Author: MJT
From Past to Present: The History of Magellan GPS
There are a wide variety of companies that provide receivers
for Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
Among these companies is Magellan GPS.
Although Magellan GPS was not the first electronics company to develop
GPS receivers, they have been innovators in the field ever since Magellan GPS
was founded in 1986.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS), the Early Years
It all began in 1978, when the Global Positioning System
(which at the time was known as Navigation System with Timing and Ranging, or
NAVSTAR) was launched by the United States Department of Defense. Eleven satellites were placed into orbit, and
they were originally intended for military use.
However, it wasn’t until 1985 that the first GPS receiver was created by
a European electronics company, Sercel.
The next year, Magellan GPS was founded in Santa
Clara, California.
Magellan GPS Leads the World in GPS Technology
In 1989, Magellan GPS introduced the world to the first
handheld commercial GPS receiver.
Although other GPS companies, such as Ashtech Corporation and Dassault
Electronique, provided ample competition in the development of GPS technology,
Magellan GPS remained a leader in GPS innovations for the next decade. In 1997, the company announced the completion
of the first handheld global satellite communicator, the GSC 100. Later that year, Magellan initiated a
handheld GPS receiver that cost less than $100.
It was the first of its kind in the world, and brought affordability in
GPS technology to the average consumer.
By 2006, many competing GPS receiver companies merged under
the name of Magellan. The original
companies included Dassault Electronique, Sercel, Thomson-CSF, and Ashtech
Corporation.
What are some of the Products Produced by Magellan GPS?
Magellan GPS is responsible for many of the GPS receiver
devices available today. Their products
have become an essential part of daily life for many people. The Magellan Road Mate 2200T, for example, is
a flawless navigational system for drivers.
With a touch screen that allows the driver to enter any address, the
system provides both vocal and visual directions to virtually any
destination. The Magellan Crossover GPS
is the first handheld, pocket-sized GPS in the world, and it includes all of
the advanced features that larger systems have.
Magellan GPS has been in the middle of GPS technology since
the beginning, and they have continued to show initiative and drive in the
field of GPS technology. What “firsts”
can we expect from this company in the future?
The possibilities are endless!
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