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How Exactly Does A GPS Tracker Function?

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Do you remember going to a place for the first time unaware of all the locations and using a Google map for it? Or using a cab which navigates all the way to your destination! GPS Tracker is one of the most important parts of modern life and to use it efficiently, one should have an idea of the working of GPS tracker, Isn’t it? 

In this article, we will talk about GPS Tracker, working on GPS tracker, and many more. Today, a GPS tracker is used for everything from accurate military maneuvers in foreign lands to children playing mobile phone games in your neighborhood.

What is GPS Tracker

GPS Tracking or Global Positioning System. It requires a network of 24 satellites in orbit and devices on the ground that can accept a person or object’s location on Earth with astonishing accuracy. GPS Tracking tracks three different data sets: positioning, navigation, and timing.

Out of curiosity if you are thinking, if this technology is new or when it really came into existence, the answer is GPS tracker has been around for a long time. It was originally created for military use during the 1960s. By 1983, GPS became available to common people and from there the technology took a growth. 

Working of GPS Tracker  

GPS Tracker is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from the constellation of 24 satellites and their ground stations. The Global Positioning System or GPS tracker is funded and controlled by the U.S Department of Defense (DOD). 

Initially, the system was designed for the operation of the U. S. military. But fortunately, today even the common people are using this technology and the usage of this is almost everywhere and the best part is that it is available at the tip of our finger.

Global Positioning System is basically a method of finding out the location of something. A GPS tracking system, let’s say, a GPS tracker can be used in smartphones for locations, installed into vehicles which can be either fixed or portable, a GPS tracker is also used in a company to monitor the route and progress of delivery of vehicles like trucks so that the firm can keep a check on it which ultimately helps in the progression of the company. It can be used to track people or to monitor some valuable assets and many more. 

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A GPS tracking system uses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. This network includes a range of satellites that use microwave signals that are transmitted to GPS devices to give information on location, vehicle speed, time, and direction. So, a GPS tracking system can definitely give both real-time and navigation data on any kind of destination.

GPS Tracker provides special satellite signals, which are processed by a receiver. These GPS receivers not only track the exact location but can also measure velocity and time. The positions can even be calculated in three-dimensional views with the help of four GPS satellite signals. The Space Segment of the Global Positioning System consists of 27 Earth-orbiting GPS satellites. There are 24 operational and 3 extra (in case one fails) satellites that move around the Earth every 12 hours and then send radio signals from space that are received by the GPS receiver.

The control of the Positioning System consists of several different tracking stations that are actually located across the world. These monitoring stations ultimately help in tracking signals from the GPS satellites that are continuously orbiting the earth. Space vehicles transmit microwave carrier signals. The users of Global Positioning Systems have GPS receivers that ultimately convert these satellite signals so that one can estimate the actual position, velocity, and time.

A simple mathematical calculation behind a complicated working

But how does GPS tracker works?

Like in a more profound way? So, basically, the operation of the system is based on a simple mathematical principle called trilateration. Trilateration basically falls into two categories which are 2-D and 3-D Triliation. So, for the simple mathematical calculation, the GPS receiver should know two things. Firstly, it must know the exact location of the place so that it can be traced by a minimum of three satellites above the place. Secondly, it must know the distance the exact place, and that of each Space Vehicles. Units have several receivers that pick up signals from different GPS satellites at the same time. These radio waves are electromagnetic energy that ultimately travels at the speed of light.

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A GPS tracking system can work in different ways. From a commercial point of reference, GPS devices are generally used to record the location of vehicles as they make their journeys. Some systems will store the data within the GPS tracking system itself and few send the information to a centralized database or system via a modem within the GPS system unit on a regular basis or 2-Way GPS.

A passive GPS tracking system will keep in check location and will store its data on journeys based on particular types of events. So, for eg, this kind of GPS tracker system may log data such as where the device has traveled in the past 10 hours. The data stored on this type of GPS tracking system is normally stored in the internal memory or on a memory card, which can then finally be downloaded to a computer at a later date for analysis. But in some cases, the data can be sent automatically for wireless download at points that are predetermined or can be requested at particular points during the journey.

Well, an active GPS tracking system (GPS Tracker) is also known as a real-time system as this method automatically sends the information on the GPS system to a central tracking portal or system in real-time as it occurs.

This kind of system is usually a better option for commercial purposes such as fleet tracking or keeping check of people, such as kids or adults, as it allows your loved ones to know exactly where loved ones are, whether they are on time and whether they are where they are supposed to be during a destination. This is also a useful way of monitoring the behavior of things you want as they carry out their work and of streamlining internal processes and steps for delivery lines.

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