GPS Technology Explained
How GPS tracking technology works
Tracking is a technology that allows you to see your GPS device on any computer or mobile phone with an internet connection.
By using a combination of GPS (Global Positioning System) technology, the mobile phone network, the internet, digital mapping and Crystal Ball, vehicles, assets and people can now all be tracked.
With information from at least four satellites in the sky the GPS receiver can calculate its position on the surface of the earth to within 5 – 20 feet. This is done by satellite ranging – calculating the distances between the receiver and the satellites and triangulating the position. The receiver needs a direct line of sight with the satellite which is why GPS typically doesn’t work well indoors. Accuracy can therefore suffer slightly in built up areas where tall buildings along narrow streets impair the receivers’ view of the sky. This is commonly known as GPS drift / wobble where the signals may bounce off buildings. In addition GPS signals can also be affected by different atmospheric conditions.
Once the receiver has calculated its position in latitude and longitude this information is stored within the GPS tracking device. The GPS tracking device continually updates the location and event information back to a remote server at a secure location. The data is transferred using the mobile phone network, over GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), used by GSM and 3G networks.
Users can then access the Crystal Ball system online, where the information is presented on digital maps down to street level accuracy. The Crystal Ball system provides live web based tracking and historic information in an easy to use format.