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Can You Track a Phone Inside an Elevator?

By Tom Smith


In regards to Cell Phone and Cell Phone Location, it was once that determining reliable location with GPS Global Positioning System technology required buying expensive and sophisticated software and hardware. Now, complete solutions can be obtained through cellular providers and the newest mobiles.

A Smartphone is basically a stylish and sophisticated two-way radio. Needless to say they don't work in isolation, they're associated with a cellular network. At the center of the system are towers and base stations, arranged into a network of cells, that send and receive radio signals. Smartphones contain low-power transmitters that let them communicate with the nearest tower.

As a person travels from one cellular tower to another, the radio base stations monitor the strength of the cell phone's signal. As the cell phone moves toward the edge of one cell, the signal strength reduces. Simultaneously, the next radio base station in the cell being approached measures the strength of the signal strengthening. As mobile phones travel from cell location, to cell location, the towers transfer the signal from one to the next.

In remote areas, cellular towers can be too far apart to provide a dependable signal. Even when cellular towers are plentiful GPS satellite signals could be interrupted by large buildings, or possibly mountains. Signals usually do not get to building interiors very well and frequently people have trouble getting very clear signals inside of structures, in particular inside elevators.

Even without a GPS receiver, or when a satellite signal is not available, mobile phones can provide information about phone position. This method of calculating smartphone position is referred to as Triangulation or Mobile Location Services (MLS). Cell Tower Triangulation uses signal analysis data, including signal strength, to estimate the time it takes signals to travel from your phone to at least three cell towers to estimate smartphone accurately where it is. There are many variables affecting calculations and this method is inherently less reliable than GPS techniques.

To be able to conform with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) specifications, cell phone network companies determined to include GPS devices into mobile phones, in lieu of renovate the cell tower network. Yet the GPS in the majority of mobile phones usually are not like those in a standard GPS receiver which you carry hiking or cycling. Nearly all mobile phones don't allow an individual direct access to the GPS info; precise location approximation necessitates the assistance of the wireless system. Under FCC regulations for emergencies (e911) GPS data, is transmitted only if a 911 emergency call is made.

Smartphones may have GPS and the device may "know" accurately where it is, but it is unable to "tell" anyone else where it is, until connected to a cellular network.

It is actually relevant to remember that Wi-Fi enhances the wireless network grid offering extra conduits for location information to pass through to the internet. Mobile phones use a unique electronic identifier and when enabled can easily pass this advice, tracking down mobile phones inside the geographical area covered by the internet hotspot.

Using smartphone GPS as a consumer requires third-party software to take advantage of capabilities intrinsic to GPS Cell Phone Tracking and Mobile Location. There are several websites that offer detailed information on competing brands of cell phone monitoring software, particularly useful to Android Spy. They can do a lot more than just track location, but getting an understanding of the issues behind location tracking might be helpful.

In general it comes down to what location tracking system is available, and the requirements for accuracy. Hybrid methods are becoming available that use various techniques in tandem to offer best available location given available resources. It may be critical to consider how GPS location software programs handle the data and controls smartphone settings. Having real time tracking on demand, or preferring to minimize battery use and data transmission should be expected. Generally the application determines the location with a GPS receiver and transmits the tracking data to a server through a cellular packet data connection. The data connection to the server is usually made using the Internet. How often GPS samples are taken and how often and by what method the data is sent to the server affect effectiveness and costs.




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