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GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based system that can pinpoint any position on earth – anytime and in any weather. Twenty-nine GPS satellites orbit the planet, approximately 11,000 nautical miles above earth. These satellites, perfectly positioned to cover the entire planet at any time in the earth's rotation, transmit signals that can be detected by a GPS receiver. These receivers then process the signals to determine a location.
The GPS system was originally developed for the Department of Defense, yet its potential and actual commercial applications are continually being discovered and enhanced. GPS is often used in aircraft and ships, and many automobile manufacturers are implementing this technology into new models.
Vehicle tracking is one of the fastest-growing GPS applications. GPS-equipped fleet vehicles, public transportation systems, delivery trucks, and courier services use receivers to monitor their locations at all times. Not only can vehicle tracking help improve efficiencies and productivity in mobile businesses, but they can also help overcome common problems such as getting lost and vehicle theft.
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