Initializing the GPS
Since the satellites are constantly rotating the earth, the GPS Companion wants to know
approximately where it is located, the date and the time. This information isn
’
t mandatory, the GPS
Companion can
“
poll
”
the sky looking for satellites and eventually get the information it needs but this
takes time. So to speed up this process the GPS Companion has a built in almanac of all the
satellites and where they will be at any given time for all positions. So now with the approximate
location and time, the GPS Companion just refers to its almanac and can immediately begin receiving
satellite data.
Where does it get this information?
Well, every time the GPS Companion computes a fix it is stored
in memory. (Only the last fix computed is stored, not all of them.) The next time it is turned on and
needs to start computing a fix, the GPS Companion uses this last fix as a starting point.
What if the GPS Companion has never taken a fix or if it has been moved (more than 500 miles)
since the last time it took a fix?
In this case, to speed up the TTFF (time to first fix) you should
access the Initialization Screen and follow the instructions for initializing the GPS Companion.
Note:
If you have initialized the GPS Companion with the Map Companion software you don
’
t need
to initialize it again with the NAV Companion software. Likewise, if you have initialized the GPS
Companion with the NAV Companion software you don
’
t need to do it again with Map Companion.
See Initialization Instructions .
