Acura RL (1996-2004 year). Manual

Navigation System

System Description (cont'd)

Overview

The Acura 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 serveral 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 vehi-
cle is transported by ferry.

The navigation system applies all this location, direction, and speed information to the 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 illumination signal is used for two purposes. The display unit uses the signal to light up the hard buttons surrounding
the display. In addition the signal is used by the navigation unit to automatically switch from the "Day" to "Night" display

mode when the headlights are on. This automatic switching occurs only if the "Display" setting in setup screen 1 is set to
"AUTO". If the headlights are on and the customer has the dash light brightness control to "full bright," then this overrides

the "Night" mode.

The use of the audio speakers follows a hierarchy. The highest priority is the OnStar voice, followed by the navigation voice,

and finally the radio/CD. The audio unit enforces this hierarchy. The GA-Net bus is used to pass commands to mute the speak-
ers, and to disable the voice control system. Prior systems used dedicated wires to accomplish this function.

• If On-Star is in use, the audio unit passes a command on the GA-Net bus to the navigation unit to disable the voice control

system. The navigation unit then ignores the voice control switch, and temporarily ceases voice route guidance prompts.

• When the navigation system issues route guidance, the navigation unit uses the GA-Net bus to tell the audio unit to mute just

the front speakers. When the voice control system is being used (the TALK/BACK buttons), the navigation unit uses the GA-
Net bus to tell the audio unit to mute all speakers.

Main Menu

Table of Contents

Acura RL (1996-2004 year). Manual - part 292