RFActive vs. Passive GPS Tracking: Key Differences Explained
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This article explores the differences between active and passive GPS tracking systems. We’ll delve into how each type works, their respective use cases, and a comparison table highlighting their key features.
Introduction
GPS tracking systems come in various forms, primarily categorized as active, passive, and hybrid, based on how they relay collected GPS data to the user.
Active GPS Tracking
Active GPS tracking involves transmitting collected GPS data to the user’s device (e.g., phone, computer) in near real-time using cellular or other wireless connectivity.
- It provides immediate updates on the GPS device’s location through a dedicated mobile or web application.
- These applications usually allow users to configure various settings, such as update frequency.
- Active GPS tracking delivers location data almost instantly, allowing users to track people or objects as they move, especially useful when they cross predefined “geofence” boundaries.
Figure: Active GPS Tracking System
Example Use Cases:
- Joggers and Mountaineers: Tracking distance, pace, and route.
- Parents: Monitoring teenage driving habits and ensuring safety.
- Fleet Managers: Keeping track of employee driving behaviors and vehicle locations.
Passive GPS Tracking
Passive GPS tracking continuously collects GPS data but doesn’t transmit it in real-time. Instead, the data is stored directly on the device’s internal memory. This type is often referred to as a “data logger.”
- To access the information, the GPS device needs to be physically connected to a computer.
- Once connected, the stored data can be downloaded and analyzed using specialized software.
- This method is known as “Delayed Location-Based Tracking.”
- The data is not immediately available for viewing in real time.
Example Use Cases:
- Tracking Elders: Caretakers can review the movements of elderly individuals.
- Locating Missing Children: Useful in situations where real-time tracking isn’t immediately necessary but a historical record is.
- Analyzing Teen Driving: Parents can assess driving behavior after a trip.
- Pet Tracking: Recovering lost pets and reviewing their movements.
- Drone Recovery: Finding lost or crashed drones.
- Fleet Management: Gaining insights into driver routes and vehicle usage patterns, even without real-time monitoring.
Hybrid GPS Tracking
Hybrid GPS tracking offers a blend of both active and passive functionalities. Under normal circumstances, data is tracked less frequently than with active GPS. However, in emergencies, like when a device breaches a geofence, it automatically switches to active mode, providing real-time location updates.
Difference between Active GPS tracking and Passive GPS tracking
The following table summarizes the key differences between active and passive GPS tracking based on various factors:
| Parameters | Active GPS Tracking | Passive GPS Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Location Information | Available | Not available |
| Memory Size | Less capacity | More capacity |
| Cost | Expensive | Cheaper |
| Software | Mobile app or web app developed for use with the GPS tracker | App not required; data analyzed on a computer using vendor-provided software |
| Cloud Connectivity | Required for real-time statistics | Not required |
| Accuracy | More accurate | Less accurate |
| Response Time | Immediate, near real-time | Not immediate; tracking data downloaded to PC and viewed/analyzed using software |
| Security and Convenience | More secure due to instant location info and easy to use via apps | Less secure; requires data download and processing before crucial location details are available |
