Integrated position and direction system with skyplot

An integrated position and direction system comprising:

• a) a display;
• b) a satellite positioning system including a receiver to receive position determining signals from satellites;
• c) a digital compass coupled to said satellite positioning system, said digital compass to determine direction;
• and
• d) a controller for controlling the operations of said satellite positioning system and said digital compass, said controller coupled to said satellite positioning system and coupled to said digital compass and coupled to said display, said controller operable to indicate on said display the orientation of said satellites relative to said determined position and relative to the orientation of said integrated position and direction system, said controller operable to indicate on said display a determined heading when said integrated position and direction system is moving and said direction when said integrated position and direction system is not moving.

A method for determining orientation of satellites comprising:

• a) determining position using a satellite positioning system that receives position determining signals from satellites;
• b) determining direction using a digital compass when said satellite positioning system is not moving;
• c) determining heading using said satellite positioning system when said satellite positioning system is moving;
• and
• d) determining the orientation of said satellites relative to said determined position and relative to the orientation of an integrated position and direction system using said direction or said heading, said integrated position and direction system comprises said satellite positioning system and said digital compass.

A method for determining orientation of satellites comprising:

• a) determining position using a satellite positioning system that receives position determining signals from satellites;
• b) determining heading using said satellite positioning system when said satellite positioning system is moving;
• c) determining direction using a digital compass when said satellite positioning system is not moving;
• and
• d) determining the orientation of said satellites relative to said determined position and relative to the orientation of an integrated position and direction system using one of said direction and said heading.