Global Positioning Systems or GPS are satellite navigational systems made-up
of 24 satellites revolving round the earth. Each satellite has a corresponding
receiver on the earth. The satellites orbit the earth at a height of about
12,000 miles. It makes two complete orbits everyday. The GPS satellites
continuously transmit digital radio signals that contain data on the location of
the satellites and the time taken for signal transmission.
GPS tracking is the term given to the process of being able to locate the
exact location of a receiver on earth. Now that the production cost of GPS
technology is significantly lower than when it first came into existence, many
companies have found new ways to make use of this technology. In GPS tracking,
the user is able to keep a track of where they have been using a portable GPS
device. GPS tracking can be used in a better way when it is combined with other
broadcast technologies, such as a wristwatch or radio. GPS watches, for example,
can be fitted with a GPS receiver, which relays a signal to a central command
center equipped with GPS software systems. The central command center can track
the position of the watch and transmit that information to a third party. That
third party may be anyone who needs the position of the wearer urgently. In
fact, a variety of such GPS phones and wristbands are sold in the market today.
This serves two purposes. Firstly, it provides the driver with an integrated GPS
system, without the necessity to purchase a car navigation system, or a
PDA-based GPS system. It also offers the possibility to relay that information
via a radio or cell phone transmitter.
GPS systems have been used primarily as vehicle locators, especially in cases
when a vehicle attached with such a system is stolen. The police, once informed,
can find out from the control center where the vehicle is, and proceed to track
it down. Tracking is also being used in other fields such as pet tracking,
coordinated tracking and consumer tracking.
