This master's project involved the specification, design, development, and construction of a microcomputer based Automobile Navigation System (ANS) . The ANS demonstrates the effectiveness of applying the principles of dead reckoning to track the movement of a vehicle and to present that movement in real-time on a map. Additionally, the ANS uses artificial intelligence techniques to obtain an optimal route that interconnects any two locations. This route is available to the vehicle's driver for guidance to the destination. The system consists of a microcomputer system consisting of a high-resolution display monitor, a keypad, a direction sensor, and a distance sensor. The vehicle's speed, direction, and position on the map are shown in real-time on the display monitor. The keypad allows the driver to input information to the ANS. The sensors are used in the calculations that obtain rate and direction. The ANS provides a menu system through which the driver controls the ANS. The menu system allows the driver to select street maps, enter the starting location, find the optimal route, and to perform periodic calibration on the sensors. This multi-disciplinary project involved microcomputer hardware, interface, and software design, as well as advanced techniques of graphics programming, artificial intelligence, and mechanical design and construction of sensors. This report provides the detailed theory of operation of the computer hardware, software, and interface circuits as well as the organization and construction of the map database. Additionally, Schematics, program listings, flowcharts of the major software elements and the mathematics and geometries used in the software design are provided.California State University, Northridge. Department of Engineering.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 221-222
