GPS Vehicle Tracking Devices - A Simple Guide

GPS Vehicle Tracking is Simple at Last!
Monitoring of assets using GPS vehicle tracking devices is becoming more and more routine, especially in the UK, where the market for these solutions is booming. The technology has been around for decades, but over the past few years it has become easier to use, more accessible and less costly, hence the recent explosion in the market. So, if you haven't taken the plunge and installed GPS vehicle tracking devices in your fleet, now is most definitely the time to do so. The aim of this simple website is to help steer you through the technology options, explain the jargon and outline some of the vehicle tracking service providers in the UK.

So, GPS gives us the precise time and location data that is so useful to know. How do we get that information back to our office or workplace? GPS itself is a receive only system (just like your FM car radio) so it does not allow data to be transmitted anywhere. So, vehicle tracking devices require a communications channel to send the data somewhere that we can access it. The most popular solution by far is to use GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), which is exactly the same technology used to browse the internet and send/receive emails from your mobile phone. Why is this the most popular? Well, it is supported in nearly every country across the world, its small, inexpensive and reliable. Whats more, GPRS allows data to be sent in real time (i.e. live) and is always connected - you pay for data sent and received, rather than time connected (just like your broadband internet). This is why GPRS is by far the most popular method of sending vehicle tracking data from the 'black-box' vehicle tracking device to the application server (see later).

How does it work?
The key to the system is GPS, the Global Positioning System. This is a network of satellites that are always 'visible' from the ground, anywhere in the world. The signals received from these satellites enable a vehicle tracking device to calculate a precise location to within a few metres. The GPS system is completely free to use and also gives precise time/date, speed, heading and altitude. One of the limitations of GPS is the very weak signals, which means that it only works outdoors. The GPS antenna (i.e. aerial) must have a clear view of the sky, although the signals can travel through glass and other insulators, they do not travel through metal.

What are the alternatives to GPS and GPRS based vehicle tracking devices?
For finding a location, GPS has no comparable rivals. There is a new system called Galileo planned, but that wont be operational for several years to come.

For the communication part of the system, GPRS, there are alternatives that are not particularly appealing, but nevertheless worth being aware of.

In areas of poor coverage, you can consider satellite based communications (e.g. Iridium, Globalstar, Thuraya & Inmarsat), all of which are larger (more cumbersome to install and less discreet), more expensive and more power hungry than GPRS. In Europe, GPRS has near universal coverage, so the argument for satellite based communication is history.

Before GPRS was available, it was commonplace to use other mobile phone based services such as SMS (i.e. text messages) or circuit switched data (dial-up data calls). These are all but obsolete now because of the far higher running costs compared to GPRS.

Even further back in history, some vehicle tracking devices were based on PMR (Private Mobile Radio) systems. These solutions are no longer popular for telemetry, due to the massive success of GPRS on the basis of cost, coverage and convenience.

What do I need?
So, we use GPS to determine exactly where a vehicle is and GPRS to send that data somewhere that we can access it. These two functions are included in one device and installed in the vehicle. The latest vehicle tracking devices are no larger than a cigarette packet and use very little power, so they can be installed very quickly and discreetly. Usually, the device and antennas are concealed beneath the dashboard, so there is no visible sign of the installation.

Where can I find out more about the GPS/GPRS vehicle hardware?
Suitable GPS/GPRS vehicle tracking devices are available from a number of sources. For example, the AT100 vehicle tracking device from Astra Telematics is supported by all the listed ASPs and is well documented on Astra's website.

How do I get to see the vehicle data?
There are numerous different solutions available, but by far the most popular is to view your data using a PC internet browser. This means that you can access your vehicle fleet information from any internet connected computer, anywhere in the world. You don't have to pay for any software or maps, as these services are offered on a subscription basis. Once it has all been set-up, all you need to do is open an internet browser, log-in to your service provider's website and your information is there to be viewed in reports or on map displays. The companies providing these services are often referred to as Application Service Providers or ASPs.

What are the alternatives to a browser based ASP?
It is also possible to find vehicle tracking solutions which use standalone software. This must be installed on your PC before you can access the vehicle data. The disadvantage of this approach is that you normally cannot access your data from other PCs and you may have to pay for the software and/or the digital map data that it requires.

The compromise between browser based systems and standalone systems are called thin-client solutions. These systems can be used on any internet computer, but you first have to download and install a small program, making them less convenient and less widely compatible. Many companies restrict the use of thin-client applications or even prevent users from installing applications, making this approach less accessible than the simple browser option.

Click here for a list of Vehicle Tracking Application Service Providers

Need to know more? e-mail:info@gps-track.co.uk