Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have been universally available on the market for over a decade and are more common than ever in everyday objects. GPS tracking is found inside cars and cell phones; You can buy GPS watches, pens, or a dongle for your laptop. Tracking a person or a package has never been easier.

But how does it all work?

Satellite networks in orbit around the earth are used to transmit signals that are used to determine the location of GPS trackers. There are three types of GPS receivers, those that record and save position data, those that transmit their positions, known as data pushers, and the devices that allow users through an SMS text message to request positioning information, also called data extractors.

Standard GPS trackers are typically 10 meters accurate, which is sufficient for most everyday use. They are also available in two formats; The first, the data extractors provide a live and real-time update of the position of the trackers, through the use of a computer, linked to mapping software such as Google Earth. Data push GPS trackers are used to track and follow stolen goods or the progress of a live vehicle such as emergency service vehicles, here the GPS device sends a signal so that the user can view the position of a GPS tracker.

The second system requires an individual to request the location of the devices, data extractors. Sending you a text message usually does this. The GPS tracker then responds, sending a text message with its current mapping coordinates, which in turn can be entered on a computer or tracked via a mapping application on a modern GPRS mobile phone. Businesses with fleets of vehicles that need to check route availability and progress make valuable use of this technology to ensure that their ambulance, taxi or pizza arrive on time.

In cases where the exact position is not required, but details of the trips or the route that a particular vehicle took, you can use a GPS logger. This records position, speed and direction details that can be retrieved from a memory chip at a later date. They are small and lightweight and are easily transported without causing inconvenience or obstruction. This type of product is popular with athletes, such as cyclists, where they can use GPS tracking to analyze their performance at a later date. Allow the user to make improvements in performance, route selection or driving style.