GPS Technology – A Must Read for Anyone Looking to Invest in GPS Trackers

Millions around the globe are using GPS vehicle tracking systems to monitor fleet and personal vehicles. Business users are realizing the benefits the systems provide in running smoother and more efficient logistics operations, while individual users are realizing the peace of mind GPS trackers provide keeping them informed that their family members are safe, and the vehicles secured. Various types of transportation apps-based services have been introduced in Bangladesh. Like Uber or Patho. Many industries and services like food and grocery chains are using transportation systems extensively. It is imperative for businesses success to keep track of these vehicles. Of all the telematics companies operating here, none come close to AutoGuard.

The number of companies that provide vehicle tracking services are growing daily. These companies are working tirelessly to improve and build on the technology. With that comes new and innovative features that add to the usefulness of GPS trackers. Unfortunately, it also comes with a dizzying array of functionalities, services, and issues that affect the reliability of these services that the customer must understand and decipher before deciding. Worry not. AutoGuard’s easy to use interface removes all the complexity on the users end while maintaining total tracking of your fleet vehicles.

Due to the complexity of the technology and the different features to select from, it can be difficult for customers to select the right vendor for their exact need. There are different companies that concentrate on different parts of the market. Some may concentrate in providing minimal location data, while others concentrate on providing comprehensive services that include – monitoring driver behavior, detailed speed monitoring, battery management, live tracking, cold chain logistics, and much more. Then there is us. The best VTS tracking system in Bangladesh. Providing the above-mentioned features and more. Giving you the whole spectrum of features necessary for a secure and fully functional vehicle tracking and fleet management.

No matter what type of vehicle tracking service the company provides, there are some specifics that you as a customer must research before selecting the vendor that is best for you. The goal of this article is to discuss these items, so you are educated about the technology and are equipped to ask the specific questions that help answer and clarify your GPS tracking needs and ultimately helps in selecting the right vendor.

What is GPS-based Vehicle Tracking System

A vehicle tracking system, in its simplest form, is the combination of GPS data received from satellites plus complex software technology to provide location and telematics (more on this later) data. Below is a graphical depiction of the how it works.

In a more detailed form, VTS is the combination of receiving of GPS data from satellites by a tracking unit installed in a vehicle, processing of the data by the unit using complex algorithms, and then transmitting of the data by the unit over cellular network to backend servers for further processing. Once the processing is complete, the telematics data is ready to be consumed by users on a PC or a mobile device.

Telematics Data

Telematics is the term used to refer to vehicle or other asset monitoring data gathered by using a GPS device or other onboard technologies. Examples of telematics data include:

Location

Distance Driven

Speed

Arrival and Departure from Point

Idling Time

Time at Point

Harsh Acceleration

Tire-Pressure

Harsh Braking

Battery Level

Fuel Consumption

Key On/Off

Impact Detection

Illegal Motion

There are many moving parts involved in processing the data and they all must work in harmony to make sure the transmitted data is accurate and reliable. This article delves into each of these parts and explains how they work, how they can negatively impact each other’s functions, and what measures need be taken to ensure overall accuracy and reliability of the GPS tracking system and why AutoGuard comes atop them all.

Additionally, the article will attempt to point out questions you should ask and pitfalls to avoid of when selecting a VTS vendor and why you should select us without any dilemma.

Accuracy & Reliability of The System

No vendor can guarantee 100% accuracy, reliability, or availability of any fleet management system. As the system is composed of many moving parts, it is possible that one or more of these parts will time to time misbehave rendering the system unstable. However, for an effectively managed vehicle tracking system, this should be a rare occurrence with 99.5% of the time the system functioning as expected which we ensure as the leading GPS tracker company.

Here is a brief description of the various segments of a vehicle tracking system. Details of how each segment works. Some of the pitfalls to look out for. And, questions to ask when selecting your GPS tracker vendor. They simultaneously answer why you should pick us instead of other vendors.

Satellite Coverage

The key to accurate location is how well the GPS tracker "links with" the satellites roaming around at 20,000 KM above earth. To calculate vehicle’s latitude and longitude the device needs data from at least four satellites, performing complex distance and time calculations to arrive at the most accurate coordinates. The more satellites the device receives data from, the better the accuracy of the location data. More viewable satellites allow the device to filter data so it can generate a more accurate location. Generally, 7 to 8 satellites are needed to calculate an accurate GPS location. Most quality tracking applications, like ours, will show the number of satellites used in the calculation and then display that information to the end user to communicate the quality of the GPS data.

Things that can negatively affect satellite to device coordinate calculation are:

1. Poorly manufactured GPS devices using cheap components. Many times, these manufacturers will tout accuracy of +/- 2.5M. But the main challenge is to generate that level of accuracy consistently. It requires a well-manufactured device using high quality GPS antenna which we undoubtedly provide.
2. Vehicles travelling underground or parked under heavily constructed garage. Concrete or metal walls can impact satellite reception thus affecting location data.
3. Reflection, shadowing and all kinds of distortions can cause GPS drift. It is when the tracking deviates from the road. Resulting in decreased precision.

Satellite Coverage

The key to spotting accurate location with its correct latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates is how well the GPS tracker "sees" the satellites roaming around at 20,000 KM above the earth. The unit needs data from at least four satellites to perform complex distance and time calculations to arrive at the most correct coordinates of the location. The more satellites the device receives data from, the better would be the accuracy of the location data. Generally, 7 to 8 satellites are needed to calculate an accurate GPS location. Most quality tracking systems will show the number of satellites used in the calculation of the location, and then displaying that information to the end user, as evidence of the quality of the GPS data.

1. Things that can negatively affect coordinate calculations are: When poorly manufactured GPS devices are used. These devices are relatively cheap, as are they expectedly built with weak and unstable components involving relatively less costs. Many times, their manufacturers will tout their accuracy of lat/lon calculations within error margins of +/- 2.5 meters. But that level of accuracy can be consistently ensured only by a well manufactured device using high quality GPS antenna which AutoGuard provides.
2. When vehicles travel underground or are parked under heavily constructed garage. Concrete or metal walls can impact satellite reception, thus affecting location data (calculations).
3. Reflection, shadowing and all kinds of distortions can cause GPS drift. It is when the tracking deviates from the road. Resulting in decreased precision.

GPS Device

The key to a reliable and accurate vehicle tracking system is the installation of a well-made, rugged, GPS tracker. One that can take the wear and tear of the vehicle as well as that of the road and generate consistent GPS and telematics data for many years. When researching for a vendor ask about the quality of the device and verify that the device uses quality components. For example, if the GPS antenna component used in the device is not of good quality, the location data you will receive will not be accurate or consistent. If the accelerometer component is of poor quality, then driver behavior data or illegal motion messages may not be accurate.

Communication Protocol

When shopping for a GPS tracker, ask about the communication protocol the vendor utilizes. We will not go too deep into the communication protocols, but here is a brief description of how communication protocols can vary:

In general, there are two different communication protocols that most GPS trackers implement – TCP/IP or UDP. Here are the pros and cons of the two:

Pros

Cons

TCP/IP

Cheaper Device

Uses Too Much Data

Easier to Implement

Needs Stable Cellular Network

More Vendors

High Latency (meaning takes too long to deliver message)

UDP

Uses Less Data

Device More Expensive

Highly Reliable

Difficult to Implement

Low Latency (fast delivery of GPS message to customers)

Fewer Device Manufacturers

AutoGuard uses UDP technology to transmit your GPS data. We have invested heavily in IT infrastructure and software algorithm to make sure we offer our customers the most reliable and powerful data transmission to deliver on our promise of reliability and accuracy.

Over-the-Air Updates

Another device capability the GPS tracker users should be aware of is FOTA or Firmware Over the Air updates. Device manufacturers are constantly making improvements to the onboard firmware (computer program that is installed on the tracker), and these improvements need to be sent to the devices for continuous smooth operation. To make sure your GPS tracker(s) can easily be updated, you must inquire whether the GPS tracker you are purchasing can handle over the air updates. With over the air updates, vehicle tracking companies can push these changes to devices anywhere in the country. There is no need to stop vehicle service or your business to make the update. Over the air feature also allows your vendor to manage many devices efficiently which minimizes cost and risk associated with managing fleet GPS devices.

The devices AutoGuard sells support over the air updates. As a result, we can push any enhancement to your GPS tracker unit anywhere in the country. There is no need to stop vehicle service or your business to make the update. Over the air feature also allow us to manage many devices efficiently which minimizes cost and risk associated with managing fleet GPS devices.

Other device specific features you should be aware of:

1. Number of I/O connections that are available for a device. For example, let us say you want a GPS tracking device with following features:

a. Remote Engine Disable/Enable – [output]

b. AC On/Off – [input]

c. Voice Call on Key-On – [input]

d. Buzzer on Illegal Motion – [output]

2. For this setup, the GPS tracking unit needs 2-inputs and 2-outputs.

AutoGuard GPS Tracker Input/Output Available include:

Inputs/Outputs

Available Option

Serial Interface:

RS232

Digital Ignition Input:

1 Positive Input

Digital Inputs:

Up to 3 (Configurable)

Digital Outputs:

2 (Max. sink current 300mA)

Analog Inputs

Up to 2 (Configurable)

DC 0~40V (12bits resolution)

1-Wire® Interface:

1 (Driver ID, Temperature sensors)

LED Indicators:

3 LEDs (Power, GPS, Cellular)

Speaker Out:

1 (Mono)

Microphone:

1

Additionally, AutoGuard technical team has the in-house knowledge necessary to make device configuration changes based on client fleet needs. Often these tasks are outsourced to 3rd party companies, which can present a problem when it comes to troubleshooting issues. For the best priced devices contact AutoGuard.

AutoGuard provides turn-based reporting. If you want to track kilometers driven accurately, then you must install a vehicle tracking system that provides turn-based reporting. Turn-based enabled devices will send GPS messages every time the vehicle makes a turn. The minimum degrees it needs to turn to generate a GPS message is usually 60 degrees or more, but this can vary based on customer requirements, so be sure to ask your VTS vendor. Because the kilometers driven is generated by calculating the distance between two GPS locations, having the points from the turning event will lead to more accurate kilometer calculation. AutoGuard supplied devices are configured to generate turn-based reports, so you can be sure of the accuracy of the kilometer driven data.

The backend of the VTS is a collection of servers working 24/7 to process and store your GPS data. After the physical GPS tracker, this is the most important and prized possession for any vehicle tracking system provider. From the perspective of the vendor, they only have control over two things – the device and the software component. The other pieces like the satellite data or cellular network availability are usually beyond the control of the vendor. The management and development of the server components is imperative to a smoothly running VTS.

We at AutoGuard manage and maintain our servers to the highest industry standards so that Summit Communications Limited users can be assured that the data is safe, secured, and always available.

• Servers are hosted in the cloud and we are the only personnel who have access to the data and software on the servers
• AutoGuard internal IT team and ISP personnel are responsible for monitoring servers
• AutoGuard servers are fully backed up with protocols in place to handle disaster recovery
• AutoGuard inhouse technical team is responsible for supporting all backend system
• All new features are developed and supported by inhouse technical team

The server is where the software resides. It is imperative that the server or servers are owned by the vendor as AutoGuard does because they have many moving parts and inhouse developers are necessary for troubleshooting and customization.

The consumer device must be of good quality which we are providing as the best GPS tracker in Bangladesh.

More details: https://www.autoguardtracking.com/

Al Mahi is a professional writer having over years of working experience in this segment. He used to write business and blog articles. https://www.autoguardtracking.com/