Personal Location Based GPS Tracking Technology 101

GPS and Cellular based tracking systems are designed to let you know where your loved ones are located.  GPS 101 is everything you ever wanted to know about personal location based GPS devices but didn't have anyone to ask. 

If this is your first time shopping for a location based GPS system, this is the area you should come to first in order to better understand all the things you need to know about how this technology works.  We know the acronyms might seem like alphabet soup.  But, once you understand how easy it is to use these products to protect the ones you love, you will see the real value of this wonderful technology.
 
You may be comfortable using GPS in your car, but wonder how you can use the same technology to help locate a person. Here are some simple diagrams run-down of common tracking technologies, frequently asked questions and general information about the personal tracking technology.

What is a location-based service (LBS)? 

A location-based service (LBS) is an information and entertainment service, accessible by your computer and by mobile devices you aleady own (iPhone, Blackberry, Android etc.) through the mobile network (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, etc.) and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device.

LBS services can be used in a variety of contexts, such as health, work, personal life, etc. LBS services include services to identify a location of a person or object, such as discovering the nearest banking cash machine or the whereabouts of a friend or employee. LBS services include parcel tracking and vehicle tracking services. LBS can include mobile commerce when taking the form of coupons or advertising directed at customers based on their current location. They include personalized weather services and even location-based games. They are an example of telecommunication convergence.

Good to know: Some location management services will have an online application allowing families to locate on-demand through an online mapping tool wherever they have access to the internet. Some applications also provide the option of setting up zones and will alert the family if the person leaves the zone.

Advantages: Online applications allow families to proactively manage the location of the person/asset they are tracking.  Families can use the application to look up the person's location at any time. Applications that provide the ability to set zones can send alerts when the person leaves the zone, helping the family manage the person's location from afar.

Limitations: In order for alerts to be sent when the person leaves the zone, the device and the application must communicate at regular intervals. The communication between the device and the application typically takes place on a cellular network. The communication can be impeded if the network coverage is not adequate impacting the application's ability to send a zone alert.  Additionally, the time interval between communications can be determined by the monthly service plan. 

What is GSM?
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is an open, digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services.

What does GSM offer? 
GSM supports voice calls and data transfer speeds of up to 9.6 kbit/s (kilobits per second), together with the transmission of SMS (Short Message Service) or texting.
 
GSM operates in the 900MHz and 1.8GHz bands in Europe and the 1.9GHz and 850MHz bands in the US. The 850MHz band is also used for GSM and 3G in Australia, Canada and many South American countries. By having harmonized spectrum across most of the globe, GSM’s international roaming capability allows users to access the same services when travelling abroad as at home. This gives consumers seamless and same number connectivity in more than 218 countries.

Terrestrial GSM networks now cover more than 80% of the world’s population. GSM satellite roaming has also extended service access to areas where terrestrial coverage is not available.

What is GPRS?
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a very widely deployed wireless data service, available now with most GSM networks.

GPRS offers throughput rates of up to 40kbit/s, so that users have a similar access speed to a dial-up modem, but with the convenience of being able to connect from almost anywhere.

GPRS customers enjoy advanced, feature-rich data services such as e-mail on the move, multimedia messages and location-based services.

What is GSM?
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is an open, digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services.

What does GSM offer? 
GSM supports voice calls and data transfer speeds of up to 9.6 kbit/s (kilobits per second), together with the transmission of SMS (Short Message Service) or texting.
 
GSM operates in the 900MHz and 1.8GHz bands in Europe and the 1.9GHz and 850MHz bands in the US. The 850MHz band is also used for GSM and 3G in Australia, Canada and many South American countries. By having harmonized spectrum across most of the globe, GSM’s international roaming capability allows users to access the same services when travelling abroad as at home. This gives consumers seamless and same number connectivity in more than 218 countries.

Terrestrial GSM networks now cover more than 80% of the world’s population. GSM satellite roaming has also extended service access to areas where terrestrial coverage is not available.

What is GPS (Global Positioning System)?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based global navigation system made up of 24 to 32 satellites that orbit the earth. It provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to worldwide users on a continuous basis in all weather, day and night, anywhere on or near the Earth which has an unobstructed view of four or more GPS satellites. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that GPS receivers (i.e. AmberAlertGPS, Lok8u, Laipac, Zoombak), use to provide three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus precise time.

GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, scientific uses, tracking and surveillance, and hobbies such as geocaching and waymarking.  Also, the precise time reference is used in many applications including the scientific study of earthquakes and as a time synchronization source for cellular network protocols.

GPS has become a mainstay of transportation systems worldwide, providing navigation for aviation, ground, and maritime operations. Disaster relief and emergency services depend upon GPS for location and timing capabilities in their life-saving missions. The accurate timing that GPS provides facilitates everyday activities such as banking, mobile phone operations, and even the control of power grids. Farmers, surveyors, geologists and countless others perform their work more efficiently, safely, economically, and accurately using the free and open GPS signals.

Good to know: Many location management services rely on GPS technology. GPS depends on satellites to provide positioning and navigation information. The device communicates with satellites and figures out the distance to each and then uses this information to deduce its own location. In order for GPS to work, there must be a clear line of sight between the device and the satellites.

Advantages: GPS is not dependent on the availability of a network and can provide very precise, worldwide outdoor positioning information at any time of day.
 
Limitations: Natural barriers, such as mountains, thick foliage or clouds, and artificial obstructions, such as large buildings and dense communities, can hinder satellite signals. For this reason, GPS tracking inside buildings is seldom possible. Also, GPS tracking in large cities is not always reliable.

What is Network Assisted GPS (A-GPS)

GPS operation uses radio signals from satellites. In very poor signal conditions, for example in a city, these signals may suffer multipath where signals bounce confusingly off buildings, or be weakened by passing through walls or tree cover.  When first turned on in these conditions, some non-assisted GPS navigation devices may not be able to work out a position due to the fragmentary signal, rendering them unable to function until a clear signal can be received continuously for up to 40 seconds.  An Assisted GPS system can address these problems by using data available from a network.
 
Good to know: A-GPS technology works in conjunction with GPS by using cell towers to triangulate locations.
 
Advantages: A-GPS can provide indoor positioning information with greater accuracy and is usually faster than unassisted GPS.
 
Limitations: A drawback to A-GPS is the availability and reach of the cellular network it gets its boost from. If you travel out of the network's reach, your device won't be able to pick up the signals. Before choosing a device, find out if the network the device depends upon is reliable where the person with Alzheimer's lives and in the areas he or she is likely to travel.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Good to know: RFID works through the transmission of radio waves between a transponder, an antenna and a receiver. The RFID chip transmits a signal to the receiver through the antenna and provides data on a person's location.
 
Advantages: Some RFID chips require no batteries (they use power from the initial radio signal to transmit their response) and so offer long-term reliability.
 
Limitations: Key limitations of RFID are the need for multiple pieces of equipment and a limited signal range. Additionally, most systems using RFID technology offer the service through local law enforcement so it is necessary to determine whether your community supports a RFID location system.

Technology Trends

Technology moves quickly, and that's why LocationbasedGPS is keeping up to date on emerging technologies. We are making sure we know about the latest location management devices and networks so that we can provide our communities the necessary information.  Our commitment for staying on top of the new Locationbased services and GPS devices is a pivotal part of our dynamic strategy.

As technologies are changing, some companies are mixing up technology for more accurate solutions. For example, one of the technologies we are keeping an eye on is the Zigbee Standard which will allow for a longer battery life and provide higher network reliability and a larger range.

Technical limitations

• There is no location device or system that works 100% of the time. There are times when disruptions in satellite signals or network coverage impacts or delays location information. It is very important for families who use our products to recognize it as one component of a comprehensive safety plan.
• In some cases there are various monthly service plans that determine how frequently the application communicates with the device to register a location. There are others that just have a monthly service fee and then there are the personal GPS trackers that you don’t require any additional monthly service charges as it all depends upon your needs.