Honda Civic. Manual — part 903

element when angular velocity is applied.

Operation

1. The driving piezoelectric part oscillates the oscillator by repeatedly bending

and returning when an AC voltage of 6 kHz is applied to the part, The
monitoring-side oscillator resonates because it is connected to the driving-side
oscillator by the metal block.

2. The monitoring piezoelectric part bends in proportion to the oscillation and

outputs voltage (the monitor signal). The navigation unit control circuit
controls the drive signal to stabilize the monitor signal.

3. When the vehicle is stopped, the detecting piezoelectric parts oscillate right

and left with the oscillators, but no signal is output because the parts are not
bent (no angular force).

4. When the vehicle turns to the right, the sensor element moves in a circular

motion with the right oscillator bending forward and the left oscillator bending
rearward. The amount of forward/rearward bend varies according to the
angular velocity of the vehicle.

5. The detecting piezoelectric parts output voltage (the yaw rate signal) according

to the amount of bend. The amount of vehicle direction change is determined
by measuring this voltage.

Fig. 11: Enlarged View Of Sensor Element
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

2008 Honda Civic EX

2006-08 ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT Navigation System - Civic (Except Hybrid)

The global positioning system (GPS) enables the navigation system to determine
the current position of the vehicle by using the signals transmitted from the
satellites in orbit around the earth. The satellites transmit the satellite identification
signal, orbit information, transmission time signal, and other information. When the
GPS receiver receives a signal from four or more satellites simultaneously, it
calculates the current position of the vehicle based on the distance to each satellite
and the satellite's positions in its respective orbit.

Position Detection Image with GPS Satellite

Fig. 12: Identifying Position Detection Image With GPS Satellite
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Precision of GPS

The precision of the GPS varies according to the number of satellites from which
signals are received and the view of the sky. The precision is indicated by the color
and shape of the GPS icon shown on the display.

PRECISION GPS

GPS

ICON

COLOR

NUMBER OF

SATELLITES

CONDITION

DESCRIPTION

White
GPS icon

None

Faulty

The GPS can't be utilized due
to a faulty GPS receiver,
open in the wire, or other
fault or interference.

Impossible to detect

GPS function is normal. The
satellite signals received by

2008 Honda Civic EX

2006-08 ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT Navigation System - Civic (Except Hybrid)

GPS Antenna

The GPS antenna amplifies and transmits the signals received from the satellites to
the GPS receiver.

GPS Receiver and Clock

The GPS receiver is built into the navigation unit. It calculates the vehicle position
by receiving the signal from the GPS antenna. The current time vehicle position and
signal reception condition is transmitted from the GPS receiver to the navigation
unit to adjust vehicle position.

Navigation Unit

The navigation unit calculates the vehicle position and guides you to the
destination. The unit performs map matching correction, GPS correction, and
distance tuning. It also controls the menu functions and the DVD-ROM drive, and
interprets voice commands. With control of all these items, the navigation unit
makes the navigation picture signal, then it transmits the signal to the navigation
display and audio driving instructions to the audio unit.

Calculation of Vehicle Position

The navigation unit calculates the vehicle position (the driving direction and the
current position) by receiving the directional change signals from the yaw rate

2 or less

vehicle position

the GPS are too few to detect
the vehicle position.

Green
GPS icon

3

Vehicle position
detectable in 2
dimensions

The longitude and latitude of
the vehicle position can be
detected. (Less precise than
detection in three
dimensions)

4 or more

Vehicle position
detectable in 3
dimensions
(elevation
displayed)

The longitude, latitude and
the altitude of the vehicle
position can be detected.
(More precise than detection
in two dimensions)

2008 Honda Civic EX

2006-08 ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT Navigation System - Civic (Except Hybrid)

sensor and the travel distance signals from the PCMs vehicle speed pulse (VSP)
signal.

Map Matching Tuning

The map matching tuning is accomplished by indicating the vehicle position on the
roads on the map. The map data transmitted from the DVD-ROM is checked
against the vehicle position data, and the vehicle position is indicate on the nearest
road. Map matching tuning does not occur when the vehicle travels on a road not
shown on the map, or when the vehicle position is far away from a road on the map.

GPS Tuning

The GPS tuning is accomplished by indicating the vehicle position as the GPS's
vehicle position. The navigation unit compares its calculated vehicle position data
with the GPS vehicle position data. If there is large difference between the two, the
indicated vehicle position is adjusted to the GPS vehicle position.

Distance Tuning

The distance tuning reduces the difference between the travel distance signal from
the VSP and the distance data on the map. The navigation unit compares its
calculated vehicle position data with the GPS vehicle position data. The navigation
unit then decreases the tuning value when the vehicle position is always ahead of
the GPS vehicle position, and it increases the tuning value when the vehicle
position is always behind the GPS vehicle position.

Route Guidance

The navigation unit can calculate different routes to a selected destination. You
have five options:

Direct Route - Calculate a route that is the most direct.

Easy Route - Calculate a route that minimizes the number of turns needed.

Minimize Freeways - Calculate a route that avoids freeway travel. If that is not
possible, keep the amount of freeway travel to a minimum.

Minimize Toll Roads - Calculate a route that avoids, or minimizes travel on
toll roads.

2008 Honda Civic EX

2006-08 ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT Navigation System - Civic (Except Hybrid)