Better than GPS?...

This was reported (and) discussed a couple of months ago. The system would have to be seeded with its position and then have to plot where every WiFi signal is either in relationship to the plane's original position or from a location for that specific ID that was obtained from a GPS fix and stored in someone's database.

It's interesting that my cell phone can use WiFi signals to find its position. I don't know how, but if I turn the GPS off, and turn WiFi on, it gets a pretty accurate position.

I find myself driving in the boonies a bit. If I relied only on Wi-Fi signals for location, then I'd be lost.

that by now some genius would invent a GPS that used the stars to navigate.

It's called a sextant.

Phil

Actually, it was called celestial navigation, and it mostly disappeared about the time GPS came on line.

http://sailingcertification.com/learn-to-sail/celestial-navi...

NOTHING will ever be as accurate as my wife.

I thought that's called a smart phone

Well, I wasn't the one shooting the sun or stars, but we practiced celestial naviation all the time in the KC-135. The Boom Operator worked the sextant and the navigator plotted the course. During training missions, the other pilot and I would "score" the Nav using standard radio navigation aids, but if the horn went off and we headed somewhere way up north to refuel a bomber, we would be counting on celestial navigation to get us there.

I'm just going to my garage to install canopy on the roof on my car for sextant operator and table for navigator in place of back seat. Be gone you hellish GPS with yours satellites

But seriously. How do you see celestial navigation used in moving car? Road are not as wide as sky or ocean, and you are usually driving alone or with passengers not exactly apt in navigation. Often they can barely read map. And whole idea for GPS is to get position so fast, that you can effectively drive car with normal speed getting info about road and turns before you.

About using cell towers or wi-fi points instead satellites. How good will be positioning in cities, where those signals are often reflected many times from buildings? With satellite navigation this is a problem, so how it will work with cell signal, that often relays on reflection to extend range. For cell phone it doesn't matter but for positioning may create problem. Especially when you remember, that to get fix you will need to receive at least 3 signals without obstructions. It's not easy task in the city with tall buildings.

You're just moving to quickly. Society, in general, needs to stop and smell the roses (and work your sextant.

Now you know why there's a Rest Area POI file. So you can stop and get a fix on your location.

[Remove Luddite hat]

Sounds like some hybrid cross between GPS and an updated LORAN system.

You haven't met my wife.

LOL!!

I'll stick with the GPS. There's something about having becons from space to rely on over local wifi/cell towers. Besides I've planned on at least 4 wives in my lifetime. They all can't have excellent navigational skills. A man has to keep is options open.

Hey Phil That was very funny!! Dang kids and their interweb!!!! If we ever lose power for a week this country will shut right down except for the old farts who can still do math without the register telling us how much change to give! Thanks for the laugh!! And I also thought the cutting up the car for the navigator line was good too! I already have the wife option installed and she says we are always heading the wrong way!!!

I think it was the FB-111's (later designated F-111G) that had an actual BLACK BOX (gasp!) that did celestial navigation. It could find stars even in the daytime and use the position fixes for Warsaw Pact Central Heating -- but those days are gone. I don't have any idea what they use today, other than GPS.

It was called an Astrotracker.

Haven't heard that in a long time...

Worked on KC135's B52's C141's C5's C130's C124's (most of the equipment on the C124 Shakey was labeled "Army Air corp" most newer had LORAN, TACAN. I was in Airborne Electronic Navigation and Search RADAR. Never saw a Sextant laying around unless the navigator carried in his bag and never left it on the plane.

I don't know know that those cargo types ever used a sextant, but then, they weren't trying to meet up with a thirsty bomber over the Great White North with all radio aids turned off.

On the KC-135, there was a case, near the Nav's station - I think, I'd have to go through my Dash 1 at home for the exact spot - where the sextant was stored. It did stay with the airplane.

I dont believe much of what fox news says anymore. I mostly use my cellphone for more accurate navigation on shorter trips. I use my garmin on long tirps tho.

More info than the press release:

http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2950387&cid=4051731...