VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM
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INTRODUCTION
Fleet tracking technology has been around for decades, but only recently has it
become practical and affordable for even the smallest fleet operators. From the earliest
systems of two-way radios to sophisticated GPS and computer tracking of today, vehicle
tracking technology has evolved and improved tremendously.
Our project, VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM work on basis of different technology such as
location determination technology like GPS(GLOBLE POSITIONING SYSTEM) for determine
current location of vehicle and GPRS (GENERAL PACKET RADIO SERVICE ) for communicate
with base station / control unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM:
A vehicle tracking system is an electronic device installed in a vehicle to enable the
owner or a third party to track the vehicle’s location. Most modern vehicle tracking systems
use Global Positioning System (GPS) modules for accurate location of the vehicle.
Many systems also combine a communications component such as cellular or satellite
transmitters to communicate the vehicle’s location to a remote user. Vehicle information
can be viewed on electronic maps via the Internet or specialized software.
AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATION (AVL):
Many vehicle tracking systems are now using or a form of automatic vehicle location
(AVL) to allow for easy location of the vehicle. The GPS satellite system was built and is
maintained by government and is available at no cost to civilians. This makes this
technology very inexpensive. Other AVL systems do not require the antenna to be in direct
line of sight with the sky. Terrestrial based systems such as LORAN and LoJack tracking units
use radio frequency (RF) transmitters which will transmit through walls, garages, or
buildings. Many police cruisers around the world have a form of AVL tracking as standard
equipment in their vehicles.Some vehicle tracking systems charge the user a monthly
subscription for a bundle that includes mapping software, hardware, installation, and
tracking service.Some companies offer units that are paid for upon installation and will
continue to work for the life of the vehicle. The decision to adopt an active technology
based on RF (e.g. LORAN), satellite or public carrier (e.g., CDMA) is driven by the quantity of
information, the frequency of updates, and the physical environment of the device. For
example, a fleet manager may want 5 minute updates, telling whether a vehicle is on or off,
or may want 30 second updates tracking engine vitals, brake status, container status,
vehicle speed and direction and so on.
THE DAWN OF GPS:
When GPS tracking became widely available, it transformed the vehicle tracking
landscape.Fleet operators could now locate each vehicle electronically and track it via
computer, making it easier to keep track of large numbers of vehicles and verify the
information provided by drivers. Of course the early systems were tremendously expensive,
making them far out of reach economically for all but the largest fleets. As GPS units
became smaller and cheaper, and computer tracking capabilities became more advanced
and less expensive, the modern fleet tracking systems took shape. Each vehicle carried a
tracking unit that was monitored and information communicated back to the central base
station, while the base station expanded in size and complexity to handle the large amounts
of information coming in. Companies that use this type of fleet tracking have to invest
significant amounts of capital in the vehicle units as well as the infrastructure for a central
base station to monitor and dispatch the fleet.There are expensive monthly subscription
fees as well.
A NEW INNOVATION:
A recent innovation in the vehicle tracking industry is transforming the efficiency and
affordability of fleet tracking systems. This new system uses a small tracking unit in the
vehicle and a web-based interface that is accessed via a regular mobile telephone.There is
no investment required in expensive central infrastructure and fleet managers can monitor
the system from anywhere for no monthly subscription fee. This allows supervisors and
managers to spend more time in the field and less time in the office. The affordability of this
new technology makes it practical for even the smallest fleets.
HOW GPS WORKS?
The basis of GPS is "triangulation" from satellites. We’re using the word "
triangulation" very loosely here because it's a word most people can understand,
but purists would not call what GPS does "triangulation" because no angles are
involved. It's really "trilateration”. Trilateration is a method of determining the
relative positions of objects using the Geometry of triangles.
To "triangulate," a GPS receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio
signals.