The United States Government is offering a Global Positioning System poster that highlights the basics of how GPS tracking technology works.

The poster, which features a picture of a tractor, an image of a spaceship and tracking satellites in orbit, was designed to teach science and math students on the middle and high school levels, as well as the public at large, about the importance of GPS tracking technology and how it works, particularly in agriculture.

Many people do not realize that Global Positioning Systems have become a useful and important tool in agriculture. Known as “precision” or “site-specific” farming, GPS tracking allows farmers to couple real-time data collection with precise position information. In other words, thanks to this technology, farmers are able to plan and map their farms, take soil samples, scout crops, guide their tractors, document the application of fertilizer – and so much more – much more accurately. Read the rest of this entry »

Only a few generations ago, you had to spread manure in order to fertilize your fields using a tractor or a shovel. In some cases, farmers would allow nature to take its course and have their livestock spread the manure themselves while they grazed in the fields.

Today, however, with the development of larger equipment and chemical fertilizers, many farmers use huge tractor spreader systems to fertilize their fields making soil the process of foil fertilization evolve more than ever.

In order to apply the right amount and type of fertilizer to every section of a farmer’s field, agronomists developed software that utilizes GPS. A few years ago, a survey showed that this evolving technology was being used by around 20 percent of Midwestern farmers. The technology is called variable rate application, according to Iowa State University’s soil fertility scientist, Antonio Mallarino. And he says even more farmers are now using it. Read the rest of this entry »

Four tourists perished in a houseboat accident in January. The accident, which took place in the state of Kerala, India, has lead officials in Kerala to consider using GPS tracking devices to create a safer environment on houseboats for both locals and tourists.

The new GPS tracking program is currently being piloted by Kerala authorities. A total of 100 houseboats have been outfitted with trackers, and the government believes that this will allow them to maintain awareness of the whereabouts of houseboats, which are popular among tourists, but also dangerous, particularly when they are taken into the backwater areas in Kerala.

This new program will use GPS technology to track the location of houseboats and monitor what is happening with those vessels. Officials are considering using a “geo-fence”, in addition to the GPS tracking devices. This fence will immediately alert them if there are any variations or alterations in the anticipated route of the houseboats, which could potentially cause an accident or influence criminal activity. Read the rest of this entry »

The Globalstar Satellite Network is, as its name implies, a network of second generation satellites that were launched into space to provide commercial services for crystal clear voice technology and more. The launch, completed on February 6^th of 2013 consists of 32 Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites.

The satellites comprising the Globalstar Satellite Network are simplistic in design, consisting of S and L-band antennas for communication, two solar arrays, and a trapezoidal body. The software for the systems is located on the ground rather than on the individual satellites so they can be maintained and upgraded much more efficiently.

The second generation satellites are designed to last 15 years, which is twice as long as the first generation satellites and they accommodate voice communications as well as duplex and simplex data services and products. In addition to crystal clear voice services, users are attracted to the Globalstar network for its ease of use. One thing users love about making and receiving calls via Globalstar satellites is that they lack the delays or latency associated with making calls on other satellite networks. Read the rest of this entry »

Albany, Oregon Implementing GPS Tracker to Thwart Bike Theft

Police in Albany have come out with a new GPS-tracking system that is designed to lower the amount of bike thefts in the city.

Around 130 bikes were stolen in 2015 in Albany — and that is only the number that was reported.

This GPS-tracking system is designed with the hope to stop bike thefts and other property thefts before it happens.

Three GPS-tracking devices were launched by the Albany Police Department to attach to bikes and other small packages. The devices are attached to the bikes, the police wait for a thief to take the bike and seconds later of being stolen, the tracker sets off an alarm that signals patrol officers on their computers of the theft.

This tracking system is put in place with the intent to catch the thieves before they are able to steal real property and grab them before they actually succeed in stealing the property rather than after they have stolen it. Read the rest of this entry »