1. Common Questions - Global Positioning System Devices
Discussion of GPS use in Air, Water, Land & Vehicle Tracking

2. Overview of GPS Technology
GPS stands for Global Positioning System
The system is an orbiting constellation of 24 satellites
Allows a public or government user to fix their position anywhere in the world with a high level of accuracy

3. GPS Software Packages GIS Software
GIS – Geographic Information Systems
Use in surveying, construction, civil engineering, marketing and biology research fields, among others
Allows for precise organization of data by geographic location

4. Software Packages Navigation
Systems available for street, marine, and aviation navigation uses
Some packages combine all of these capabilities into one program
Door to door routing for US, Canada, and Europe depending on software and maps
GPS integration allow for moving map display and upcoming turn alerts in most software
Detail level and area coverage available on the PDA vary depending on the software

5. Dedicated GPS Units Pro Con Longer battery life More rugged design
Waterproof
Buoyant
Impact Resistant
Con
Limited storage for maps and other data
Limited or no software upgrade capability
Software generally not as capable

6. PC/PDA Based GPS Systems
Pro
Software and Maps can be updated
Greater storage capabilities
Software has greater capabilities
Con
Will not work without PC or PDA
Shorter battery life

7. Differential GPS Systems
Allows for much greater position accuracy
Down to the inch in some cases
Requires additional hardware to receive differential signal
Differential signal broadcast from accurately surveyed positions around the country
Differential signal available for free in many areas

8. Differential: WAAS and LAAS
WAAS vs. LAAS
WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System
Two satellites in Geostationary orbit broadcast correction information for the GPS system
Improves accuracy to 3 meters for users in the continental US
LAAS stands for Local Area Augmentation System
Provides greater than 1-meter accuracy near many major airports

9. Competing GPS Systems Galileo GPS System GLONASS
Proposed GPS system from Europe
Total of 30 satellites in Earth orbit
Scheduled to be ready in 2008
GLONASS
Russian GPS system
Accurate to only 57 meters at best
Total of 24 satellites in orbit

10. Future of Triangulation Systems
E911 Cellular System
By Dec 31, 2005, cellular operators must be able to locate 95% of 911 calls placed from cellphones
A variety of methods will be used to accomplish this, depending on the cellular vendor
GPS
Multipath Fingerprint
Enhanced Observed Time Difference

11. Future of Triangulation Systems
GPS-enabled phones
Not just for emergency purposes, these phones will allow you to send your location directly to friends and family

12. Vehicle Tracking Products
T-Mobile Pocket Tracker
Track other vehicles or be tracked anywhere where there is cellular service
Takes advantage of Internet connection provided by cellular service provider
T-Mobile PocketTracker

13. Vehicle Tracking Products
Pocket Tracker
Add tracking capabilities to any PDA with an internet connection and GPS receiver
Uses GPS Receiver and wireless communications card
iPaq Pocket Tracker

14. Vehicle Tracking Products
Satellite Tracker
Track a container or vehicle anywhere on the planet
Uses satellite communication along with GPS technology to report its position to the tracking station
Satellite Tracker

15. Thank You
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