Personal GPS tracker: features, operation

Taking care of close people and ensuring their safety and property protection are the most important tasks for the absolute majority of the population. Solve them, as well as provide monitoring of the activities of off-site employees allow personal GPS-trackers. These devices find the exact location of the object using satellites and send information to the owner of the tracker via an Internet connection or SMS message.

GPS Satellite

Why do you need a personal GPS tracker and for whom

A modern GPS tracker (GSM or GPS/GSM beacon) allows you to determine the position of an object with an accuracy of two and a half meters, and also see through the special browser application the object’s traversed distance in a certain time period. Often, trackers have the functions of voice communication, receiving phone calls (Teltonika GH4000) and other advanced features.

GSM/GPS trackers, depending on the application, can perform the following functions:

Monitoring the route of movement of company employees: couriers, merchandisers, insurance, advertising, sales agents.
Looking after young or elderly relatives, as well as pets who walk freely on the street.
Controlling the cargo transported by the drivers of the logistics company.
Observation of the movement of athletes who participate in sports events-marathon races, car races, and so on.
Adding geographic tags to photos for future viewing on electronic maps.

Most often, trackers are a monoblock case that resembles a mobile phone in shape and size. Sometimes it can be a wrist watch or even a pet collar. Small size, light weight and resistance to environmental effects make these devices simple, reliable and easy to use.

The principle of the GPS tracker

The principle of the personal GPS-tracker

Despite its small size, the GPS beacon has several modules that make it efficient. The main structural elements of the tracker:

A GPS and/or GLONASS satellite receiver that determines the coordinates of an object.
A transmitter that sends data packets using an SMS or GPRS connection.
Internal memory where data is stored (some models of trackers allow you to view the history of the object’s movements even after several years).
Internal or external antenna.
Battery. Some trackers can also be recharged from the network.

The effectiveness of control is ensured thanks to a whole range of hardware and software. The monitoring system involved:

GLONASS/GPS navigation satellites. They send signals to the appropriate modules that are installed in the beacon. The coordinates are calculated with an accuracy of from two to four meters using GPS and from three to four meters using GLONASS. Maximum accuracy (up to 2.5 meters) is achieved when two navigation systems are operating simultaneously.
GSM network. This network is needed for sending SMS messages and GPRS packages to the telematic server of support, as well as to users.
Internet and server with own software. First, information about the coordinates of the observed objects comes to the server.
User devices: personal computers, mobile phones, any other devices that can receive information.
An individual control system that works as follows. GSM tracker determines the location of the object, where it is fixed, by a signal from the satellites. Then, using wireless communication (GSM, GPRS, UMTS, CDMA2000, CDPD, HSDPA, Mobitex, 3G or WiMAX), it transmits information about the movement of the object to a server with special software. The support server, in turn, makes the received information available on any device using the web interface or on an installed application.

It is important to pay attention

After passing authorization on the server, the owner of the tracker can monitor the movement of the object in real time or view information about the route for any past time. The GPS positioning system can be used wherever there is satellite reception and a GSM network coverage, with which you can access the Internet. The use of the beacon provides the ability to carry out surveillance of individuals, animals, vehicles and cargo throughout the planet. With all this, the owner of the device can be anywhere, at any distance.

How to choose a personal GPS tracker

Before you buy a GPS tracker in Ukraine, it is important to thoroughly familiarize yourself with its technical parameters and functionality. The presence of additional options (geofences, address determination, coordinate recording, “wiretapping” and others) is determined by the needs of users and the specific tracker model. The manufacturer also matters-this factor is responsible for the quality of the product, the service provided and, of course, cost. You need to understand that different models of trackers from one brand also differ in functionality and purpose.

If you need to determine the location of the object, not only at the moment, but also in the past time, then you should buy a device that allows you to watch the history of movement. This function is especially necessary for corporate users, managers of transport and other companies where visiting employees work or transport valuable cargo. The best GPS tracker is a device with the most accurate definition of coordinates. Such accuracy is achieved through the use of different navigation systems and GSM-communication resources.

It is important to pay attention

In the city, having the ability to determine the coordinates of the base stations of the GSM network and the ability of the device to receive the reflected satellite signals are a huge advantage. Despite the fact that the location, which is determined in this way, is not very accurate, this data will be quite enough to effectively find the missing object (for example, a hijacked or evacuated car, missing cargo, escaped animal, etc.). Additional methods for establishing coordinates are very important in places where there is no access to GPS and GLONASS, such as a tunnel, underground parking, garage, etc.

Requirements for the appearance and properties of the case are determined depending on how the personal tracker will be used. For example, if the device will work on the street, it is important that the case is airtight. For use in very cold or hot climates it is worth getting a heat-resistant device. But the mini-tracker will be the best solution to control the movement of a child or animal. With the same purpose, you can use the device in the form of a wristwatch. For animals there are trackers built into the collar. An important parameter is the battery life of the lighthouse. In quality devices, work in sleep mode can reach two years. Such a long period of work is provided by high-capacity batteries and the activation of the tracker only for a short time according to a predetermined schedule, or in the event of alarm events. In addition, due to the intermittent signal transmission, the GPS tracker is almost impossible to detect.

Without a doubt, you need to pay attention to the quality of the body of the tracker. Uneven edges, crooked parts, or a button malfunction may indicate poor device quality. There must be factory packaging, otherwise there is a risk of buying a fake or defective product. In order not to run into fraudsters, it’s better to buy a GPS tracker on 130.com.ua in Kiev, Odessa, Kharkov with delivery in Ukraine.

Output

Buying a GSM/GPS beacon will significantly increase the protection of relatives, pets or personal property, and in some situations it will make business much more efficient. Due to the large selection of both domestic and foreign trackers, each user will be able to choose a device that suits him best in terms of functionality, price and quality.

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