How to Choose a GPS Tracker
1. 3G or 2G or 4G
Why choose 3G?
Before you start looking for a supplier, you need to know that 2G is still available in your country/region or will be shut down in the near future. If the answer is yes, then you only need to focus
on 3G/4G equipment,best to buy 4G equipment.
Is 3G/4G GPS tracker better than 2G tracker?
No, not exactly. The main reason for manufacturers to manufacture 3G GPS trackers is that many countries/regions such as Japan, Thailand, Australia have closed 2G. The data traffic between the GPS tracker and the server is very small, and 2G is good enough. However, if the tracker also uploads pictures or videos, 3G is definitely better than 2G, because pictures and videos are big data packets.
Why is 3G/4G more expensive than 2G, even if they have the same functions?
This is because 3G chipsets are much more expensive than 2G. In addition, manufacturers need to invest a lot of money to develop new 3G equipment. You might think that it is easy to convert a 2G device to a 3G version, but in fact it is all about making a new device. The manufacturer needs to redesign the circuit board, find new components and rewrite the firmware. All in all, 3G chipsets and R&D investment make 3G equipment more expensive.
2. Some major GPS chipsets – Ublox, Sirf III and MTK
In the GPS tracking business, many manufacturers and designers use the following GPS modules: Ublox, Sirf Star III and MTK GPS.
The following is a comparison of three GPS chips based on our design and manufacturing experience:
MTK GPS
GPS tracks newcomers to the business and is developing rapidly. Its performance in GPS signal acquisition and stability is slightly worse. If the vehicle leaves the tunnel, it may take some time to obtain the GPS signal. But the cost is good.
Sirf III GPS
Cost and performance are between Ublox and MTK GPS. Globalsat and RoyalTek GPS modules are based on Sirf Star III. Compared with today's Ublox GPS module, this technology may be a bit old. When the vehicle is stationary, the accuracy of the GPS signal is sometimes a bit crazy.
Ublox GPS
It works very stable and has good performance. Whether the vehicle is moving or stationary, it can acquire GPS signals very quickly. If the vehicle comes out of the tunnel, GPS signal collection is also the best. GPS has the highest accuracy. Ublox's craftsmanship and appearance are better. But the cost is higher.
3. What can we do to improve GPS performance?
These shortcomings of Sirf III and MTK GPS (and even uBlox) can be avoided by good algorithms in firmware, sophisticated hardware design or professional installation (especially better GPS antenna location). Therefore, manufacturers can make full use of these three GPS modules to meet customer needs.
Good algorithm in firmware
A good firmware algorithm means a powerful firmware structure that can handle most known or unknown errors. As the US military restricts GPS and GPS signal reception, the GPS drift problem cannot be eliminated. But we can filter these drifts by monitoring other important factors, such as engine on/off status, tremor state intensity level and duration-no tremor or slight tremor means no car is running, the speed provided by GPS-the car cannot travel 200 kilometers When / h reaches 0 km / h in an instant, the number of miles traveled-a car can't fly hundreds of miles in a few seconds. A good way is to continue to use the same old position in the upcoming data string when the engine state is off or not shaking.
Exquisite hardware design
Exquisite hardware design requires the work of experienced hardware engineers. In the design trend, GPS components are designed to be smaller and inside the device. Therefore, engineers will consider more factors in PCB layout. GPS parts should be placed away from other metal parts and other chip parts, resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Ensure that the GPS components live in a clean and quiet environment: there are no components of any kind under it; otherwise, competition may increase: ensure that the GPS is on top of all components. The metal shield should be electroplated and grounded. Keep away from EMC noise sources, such as CPU, SDRAM, oscillator DC/CD, power supply. Automobile explosion-proof membranes can also affect GPS signals. In a nutshell, GPS parts should be treated well.
Better equipment placement
The external GPS antenna is better than the internal GPS antenna. Active GPS antennas are better than passive GPS antennas. Try to place the GPS antenna outside the car, on top of the car. Or on the dashboard under the windshield. The arched side faces the sky and the flat side faces the ground. In fact, the GPS coordinates indicate the location of the GPS antenna, not the location of the installed GPS tracker.