Your Smartphone Is Not as Dumb as You Think
View PDF | Print View
by: DrewWoods
Total views: 85
Word Count: 671
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2011 Time: 6:34 AM
The latest 'smart' mobile phones have a lot of built-in features that make them very functional, but they often need additional software to take advantage of them. Cell phones could have GPS and the unit might "recognize" accuratelywhere it is, however it cannot "tell" others where it is, until connected to a cellular network.
Concerning Cell Phone Tracking and Mobile Location, it was once that tracking accuratelocation with GPS Global Positioning System technology mandated acquiring costly and complicated hardware and software. Now, comprehensive answers can be obtained through cellular providers and the newest mobile phones.
A Smartphone is basically a stylish and sophisticated two-way radio. Obviously they don't work by themselves, they are a part of a cellular network. At the center of the system are towers and base stations, positioned into a network of cells, that send and receive radio signals. Smartphones include low-power transmitters that connect to the nearest tower.
As someone moves from one cellular tower to a new, the radio base stations monitor the strength of the smart phone's signal. As the mobile phone goes toward the edge of one cell, the signal strength weakens. At the same time, the next radio base station within the cell being approached calculates the strength of the signal increasing. As mobile phones travel from cell location, to cell postion, the towers transfer the signal from one to the next.
In remote locations, cell towers might be too far apart to provide a consistent signal. Even when cell towers are abundant GPS satellite signals could be impeded by tall buildings, or mountains. Signals tend not to penetrate building interiors effectively and often people have difficulty getting clear signals inside buildings, particularly within elevators.
Even without having a GPS receiver, or whenever a satellite signal is not strong enough, smartphones can provide information about phone position. This means of computing handset position is labelled as Triangulation or Mobile Location Services (MLS). Cell Tower Triangulation uses signal analysis data, including power, to estimate the time it takes signals to go from your cell phone to a minimum of three cell towers to estimate cell phone precisely where it is. Generally there are many factors having an effect on estimates and this specific method is inherently less reliable than GPS methods.
In order to meet the with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements, cellular phone network suppliers decided to incorporate GPS devices into smartphones, rather than overhaul the cellular tower network. But the GPS in most mobile phones are not like those in a regular GPS receiver which you take hiking or biking. Most cell phones do not give an individual direct access to the GPS information; reliable location calculation necessitates the assistance of the wireless network. Under FCC regulations for emergencies (e911) GPS information, is transmitted only during an emergency 911 call.
It can be worthwhile to note that Wi-Fi complements the cellular network grid providing added conduits for location information to pass through to the internet. Handsets use a distinctive electronic identifier and when enabled can easily pass this info, finding smartphones inside the geographical area covered by the wifi hotspot.
In general it comes down to what location tracking system is available, and the need for accuracy. Hybrid methods are becoming available that use various techniques in tandem to offer best available location given available resources. It may be critical to consider how GPS location software applications handle the data and controls cell phone settings. Having real time tracking on demand, or preferring to minimize battery use and data transmission should be expected. Typically the application determines the location with a GPS receiver and transmits the tracking data to a server through a cellular packet data connection. The data connection to the server is usually made over the Internet. How often GPS samples are taken and how often and by what method the data is sent to the server impact usefulness and costs.
About the Author
Are you wondering just just where your Mobile Workforce, Family or Loved One is? Systems for Phone GPS Tracking involve a number of issues including Girlfriend Cheating On Me and Android GPS. Software that addresses these issues can do a great deal more than just track location, but getting an understanding of the factors behind location monitoring could be useful.
Rating: Not yet rated
