GPS Invention

The Man Who Created GPS

Roger Easton spearheaded the creation of the satellite system that lets us know where on Earth we are.

 

Roger Easton was a key figure in the development of the Global Positioning System, GPS, a ubiquitous feature of modern life.

What began as a way of tracking satellites like Sputnik became a way for satellites to track us here on the surface of Earth.

Easton's experiments with satellite tracking began in 1964, as the country tried to figure out what exactly was orbiting the Earth. Ten years later, he was granted a patent for "Navigation System Using Satellites and Passive Ranging Techniques." His system incorporated the main features of modern GPS, and because he was a scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory, the technology gave the United States a Cold War military advantage.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.The system provides critical capabilities to military, civil, and commercial users around the world. The United States government created the system, maintains it, and makes it freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.

Personal life 

Easton was born in Craftsbury, Vermont, and graduated from Middlebury College in 1943. He also attended the University of Michigan for 1 semester before joining the Naval Research Laboratory in 1943. At the Naval Research Laboratory he worked in the Radio Division on radar beacons and blind-landing systems. Easton also worked in the laboratory's Rocket-Sonde Branch which was dealing with space related research.Easton retired in 1980. In 1986, Easton ran for Governor and served 3 terms on the Board of the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative^.Easton died on May 8, 2014 at the age of 93.

Career

In 1955, Easton co-wrote the Naval Research Laboratory's Project Vanguard proposal for a U.S. satellite program in competition with two other proposals, including a proposal from the U.S. Army prepared by Wernher Von Braun. The Eisenhower Administration selected Project Vanguard. In 1957, Easton invented the Minitrack tracking system to determine the Vanguard satellite's orbit. When Sputnik I was launched, Easton extended the system to actively follow unknown orbiting satellites. 

In 1959, he designed the Naval Space Surveillance (NAVSPASUR) system. The Naval Space Surveillance System became the first system to detect and track all types of Earth-orbiting objects. It goes through the 33rd parallel, which is basically coast to coast. 

Later in his career at NRL, Easton conceived, patented, and led the development of essential enabling technologies for the United States Global Positioning System (GPS). During the 1960s and early 1970s he developed a time-based navigational system with passive ranging, circular orbits, and space-borne high precision clocks placed in satellites. The idea was tested with four experimental satellites: TIMATION I and II (in 1967 and 1969) and Navigation Technology Satellites (NTS) 1 and 2 (in 1974 and 1977). NTS-2 was the first satellite to transmit GPS signals.

Indian GPS satellite system   

Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System 

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or IRNSS is an indigenously developed Navigation Satellite System that is used to provide accurate real-time positioning and timing services over India and region extending to 1500 km around India. The fully deployed IRNSS system consists of 3 satellites in GEO orbit and 4 satellites in GSO orbit, approximately 36,000 km altitude above earth surface.However, the full system comprises nine satellites, including two on the ground as stand-by.The requirement of such a navigation system is driven because access to foreign government-controlled global navigation satellite systems is not guaranteed in hostile situations, as happened to the Indian military depending on American GPS during the Kargil War.The IRNSS would provide two services, with the Standard Positioning Service open for civilian use, and the Restricted Service (an encrypted one) for authorized users (including the military).

  

Development

As part of the project, ISRO opened a new satellite navigation center within the campus of ISRO Deep Space Network (DSN) at Byalalu, in Karnataka on 28 May 2013. A network of 21 ranging stations located across the country will provide data for the orbital determination of the satellites and monitoring of the navigation signal.

A goal of complete Indian control has been stated, with the space segment, ground segment and user receivers all being built in India. Its location in low latitudes facilitates a coverage with low-inclination satellites. Three satellites will be in geostationary orbit over the Indian Ocean. Missile targeting could be an important military application for the constellation.

The total cost of the project is expected to be 1420 crore (US$209 million), with the cost of the ground segment being 300 crore (US$44 million). Each satellites costing 150 crore (US$22 million) and the PSLV-XL version rocket costs around 130 crore (US$19 million) . The seven rockets would involve an outlay of around 910 crore (US$134 million). The IRNSS signal has been released for evaluation in Sep 2014

 

Satellites

1. IRNSS-1A 
2. IRNSS-1B
3. IRNSS-1C
4. IRNSS-1D
5. IRNSS-1E
6. IRNSS-1F and IRNSS-1G

Misconception about GPS system

1. Why do we need GPS Tracking when we trust our employees?

The main reason for having a GPS tracking system, for example, in fleet management, is more than just monitoring your employees. It’s main focus is to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency to grow your business. It’s been proven for years to reduce the cost of fuel and maintenance costs, increase efficiency in dispatching, routing and communication with your drivers.

2. We will lose the respect of our Employees if we integrate GPS tracking.

GPS tracking eliminates time-consuming paperwork and provides security for both themselves and their cargo. These and many other driver-specific benefits are often overlooked when the decision to purchase GPS tracking solution is being considered. Based on in-field studies, employees saw it as an asset and often learned to depend on it for routing information, roadside assistance and verification of work performed. 3. GPS tracking systems are complicated to install and complicated to use. Most fleet tracking systems are made of the same basic components: a GPS receiver installed within each vehicle, and some kind of software operating on office PCs that organizes and displays the information gathered. Both installation and usage of these systems are actually fairly simple.

4. GPS tracking is unnecessary – I can keep track of my fleet using cell phones.

Though useful as communication tools, cell phones/handhelds cannot provide the kind of information that’s really useful to fleet managers: real-time vehicle location, engine status, history of stops and stop times, and other metrics you need to know, such as mileage, fuel consumption speeding patterns. In fact, cell phones and handhelds have proven to be an inefficient way of managing a mobile workforce because they can so easily be turned off, left at home, dropped/damaged, etc. And when they are functioning correctly, they are usually with a person, so that you end up tracking your people rather than your mobile assets.

5. All GPS tracking systems are essentially the same – it’s the data that’s important, not the provider.

The reality is that most users of GPS tracking services don’t realize the full impact that real-time information can have upon their organization until after they start using the system on a regular basis. This is precisely why your choice of GPS tracking providers is so important: many of them are content to set you up with basic GPS tracking capabilities, but don’t commit to helping you leverage this powerful technology to transform the way you do business in both the short and long term.

6. A GPS tracking system is another product I can buy to help make my business more productive.

This myth uncovers a widely-held misunderstanding about GPS tracking technology. GPS tracking should not be viewed as a product, as if it were an accessory you can purchase for your fleet. Rather, GPS tracking is a service you are, in effect, subscribing to – delivering information you can’t collect yourself, but know would greatly increase the overall productivity and profitability of your business.

7. GPS Tracking Systems are too expensive

Since GPS tracking systems typically require an investment in hardware for each vehicle and in some kind of mapping/reporting application for use in the office. However, these systems have been proven to identify those inefficiencies and practices in the field that are already costing you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars every month – excess overtime, inefficient routing, side trips, excess engine idling, reckless driving, etc. The money you’re paying for these inefficiencies in most cases far exceeds the monthly investment required for a GPS tracking service. So in a very real sense, you’re paying for it already! Most of our customers achieve a return on investment within the first few months of using the system, due to savings in overtime costs, fuel expenditures, lower insurance premiums, reduced vehicle maintenance, and more.

8. GPS tracking is an unproven technology.

This is simply not true. GPS technology itself (the ability to locate and track objects at any time, in real-time, using satellites and wireless communications) has been effectively used for decades. As far as its application to commercial enterprises goes, the effectiveness of GPS fleet management systems in terms of increasing productivity and reducing operational costs has been documented by reputable third-party sources*. Any business that is actually using this technology will vouch for its effectiveness.

9. Our company is so busy, we’d never use a GPS tracking system.

A GPS tracking system makes perfect sense for a busy mobile workforce, since it helps to better manage fleet activities and presents a clear picture of all that is going on in the field at any given time. The busier a mobile operation is, the more critical it is to have accurate information — to ensure that money is not being wasted, work is being done on time and customers are being served effectively. Business managers know that high work volume and tight time frames can lead to problems (and angry customers) if jobs aren’t being effectively scheduled and kept track of. A GPS tracking system is an extremely effective tool to help do that, especially when combined with work order tracking, remote data capture and other mobile field service capabilities.

10. GPS tracking is for big companies only. It doesn’t make sense for a small company.

Any business with multiple vehicles to keep track of – whether it’s 5 or 500 – will benefit from having access to accurate, real-time information from the field. If you depend on your vehicles to get most of your business done, you need to know where they are now, where they’ve been and what they’re doing. GPS systems tend to pay for themselves quickly due to savings in operational costs and improved efficiency, leading to additional jobs completed per day. Businesses that take advantage of this technology usually experience growth, because of the increased revenue and positive word-of-mouth generated by the rapid customer response real-time information affords. Whether you’re managing a handful of service technicians or a fleet of hundreds of delivery trucks, real-time, location-based information will help you to make the most of your field operations and take your business to another level.

About Panic Alarm

INTRODUCTION

A panic alarm is an electronic device designed to assist in alerting somebody in emergency situations where a threat to persons or property exists. A panic alarm is frequently but not always controlled by a concealed panic alarm button. These buttons can be connected to a monitoring center or locally via a silent alarm or an audible bell/siren. The alarm can be used to request emergency assistance from local security, police or emergency services. Some systems can also activate closed-circuit television to record or assess the event.

Panic Alarm

When you are alone with a potentially dangerous person, its best to stay as calm as possible. It’s a situation that no one should ever be in, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take necessary precautions. After all, the worst part for most people is to determine the appropriate response or action to take when it happens.

A panic alarm is usually triggered by pressing an electronic panic button, which can be either wired or wireless. Also known as duress alarms, panic alarms could be bought separately or as part of a home security package, but the crucial thing to remember is where an alarm system could protect your property and loved ones while you are away from home, a panic alarm is extremely useful in protecting you when you are at home and in desperate need for help.

Panic Buttons Are Faster Than Cell Phones

Panic buttons need to be small, wireless, and easily accessible to be useful to everyone. They can activate an audible or silent alarm as soon as an intruder or threat is encountered. Although dialing the emergency number is easy on a cell phone, it takes some time to place the call and can alert an intruder. Panic buttons are often kept in a convenient pocket, on a belt loop, or even around the neck, and a single push initiates the call for help.

Examples of Alarm Panic Buttons are:-

A button in a critical system (such as a nuclear weapons system) used to quickly activate an extreme measure to mitigate an emergency situation.

A red button integral to key fobs which activates a car alarm's siren.

A device given to elderly individuals in order to maintain their independence outside of an Aged Care Facility, while still affording them a means of summoning help should they require it (i.e. a medical emergency that renders them immobile, like a fall, injury or illness). Such a device can also be referred to as an Emergency Medical Alert (EMA) button and can be fitted as either a pendant or bracelet to be worn by the user. MAB's are usually wireless connected to a call center. When the alarm is raised, an operator will call the individual's home to ensure a false alarm has not occurred; if there is no answer, the operator will alert either family members, emergency services, or both.

A button similar to the above, which is used indoors in self-sufficient houses for elderly people, where it alerts someone inside the house, who will then first check for a false alarm by phoning the person, and if there is no false alarm, will enter the person's flat to check what is the problem.

A button used in convenience stores, gas station, or other establishments staffed with a single employee during late hours. Often located under the counter near the cash register or safe, the button can be pressed in times of distress (Such as robbery, disruptive or threatening behavior, or a situation which may warrant assistance), triggering a silent alarm. If the button alarms a private security company, a fee may be charged for each time the button is used. This prevents misuse, and often aids in the employees judgment of the situation; whether or not it warrants the fee to have help to deal with the situation.

In pop culture, humorous variants of such a panic button also exist, such as a wearable button bearing only the word "PANIC" or an adhesive key, meant to look like a key for a computer keyboard, usually red, and also bearing only the word "PANIC"

What Does GPRS Stand For and How Does it Work?

What is GPRS?

GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service. It is a non-voice wireless Internet technology that is very popular due to the fact that it can support both phone calls and Internet data transmission. Some GSM, or  Global System for Mobile Communications,mobile phones  can even handle both phone communication and Internet access at the same time. It transmits data packets on GSM systems where cell phone channels are shared.

How Does GPRS Work?

In GSM cell phone systems, there will always be idle radio capacity. This is the capacity of a network provider that is not being used and it stays unused until other cell phone users decide to make phone calls. GPRS uses this idle radio capacity to establish a data network to be used for data transmission. If a network provider's idle radio capacity decreases, which means a lot of phone calls are being serviced, data transmission and speed decreases as well. Cell phone calls have a higher priority than Internet data transmission in cell phone network providers.

How GPS Phones Work

GPS Phone works

Global Positioning Tracking uses the concept of triangulation to calculate the location of the cell phone. Satellites and the cell phone are used as the landmarks for this purpose. A GPS tracking system can be used to give both real-time and historical navigation data as it uses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. The GNSS network incorporates a range of satellites that use microwave signals, and these signals are then analyzed to determine the location of the cell phone. A GPS device receives signals from the GPS satellites, and if it can receive strong signals from three or more satellites, then the location is calculated accurately. However, if the signals are weak, it could be difficult to accurately locate the cell phone. An important aspect of GPS tracking is that a GPS device cannot send signals; it can only receive them. So, satellites and the GPS system within the cell phone are two basic necessities for successful GPS tracking.

Fleet Management

Fleet Management System

Fleet management includes commercial motor vehicles such as cars, aircraft (planes, helicopters etc.), ships, vans and trucks, as well as rail cars. Fleet (vehicle) management can include a range of functions, such as vehicle financing, vehicle maintenance, vehicle telematics (tracking and diagnostics), driver management, speed management, fuel management and health and safety management. Fleet Management is a function which allows companies which rely on transportation in business to remove or minimize the risks associated with vehicle investment, improving efficiency, productivity and reducing their overall transportation and staff costs, providing 100% compliance...

Process of Fleet Management

Vehicle tracking

Vehicle tracking system The most basic function in all fleet management systems, is the vehicle tracking component. This component is usually GPS-based, but sometimes it can be based on GLONASS or a cellular triangulation platform.[2] Once vehicle location, direction and speed are determined from the GPS components, additional tracking capabilities transmit this information to a fleet management software application. Methods for data transmission include both terrestrial and satellite. Satellite tracking communications, while more expensive, are critical if vehicle tracking is to work in remote environments without interruption. Users can see actual, real-time locations of their fleet on a map. This is often used to quickly respond on events in the field.

Principle of geolocation based on the GPS for the position determination and the GSM/GPRS or telecommunication satellites network for the data transmission.