Principles of Operation: Navigation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Lincoln Mark LT and 2007 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The navigation module is integrated in the audio unit and controls the operation and the interface between the user, the vehicle subsystems, and the external components. On-board diagnostics are available through the audio unit self-test.

The vehicle navigation system guides the user to a pre-entered destination. A navigation map digital versatile disc (DVD) stored in the navigation module sends route calculation data to the audio unit. The audio unit audibly and visually instructs the user of the maneuvers required to arrive at the destination entered.

In order to calculate the initial vehicle position, the global positioning system (GPS) antenna is used to track several available satellites simultaneously. A gyroscope, integral to the audio unit, monitors the pitch and yaw of the vehicle created during cornering or turning. Vehicle speed and reverse signals are hard-wired to the audio unit and are used to increase the navigation system accuracy.