A–F
Accelerometer
A sensor that detects movement and changes in speed. It is used to wake trackers and to detect harsh driving.
BeiDou
China's satellite navigation system.
CAN bus
A vehicle's internal data network, which some trackers read for fuel and engine data.
Dead reckoning
Estimating position from speed and direction when satellite signals are lost.
Engine hours
Total time an engine has been running, which is often used for plant servicing.
G–L
Galileo
The European Union's satellite navigation system.
Geofence
A virtual boundary on a map that triggers alerts when crossed.
GLONASS
Russia's satellite navigation system.
GNSS
Global Navigation Satellite System, the umbrella term for GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou.
IMEI
A unique identifier for the tracker's mobile modem.
LBS
Location-based services; often means estimating location from mobile phone masts.
LTE-M / NB-IoT
Low-power mobile networks designed for connected devices such as trackers.
M–Z
Multipath
Signal reflections from buildings that reduce accuracy.
OBD-II
The standard diagnostic port in modern cars, also used to power plug-in trackers.
Ping rate
How often a tracker reports its position.
SOS button
A button on a personal tracker that sends an emergency alert.
Telematics
The combination of telecommunications and vehicle data, which is broader than location alone.
Trilateration
Calculating position from distances to several known points, such as satellites.