Hardware required for Mobile Positioning

[jimmyjames123]

I'm working on a Mobile Positioning project. Does anyone have any experience with some barebones hardware that can be used for Mobile Positioning?

The intended application is a simple mobile device (no screen, no buttons) that pings a carrier's tower. The carrier then calculates the approximate position of the device and sends it to a private server.

Any advice or assistance in this project is greatly appreciated.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Please don't double post...

Why not use GPS? It'll be a lot cheaper, is more universally available signal-wise, and more self-contained chips than you can shake a stick at.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[jimmyjames123]

My issue with GPS is the need for line of sight, and the high power consumption of the chips.

Why do you think GPS would be cheaper? My application needs a GSM chip for communication, so the GPS would be an additional cost.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Your original post said nothing about needing GSM communications...

What is the end product? How many do you intend to manufacture as that will have a major effect on final pricing and what method to suggest...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[jimmyjames123]

The end goal is a low-accuracy tracking device, using minimal hardware. I don't need the pin-point accuracy that comes with GPS, plus I'd like to be able to put one of these inside a train or truck, so it wouldn't have 'line of sight' to a gps satellite.

If it works, I'd like to get 1000 of these for my business.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I think some high end iPods do that now.

I know iPhones do. When the GPS signal is not available, they use the 3G/wireless signal for location, by inferring their location from which wireless nodes they can 'see'. To do that, they access a global database of position coordinates by wireless node, which I think is maintained by a third party through a service, whose name I have forgotten right now. Try a search for 'GSM location' or something similar.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[jimmyjames123]

I need it to be a disposable device, since it will be packed with equipment when shipped.

I know that carriers can use triangulation to get an approximate location of a device with GPS, I just need to know what the minimum hardware requirements would be for a carrier to pick up the device, identify it, locate it, and report it.

 

[benta]

Minimum hardware requirements:
GSM module, power supply, antenna.

The triangulation is done by the mobile carrier. You need to negotiate with them what that service would cost and if it's possible (legal issues).

Benta.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Unless you are a law enforcement agency, the mobile carriers are not going to allow triangulation using their sites.

Expense-wise, I would consider writing an app for a mobile phone, and simply include one of those in the shipment. Offer a refund to ship the small package back that covers the cost of the phone and service for the month.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[VEBill]

Hong Kong based Internet sellers (such as for example Deal Extreme) sell the finished product. If there was a cheaper solution than GPS + GSM then they'd sell it.