This is where “assisted GPS” or “aGPS” comes into play. The technology was originally derived from governmental mandates requiring assistance with emergency situations, but has since evolved into a much extensive arena.
The aGPS technology in cell phones is not reliant upon actual GPS engine receivers to collect the information, but instead uses systems in the carrier’s network to do the grunt work. As a result the device doesn’t have to include the costly, high tech, battery-consuming hardware which is used to calculate one’s position. Time To First Fix (TTFF) technology means it may only take a few seconds rather than minutes to obtain a satellite fix. This could be the difference between life and death during emergency circumstances and is a great aspect of the current system.
Applications
Location Based Services (LBS) is one of the larger growing commercial applications of the cellular device (i.e. aGPS evolution – It’s all about Location, Location, Location! GPS technology has grown tremendously over the years to the point where you can locate a person’s position at any given time. With the advancement of cell phones, this location determination system is now moving into the next generation. modem) industry. Recent growing demand among the general public has caused the influx of many companies to exploit this technology and take it to the next level. Some things already available are to utilize a web-based application so a mother can locate her child, a pet owner can locate a lost animal, and so on. The possibilities are endless for this type of tracking.
Privy in the Privy
With this newer technology augmenting the existing one, there are still privacy concerns for the general public. This is great to have in an emergency situation but if not, is it something you want to have active all the time? As assisted GPS technology comes into the mainstream, questions will continue to be raised about individual privacy and mobile security. Carriers are creating LBS applications which provide tracking features while simultaneously protecting sensitive mobile data. The opportunity to enable aGPS for every mobile subscriber worldwide is at hand; it is a challenge wireless carriers will have to step up to meet.
How can we be sure it works?
When cellular devices began to include the aGPS system, the need to accurately test it caused many problems for the wireless industry (http://www.ee.sgs.com/ee_index/telecommunication_ee/services_telecommunication.htm). In the earlier years of validation, the lack of appropriate test equipment made for long days of field testing. Now, new equipment and detailed test plans have been developed to help reduce test times. The SGS network of Wireless Test Centres is able to support you in incorporating the aGPS technology into your wireless products.
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