Cellular Phones
Description: The cellular telephone we’ve come to know so
well today uses a network of antennas and base stations to cover a large area. A
base station covers an area called a cell; the location of the base station and
antennas is called a cell site. When illustrated, the area covered by each base
station looks like a cell of a honeycomb, which is where the term "cell” or
"cellular” comes from. Once intended mainly for convenient mobile
communications, cellular phones are quickly becoming an important part of a new
vehicle technology called telematics -- the integration of computers and
telecommunications to expand the capability of onboard systems.
Purpose: Cell phones and their integration into the
automobile is progressing at a rapid pace. Applications are already in place
that interface with the vehicle’s entertainment system and will soon connect to
the Internet for checking e-mail and gaining other Internet-related
information.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Cellular phones are coming
under intense scrutiny due to concerns about talking with a hand-held phone
while driving. A number of provinces are considering banning on-road use of
handheld cell phones. To be safe, keep your phone in a convenient spot and only
use it with a hands-free device. It’s also wise not to talk and drive during
hazardous driving conditions. Being preoccupied with your cell phone during
heavy traffic or hazardous weather conditions can be a recipe for disaster.
Electronic Accessories
Description: Electronic accessories may include lighting,
entertainment system upgrades, communications equipment, GPS, security systems,
and more.
Purpose: Electronic accessories add features, comfort,
convenience and safety. They may replace, supplement or upgrade already
installed electronic equipment.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: If installing the
accessories yourself, take the time to read the manufacturer’s directions and
follow them completely. You should also consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual
for caution and guidance on installing accessories. In many cases, you may have
to disconnect the battery’s negative (ground) cable as a precaution. Be aware
that many cars may need to "re-learn" certain electronic engine control habits,
like idle speed. Disconnecting the battery may also erase the memory of radios
and other creature comforts like memory mirrors and seats. If you’re unsure
about any aspect of installing electronic accessories, have the installation
performed by a qualified installation technician.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Description: A Global Positioning System (GPS) uses a
network of satellites that communicate with a GPS receiver in your car.
Purpose: A GPS provides exact latitude, longitude, and
altitude for any location on earth. From a driving standpoint, this can be an
extremely convenient feature to help find directions no matter where you are
without getting out of the car. A GPS can even provide local information of
interest, such as restaurants, attractions and so on.
When combined with telematics -- the integration of computers and
telecommunications -- GPS can be a great aid in the event of an emergency.
Consider the following scenario. In a serious collision, one or more of the
vehicle’s airbags will deploy. When this happens, it can trigger a call to a
response centre, signalling the need for emergency help. Since the network of
satellites knows the exact vehicle location, the response centre can dispatch
emergency assistance as soon as the information is received, possibly saving
lives. In a less dramatic example, GPS with telematics can even be used for
remote unlocking of the doors if the keys were accidentally left in the
vehicle.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: To fully understand the
capabilities and functions of your car’s GPS, read the car’s owner’s manual or
the manual that came with the GPS. This is especially true if the GPS integrates
services with a response centre.
Mobile Multimedia
Description: Mobile multimedia systems reap the power of
numerous technologies to bring new features to your fingertips. Through
telematics -- the integration of computers and telecommunications -- mobile
multimedia is quickly bringing functions like text messaging, graphics and
animation, mobile gaming, GPS, personal digital assistant (PDA), localized
information, and more to the interior of your vehicle.
Purpose: This convergence of technologies, similar to
what’s already happening with home entertainment, personal computers, telephone,
Internet and satellite capabilities, will be one of the biggest automotive
feature growth areas for years to come. What were once stand-alone features are
no longer. Telematics technology harnesses the best parts of individual
features, and combines them, delivering capabilities that were once unheard
of.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: To fully appreciate the
mobile multimedia capabilities of your car, and their operation, refer to your
car’s owner’s manual.
Multiplexing
Description: Multiplexing technology involves the use of
multiple onboard computers, all linked together in the same circuit (called a
bus). Each computer in the link is capable of "talking" with the other
computers, using a specific language known as a protocol.
Purpose: Historically, carmakers added more wire to a
car's harness each time an electrical accessory was added. As creature comforts
grew in popularity during the '70s, it was easy to see that a car laden with
electrical add-ons would require many more runs of copper wire to carry the
necessary power, ground and signal circuits required to operate all of the
equipment. This problem grew exponentially in the early '80s when onboard
computers began to proliferate.
A network of sensors and actuators compounded wiring requirements
significantly and the use of multiple onboard computers soon became attractive.
Given all this complexity, multiplexing technology actually allows
simplification of circuits, Rather than using a dedicated circuit for each
computer, multiplexing uses a common circuit and a dedicated message for each
computer in the multiplexed network.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: The benefits of multiplexing
also spill over into the diagnostics arena. Since the onboard computers are able
to "talk" to one another, they’re able to share information about system
problems as well. Using the appropriate diagnostic tool, a trained service
technician can tap into the system to extract operating information and
diagnostic trouble codes if a system fault occurs.
Stereo
Description: Automotive stereo systems typically include a
receiver/amplifier and speakers as the base system. Other standard, and
sometimes optional features, include single or multiple disc compact disc
changes, cassette tape players, mp3 players, automatic acoustical correction,
and subwoofers.
Purpose: Stereo systems are mainly for entertainment, but
the emergence of telematics -- the integration of computers and
telecommunications -- is increasing the capabilities of stereo systems. This
includes text-to speech recognition for integration with cellular phones,
Internet radio station capability, and the ability to automatically develop a
list of local stations no matter where you drive.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: To fully understand the
features and capabilities of your car’s stereo system, review the owner’s manual
thoroughly. Many upscale entertainment systems come from the factory with a
manual of their own, so make sure you get a chance to review it. If installing a
car stereo or accessories yourself, take the time to read the manufacturer’s
directions and follow them completely. You should also consult your vehicle’s
owner’s manual for caution and guidance on installing accessories. In many
cases, you may have to disconnect the battery’s negative (ground) cable as a
precaution. Be aware that many cars may need to "re-learn" certain electronic
engine control habits, like idle speed. Disconnecting the battery may also erase
the memory of and creature comforts like memory mirrors and seats. If you’re
unsure about any aspect of installing electronic accessories, have the
installation performed by a qualified installation technician.
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