Smartphone GPS Primer
Posted on 29 March 2010
Before long GPS will become almost as common as the telephone, or more likely included with every phone handset. GPS can calculate positions accurate to a matter of just a few meters. In fact, amazingly with advanced equipment it is possible to make measurements to less than a centimeter!
In a sense it’s like giving every square meter on the planet a unique address. GPS receivers have become extremely economical as they have been miniaturized 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 cell phones.
Tracking cell phones is a active topic getting a lot of interest.  Much of the discussion dealing with cell tracking, cell phone GPS and mobile phone track software programs could be helped by a GPS Satellite introduction and glossary.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System.  GPS satellites broadcast signals from earth orbit that GPS receivers use to determine three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus precise time. The GPS system is composed of 3 primary segments: Space Segment, Control Segment and User Segment.Â
The GPS Space Segment is composed of 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 once every 12 hours. They are not geostationary, but rather move at over 7,000 mph. GPS satellites are solar powered but have battery reserve for when they are on the dark side of the earth. They are positioned so that there are at least 4 satellites ‘visible’ from any point on earth. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them properly positioned.  The satellites last about ten years until all their fuel is exhausted.Â
GPS Satellites are not communications satellites.  Geostationary or communications satellites are at a much higher orbit of about 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 offset and are in equilibrium. This is the ideal location to position a communications satellite.  The earth rotates at about 1,000 miles an hour, and because of their high earth orbit the geo-synchronous satellites need to travel at about 7,000 mph to keep position. This is just about the same speed as GPS satellites, but since geostationary satellites are 10,000 miles further away they stay in place relative to the earth.Â
The GPS Control Segment includes Master Control Station, an Alternate Master Control Station, and numerous dedicated and shared Ground Antennas and Monitor Stations that work together to ensure the satellites are functioning correctly and the data they beam down to earth is accurate.Â
The GPS User Segment is composed 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 applications that make them work. Â
GPS receivers calculate position by precisely timing the signals sent 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).Â
Keep in mind that there is a basic difference between handset GPS Tracking and GPS Navigation. GPS phone tracking is usually associated with someone maintaining records of either real-time or historical smartphone position, while Navigation deals with the cell phone user determining how to get from point A to point B. Neither use works without some sort of third-party software program.
A really great software package that features remote control of smartphone settings, and combines Mobile Phone Tracking with SMS text message, Call Log, MMS multi-media message monitoring, and a web account for storage and review is PhoneBeagle.Â
Follow this link if you are interested in   Cell Phone Monitoring Software compatible with BlackBerry and Android Smartphones, used or Parental Monitoring and Small Business Employee Monitoring .
Global Satellite System Glossary of basic terminology.
The Global Positioning System is made up of 24 GPS satellites, portable GPS receivers, and various ground-based support facilities.
The GPS receiver is typically a standalone handheld device or electronic unit mounted on a vehicle dashboard or other movable item such as a shipping container, and now particularly common to be found inside smartphones . Abbreviated “GPS” in common use.
Visit this link for more information regarding the latest software for GPS Tracking
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