Find out what a vehicle tracking system is and how it works with technology.
What is GPS?
GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite navigation system that uses four or more satellites to determine the position of a GPS receiver in an unobstructed line of sight on Earth, providing location and time information in all weather conditions. Initially used for military purposes, the GPS system was opened to civilian use after a passenger plane carrying 269 people was targeted and shot down in 1983. Today, GPS systems are used in airplanes, cell phones, vehicle tracking systems, navigation systems, map making and many other areas. There are multiple global positioning systems. The systems developed by different countries are named as follows.
GPS (developed by the USA. Started in 1978 with the launch of the first satellite, the project was completed in 1994 and the number of satellites reached 24).
GLONASS (developed by Russia. Started in 1979 with the launch of the first satellite, the project was completed in 2011 and the number of satellites reached 24).
GALILEO (The project, which started to be developed by the European Space Agency ESA in 1999, will have a total of 30 satellites and will be opened for civilian use by 2019).
COMPASS-BEIDOU-2 (developed by China. It is based on the COMPASS-BEIDOU-1 system, which became operational in 2000 and has 3 satellites. The system, which will be operational in 2020, will have 35 satellites.
IRNSS (The project approved by the Indian government started in 2006. The system is designed as a local positioning system and was put into use in 2016 with a total of 9 satellites).
What is GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)?
GPRS is a technology that allows you to connect to the Internet via your cell phone. GPRS connection technology (packet base services) provides faster and more economical data transfer than traditional connection types (circuit-switched services). In GPRS technology, unlike traditional connection technologies, you are charged according to the amount of data you transfer, not the time you stay connected to the internet. This technology enabled data transfer between cell phones and laid the foundation for today’s smartphones. Since data transfer is accelerated and costs are reduced thanks to GPRS technology, vehicle tracking systems and all other mobile applications and systems are realized faster and more economically. Over time, different data transfer rates have been achieved with the developing technology. The terms GPRS, E, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G are abbreviations used to classify the signal strength and data transfer rates are as follows.
What is Vehicle Tracking System?
Vehicle tracking system, in its most basic definition, is a system that allows vehicles to be tracked and controlled 24/7 via GPS satellites via a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. connected to the internet. With vehicle tracking systems, a large number of information such as the speed of the vehicles, the routes they follow, the places where they pause, idling times can be monitored instantly and retrospectively on maps, and can be recorded and controlled with instant and retrospective reports.
How does a Vehicle Tracking System Work?
Vehicle tracking systems basically work within a system consisting of GPS, GSM/GPRS, digital maps and specialized software. Mobile data devices installed in vehicles transmit two pieces of information from GPS satellites (the actual time the satellite signal was sent and the satellite’s position in orbit at the time the signal was sent) and telemetry information such as temperature and similar telemetry information from connected sensors to the control and communication center over the GSM/GPRS network. This incoming information is compiled by means of special software and stored in the data bank on the servers. On the user side, thanks to special software, vehicles can be monitored instantly or retrospectively with an internet-connected computer and smartphone/tablet, information from vehicles can be viewed, alarm and program status of vehicles can be changed. This structure constitutes the basic working logic of vehicle tracking systems.