Mac® OS
Apple's Macintosh® operating system. Magnetic Deviation
The error in a magnetic compass reading caused by the difference between the true north pole and the magnetic north pole, also referred to as magnetic variation. Magnetic North
Represents the direction of the north magnetic pole from the observer's position. The direction a compass points. Maidenhead grid squares
A system designed to facilitate the designation of geographical positions for use within the amateur radio community. Map Display
A graphic representation of a geographic area and its features. Magnetic declination
The difference, in degrees, between magnetic north and true north. Map projection
The method used to convert the spherical shape of the earth onto the plane of a map. Map projection deformation
The error or distortion that results when the spherical shape of the earth is projected onto the plane of a map Mask angle
The minimum acceptable satellite elevation above the horizon to avoid blockage of line-of-sight. MCX
A type of GPS antenna connection. Mean Sea Level
The average height of the sea surface, based upon hourly observation of the tide height on the open coast or in adjacent waters that have free access to the sea. Mean sea level, commonly abbreviated as MSL and referred to simply as 'sea level,' serves as the reference surface for all altitudes in upper atmospheric studies. Mega
In Computer terms, Mega usually means “Million”. So, a 1 mega pixel digital camera has one million pixels. Megahertz (MHz)
Megahertz or one million hertz. The speed of microprocessors, called the clock speed, is measured in megahertz. As an example, a Palm microprocessor running at 33MHz executes 33 million cycles per second. Each computer instruction requires a fixed number of cycles, so the clock speed determines how many instructions per second the microprocessor can execute. Memory Stick
Memory Stick is designed by Sony for use with primarily with Sony products. It acts as an off-line connection transfer and exchange media for connecting many types of digital devices. It is a temporary storage space for pictures, music, or any other data that can be converted into digital data. Meridian
An imaginary line circling the earth, passing through the north and south poles; a line of longitude. MHz
See Megahertz Microphone
A device that allows you to record voice messages. MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second)
Refers to a computer processor's performance. Microstrip Antenna
A type of antenna commonly used with GPS receivers. It is usually constructed of one or more (typically rectangular) elements that are photoetched on one side of double-coated, printed-circuit board. It is often called a patch antenna. MMC
See multimedia card MOB - Man Overboard
A GPS receiver function that allows marking a specific location so that you can return to that location at a later time. Modem
A device that you connect to your computer and to a phone line, that allows the computer to talk to other computers through the phone system. Basically, modems do for computers what a telephone does for humans. Modulation
A method of encoding a message signal on top of a carrier, which can be decoded at a later time. Monitor Station
Station to monitor and control operation of the GPS system. MP3
Standardised as ISO-MPEG Audio Layer-3 (IS 11172-3 and IS 138-3), MP3 employs a lossy compression technique, with bits of information being discarded to allow data to be compressed into files which are relatively small in comparison with .WAV files but which retain subjective CD quality. Multi-Channel Receiver
A GPS receiver that can simultaneously track more than one satellite signal using a dedicated signal electronics channel for each satellite. High quality receivers may have 12 or 20 channels for L1, and another 12 channels for L2 signals. Lower quality GPS navigation receivers may have only 6 or 8 channels. In contrast to a Multiplexing Channel Receiver. MultiMedia Card
MultiMedia Card, or MMC, is a postage stamp sized flash memory card which allows data to be stored on it. MMC cards are a means of exchanging data between PDAs, phones, digital cameras, and other devices. However, they can also act as hard drive when used on a PC or PDA to store data and software. The MMCA (MMC Association) was founded in 1998 to push the MMC standard. Multipath Error
An error caused when a satellite signal reaches the GPS receiver antenna by more than one path. Usually caused by one or more paths being bounced or reflected. The TV equivalent of multipath is "ghosting". Multiplexing Channel
A channel of a GPS receiver that can be sequenced through a number of satellite signals. In contrast to a Multi-Channel Receiver in which one channel is dedicated to each satellite signal. Multiplexing Receiver
A GPS receiver that switches at a very rapid rate between satellites being tracked. Typically, multiplexing receivers require more time for satellite acquisition and are not as accurate as parallel channel receivers. Multiplexing receivers are also more prone to lose a satellite fix in dense woods than parallel channel GPS receivers. Multimedia
Multimedia is the use of computers to present text, graphics, video, animation, and sound in an integrated way. Also the ability of a device to present various kinds of media. |
