How Does GPS Vehicle Tracking Work?

GPS vehicle tracking systems varies from system to system. A car tracking system may not satisfy the need and specific functions of your car or transit fleet. In this post let’s get an idea on how vehicle tracking and the technology and utility of how GPS tracking is used.

GPS triangulation: What is it?
The GPS as we know it is essentially possible through orbiting satellites which form a web of virtual data which is communicated to us in terms of maps; apart from communication the GPS has the capability of locating a GPS receiver from above, in this case location of your vehicle. For the purpose of understanding lets keep this at this level. Satellites orbiting the Earth transmit signals to the receivers in earth. Each satellite orbits the planet every 12 hours, and they are placed for accurate triangulation and such that there are at least 4 satellites at a given point on earth.

The process of Triangulation:
The following is a brief description of how triangulation works.

Step 1: A GPS tracking device receives the signals sent by the GPS satellites. This enables each satellite to know the exact distance from other satellites in its proximity.

Step 2: Base on the calculation of the time it takes for a signal to reach the device from each satellite, the GPS receiver can determine the GPS receiver’s exact location on earth and formulates it into human readable information.

The accuracy of GPS tracking is quite extraordinary, although the ease and comfort of use may shadow the complex technicalities involved, GPS has made life as we know it easier.


Shenzhen Eelink Communication Technology Co., Ltd is a GPS tracker manufacturing company in business for 10 years.