In today’s world, how to guarantee the safety of family members when they are away from home? Looks challenging. Well, the GPS tracking technology allows you to monitor the whereabouts of your loved ones with high location tracking precision and have peace of mind. You can track the exact location of teens and elders and their vehicles through GPS tracking devices.
The accuracy of personal GPS tracking devices makes personal tracking more convenient and effective. The advanced technology helps reduce GPS device error margin to the maximum, giving you fairly accurate location details. The portable GPS signal strength is a crucial factor that improves the accuracy of GPS navigation systems to help you ensure the safety of family members.
This article will give a detailed overview of various aspects of GPS tracking accuracy and the factors affecting GPS precision. It would guide you to use navigation technology effectively in personal tracking with accurate location information.
Table of Contents
What is GPS Tracking Accuracy?
Global Positioning System tracking devices are the latest gadgets that work with cutting-edge technology to provide near-perfect accuracy. By using such devices and applications, you can effortlessly track the exact location and movements of your loved ones. This feature ensures their safety and gives you peace of mind, knowing you can provide immediate assistance.
These devices can also provide you with the exact location with an accuracy of approximately 5-7 meters. And with high-precision devices, you can get an accuracy level as close as one meter.
But wait, there’s more! The marvel of GPS technology is awe-inspiring! At any given moment, at least four satellites transmit signals to a GPS-receiving device, collecting data on latitude, longitude, altitude, and time. A tracker then utilizes this data to provide an extremely accurate position of a person, vehicle, or any object.
And guess what? This data is correct and consistent for about 95% of the time for any object near or on the Earth’s surface.
So, whether you’re a parent wanting to keep an eye on your child’s whereabouts, or a business owner needing to track your fleet of vehicles, these tracking devices are the perfect solution for you.
What Is The Precision of GPS Tracking Devices?
Global Positioning System technology is one of the most remarkable inventions of modern times, providing us with real-time location-tracking facilities that were once just a dream. Family1st offers one of the most efficient devices based on this technology to help you locate your teen members traveling alone or keep track of your assets. But how does this technology manage to display the exact location of an object with such accuracy?
Well, the secret lies in the accuracy of the Global Positioning System. The level of accuracy determines how precisely the Navigation System displays the location of an object. The more precise it is, the easier it is to locate your loved ones or assets.
This technology uses an incredible array of satellites and ground-based receivers to calculate the position of any object with a minimum error margin. The position can be determined with remarkable accuracy, precision, and reliability by analyzing the distance between a tracking receiver and at least four satellites.
However, it’s important to note that not all applications of this technology require the same level of perfection. The accuracy level of these tools can vary, and it’s up to you to decide how much accuracy you need for a specific application.
Based on the perfection levels and corresponding application criteria, GPS devices can be classified into two types. So, it’s crucial to consider the accuracy required for your particular use case before choosing a device.
Types of GPS Tracking Devices and Their Precision Levels
Global Positioning System devices can be classified into two types based on the perfection levels and corresponding application criteria. The two types are
Consumer-Grade GPS Device
- These are the most common form of navigational tools in the form of handheld devices like phones, watches, etc., offering a convenient mode of operation.
- If you or your family member require navigation support while driving, biking, boating, or trekking, these devices are ideal solutions.
- These devices are best for personal tracking where a high degree of professional accuracy is not required but provide adequate support in location tracking of your teens and dear ones.
- These devices can provide affordable yet reliable solutions to meet your needs for monitoring the movement of kids, pets, and vehicles.
Professional-Grade GPS Device
- As the name suggests, these devices are used in professional activities such as surveying, construction, research work, and explorations.
- These are designed to provide precise location information up to a few centimeters.
- PGPS are usually expensive and have rugged designs to withstand extreme weather conditions like heat, cold, water, and dust.
- These devices work in sync with software support for collecting, processing, analyzing data, and providing precise information.
Pros and Cons of GPS Tracking
If we start analyzing the features of both types, we will have a fair idea about the pros and cons of each type. Now, it’s your call to utilize the positive aspects and minimize disadvantages by carefully selecting the applications. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages:
| Type of Device | Pros | Cons |
| Consumer-Grade GPS |
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| Professional-Grade GPS |
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GPS Device Error Margin
A Global Positioning System device can show location mapping with a certain degree of accuracy, varying from a few meters to a few centimeters depending on the device type and design. The error margin is nothing but the deviation in the distance when determining the device location.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- These devices may experience a certain amount of error in location reading due to factors such as satellite locations, atmospheric interferences, and the quality of the GPS receiver.
- Selecting the correct device suitable for the application is essential to minimize the effect of the error margin on location tracking.
- The error margin of these devices can be misleading for very accurate location tracking, and although it may be insignificant for some people, it matters a lot to others.
- Larger Global Positioning System error margins during vehicle navigation can be dangerous in unknown places or adverse weather conditions, while error margins within a few meters are safer.
GPS Signal Strength
Global Positioning System satellites transmit radio signals that are crucial in accurately determining the location of a person or vehicle on Earth. The power of these flashes, as the receiver captures, is crucial in providing precise location information. It means the higher the strength, the more accurate the position measurement.
It is a crucial factor because weak signal strength can lead to erroneous location information and, in extreme cases, no data at all. The advanced designs incorporate sophisticated receivers that enhance signal power and ensure positional accuracy.
How does GPS Signal Strength Affect GPS Tracking Accuracy?
The Global Positioning System signal strength determines how well the satellites establish communication with the GPS signal-receiving device. Suppose you live in densely populated areas with high structures or near other same-frequency waves. In that case, signal obstruction and interference can lead to reduced strength. Consequently, you may get different location data for your asset, vehicle, or teen members.
Factors Affecting the Accuracy Of GPS Tracking Devices
Global Positioning System devices work with a high degree of location tracking precision, but still, there are chances that accuracy may be affected. So what causes the tracking to go wrong?
There are a variety of factors that can impact GPS signals as these are being transmitted from space to the ground. The following section will discuss how these factors interfere with signal transmission and affect accuracy.
Signal Strength
The GPS signals transmitted by the satellites must make their way through several layers of the atmosphere before communicating with the device’s receiver. While traveling this large distance and before reaching the receiver, the flash might get affected by several interferences that can cause a reduction in its strength.
The various reasons behind reduced signal strength are as follows:
- The flashes traveling through different layers of the atmosphere can result in reduced strength and make it difficult for the receiver to track the position of the devices accurately.
- When it reaches the lowermost layer of the atmosphere or troposphere, it might face the adverse effects of rain, snow, and clouds, which can reduce the strength of these flashes.
- Sometimes these signals interfere with physical structures near the Earth’s surface before reaching the receiver. This can cause distortion and a reduction in signal strength.
Atmospheric Condition
The Global Positioning System device can provide highly accurate location tracking, but unpredictable atmospheric and weather conditions can affect its signal accuracy. Rain, snow, and stormy weather can weaken or delay the signal transmission from the satellite to the receiver, resulting in a drop in accuracy levels.
In cold weather conditions, battery-operated devices emit less power, which can degrade the signals. Environmental factors such as solar activity, ionosphere disturbances, and other interferences can cause distortion, delay, and interruption of signals, leading to inaccuracies in location tracking.
Obstructions
Have you wondered how sometimes your perfectly fine Global Positioning System device does not offer accurate readings? Well, one reason for this is that physical obstructions can interfere with GPS receivers’ signals to determine location. When signals bounce off buildings, trees, or other structures on the ground, they can get distorted or delayed. This can cause errors in the location information that the receiver receives, making it difficult to pinpoint your exact location.
Some obstructions that can lead to signal interference include tall buildings, other structures, and natural obstacles such as mountains, trees, and deep valleys.
It means that in a situation where the barriers mentioned above are in the way of signals, or even if you are going through a tunnel, there are chances that the Global Positioning System coordinates you receive are less accurate.
Interference
GPS signals can be disrupted by interference from various sources, leading to inaccurate positioning data. Some common sources of signal interference are radio-frequency devices, jamming devices, and electromagnetic interference. Radio-frequency devices that emit signals with matching frequencies to signals can interfere with it.
Deliberate use of illegal jamming devices can also disrupt GPS tracking, leading to inaccurate location data. Electromagnetic interference from power lines, transformers, or other electrical equipment can distort signals and affect accuracy.
Hardware Quality
Sometimes, the tracking system generates inaccurate results due to the quality and reliability of the hardware device used. The design and quality of a tracker can significantly impact the accuracy of data regarding the location and movements of objects or persons.
Some of the hardware-related factors that affect the accuracy of data are as follows:
- The hardware devices with the most sensitive receivers can capture data accurately and provide you with the exact location information.
- Devices with more efficient processing capabilities will function much faster to give you the location data.
- If your device is updated or has poor reception capabilities, it can only receive high-accuracy and efficiency signals.
- Regular updates improve system accuracy.
Software Algorithms
The Global Positioning System devices can work effectively in sync with software that processes and analyzes satellite data and provides location information. Some of the critical aspects of software algorithms to help generate accurate data are as follows:
- Software applications handle the multiple data received from satellites to calculate the accurate location of the person or vehicle and help to gain the desirable accuracy.
- Software algorithms help to compensate for external influences like atmospheric conditions and interference.
- It filters out any errors or noises in the signal to improve the quality of the input signal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How accurate are consumer-grade GPS devices compared to professional-grade ones?
A: Consumer-grade GPS devices are typically less accurate than professional-grade ones. Professional-grade GPS devices are built with higher-quality hardware and more advanced software algorithms, which enable them to achieve greater accuracy in tracking locations.
Q: How can I improve the accuracy of my GPS tracking device?
A: You can improve the accuracy of your Global Positioning System tracking device by ensuring that it has a clear line of sight to the sky, avoiding areas with obstructions and interference, upgrading to a higher-quality GPS device, and using software algorithms that are optimized for accuracy.
Q: How does GPS signal strength affect GPS tracking accuracy?
A: GPS signal strength can affect GPS tracking accuracy by causing errors in location data. A weak GPS signal can result in inaccurate or no readings, while a strong signal can result in more accurate and consistent location data.
Q: How do GPS navigation system accuracy and personal tracking relate to each other?
A: GPS navigation system accuracy is important in personal tracking because it affects the accuracy of location data collected and displayed. If a GPS navigation system is inaccurate, the location data being collected may also be inaccurate, compromising the effectiveness of personal tracking.
Conclusion
Global Positioning System technology enables remote monitoring and tracking of vehicles, assets, and people through advanced satellite communication. It ensures the safety of loved ones, particularly teens traveling alone in vehicles. However, external factors and device quality can affect the accuracy of location data provided by GPS devices, resulting in error margins that impact precision. This article will guide you on GPS accuracy, signal quality, device characteristics, and potential error causes to ensure precise data and device selection based on accuracy level.