GPS is the best technology for tracking the location and movement of any object anywhere in the world. GPS stands for “Global Positioning System,” and refers to a worldwide network of satellites, ground stations, and hardware units. The hardware receives radio signals from the satellites and stations, which allows it to determine its location. GPS is used in everything from smartphones to fleet management software.
Someone using a GPS can determine the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the object they are tracking, as well as the time it was located. Some receivers are more precise than others or receive radio signals more frequently: The best GPS units can track a location down to the last centimeter and can update this location every one or two seconds.
Here, we’ll explain the specifics about how GPS works, cover its most common consumer and commercial uses, and even give you a short and sweet history lesson on the technology.
What Is GPS and How Does It Work?
The GPS system is operated by the US government, and has three components, or “segments.” The first is the Space Segment, which consists of between 24 and 32 satellites orbiting the Earth at all times in order to send one-way radio messages to Earth. 31 satellites are typically active in this network at all times, with each one orbiting the Earth twice per day.
The GPS constellation map shows how each of the 31 satellites in the US network orbits the Earth. Image: GPS.gov
Next is the Control Segment, which refers to the several dozen ground facilities around the globe. They monitor and analyze satellite transmissions. Some control the satellites as well. Last is the User Segment, which refers to the millions of receiver units around the world, from cell phones to bulldozers.
The US GPS system is just one of four global satellite navigation systems, alongside those operated by Russia, China, and the European Union.
What Is GPS Used For?
GPS technology is most commonly used for two reasons. First, it can locate and monitor valuable objects, from cars to business assets like construction equipment.
Second, it can help individuals navigate from one location to another on land, at sea, or in the air.
Other uses for GPS might include mapping a geographic location or taking synchronized time measurements. GPS is used by hundreds of millions of people every day, whether for personal use, for commercial business use, or for noncommercial operations such as scientific studies or the military.
Who uses GPS?
Both consumers and commercial enterprises benefit hugely from GPS technology, and rely on the GPS system on a daily basis. You use it whenever you pull up Google Maps when driving somewhere, and any business with valuable assets or vehicles uses GPS to track their locations for safety, security, and efficient transport.
The global supply chain relies on GPS and similar global navigation systems in order to operate smoothly.
It’s not a foolproof system: Cybercriminals use a tactic called GPS spoofing, which sends inaccurate data to GPS receivers in order to redirect or disrupt a navigation system. Still, GPS remains a highly useful technology in a wide range of industries, from agriculture and infrastructure maintenance to public safety and travel.
GPS: A Short History
The story of GPS began way back in 1957, when Russia launched the first satellite to orbit the Earth, Sputnik. Radio signals from Sputnik revealed something scientists called the Doppler Effect: The signal frequency increased as the satellite approached its receiver, and decreased as the satellite left. This allowed them to calculate the position of a satellite and its receiver, ushering in the first global satellite navigation system, Transit, which the US launched in 1960.
Advances in accuracy and power led to a much better system, GPS, which was created in 1978. The system was initially for military use, and wasn’t available to use around the world until 1994, shortly after the release of Russia’s GLONASS system. The other two global satellite navigation systems are China’s BeiDou, in operation since 2000, and the EU’s Galileo, which began operating in 2016.
Two other world powers are working on their own systems, which are regionally operational today: Japan has QZSS and India has the NavIC system.
GPS in Consumer Technology
Most modern smartphones have a built-in GPS — you use it every time you navigate through a mapping app like Google Maps or Apple Maps. You’ll also find a GPS on some smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch.
However, GPS trackers are a little too large to be crammed into every Apple device: Airpods and Airtags do not have their own GPS trackers. Instead, they use Bluetooth connectivity to ping any nearby iPhones or iPads, piggybacking off of their GPS capablities to disclose their locations to their owners.
You also will not find a GPS in most consumer laptops, although some may have one. You’re more likely to find a GPS tracking system built into your car, although some vehicles do not have one, either. If you want to use a purpose-built GPS tracker, you can order a button-sized individual tracker online for around $20.
GPS in Commercial Tracking
Any business that owns valuable assets or needs to guide its workers to new locations will benefit hugely from adapting a GPS-powered tracking system. They come in many forms.
Who needs GPS tracking?
Large and moveable assets like landscaping equipment may need GPS asset tags to prevent asset misappropriation or theft. Smaller systems might not rely on GPS: For example, IT asset management systems tend to use barcodes, since items like laptops or desk chairs usually don’t travel around enough to justify the higher cost of GPS tracking.
GPS is even more important for vehicle fleets, since they help drivers navigate to their destination in addition to tracking the location of each vehicle. Commercial trucking operations need GPS for fleet management when route planning for freight or last-mile deliveries, and GPS tracking is part of the ELDs that are required by federal law for most commercial motor vehicles.
GPS is also used to navigate commercial boats, ships, and airplanes.
What’s the best GPS tracking system?
Given the breadth of uses for a GPS system, it’s hard to narrow down the best types of receivers. At Tech.co, we’ve researched two popular categories. First, many businesses within the US chose to track their most important assets with GPS. We’ve rounded up the best GPS asset tracking companies, and we put Samsara at the top of the list, due to features like maintenance tracking, historical data, and automatic alerts.
Our other area of research is the vehicle routing and dispatch system, which allows companies to guide entire fleets of drivers at once. You can find our guide to the best route planning software here. Our focus is full fleet management systems, which offer more management services than just GPS tracking.
How do fleet management systems use GPS?
A fleet management system does all the same GPS-powered routing that a routing and dispatch system does, but it also incorporates the telematics data available from each vehicle. This data might include engine use, idling time, and even fuel use, and gives fleet managers more insight into the state of their fleet.
GPS is a key element in these systems, since it allows managers to see where each vehicle is and how fast it is traveling. Our top choice is Verizon Connect Reveal, for its wealth of features and low starting costs, but the equally feature-heavy Samsara was a close second choice.
The Verizon Connect Reveal fleet management software is Tech.co’s top pick for most vehicle tracking needs. Image: Tech.co
GPS Tracking Costs
Commercial GPS tracking systems range in cost, depending on the amount of features included and the number of items that require a GPS unit.
A consumer GPS tracking unit can be purchased for between $20-$40, and can be tracked through a mobile app.
A system that just tracks asset or fleet locations might be as low as $5-$10 per asset, per month. These systems are more complex than just a single-use GPS tracker: They come with software that can monitor all assets at once, and may include alerts if assets are moved without authorization.
A full-fledged fleet management system will offer much more than just GPS tracking, so it costs more, as well. The low end of the price range is around $20-35 per vehicle, per month for a very basic system, but these costs can rise as high as $50-$100 or more per vehicle, per month. The majority of fleet management providers do not make their prices public, but you can read our full guide to fleet management costs for more information.
Conclusion: GPS Technology Is Everywhere
Global navigation systems like GPS help billions of people daily. You use GPS to visit your grandma, and every package delivery on the planet uses a satellite-guided navigation system to arrive at its destination.
Needless to say, GPS technology is pretty cool. You can directly benefit from that orbiting network of 30-odd satellites whenever you pick up your smartphone or buy a fleet management system, and you might as well: If you’re a US citizen, your tax dollars are keeping the system working.