What is GPS vehicle tracking
This guide will explain in simplistic terms how GPS Vehicle Tracking works.
Let’s start off with understanding the process of tracking.
Tracking requires multiple points of reference of where you currently are, or where you’ve been
Navigation by stars
Back many years ago when sailors were circumventing the globe, they would refer to stars as references, these references would help keep track of where they were going, or were they were currently, in relation to where they’ve been.
Navigation by satellite
Since then, we have developed our own reference points; this time they aren’t stars, but satellites
The satellite system was originally designed and developed by the United States military to keep track of their soldiers, vehicles and assets.
Later, it was adapted for general public use. These satellites make up the system called GPS, otherwise known as Global Positioning System
How GPS works is that there are upwards of 2000+ satellites orbiting around the Earth, however the actual number used by GPS send/receiving signal is closer to 30.
These 30+ satellites provide millions of devices with location data; GPS receiver devices ranging from navigational devices, smart phones, asset trackers and GPS vehicle tracking devices.
In order for a device to determine its position, it requires line of sight to a minimum of 3 satellites. This requirement is shared by GPS tracking devices.
To get the ground location, the GPS receiver must have access to at least three satellite signals (see diagram above). The same requirement is also true for vehicle tracking using GPS technology.
How GPS Vehicle Tracking Works
An installed GPS Tracker Device can calculate the current GPS location from receiving the GPS signals of the orbiting satellites above.
The gps tracking device then sends its current location over the internet, using the mobile phone 3G/4G and even 5G network towers.
Update Interval
A rule of thumb is that your GPS tracker will send its location every 30–60 seconds, but this can be adjusted down/up depending on the interval requirements.
ie. a container may only need an update every 24 hours, whereas an ambulance could require as low as 10 seconds per update.
The rate of location messages (logs) can be programmed by the tracking device supplier. Typically the current location log is transmitted every three (3) minutes when the vehicle is moving and once every half our when the vehicle is parked (stationary).
Compatible Devices
A GPS vehicle tracker is installed in the car, although any vehicle can be tracked; such as a van, truck, bus 4x4, container, or any vehicle or asset.
The location of the car that has the tracker installed is sent to the mobile phone tower over the mobile network tower which then sends the data onto the tracking server.
The location of that vehicle is then viewable on any device, as a icon on a map overlay. All this information is secure and locked down. This information is invaluable when it comes to stolen recovery, playback of previous trips, current position and driving statistics.
Some of the other benefits include, but are not limited to
- Current location in real time
- Current Travel Speed
- When Device has gone offline & come online
- Engine data such as RPM, oil temperature & fuel
Conclusion
We have certainly come a long way in navigation since the days of sailing; we’ve replaced a constellation of stars with a constellation of satellites and we only continue to improve.
Using a GPS tracker on your vehicle provides many benefits, so be sure to invest in one for your vehicle, or fleet of vehicles as soon as possible.
