Soon GPS will become almost as basic as the telephone, or more likely included with every cell phone. GPS can calculate locations accurate to a matter of just a few meters. In fact, incredibly with advanced forms of GPS it is possible to achieve measurements to better than a centimeter!
It’s just like giving every square meter on earth its very own address. GPS receivers have become very economical through miniaturization to just a few integrated circuits. These days GPS is finding its way into cars, boats, planes, construction equipment, movie making gear, farm machinery, laptop computers and especially mobile phones.
Tracking cell phones is a popular topic with a lot of interest. A lot of the discussion dealing with cell tracking, mobile GPS and mobile phone track software programs would be more meaningful with a GPS Satellite primer and glossary.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that GPS receivers use to determine three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus precise time. The GPS network is made up of 3 main segments: Space Segment, Control Segment and User Segment.
The GPS Space Segment includes twenty-four to thirty-two satellites that orbit the earth in medium earth orbit MEO. These satellites are also known as as the GPS Constellation, and they are orbiting twice a day. They are not geosynchronous, but rather move at over 7,000 mph. They are solar powered but have battery backup for when they are on the dark side of the earth. They are placed so that at any given time there are at least 4 satellites ‘visible’ from any point on earth. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them flying in the correct path. The satellites last about ten years until all their fuel runs out.
GPS Satellites are not communications satellites. Geostationary or communications satellites use a higher altitude 22,300 miles above the equator. These satellites are used for weather forecasting, satellite TV, satellite radio and most other types of global communications. At exactly 22,000 miles above the equator, the earth’s force of gravity and centrifugal forces are canceled and are in equilibrium. This is the best location to position a stationary satellite. The earth rotates at about 1,000 miles an hour, and because of their high earth orbit the geostationary satellites need to travel at about 7,000 mph to maintain position. This is approximately the same speed as GPS satellites, but since communications satellites are 10,000 miles further away they stay in place relative to the earth.
The GPS Control Segment is composed of Master Control Station, an Alternate Master Control Station, and a host of dedicated and shared Ground Antennas and Monitor Stations that work together to make sure the satellites are working to specification and the data they send to earth is accurate.
The GPS User Segment is comprised of of GPS receivers taking the shape of cell phones and , laptops, in-car navigation devices and hand-held tracking units along with the people that use them, and the software programs that make them work.
GPS receivers determine position by precisely timing the signals transmitted by GPS satellites. This information includes the time the message was transmitted, precise orbital information (the ephemeris), and the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the almanac).
Consider that there is a basic difference between smartphone GPS Tracking and GPS Navigation. GPS cell phone tracking is usually associated with someone keeping records of either real-time or historical cell phone location, while Navigation deals with the handset user determining how to get from point A to point B. Neither use works without some kind of third-party software application.
A really great software package that features remote control of device settings, and combines Cell Phone Tracking with SMS text message, Call Log, MMS multi-media message monitoring, and a web account for storage and review is PhoneBeagle.
Follow this link if you are interested in Mobile Monitoring Software compatible with BlackBerry and Android Smartphones, used or Parental Monitoring and Small Business Employee Monitoring .
Global Satellite System FAQ
Why does GPS receiver only work outside?
GPS satellites are orbiting to be sure that from any point on earth there are at least four satellites visibile at all times. Even though they send signals by radio wave, they needs a clear of site to the receiver. Once the GPS satellite drops behind the horizon, or a building, or even heavy cloud cover, the radio signal may be lost.
What do the satellites do?
The GPS satellites are broadcasting the time. Both the satellite and the GPS receiver use atomic clocks for extreme accuracy. By measuring the difference between the time given by the satellite and the time in the GPS receiver, the GPS can calculate the distance between it and the satellite.
How do GPS satellites know their location?
The satellites keep location archived internally in calculated tables. But they can get off course over time. To make adjustments, the satellite communicates with fixed reference stations positioned around the world. Whenever it connects with the ground stations, the satellite adjusts its internal location tables.
Does a GPS receiver transmit information back to the satellite?
No, they don’t do that. GPS equipped cell phones will send information but not to the satellite.
Visit this link for more information regarding the latest software for Cell Phone Tracking
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