GPS tracking software is basically what makes GPS tracking devices work. This type of software enables a tracking device to transmit a signal which will be sent to satellites set up in space. The space satellites, in return, narrow down the devices geographic location. The location information returned is usually in latitude and longitude, which is then converted by a decoder into a recognizable address.
GPS tracking software was first used by the American Department of Defense, originally using 21 satellites and 3 replacement satellites. The software was primarily made for aviation, nautical navigation and land navigation. The GPS tracking software is a very intelligent system. The GPS satellites set up in orbit, transmits signals that track the exact location of a GPS receiver, be it a vehicle, mobile phone, or other forms of transportation or tracking devices. Now, the satellites have increased to 30 resulting to a wider range of GPS locations. However a GPS tracking software may also locate vehicles or persons that are not in possession of a GPS receiver. To quickly obtain a location, it will just need an unobstructed view of the satellites.
GPS was originally named NAVSTAR which stands for Navigation System for Timing and Ranging, now we have come to know it as GPS or Global Positioning system. The GPS tracking software has been very helpful in the field of navigation, as traveling in unchartered territories have not been easy since especially during bad weathers. As such, the GPS tracking software was built primarily for traveling in unknown routes, indicating the exact location of a moving vehicle in order to calculate what routes should be taken to assist it in reaching its prospective destinations.
The tracking software is also what enables huge delivery trucks in the U.S. to know their locations and inform their base headquarters of where they are. The tracking software allows this because the user can interact with the tracking unit in several ways. Through the GPS tracking software, a two-way communication between the truck driver and base headquarters can be done, in order to check on the status of the delivery truck on its way to its target destination.
Technology has once again proven that there are more inventions to be made in order to make our travels more safe and precise. With the vast sea and land with which seafarers and land farers must travel, the GPS tracking software is indeed the perfect tool to help them assess their movement, whether they are traveling in sky or water, or land. The best thing which anybody can say about having the GPS software is that for as long as there is no obstruction of the satellite signals, you can determine where you are and where you should be heading. However, should you be in the middle of a forest, then it will cause a bit of a problem for tracking your location with a GPS.
By: Jim Kesel
Posts Tagged ‘Unobstructed View’
GPS Systems-Not Technical Enough to use a GPS? Don’t Worry- You Can Buy an Automatic GPS System
November 4th, 2009
This may come as a surprise… you do not have to be a technical person to use a GPS.
Although the concept and technology of Global Positioning Satellite systems was originally created by the Department of Defense for military uses, it has lately been made useable to the general public and today you will be able to get an automatic GPS system easily and promptly to keep you on track while driving. An automatic GPS system is becoming more and more popular amongst people and the latest vehicles actually include it among the vehicle accessories.
An auto GPS system is basically a GPS receiver that’s put on the dashboard of the vehicle. You program in the address you’re thinking of going and the system will provide you stepwise directions -audio directions in the latest ones. The days of paper maps and argument over whether or not men could ask for directions are all over. Nowadays, all you require is an auto GPS system and you’re ready to go where you wish.
The automatic GPS system receives its signal from four out of twenty-four possible orbiters that are constantly revolving the Earth. The receiver overlays this positioning data onto map files stored on the unit, to provide a present location on the map in addition to previous course. The receiver perpetually recalculates location, passing on real time location. A regular auto GPS system comprises:
* A twelve channel receiver – the quality of the receiver decides how long it takes the device to acquire a 3-D fix.
* Antenna to receive satellite signals – placed to get an unobstructed view of the sky.
* Central processing unit to process the information and place on maps
* A DVD Hard-drive – where maps on DVD’s or those downloaded from the net are uploaded and put in. Some cheaper units don’t upload the maps; they just reference them off the DVD or CD.
* A Display Screen – generally color with hand-held units using black-and-white
* Audio Interface
The first time you switch on your automatic GPS system, its information store is empty so it has to gather satellite data to find out your location. This is named as cold start. Some units just take thirty to forty-five seconds to get a 3-D fix during a cold start, while others could take several minutes. Future position updates just takes three to four seconds. Whenever you go out of range from losing line of vision, like passing behind a large building or through a tunnel, a good receiver will immediately recover, whereas weaker units will need more time to reacquire a 3-D fix.
Nowadays, automatic GPS systems are not as costly as you guess they might be. A few of the automatic GPS systems could be obtained for under two hundred dollars and the flashier devices will cost you as much as a thousand dollars. However there’s no doubt that owning an automatic GPS system could surely make life more comfortable for everybody.
By: Kamran Chy
