Yes, but it is rather difficult to manufacture an
isotropic antenna. Unless the antenna is oriented
so as to present a normal hemisphere of same gain,
it might be theoretically possible to model the gain
versus direction, coupled with the knowledge of
location of satellites and received strength, to
determine the antenna's orientation with respect
to the world.
Now, there are lots of sources of error and
potential ambiguities for this process. As
you say, it is more straightforward to use a
magnetic field sensor. With position information
it should be easy to correct for true North.
Mike - AA8K
Magnus Danielson wrote:
Yes, but you don't know in what direction from the unidirectional
antenna. The antenna has no sense of direction, but the receiver knows
very well in what direction relative north each sat is. The NMEA stream
even include the coarse directions.
If you has a steerable directional antenna, several antennas or moveable
antenna, then you can convert the internal directions of the antenna
into a north heading or heading towards anything else.
But a normal unidirectional GPS antenna and associated receiver will be
able to know where it is and from it provide very high precision
direction relative north, but unless you move it or make any other form
of aid, it will not be able to show the heading... but when you move
around in with the car, then it can show it relative to the current
heading of the car... as that forms a vector for which you can relate an
angle... to north or to your intended destination.
Cheers,
Magnus
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