications are considered as non-critical applications, although they can be used on emergency situations.

The accuracy required by these applications is low. The current accuracy provided by civilian GPS is enough for these applications. Availability, however, can be reduced by heavy foliage and deep canyons in this type of environment.

Application Characterization

Outdoor Navigation was one of the first personal uses of GNSS and the first consumer handheld GNSS receivers were intended for outdoor use. Normally, these devices are waterproof or at least ruggedized. An additional design driver is a low power consumption using regular batteries to endure continuous use during hours.

Geocaching is normally done using the same devices and applications used for generic Outdoor Navigation.

From a technical perspective outdoor navigation is one of the most simple navigation uses of GNSS. The receiver simply points a straight line towards the next waypoint in the track (loaded or recorded by the user). No maps are required and the display can be a simple monochromatic screen to save battery. Currently there are some ongoing studies aiming of creating simple indications that may help the users to easily understand how to reach a given destination. Two examples of those studies are the Direction Codes and Location Codes.

Despite this, there are outdoor receivers with color touch screens and that support also turn by turn navigation with street and road maps.

Application Examples

There are numerous outdoor navigation applications available for different smartphones and every major consumer GNSS receiver brand has several Handheld Outdoor Receivers in their portfolio.


Notes


References

  1. ^ GNSS applications on Wikipedia
  2. ^ Garmin site
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