GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite navigation system that will allow us to obtain the geographical coordinates of the device with an accuracy of up to a few meters. The system consists of three segments: a space segment of 24 satellites that orbit around the Earth and monitor the control stations on the ground, and a user segment and a signal receiver. Nowadays, more and more mobile phones also have a built-in GPS receiver, which makes it possible to use it for location purposes.

Cameras that do not have GPS can often be connected via Bluetooth to an external receiver that will send geographical coordinates to your phone. The receiver itself, as the name tells us, will not transmit a signal outside our phone. Only the combination of satellite technology and software, which will be carefully prepared, will give us the opportunity to locate the device. The task of the software is to download the coordinates from the receiver and then send them via the Internet to a server, from which the data can be read.

Location of the phone with the help of GPS

- a phone that has built-in GPS or has the ability to connect an external receiver

- Internet connections on the phone, most often via GPRS or WIFI

- application sending data

- the server that receives data from the phone

- a website or an application that will show the current position of the phone in the form of coordinates and places on the map.

The disadvantage of such a method will be the necessary interference in the phone, installation of the application, configuration of the connection. In return, we receive the exact location of the device wherever an Internet connection is available. You should also know that when the device is in a building or in closed rooms, the GPS signal will be lost.

Applications acting as a mobile phone locator

Aspicore GSM Tracker - application for devices with the system

Symbian LocateA.net - Java application, which has a location service on the TrekBuddy map - free application

JAVA GPS Track for J2ME - free JAVA application

Phone tracking and privacy

Locating a mobile phone and tracking it without the knowledge of the person who owns it will violate your privacy. If we want to introduce an employee location option in our company, we must remember that ethics and respect for human rights must be maintained. Anyone who wants to use a targeted phone should agree to this.