A-GPS
A-GPS are the acronyms associated with the term “Assisted-Global Positioning System”. Assisted GPS basically refers to the combination of both GPS satellite and cellular/wireless technologies. A-GPS is a term often associated and used to describe how location-based data recorded onto a GPS tracker is transmitted.
Active
Active tracking is synonymous with the more commonly used term real-time tracking. Active simply refers to having instant remote access to GPS tracking data.
Alkaline Battery
A form of battery often used in both the GPS Tracking Key (AAA alkaline battery) and GPS Tracking Key Pro (AA alkaline battery) models, alkaline batteries are the most commonly used form of battery in consumer electronics products. Known for having a long shelf life, alkaline batteries are also viewed as being high-quality sources of power.
Atomic Clock
Although the name sounds pretty intimidating, an atomic clock is simply a way of calculating time through the periodic movements of atoms. Atomic clockwork is utilized by Global Positioning System units to provide a timing mechanism that allows GPS accuracy to be calculated with precision.
Auto Theft Recovery
The process of safely recovering a vehicle or mobile asset if it is stolen. Real-time GPS trackers are often used by people looking for an auto-theft recovery/prevention system because the devices can alert users if a vehicle is moved, and the technology provides 24/7 access to an automobile’s location.
Auxiliary Power
Auxiliary power refers to the supplemental or secondary source of power that is used by a tracking unit or electronic device. This could refer to a GPS unit using an alternative source of power such as a cigarette lighter adapter to power the system rather than the device’s primary source of power, an internal battery system such as a lithium ion or alkaline.
Car Tracker
GPS vehicle management system that is used to monitor the movements of any automobile. Commonly used by parents to observe teen driving behaviors, businesses to monitor employee driving activity and police agencies to conduct surveillance.
Covert Surveillance
The behavior or act of acquiring, observing or recording data or information related to the activities of another in a secret fashion. Private investigators and police departments have an fundamental need to gather information in a covert way, making vehicle tracking systems very popular among security professionals and law enforcement.
Drivers
Form of computer program that has controlling power over a device or GPS unit. When GPS tracking devices are connected to a personal computer it may be necessary or required to load new drivers to ensure proper system operation.
Elderly Tracking
The process of monitoring and observing the driving habits and behaviors of a senior citizen in an effort to improve personal safety. Many families choose to hard-wire real-time tracking systems to the vehicles being operated by an elderly family member to ensure that the senior is driving safely or not becoming lost.
External GPS Antenna
An essential piece of equipment or hardware that is used to acquire radio signals from GPS satellites, external GPS antennas are designed separately from the monitoring device. Although the external antenna is independent from the GPS unit, it allows the GPS hardware to capture GPS signals. External antennas are popular among businesses looking for some versatility and flexibility in regards to the placement of the tracking device.
Fleet Management
The process of overseeing and managing numerous mobile assets and vehicles of a single company in an effort to improve routing, driver safety, customer service and over all company efficiency. Having remote access to all vehicles operating in the field provides companies a way to safeguard equipment, control employee routes more effectively and reduce the costs associated with fuel consumption.
Geo-Fence
Geo-fence, or geo-fencing, is an alert feature that is common among many real-time tracking systems. Essentially how the feature works is by allowing the user to set a virtual boundary or “fence” around a particular area on a map. The alert is programmed into the GPS unit, and when the object/asset being monitored enters or exits through that virtual boundary an alert is sent to the GPS user via email or cellular text message.
Geotagging/Geocoding
The process of linking, connecting or tagging forms of digital media such as photographs, video data, RSS feeds or even web pages with geographical data that includes longitude and latitude positions acquired through GPS tracking. This feature is popular among outdoor adventurists who enjoy documenting their journeys and uploading the information for friends and family.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
The heart and soul of both the GPS vehicle tracking and GPS navigational industries. The most simplistic way to describe the Global Positioning System would be as an organized network of satellites orbiting the planet that were designed and are controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Google Earth
Satellite image program designed and updated by Google that many GPS systems use as a primary source of showcasing recorded or live tracking data. The computer information program offers users access to historical imagery, street views, 3D buildings and more.
GPRS
GPRS are the acronyms for “General Packet Radio Services”, which basically is in reference to a form of radio technology used by mobile communication devices and networks that allow the transfer of data.
GPS Navigation Device
The most commonly used form of GPS technology, navigation systems are electronic devices that are often on-board vehicles and installed to an automobile’s 12 volt system and placed on the front windshield. The GPS receives satellite signals and uses that data to accurately determine position. The devices then work with mapping programs to help drivers with routing or directions. This form of GPS technology is perfect for those traveling in new places, or who commonly become lost.
GPS Tracking System
An electronic device that is used to capture location-based data and store the information to internal memory (GPS receiver/passive), or transmit the information where it can be accessed live remotely via personal computer (Active/real-time). Using GPS satellites to accurately determine position of a vehicle, asset or person, a GPS tracking system will record an assortment of location-based data ranging from speeds traveled, addresses arrived/departed, maximum speed traveled, stops made, time en route and more. GPS tracking systems are often described as the ultimate fleet management solutions.
GPX Format
Data format that allows GPS users to exchange files, regardless if the systems are supported by conflicting operating systems or programing software. GPX format provides users a unique way to write, read and download routes.
GSM
Term used to define “Global System Mobile Communications”, which is currently the only form of cellular service offered throughout Europe. An international standard for digital mobile telecommunications systems, this form of technology was created to provide an alternative solution to analog. Mobile communication devices and trackers that utilize GSM use SIM cards.
Hard-Wire
Connection between electrical wires/cables and a vehicle’s or piece of equipment’s circuit (Often 12 volt system in automobiles). This form of connection offers an alternative source of power that can keep a device powered by means other than internal battery.
Interface
Reference to a point of interaction among a particular set of components. Applicable to both levels of hardware or software, an interface provides independent objects with the ability to communicate with each other via a connection, device or other form of system. Past-Track monitoring software interfaces with Google Earth software, allowing a GPS user to view recorded GPS data over the satellite image program.
Internal Antenna
A piece of hardware that is essential in acquiring GPS signals so a system can calculate data. Unlike a n external antenna, internal antennas are designed into the GPS unit itself. This engineering design allows tracking devices increased portability.
Lithium Battery
One of the newest forms of battery technology, lithium ion batteries provide long-lasting power and are much lighter than alkaline batteries, making them much more efficient for high-tech systems. Lithium batteries have a long shelf-life, and most importantly are not susceptible to leaking like alkaline batteries.
NMEA
Acronyms for the “National Marine Electronics Association”, a unifying force behind the electronics industries that provides a file extension format that is an industry standard. Initially developed to aid in marine electronic equipment in the 1908s, the technology is now common among GPS technological systems.
Operating System (OS)
Software consisting of multiple data and programs that basically operates on computers and manages hardware. Some of the most common operating systems people utilize everyday on their personal computers include Microsoft Windows programs and Mac OS X. However, Google has been in the process of creating a OS that many people believe could be one of the efficient.
Passive Tracking System
Commonly labeled as data loggers or receivers, passive trackers record GPS data and store that information to internal memory for review at a later time. The data from a passive tracker is manually downloaded view USB port or download cable, resulting in the system being much more cost-effective and not having monthly service fees. The GPS Tracking Key and GPS Tracking Key Pro are the two most popular passive tracking systems among consumers and businesses.
RFID
Radio Frequency Identification: A form of technology that utilizes radio frequency tags that are connected to objects that will transmit information or data to a receiver.
Real-Time Tracking
A form of GPS tracking that allows users to remotely access GPS data live as it happens. The real-time tracking unit receives GPS signals and then transmits that information via wireless networks, allowing users to have instant access to the location of a person, vehicle, asset or object. This form of GPS tracking is commonly used in fleet management and auto-theft recovery applications.
Sampling Rate
The frequency or rate in which position updates are acquired and stored to the internal memory of a GPS receiver. Think of the sampling rate like “bread crumbs” strong across a path, independent pieces of data that are used in conjunction with one another to provide GPS users with a way to monitor travels.
Satellite
Both a natural (When planets revolve around a star such as the sun) and unnatural phenomenon (Object created by man such as a space probe) where a particular object revolves around another object in regular intervals. Satellites are used for a variety of communication purposes.
Short Message Service (SMS)
A form of technology that is similar to that used by paging systems, SMS provides an avenue to send short text messages electronically to mobile communication devices such as cellular phones. Although the amount of data is often limited by a set number of characters, it is one of the most efficient ways to transmit data and alerts from a real-time tracking device to a user’s personal cell phone.
Teen Tracking
The process of monitoring the driving habits of teenagers to improve teen safety and overall road safety for everyone sharing the highways and roadways. With many teens having a tendency to drive at dangerous speeds, and motor vehicle accidents leading the list of causes of premature death among teenagers, parents are utilizing both real-time tracking and passive monitoring to observe teen driving behaviors.
Telematics
Telematics basically refers to the technology of transmitting, receiving and storing data or information between telecommunication systems. Also referred to as telemetry, telematics plays a significant role in the GPS tracking industry because the technology is often used to describe the use of GPS vehicle management or navigational systems since the devices integrate computer and wireless technologies along with mobile communication systems for data transfer and reception.
Triangulation
Sophisticated process of accurately determining the exact position of a GPS receiver operating on Earth by using a mathematical system that measures distance via relative space between three GPS satellites orbiting in space. When a GPS system is placed in a optimum location where it has a direct line of sight to the sky, the process of triangulation results in GPS tracking data being accurate within 2.5 meters.
USB Port
Universal Serial Bus Ports are referred to as a standardized electrical point of connection on a personal computer that provides an avenue interface to numerous other electronic equipment such as printers, scanners, keyboards and more. Passive vehicle tracking devices such as the GPS Tracking Key have a USB drive engineered into the hardware, allowing users to connect the GPS system directly to a personal computer USB port to manually download GPS tracking data.
WAAS
Established in the mid 1990s by the Department of Transportation, Wide Area Augmentation Services (WAAS) refers to a system that was created to boost accuracy and the availability of both GPS navigation and tracking data. Ground stations were developed and strategically placed throughout the country to monitor and observe GPS satellite signals, accounting for any gaps in service or errors, resulting in WAAS-enabled GPS receivers having superior accuracy of location-based data and position.
Water Resistant
One common misconception is that water resistant is the same as waterproof. IT IS NOT! Water resistant refers to a limited ability to keep moisture off hardware, circuitry and GPS components. People looking to use a car tracker that is water resistant on the outside of their vehicle should take additional precautions to safeguard their GPS tracking unit from the elements.