GPS Tracking - How It Works

| Saturday, April 23, 2011
By Kevin Hunt


Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have been universally available on the market for well over a decade now and are more common than ever in every day objects. GPS tracking is found within cars and mobile phones; you can purchase GPS watches, pens or a dongle for your laptop. Tracking a person or parcel has never been easier.

But how does it all work?

Signals are transmitted for satellite networks that orbit the earth. These are used to ascertain GPS tracker locations. GPS receivers come in three different forms. There are receivers that store positional information, receivers that relay their own positions, called data pushers, and receivers that enable their users to request positioning data through the use of an SMS text message. These are known as data pullers.

Off the shelf GPS trackers are normally accurate to within 10 metres, which for most everyday use is sufficient. They are also available in two formats; the first, data pullers give a live, real time update of the trackers position, by using a computer, linked to mapping software such as Google Earth. Data pushing GPS trackers are used for tracking and following stolen goods or live vehicle progress such as emergency service vehicles, here the GPS device sends out a signal so a user can visualise a GPS tracers position.

The second system requires an individual to request the devices location, data pullers. Sending it a text message normally does this. The GPS tracker then replies, sending back a text message with its current mapping co-ordinates, which in turn can be fed into a computer or traced through a mapping app on a modern GPRS mobile phone. Companies with fleet vehicles that need to check availability and route progress make valuable use of this technology ensuring your ambulance, taxi or pizza arrive on time.

In instances where the individual does not need the details of the exact location, but prefers instead to have details that are specific to the route or journey that is taken by a vehicle, a GPS logger can be used. This logs the position details and detail pertaining to both direction and speed. This data is able to be recovered at a later date from the memory chip. These units are compact and weigh very little which makes them easy to transport. This is why they have become highly popular among cyclists and other sports figures. This device can be used in the later analysis of sports performance, enabling the individual to improve his or her performance or alter the route selection.




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