Frequently Asked Questions
When people talk about “GPS,” they usually mean a GPS receiver. In fact, GPS stands for “Global Positioning System.”
GPS is a satellite-based radionavigation system developed and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). GPS permits land, sea, and airborne users to determine their three-dimensional position, velocity, and time 24 hours a day, in all weather, anywhere in the world with a precision and accuracy far better than other radionavigation systems available today or in the foreseeable future.
GPS consists of three segments: space, control, and user.
- The Space Segment consists of a minimum of 24 operational satellites in six circular orbits 20,200 km (10,900 NM) above the earth at an inclination angle of 55 degrees with an 11 hour 58 minute period. Although it is not a stated requirement, typically the satellites are spaced in primary orbital slots so that at any time a minimum of 6 satellites will be in view to users anywhere in the world.
- The Control Segment consists of a master control station in Colorado Springs, with five monitor stations and three ground antennas located throughout the world. The monitor stations track all GPS satellites in view and collect ranging information from the satellite broadcasts. The monitor stations send the information they collect from each of the satellites back to the master control station, which computes extremely precise satellite orbits. The information is then formatted into updated navigation messages for each satellite. The updated information is transmitted to each satellite via the ground antennas, which also transmit and receive satellite control and monitoring signals.
- The User Segment consists of the receivers, processors, and antennas that allow land, sea, or airborne operators to receive the GPS satellite broadcasts and compute their precise position, velocity and time.
The GPS concept of operation is based upon satellite ranging. Users figure their position on the earth by measuring their distance from the group of satellites in space. The satellites act as precise reference points.
Each GPS satellite transmits an accurate position and time signal. The user’s receiver measures the time delay for the signal to reach the receiver, which is the direct measure of the apparent range to the satellite. Measurements collected simultaneously from four satellites are processed to solve for the three dimensions of position, velocity and time.
A GPS antenna is tethered to a unit with a wire harness. The unit is then attached to the vehicle being tracked. Using the antenna, our software will then transmits the trilateral location data from the satellites to the unit through various wireless and satellite networks. The unit processes events and speeds. Additionally, the unit has a wireless modem inside, similar to those found in cell phones, uused to communicate with our provided servers. The GPS data is sent directly from the vehicle’s unit to our servers, where the information is processed, enabling customers to locate associated vehicles and assets current events and history in real-time. All data is protected and available by secure login via our mobile application or though our website.
Our Products are fairly easy and simple to use and install. The installation process is not complicated. We also work with a network of installation specialists around the world should there be a need for aide with installation.