Did you know that the inspiration of the GPS came from the launch of the satellite Sputnik into space in 1957? If you are thinking of buying a GPS tracker but have asked yourself “how do GPS trackers work?” you are in the right place. We not only answer the question of how do they work, but share more insights into GPS trackers.
Read on to learn the ins and outs of GPS trackers in our GPS tracker guide below.
How Do GPS Trackers Work?
Essentially, a GPS tracker is a navigation structure that can accurately locate a vehicle, a person, or an asset. Time is the data that is at the heart of a GPS signal. The main time data is the exact moment that the signal left the satellite.
Once that signal leaves the satellite, there is a receiver that logs the time the signal is received and the time difference is then computed to a distance. The location of the receiver is estimated with about 95% accuracy once it measures its distance.
The satellite system that contributes to the GPS working is made up of 24 satellites in total. Those 24 satellites are divided into six orbital planes or six groups, and each group has 6 satellites each.
One of the greatest things is that GPS tracking is not limited to monitoring location. Trackers can also send alerts on movement, or they can send alerts when the device travels past any geographic boundaries. Here are some other things that GPS trackers can be used for:
Geofence Alerts
With a GPS tracker, you can define a specific area on a map, which is called a geofence. This is equivalent to a virtual fence. If the tracker were to ever move beyond that area you specified, then it will send out either an email alert or a text alert.
Speed Alerts
If you want to keep tabs on how fast your teenager is driving. If you are a business owner with drivers and want to make sure they are being safe, you can set up speed alerts with a GPS tracker. These alerts will send you a notification when a car goes over the specific speed threshold that you set.
Pet Monitoring
For those fur baby parents that want to make sure their Fido is staying out of trouble, a GPS tracker might be the answer. Once you attach it to their collar, it will let you know if they leave the specific boundary that you set up, and it will let you know where your fur baby is wondering about.
Location History
If you do not want to monitor something in real time, then you can opt to see the event history with your GPS tracker. GPS trackers allow you to see locations traveled, geofence crossings, and speed.
Types of GPS Trackers
GPS trackers have also become popular because they encourage independence in people that might sometimes be vulnerable without having a safety net. You can keep an eye on your loved ones without making them feel like you are hovering. Here are a few examples:
People With Dementia or Alzheimer’s
If your loved one is suffering from either Alzheimer’s or dementia, you can set up a geofence GPS tracker where you get an alert if they leave the vicinity. It can even be set up to alert you if they were to walk out the front door so that you can immediately react and ensure they are ok.
Medical Alerts
There are GPS trackers that can be worn either as a bracelet or a necklace, or even a watch for medical alert purposes. The alerts are shared with a professional monitoring center when help is needed. This means that in the event of an emergency, the proper medical attention is received without delay.
When you have a child or a parent that has a medical condition such as epilepsy, this allows them to live a somewhat “normal” life where they don’t always have someone hovering over them. While at the same time, you have peace of mind that they are taken care of in an emergency.
There are also some devices that allow the caregiver to see the location of the person wearing it.
Personal Safety Apps
With a quick touch of a button, you can share your location with your friends in the event of an emergency. You can also have 911 dispatched to you with a quick touch of a button. There are some personal safety apps that also record what is going on around you very discreetly, just in case you need footage of an event.
GPS Disadvantages
Although, there are plenty of benefits of GPS trackers, there are a few cons you want to keep in mind. One major disadvantage is that you can be tracked without even knowing you are being tracked. It’s fairly easy for someone to place a tiny Apple Air tag in your bag or put a magnet tracker under a vehicle without your knowledge if they wanted to.
Another con is that the data can be shared with others if you don’t set up extra security such as 2-factor authentication or if you are not on a private WiFi network.
Feeling Like a GPS Tracker Pro?
Now that you know the answer to the question, “how do GPS trackers work?” you can make an informed decision on whether you need a GPS tracker or not. As you can see, there are quite a few benefits and extra layers of security that come with GPS trackers. If you are looking for peace of mind, either in business or, for personal reasons, this might be exactly what you need.
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