In the first part of this series of 10 articles I explained the differences between GPS Navigation Systems and GPS Tracking Systems, and how they are two completely different of implementations of Location Based Services. In this second article I will develop some additional concepts related to the elements that constitute a GPS Tracking System. There are 3 main parts to a GPS Tracking System:

- A GPS device or GPS Tracker, which receives the location information and then delivers it to a software application.

- A data transmission system, which takes the information provided by the GPS Tracker, and delivers it to the software application.

- A Software Application, which presents to its users the data recollected by the GPS Tracker in several formats including maps and reports.

This article will present the main components of a GPS Tracking Solution, and will start expanding on the first component: GPS Trackers. It will take me this article and the next one to go in detail over GPS devices.

GPS Devices

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In this section I will define what a GPS Device, and how they work; after that I will present the types of GPS Trackers, including most of the features that these devices offer, and my opinion in regards to each type.

At its simplest definition, the GPS device, or better the GPS tracker, is the component in charge of receiving the information about the location of the vehicle, and providing this data to the GPS Tracking Application through the Data Transmission System (which will be explained in coming articles). GPS Trackers are usually small boxes (metal or plastic) that can be the size of a man’s wallet, or a little bigger. All of them need at least one antenna (GPS antenna), and most of them need an additional antenna to enable the data transmission module. So this leads to a first classification of GPS Trackers:

-Full satellite trackers. This type of trackers will use satellites to receive and transmit data.

-Hybrid trackers. This type of trackers will use satellites to acquire location (we will see some variations here later in this article), and another method to transmit the data (a data modem, a data port to download the data, etc).

On the next article I will expand on these concepts.

So, the main task of a GPS Tracker is to provide information of the location of a vehicle or an asset, or a person. The location of the units is usually acquired from the GPS satellites, but there is another method based on triangulation with cell towers to calculate locations. Getting the location from satellites is the most accurate mechanism, providing a minimal margin of error most of the times (from 2 up to 50 feet). GPS location can be acquired anywhere in the world. The only down side for this location technology is that the GPS antenna has to have a view to the sky. For example, if the vehicle gets into a garage, most probably there will not be GPS locations available.

Getting the location based on a triangulation with the cell towers (those that are also used by our cell phones to transmit voice and data) has a bigger margin of error (up to a few hundred feet), making it a not very accurate location mechanism. This type of location also requires the presence of the named cell towers to work. The upside of this mechanism is that it will perfectly work within buildings, which is not the case for GPS satellite location. Some GPS Trackers are designed to work with both location mechanisms, creating a new concept called Assisted GPS (AGPS).

There are mainly three types of GPS Trackers: Passive Trackers, PING Trackers, and Live Trackers. Also, there are some GPS Trackers that have more features than other – not just a location of the vehicle.

In this article I have dissected a GPS Tracking solution into three main components: a GPS Tracker, a data transmission system, and a GPS Tracking application. I have also started exposing the details of GPS Trackers, specifically the two main ways to locate a vehicle. Finally, I introduced two more elements to consider in GPS Trackers: types of trackers and advanced features of a GPS device.

GPS tracking system is generally used for determining the precise location of a person or vehicle with the help of global positioning system. The location of the vehicle or person can be recorded at regular interval and is either stored in the tracking unit or transmitted to an internet connected computer or to a centrally located database. This has been possible due to satellite, radio or cellular modem that is embedded in the unit. GPS tracking system is a network of satellites orbiting the earth, which transmit location data back to earth incessantly. GPS tracking system can be used to locate any object on the earth. The main use of GPS tracking system is to find out the location, to provide navigation information for ships and planes and it also helps in creating maps and models of everything in the planet.

The working pattern of GPS tracking system is quite simple – 24 satellites orbiting our earth are used for the GPS technology. Each satellite transmits radio signals which can be received by GPS receivers to determine location, speed and direction. Once these satellite transmissions are received by the GPS receiver, location and other information such as speed and direction can be calculated. A GPS receiver needs to receive transmissions from at least three or more GPS satellites to calculate position of anything quite effectively. GPS receivers usually measure the time delays between the transmission and reception of each of the satellites GPS radio signal. There is no doubt that that the GPS tracking system makes travel easy, free of worries and thoroughly enjoyable.  

GPS tracking system not only lets to know the exact location of any object, but this device can also maintain the time duration for which the object remains stationary and the velocity with which the object is moving. This device is extremely helpful for the tracking of vehicles, fleets, assets, and other valuable objects. Its growing popularity and increase in the number of usage has made the device easily accessible for small organizations and individuals. Small organizations are using this device to monitor their employees and assets. The device which was once used by corporate houses is now within the reach of many. 

GPS tracking system not only offers safety, but also helps a person to drive more efficiently, which further helps to economize fuel expenditure. Moreover, one can save time by reaching the destination earlier as he is guided of the correct route and path. The individual also gets benefit from this system in the form of reduced auto insurance policy cost. In fact, installation of the GPS tracking system in a vehicle reduces the cost of auto insurance premium. It is also used in a number of other activities like camping and hiking, not to forget to mention its impeccable statistical analysis delivered to operators in terms of location, speed, direction and other information.

Individuals, who are worried about the safety of their newly bought vehicles or are concerned about their truck fleet businesses, need to install GPS-tracking systems in their vehicles.

These systems help vehicle owners to keep a tab on their vehicles, thereby preventing thefts or misuse. Many GPS tracking systems include a communication module such as satellite transmitter or cellular unit to track the location of a vehicle. Individuals can view the information about the location of their vehicles on electronic maps through specialized software or by the Internet on a computer.

GPS tracking system used in vehicles is known as vehicle tracking system. This automobile tracking system is an electronic component, which individuals need to install in their vehicles. It includes GPS, which locates the exact position of a vehicle. Vehicle tracking systems determine the precise location of a vehicle and individuals. It records the location of a vehicle at regular time intervals.

New age vehicle tracking devices also record the direction, duration for which the vehicles remain stationary and the velocity of vehicles and total miles covered.

Other Benefits:

Presently, shipping industry makes use of vehicle tracking systems on large scale. Ship owners and corporations having large fleet of ships require some system or coordination to determine where their cruise liners vehicles are sailing at a given point of time. This helps them to get the exact whereabouts of their ships, and they can accordingly administer their cruise liners.

If a GPS equipped car is stolen, the tracking device automatically matches the vehicle tracking device code and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which activates a signal alerting the police. The police officials can then pursue the signal let out by the vehicle-tracking device to find the stolen car and retrieve it accordingly.

Now, worried parents can also have a check on the driving speeds of their youth kids with the help of these vehicle tracking devices. They need to set the device on a certain designated speed. This way, if their children exceed the set speed limit, parents will immediately learn to know about it and can take the required action on time.

A vehicle purchase should not be made based on the reported statistics of whether it will get stolen from you. With all of the vehicles being stolen these days it is nice to know that GPS is one of the newest crazes on the market today and will keep your expensive asset secure. GPS is now available in almost everything from cell phones to cars.
The most common use of GPS is to get directions to an address or find your way back when you are lost. Vehicle tracking can also help track your vehicles exact location even if the occupant has no idea. You can use GPS tracking to track some ones location while they are unaware the vehicle is linked to a GPS System. The 1 Vehicle Tracker is the Spy Matrix GPS device. This can be used as a theft deterrent system to help companies or people recover their stolen vehicles.
GPS tracking is also a new tool used to track vehicles when someone is just driving their own car. Vehicle tracking devices are available in different price levels to get the job done. Several kinds of vehicle tracking products are available at  http www.bestuptodate.com . This web site also offers many different products that will meet all of your spy and surveillance needs such as cameras, listening devices. There is a wide variety of products to help get the job doneA vehicle purchase should not be made based on the reported statistics of whether it will get stolen from you. With all of the vehicles being stolen these days it is nice to know that GPS is one of the newest crazes on the market today and will keep your expensive asset secure. GPS is now available in almost everything from cell phones to cars.
The most common use of GPS is to get directions to an address or find your way back when you are lost. Vehicle tracking can also help track your vehicles exact location even if the occupant has no idea. You can use GPS tracking to track some ones location while they are unaware the vehicle is linked to a GPS System. The 1 Vehicle Tracker is the Spy Matrix GPS device. This can be used as a theft deterrent system to help companies or people recover their stolen vehicles.
GPS tracking is also a new tool used to track vehicles when someone is just driving their own car. Vehicle tracking devices are available in different price levels to get the job done. Several kinds of vehicle tracking products are available at  http www.bestuptodate.com . This web site also offers many different products that will meet all of your spy and surveillance needs such as cameras, listening devices. There is a wide variety of products to help get the job done right and prove the case.right and prove the case.