Anatomy Of Real-Time GPS Tracking Devices
Connect Wheels GPS Tracking Devices meets the standard of AIS 140 set by the Government of India for GPS tracking system for public transportation vehicles to enhance the safety measures.
Development by manufacturers and systems integrators was slowed in the early years of GPS tracking (1985-2000) due to several factors. The most glaring included early microprocessor development, cost, and deviation built into the GPS signals for military purposes. As the turn of the new millennium past, significant advancements in technology and legislation coalesced around the framework of what makes real-time GPS tracking tick. These include microprocessors, remote telecommunications, Selective Availability Directive, and the internet.
Microprocessors and GPS Tracking
Those of us that are old enough recall the computer revolution of the early 1980's where monochrome screens replaced the traditional typewriter and limited software was an incredible breakthrough. Since that time, computers have become remarkably powerful and part of our daily lives. Microprocessors incorporate the function of a computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU) onto a single integrated circuit. GPS tracking systems use microprocessor technology to incorporate the GPS receiver, telecommunications module, power supply, and any additional add-on modules. These Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) provided the platform and conductive pathways to connect these modules creating the mobile GPS tracking device.
In the 1980's, PCB's and microprocessors were cost-prohibitive with limited performance capabilities. GPS tracking devices were limited in the market not by its ingenuity but by the technological and cost limitations. Very few manufacturers built tracking devices in the 1990's due to these limitations. However, those who did and still manufacture them to this day should be commended for having the foresight and resolve to fight through these challenges. Since that time, advancements in digital technology has reduced the size and lowered the cost to manufacture these devices.
Remote Telecommunications and GPS Tracking
Many customers looking for real-time GPS Tracker are often confused when they hear that monthly fees apply for transmitting via cellular data technology. This is certainly a valid question since there is no cost for GPS signals. The answer is quite simple. The Department of Defense constellation of GPS satellites transmit microwave signals but are not designed to receive data. This is why our traditional GPS navigation devices have no fee because the device is just receiving the data. Customers wanting to know where a vehicle or asset is when it is located remotely, requires the device to transmit its raw GPS data from its current position. Currently, there are two methods of transmitting GPS data; satellite uplink and cellular data. Modern real-time devices can continuously transmit positions seconds apart allowing users to literally watch the target move across the screen. There is a significant difference in transmitting data over the cellular data network versus satellite up linking. Since the majority of customers need more than a few position updates a day, cellular data transmitting is the logical choice. In addition, the modernization of the cellular network over the past 20 years provides nationwide coverage and reliable service. Since these devices are not geared towards traditional cellular usage, most providers offer month-to-month service with no contracts.
Selective Availability Act And GPS Tracking
The GPS technology/signal includes a feature called Selective Availability. Although this feature is currently disabled, it provides intentional time varying errors of up to 328 feet built into the GPS signal. The purpose of this was due to military concern of enemy use of civilian GPS. Advancements in Differential GPS (DGPS) made the Selective Availability somewhat ineffective and on May 2, 2000, President Clinton signed a Directive to turn off this error. The end result was significant for manufacturers of all GPS devices including vehicle navigation as well as GPS tracking devices. Today, GPS tracking devices provide accuracy of roughly 3-6 feet providing users the ability to track down to the address level. This is significant for law enforcement and business owners/managers needing to monitor assets in the field.
Internet and GPS tracking
With all of the above mentioned advancements, the internet can be hailed just as significant. Even though real-time GPS tracking devices are using remote telecommunications that are not directly internet based, the data is transmitted to web-based servers providing immediate and continuous updating transparent to the device user. Web-based programs, developed in conjunction with the hardware transmitting the signals, provide a beautiful intuitive interface. Translating the raw GPS data onto a high resolution satellite mapping brings the user all the information that is needed to help provide peace of mind, reduce operational costs, and even fight crime.
AIS 140 and ICT approved GPS Tracker with SoS Panic Button of Connect Wheels brings peace of mind and make travelling hassle free.