Gps tracking system
- 1. GPS Tracking System GPS Tracking Systems are designed for tracking vehicle fleets, equipment, people, containers, and merchandise. GPS tracking systems are used for fleet management, protecting the vehicle and the driver and locating equipment and people among many other uses. Global Positioning System (GPS) The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver. The system provides critical capabilities to military, civil and commercial users around the world. Basic concept and functions of GPS A GPS receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by GPS satellites high above the Earth. Each satellite continually transmits messages that include The time the message was transmitted Satellite position at time of message transmission The receiver uses the messages it receives to determine the transit time of each message and computes the distance to each satellite using the speed of light. Each of these distances and satellites' locations define a sphere. The receiver is on the surface of each of these spheres when the distances and the satellites' locations are correct. These distances and satellites' locations are used to compute the location of the receiver using the navigation equations. This location is then displayed, perhaps with a moving map display or latitude and longitude; elevation information may be included. Many GPS units show derived information such as direction and speed, calculated from position changes. In typical GPS operation, four or more satellites must be visible to obtain an accurate result. Four sphere surfaces typically do not intersect. Four basic functions of GPS Position and coordinates. The distance and direction between any two waypoints, or a position and a waypoint. Travel progress reports. Accurate time measurement. Segments /Structure of GPS GPS satellites broadcast signals from space, and each GPS receiver uses these signals to calculate its three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) and the current time. The current GPS consists of three major segments. These are the Space segment - The space segment is composed of the orbiting GPS satellites or Space Vehicles in GPS parlance.
- 2. Control segment - The control segment is composed of a master control station (MCS), an alternate master control station, four dedicated ground antennas and six dedicated monitor stations. User segment - GPS receivers come in a variety of formats, from devices integrated into cars, phones, and watches, to dedicated devices. In general, GPS receivers are composed of an antenna, tuned to the frequencies transmitted by the satellites, receiver-processors, and a highly stable clock (often a crystal oscillator). They may also include a display for providing location and speed information to the user. A receiver is often described by its number of channels: this signifies how many satellites it can monitor simultaneously. Originally limited to four or five, this has progressively increased over the years. Applications GPS's three basic components: absolute location, relative movement, and time transfer are used by civilian and military applications. GPS has become a widely deployed and useful tool for commerce, scientific uses, tracking, and surveillance. GPS's accurate time facilitates everyday activities such as banking, mobile phone operations, and even the control of power grids by allowing well synchronized hand-off switching. Civilian Fleet Tracking: The use of GPS technology to identify, locate and maintain contact reports with one or more fleet vehicles in real-time. GPS Aircraft Tracking Geo-fencing: Vehicle tracking systems, person tracking systems, and pet tracking systems use GPS to locate a vehicle, person, or pet. These devices are attached to the vehicle, person, or the pet collar. The application provides continuous tracking and mobile or Internet updates should the target leave a designated area. Cartography Cellular telephony Disaster relief/emergency services Geo-tagging: Applying location coordinates to digital objects such as photographs and other documents for purposes such as creating map overlays. GPS tours: Location determines what content to display; for instance, information about an approaching point of interest. Navigation: Navigators value digitally precise velocity and orientation measurements. Recreation: For example, geo-caching, geo-dashing, GPS drawing and way-marking. Surveying: Surveyors use absolute locations to make maps and determine property boundaries. Tectonics: GPS enables direct fault motion measurement in earthquakes. Telematics: GPS technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology in automotive navigation systems. Robotics: Self-navigating, autonomous robots using GPS sensors, which calculate latitude, longitude, time, speed, and heading. Military Navigation: GPS allows soldiers to find objectives, even in the dark or in unfamiliar territory, and to coordinate troop and supply movement.
- 3. Target tracking: Various military weapons systems use GPS to track potential ground and air targets before flagging them as hostile. Missile and projectile guidance: GPS allows accurate targeting of various military weapons. Search and Rescue: Downed pilots can be located faster if their position is known. Reconnaissance: Patrol movement can be managed more closely. GPS satellites carry a set of nuclear detonation detectors consisting of the optical sensors.