Sometimes we receive complaints that our application determines coordinates incorrectly. Parents often wonder why they can't see their child "sitting next to them" on the map. Let's try to find out how the Setracker application determines coordinates and the reasons why these coordinates may be inaccurate.
How does “Setracker” determine the location of the child?
First of all, it is important to understand that the application does not determine the location by itself - it simply presents the coordinates received from the child's device (smartphone, watch or GPS tracker) on the map . Devices can determine their location by LBS, Wi-Fi and GPS and each of these means of determination has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Diagram of how the application works
Why are the coordinates determined by LBS the least accurate?
The first step a device takes to determine its location is to search for the nearest cell towers. These rounds are grouped into groups and each group has its own unique number. Membership in a group gives place. According to the data received from cell towers, the territory where the device can be located is determined.
This determination mode is suitable if a device needs to determine the city or district of its location to set the date and time, for example. But the error of this method of determination is quite high. In addition, in small towns, in the countryside and along highways, the number of cell towers is not so large and the error can be about several kilometers.
Determination by Wi-Fi. Why so inaccurate?
Determination by Wi-Fi is more accurate than by LBS because there are many more Wi-Fi hotspots than cell towers. If a device is located in many Wi-Fi hotspots, the coordinates are quite accurate.
However, this determination method has a big drawback. The problem is that the location of the Wi-Fi hotspot is saved when the hotspot is created. Later, this point can “move” somewhere with its owner and send erroneous coordinates.
Why are GPS coordinates the most accurate?
GPS is the global positioning system, which consists of 31 satellites. Satellites are located in space and send coordinates from there. Initially, the GPS system was created for air and sea navigation. With the development of navigation services, GPS helps other devices determine their location.
GPS works anywhere in the world, 24/7. A device receives many signals from GPS satellites and when it receives more than 4 signals, it searches for their intersection point. This point corresponds to the coordinates of this device.
This determination method gives the most precise location data but it also has its drawback. The GPS system works best outdoors. Problems may arise when determining the location indoors, on narrow streets or in transport.
Once the coordinates have been determined in this or that way, they are sent to the “setracker” server where they are processed. This process takes several seconds, after which you can see your child's location on the map.
2 comments
J’ai 2 montres connectées qui ne donnent pas la même localisation alors qu’elle sont à côté de moi et elles sont localisées à 2km de moi sur l’application.
Pourquoi ne peut on pas corrigé la position de la montre sur la carte?
bonjour,
depuis quelques temps je n’arrive pas à localiser la montre de mon fils qui est une smartwatchphone, la montre est bien connecté de ce coté la aucun problème voici le message de l’application “impossible d’obtenir les informations de localisation de l’appareil …” j’ai désinstallé l’application SeTracker2 et réinstallé mais toujours le même problème. Que dois-je faire svp?