Rocky Mountain Tracking » News

NTIA Says “LightSquared is in Wonderland”

John Chapman — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:00:49 +0000

Let’s get the critical, boring information out of the way first: OSTP is a government organization. OSTP stands for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Here’s the scoop: a little over 13,000 documents regarding the LightSquared matter were just released by OSTP, chronicling the fascinating implosion of the $3 billion company.

What’s “the LightSquared matter?” LightSquared is a company with an ambitious goal: providing a 4G network to the entire lower 48. The company started in high spirits, with a massive investment from billionaire Philip Falcone, and jubilant courting of the FCC for the proper slices of airwaves to provide that network to data-hungry consumers.

As LightSquared designed its network, they ran into a bit of a hiccup: they needed transmitters to boost the 4G signal. As engineering went forward, they discovered they needed a lot of transmitters: over 40,000.

Testing began, and disaster struck. LightSquared’s frequencies were disrupting GPS signals all over the place. If the network went live, then airliners, government GPS trackers, cell phones, tablet computers, vehicle GPSs, and fleet GPS trackers would go wacky. The results might be cataclysmic.

LightSquared moved forward while the GPS industry cried foul. The result is a now-political mess resembling a technological and industrial Vietnam War.

Now that those OSTP documents have been released, a fascinating chronicle of LightSquared’s (doomed?) effort is publicly available. One email, from an administrator in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), bore the subject line, “LightSquared is in Wonderland.”

And so LightSquared stands in a unique position. Its allies are beginning to ditch. Only Sprint, which partnered in the LightSquared venture early on, remains. However, they may only hold on until mid-March as the company struggles to resolve its FCC woes and build a proper network that does not shut down GPS signals.

What will remain once the LightSquared mess is over is this: a seemingly unquenchable consumer demand for wireless Internet. With consumers desiring an Internet connection anywhere, everywhere, all the time, faster than it ever was, LightSquared’s vision of capitalizing on that demand appears to be drifting off into Wonderland.

GPS Devices: A Tremendous Benefit to Commercial and Government Fleets

John Chapman — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:00:05 +0000

A fleet of cargo or freight trucks no doubt provides an incredible logistical challenge to a fleet manager. Managing so many vehicles, each with its own quirks, across a wide range of terrains and weather conditions, each load of cargo with its own difficulties involving fragility and weight… truly a truck fleet is a wonder of modern industry.

With that in mind, it is impressive that fleet managers could ever run their fleets before the introduction of GPS technology. With the accurate tracking provided to fleet managers using GPS devices installed on vehicles, keeping track of the fleet is easier than ever.

Fleet managers no longer need to pull his or her hair out because a truck has dropped off the grid. Mileage tracking is fast and accurate, preventing overtime and enabling super exact billing.

GPS Insight recently held a webinar to highlight the benefits of GPS Fleet Tracking. The free webinar from one of the world leaders in GPS fleet tracking was designed to showcase the cost savings and efficiency provided when GPS technology is integrated into a fleet.

The database-style functions of GPS Insight software were presented, displaying how customizable reporting can aid the administration of a government or commercial fleet. In addition, the software streamlines truck routing, provides custom alerts for a variety of situations, and features Garmin integration.

With a wide range of options available, every fleet manager should consider the advantages of making GPS systems a part of their commercial or government fleet. The GPS industry has a sweet spot for government and commercial applications. There is nothing any organization loves more than accurate reporting and tracking. When it comes to moving cargo across the country and beyond, GPS tracking is a no-brainer solution for the fleet manager that needs up-to-the-minute information on every last detail of the fleet.

GPS technology has truly changed the function and implementation of modern industry, especially when it comes to moving cargo. When goods and materials stop moving, their are serious consequences world-wide. Nothing helps move the fleet industry into the modern age like the integration of a solid GPS system.

LightSquared and GPS Play the Blame Game

Marisa O'Connor — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:00:06 +0000

For more than a year, LightSquared has been fighting for the right to develop a nationwide wireless broadband network. The company has reserved the spectrum adjacent to the constellation of GPS satellites. The spectrum was originally designated for satellite use, but LightSquared was granted permission for terrestrial use of the space in 2005. However, before the service can be launched, the FCC is requiring that LightSquared prove their broadband signals will not cause interference for established GPS devices.

The GPS industry and U.S. military are lobbying hard to protect the existing GPS signals. Not only would interference affect thousands of citizens’ smartphone GPS signals, but more dangerously, it could affect emergency response teams, military operations and air traffic control. After recent testing showed too much interference, the FCC denied LightSquared’s request to go ahead with development. LightSquared understandably didn’t take the news well and even accused the government of rigging the testing process. Further, LightSquared is pushing responsibility for the signal interference on the GPS industry, saying that they should be responsible for adding filters to their sensitive receivers.

“While the Commission often differs to market forces rather than directly regulating receiver performance, regulation of RNSS receivers is needed because the market has failed to provide a sufficient incentive for all manufacturers of commercial RNSS receivers to ensure that their devices operate reliably in the vicinity of authorized transmitters in adjacent bands.”

The battle between the GPS industry and LightSquared seems to heat up with each passing month, and the company says it’s not opposed to taking legal action if it comes to that. LightSquared certainly has a lot at stake, including a multiyear, multibillion dollar deal with Sprint Nextel. If the company fails to get regulatory approval by mid-March, they could lose their deal.

Supreme Court Ruling Could Make or Break First-Degree Murder Trial

Marisa O'Connor — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:00:59 +0000

In wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling, calling warrantless GPS tracking unconstitutional, attorneys around the country are digging through their cases and filing appeals. Eric Vernon, Shon Pernice’s defense lawyer, is no exception. Pernice, an independent firefighter in Kansas City, MO, is charged with first-degree murder of his spouse, whose body has yet to be found. He is scheduled to stand trial later this month, and his attorney hopes that the recent Supreme Court ruling will work favorably in Pernice’s case.

Renee Pernice, the suspect’s spouse, was reported missing in January of 2009. Investigators and Renee’s family believe her husband is responsible for her disappearance. Because the body has yet to be located, there is little hard evidence against the defendant. Now it appears some of the most incriminating evidence is being called into question. The suspect was traced to a park within days of his wife’s disappearance, and was seen releasing the family dog. However, investigators may have only been able to witness this suspicious activity with the help of a GPS tracking device installed on Pernice’s vehicle. According to Vernon, police tracked his client’s cell phone and vehicle without obtaining a warrant.

Vernon filed motions to suppress the evidence gained through illegal GPS tracking. A Clay County judge will make a decision as to the fate of the evidence on Friday. According to Paul Morrison, a former Johnson County District Attorney who now practices as a defense lawyer, the Supreme Court didn’t do investigators any favors. “It’s going to make police work a little harder,” said Morrison. “Prosecutors and police are going to have to get warrants when they want to do this kind of thing.” As more and more cases like this pop up, time will show the lasting impact of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

More Warnings About LightSquared GPS Receiver Interference

Mark Rummel — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:00:51 +0000

The company LightSquared has gained a huge amount of publicity in recent weeks, but perhaps not for the reasons it would prefer. The wireless network company ignited a controversy when it decided to stand up to GPS users, going ahead with a plan to broadcast signal on a bandwidth immediately adjacent to GPS receiver bands. Because GPS devices sometimes cross over into this adjacent band, broadcast of signal on that band occasionally shows up as interference with GPS. LightSquared stands its ground, claiming that it is illegal for GPS companies to claim protection from interference on bandwidths it does not own, and has in fact obtained preliminary approval from the FCC to go ahead with its plans. An independent association, however, is publicly joining the voices that say the potential danger to public safety is simply not worth the risk that the LightSquared network would create at this time.

The Association of Old Crows (AOC), a group made up of experts in the military technology field, wants the government to work harder to find a safe solution to the conflict before allowing LightSquared to send out a network signal that could disrupt GPS receivers. It’s not the everyday convenience of smartphone users that the group is concerned about, but the growing reliance on GPS devices by military, airline safety, and emergency response personnel. Airlines, for example, use the GPS to give pilots an accurate reading on nearby mountains. Even one glitch in a system used in any of these areas could easily cost lives, and that risk makes it essential to block the proposed LightSquared network until a safer alternative can be found. The warning is preceded by a letter sent by members of Congress to the FCC during the summer, voicing concern about the unanswered questions related to the LightSquared network.

One idea put forth by the AOC is for the government to meet LightSquared halfway, providing funding to research an alternative plan that would not affect GPS receiver signal. This would allow the company to begin broadcasting while giving authorities a little more time to find a solution to the GPS interference problem. With the speed at which essential services are incorporating GPS receivers into their everyday operations, however, they would do well to work fast.

GPS Monitoring Symbolizes Drastic Shift in Sports Monitoring

John Chapman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:26 +0000

One of the most exciting applications of modern GPS tracking technology is sports. Sports fans talk statistics with a precision and enthusiasm that rivals the most adept MIT mathematician. Whether it’s the speed of Nolan Ryan’s legendary pitches, Kobe Bryant’s vertical, Lance Armstrong’s speed, or the machinations of Tiger Woods’ drive, mathematical precision as it applies to sports analysis is both a hobby, and an industry.

Indeed, it seems as if sports, in America and beyond, drives a segment of the world economy with the same human necessity and regularity as plumbing or construction. People need their toilets fixed, people need their homes repaired, and people need to watch professional sports.

The side industry of sports analytics has always thrived, seeking new ways to measure individual achievement. This is the great glory of sports: it is a celebration of human beings that push their limits, that smash barriers, that turn the human machine into something that performs in truly magnificent ways. In American football games, sports announcers never seem to run out of odd analytics with which to qualify players—“The most interceptions in Qualcomm Stadium during the first half of a fourth quarter since 1998,” etc.

In Great Britain, only the sports are different. Manchester United dominates as the world’s most profitable sports franchise (America’s Dallas Cowboys trails as a far distant second), while cricket remains a traditional fascination not only for England but for a large portion of the world.

England’s national cricket team recently announced that GPS tracking devices have been installed on the tops of all players’ uniforms. This no doubt has sports analysts worldwide salivating. The GPS monitors track players’ movements with pinpoint precision, allowing entire new metrics of statistics to be created and monitored.

Strangely, England is not the first cricket team to institute GPS tracking. Australia came first, utilizing GPS trackers as a method of recording, then improving, player performance.

Is GPS tracking likely to become an ubiquitous part of professional athletes’ lives? At this point, the answer is yes. Sports make money—and businesses are always looking for new ways to monitor athletes, track changes, and turn them into athletic monsters. It will be fascinating to see how GPS tracking gives sports commentators new stats to breathe into the microphone.

Bill Passed to Speed U.S. Air Traffic Control’s Move to GPS

Marisa O'Connor — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:29 +0000

GPS technology has been innovating the aviation industry for years, but not as quickly as Congress might want. Although GPS technology is owned and maintained by the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been slow to replace older technologies. Currently, U.S. air traffic control is monitored by radar, but this new bill would require definitive action to swap the radar for more accurate GPS devices. The bill passed the Senate 75-20, despite some opposition, and is now headed to the White House for final presidential approval.

Switching from radar to GPS technology holds a lot of potential for the aviation industry and travelers, alike. Radar sends location information to ground control every six to 12 seconds. GPS, on the other hand, provides second-by-second location information about air traffic. With such precise information, more air traffic can be safely monitored, meaning that planes will be able to land and take off more frequently and closer together. The GPS also show pilots the exact location of, not only their plane, but other aircrafts and obstacles in the area. This means safer, better organized flights for everyone.

Under the new bill, the FAA is granted $63.4 billion over four years. $11 billion of those funds are allocated to the modernization of the air traffic system. Along with these funds, the FAA was also given a deadline of June 2015 to develop new arrival procedures to account for the accuracy provided by GPS technology for the country’s top 35 busiest airports. Updating the entire country’s airports is no small task, but this bill takes an important step in speeding up the process. Hopefully, the FAA can step up to the plate and accommodate the needs of the ever-growing population of air travelers.

CA Arson Suspect Tracked Without Warrant

Marisa O'Connor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:08 +0000

After many mixed rulings across the country regarding whether or not police need a warrant to track suspects with GPS, the Supreme Court announced the final verdict: evidence obtained from a GPS device without a warrant will not hold up in court. This was great news for Antoine Jones, of the infamous case heard by the high court, but has some California residents concerned. Attorneys across the land are searching through their case histories for opportunities to appeal guilty verdicts, and Jairo Perkins-Grubbs’ lawyers are no exception.

Perkins-Grubbs is being charged with 20 felony counts of arson for allegedly setting a series of fires in Butte County, CA. The fires began towards the end of July and continued until October 3, 2011, causing massive amounts of property damage in the area. His attorneys are hoping to use the historic Supreme Court ruling to challenge some of the evidence obtained against their client. According to the defense, investigators monitored the suspect with a GPS device without a warrant.

The best case scenario for Perkins-Grubbs is if the bulk of evidence against him was obtained from the illegal GPS device. Prosecutors in the case say they are unsure what the Supreme Court ruling will mean for this case. Any evidence gathered illegally cannot be used against the suspect in court. However, if enough evidence is available outside the tracking device, the case may still hold up.

It is a scary thought that such a dangerous criminal could be released over a legal technicality. Unfortunately, cases like this reveal that the U.S. court system is far from perfect. Some criminals will walk free, but we can hope that at the very least, these close calls with the law can serve as a deterrent from future crimes.

GPS Pinpoints Antarctic Asteroid Fragments

John Chapman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Solar waste passes through the earth’s atmosphere on a daily basis. Unfortunately, that waste consists almost entirely of mineral matter. No SONAR, no tried and true scientific methods have allowed scientists to distinguish extraterrestrial matter from terrestrial dirt.

One place, however, allows scientists and alien rock hunters easy access to minerals from space. The good news? The rocks are easy to find. The bad news? They’re all in Antarctica.

The lifeless ice desert of Antarctica makes it easy for individuals to find space rocks. The continent is made of ice—no other rocks to differentiate. And since 1976, an organization called The Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) has journeyed to the most barren place on earth to collect space rocks.

Meteor-hunting adventurers, led by Ralph P. Harvey, fly to the South Pole via New Zealand, spending 45 day shifts digging up, then carefully storing and preserving their extraterrestrial finds. The rocks end up in a facility in Houston, Texas.

ANSMET’s field tools are simple: Ski-Doos, food, water, med kits, satellite phones, rock-gathering tools, and GPS tracking devices.

Once a member of ANSMET finds a space rock on the field, the GPS is utilized to record the location of the space material. The meteorite is then mined and stored. Using these simple, Indiana Jones-like methods, ANSMET meteor finders have gathered over 20,000 space rocks. ANSMET’s contribution to science, especially extraterrestrial analysis, is irrefutable.

It is no secret that the world is far less interested in going to space than it was, say, fifty years ago. It is, in fact, astonishing that mankind has not ventured farther from Earth than the moon. While a trip to Mars remains logistically difficult, the sense of commitment and scientific advancement required to make the journey does not exceed that of Columbus or Ponce de Leon.

In the meantime, ANSMET and its handy GPS tracking tools make it easy to do the impossible, using impossible methods, to obtain impossible material, under impossible circumstances—daily. ANSMET’s sense of adventure, adoration of scientific understanding and progress, and commitment to increasing the knowledge of mankind should be commended. No doubt GPS tracking makes asteroid hunting easier, safer, and more fun.

GPS in Partnership with 911

Hillary Mayfield — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:00:11 +0000

“This is 911. Please state your emergency.” Familiar words to every American, but if you have ever actually had to make a call to 911, you know the urgency of wanting responders to get to you as soon as possible. GPS technology, based on actual satellite longitude and latitude coordinates, has made getting emergency vehicles to a scene easier and more efficient. However, that GPS data must be linked to 911 address records.

In Wilkes County, North Carolina, commissioners agreed in 2009 to implement a GPS-based 911 addressing system, such as was made the universal standard in 1995, throughout its cities; however, officials hit a snag when they discovered that 300 roads in the county had no name connected to 911 records. GPS coordinates were established for existing addresses in 2010, but what to do with those 300 roads poses a problem for the county. The system that commissioners and emergency personnel hoped would be up and running in 2012 may not be used at all.

Although the commission had already signed a $145,000 contract with Kimball to establish the GPS coordinates for the county, officials believe the benefits of connecting them to the 911 address system would be far too costly. They argue that because the state requires each road to be named through individual public hearings and because there is a $30,000-$40,000 cost for providing new road signs, the GPS-based 911 addressing system is not justified.

Advocates of the system argue that the ability to get to a precise location in less time more than pays for the system. Also, the system would be funded by a 911 surcharge of $0.80 placed on each wireless and land line user; telecommunications providers collect the fees and send them on to the county for distribution. Since over one-third of all 911 calls are from wireless callers and since the FCC already mandates that wireless carriers provide coordinates of latitude and longitude for wireless calls coming into the 911 call centers, it seems logical to link GPS technology to 911 address records. Lack of this technology not only hinders emergency officials, but it also keeps emergency services from utilizing certain software applications that are designed to be used in conjunction with the GPS-based system.

With more than 240 million 911 calls a year, using modern GPS technology to aid emergency personnel only makes sense. EMS, police, and fire departments all need a trustworthy system in place to do their job effectively. If they are hindered by wrong directions or lack of an address, lives could be lost. Who can put a price on a life saved?