GPS-navigation has entered our lives firmly and surprisingly quickly. The cost of a simple navigator is slightly higher than the price of a good liquid compass, but the set of functions, the information content of these two navigation devices, and there is nothing to compare. And considering that today 95 out of 100 phones are produced with a built-in GPS module, orienteering by the stars, tree crowns and moss on stones will soon become about the same anachronism as a postman with a telegram in his bag.
On the other hand, unfortunately, the theft of cars and other property in our country is not uncommon. Unfortunately, sometimes people disappear. So, for example, according to statistics, at least several hundred people do not return every year from a “silent hunt”. This is especially true for the elderly. manyunpleasant accidents could have been avoided using a conventional GPS bug to track the location.
How it works
Let's remember some school geometry. This will help us understand how the location tracking bug and the general system for positioning an object on the surface of the Earth works. Suppose we have a certain point "X", the location of which needs to be calculated. We have the following data at our disposal:
- distance from an unknown point to three others (T1, T2 and T3);
- coordinates of these three points.
The desired position of the point "X" is easy to determine: it is enough to put points with known coordinates on the diagram:
- construct a circle centered at point T1 and with a radius equal to the distance from point T1 to point "X";
- do the same with points T2 and T3;
- the intersection of the constructed circles will give the point "X".
And the location bug, like other GPS devices, uses this principle to find its location on the surface of the planet. Points with known coordinates are satellites of navigation systems. Data on their position in space is received by the GPS module of the device in real time, and the program calculates the distance to the spacecraft by the duration of the signal from them.
Positioning systems
The pioneer of satellite navigation systems available to the mass consumer is the American GPS. First devicesplaced on ships and military equipment, then, gradually becoming cheaper and improved, they reached personal cars and even cell phones.
Besides Americans, satellite navigation services are represented by our country, united Europe and, of course, China. And if the first civilian GPS devices, as a rule, worked only with US satellites, then those currently produced perfectly “see” our GLONASS, the European Galileo, and BeiDou, developed in China.
How to use the GPS bug
GPS bug is a symbiosis of two systems:
- satellite positioning devices;
- cellular communication on the GSM platform.
Each of the systems has its own function. The GPS module tracks its location in real time and converts the received data into geographic coordinates: latitude and longitude. The cellular communication unit, upon request, provides these coordinates to a third-party mobile device, the telephone number of which is entered into the bug's memory in advance. To do this, the location bug is equipped with a SIM card slot.
There are several ways to get coordinates on a smartphone from a bug (such devices are also called trackers), depending on the tracker device or the owner's preferences. Most often, an empty SMS is simply sent to the SIM-card number of the bug, or an “idle” call is made. In response, an SMS with the beacon coordinates is sent to the mobile device.
A more advanced way is to use special mobile applications. The method is somewhat more complicated, but the location of the object is immediately visible on the interactive map. If necessary, all movements of a person or object, the carrier of the tracker, can be tracked online.
How GPS bugs are used in the car
The bug for tracking the location of the car is equipped with a special antenna that allows you to properly hide the device itself from prying eyes, but at the same time remain visible to satellites of navigation systems. There is also no usual lithium-ion battery; instead, the tracker is connected to the on-board network of the car (or motorcycle). It is best to mount the beacon in such places that the hijacker will either not find it, or it would take an unreasonably long time to dismantle it.
Sometimes the owners go to such a trick: they install a real beacon, which is well hidden, and a "dummy" - an old non-working module, but nevertheless with a SIM card and connected to the network. A car tracking bug on your phone is best equipped with a SIM card with zero monthly fees and expensive calls.
If grandfather is a mushroom picker
A lot of trouble for rescuers and anxiety for relatives is sometimes delivered by old people - lovers of mushrooms and berries living in the countryside. Unfortunately, sometimes it is not possible to find the missing alive.
In this case, a pre-purchased tracking bugthe location of a person will save relatives from worries, an old man from stress, and even may turn out to be a salvation for him. After all, sometimes a lost person, even after getting through on the phone, is not able to explain where he is.
Where are our kids
You can also partially protect yourself from worries about children by using a location tracking bug. After all, it is difficult to make a child follow all our instructions exactly: which route to go home from school, how to behave, etc. Special trackers for children have additional functions, in addition to tracking location. This is the possibility of remote listening, etc. Such gadgets are produced in the form of watches, key chains, and other trinkets. And their small size allows them to be hidden even in school clothes. However, it is worth remembering that the tracker is not a panacea. And the basis of the safety of the child is the correct upbringing and training in safe behavior.
