GPS: The Technology behind Vehicle Tracking
Technology is a wonderful thing and has enabled us as a race to achieve things we could have only ever dreamed of, and using manmade and developed technologies we have managed to reach the deepest parts of the oceans and climb far into outer space in order to satisfy our curiosity and develop methods that improve our lives. In fact it is the development of complex satellites and space craft that enable us to utilise what has become one of the most popular and relied upon technological inventions, the GPS tracking system.
GPS tracking systems or vehicle tracking systems as they are otherwise known are now used by thousands of companies and private individuals for a variety of different reasons. Fleet managers, for example, use GPS systems to help them run their vehicle fleets more efficiently and to help them remain compliant with Government laws and legislation, such as the Corporate Manslaughter Act and the Working Time Directive.
For private individuals vehicle tracking devices can help guide them on long journeys and improve the security of their vehicle. GPS tracking systems have also been utilised to track other objects, for instance, in some conservation projects rare species are fitted with a tracking device and then monitored allowing conservationists to learn more and to help that species survive in this volatile world. But what exactly is GPS, how was it developed, and more significantly what role does GPS play in modern day life?
First and foremost, GPS stands for Global Positioning System and refers to a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites. Originally developed for military use by the United States, the early 1980’s saw the system being opened up for civilian use. Unaffected by weather conditions and fully operational 24 hours a day anywhere in the world, GPS is extremely accurate, so much so that any object being tracked by the system can be monitored in real time to the very second.
In order to maintain this level of accuracy GPS satellites transmit a signal from space to GPS receivers here on earth. Using this signal and a process called triangulation; GPS receivers can calculate the user’s exact location. They do this by comparing the time a signal was transmitted to the time in which it was received, by calculating this time difference receivers can work out how far away a satellite is thus determining, using distance measurements from other GPS satellites, where the user is positioned.
Limitations, however, occur when a receiver can only see one or two satellites as GPS receivers rely on more than one satellite to help them triangulate a user’s position. In essence then, GPS technology needs a receiver to be able to see at least three GPS satellites to track movement using latitude and longitude calculations. However, the network is now so advanced that this very rarely occurs. Once a receiver has found a user’s position other calculations can be made, and it is these calculations that have helped thousands of companies save time and money through effective vehicle tracking techniques.
GPS tracking technology is capable of calculating speed, distance travelled, distance to travel, and can even be used to calculate fuel consumption and the style in which a vehicle has been and is being driven. These accurate calculations are even more necessary in today’s current climate with fuel prices at an all time high and increased environmental awareness is necessitating a need for ultra efficient vehicles, especially with commercial vehicles that are in operation as part of a fleet.
When it comes to GPS and vehicle tracking systems then, there is much more than meets the eye but developers and providers of this specialist technology continue to extend the already long list of benefits that can be achieved by using GPS tracking. With many creating bespoke real time software and web based tracking packages, UK companies are embracing satellite technology to help improve efficiency, keep their employees safe and save money, thus in circumstances such as this our ‘Big Brother’ culture is proving highly lucrative and rewarding.
