System Description: Overview

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Acura TL, 2010 Acura TL, and 2009 Acura TL. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The navigation system is a highly-sophisticated, hybrid locating system that uses satellites and a map database to show you where you are and to help guide you to a desired destination

The navigation system receives signals from the global positioning system (GPS), a network of 24 satellites in orbit around the earth By receiving signals from several of these satellites, the navigation system can determine the latitude, longitude, and elevation of the vehicle In addition, signals from the system's yaw rate sensor and the PCM (vehicle speed pulse) enable the system to keep track of the vehicle's direction and speed of travel

This hybrid system has advantages over a system that is either entirely self-contained or one that relies totally on the GPS For example, the self-contained portion of the system can keep track of vehicle position even when satellite signals cannot be received When the navigation system is on, the GPS can keep track of the vehicle position even when the vehicle is transported by ferry

The navigation system applies all location, direction, and speed information to maps and calculates a route to the destination entered As you drive to that destination, the system provides both visual and audio guidance

This navigation system also has voice recognition that allows voice control of most of the navigation functions The TALK and BACK buttons on the steering wheel activate the voice control The voice control also allows control of the audio and climate functions

The illumination signal (headlights ON) is used by the audio-navigation unit to automatically switch the display between Night and Day brightness modes When the gauge control module brightness control is set to full brightness, the navigation system stays in the day mode, even with the headlights on

The GA-NET II communication bus passes information back and forth between the navigation display, the audio-navigation unit, AcuraLink control unit (XM receiver), and the audio system The information passed on this bus is audio settings directed by the audio-navigation unit

The Comm Bus connects the HFL, XM (HIP) (AcuraLink), and audio-navigation units This bus supports these functions:

The navigation unit receives traffic, weather, and AcuraLink message information from the AcuraLink Control unit (XM receiver)
If a POI phone number is available, the audio-navigation unit sends the phone number (on the Calculate route to screen) to the HandsFreeLink control unit for dialing
If vehicle problems are detected, and the client's cellular contract includes data service (the vehicle must also have an approved blue tooth phone paired and configured correctly), then the AcuraLink control unit (XM receiver) can send vehicle data to the HandsFreeLink control unit for transmitting back to the AcuraLink servers
The AcuraLink server can pass additional problem details back through the HandsFreeLink control unit, to the AcuraLink control unit (XM receiver), and finally to the audio-navigation unit for display