The Micro-tracking System in development at the Physics Department, University of the West Indies, is aimed at providing an effective vehicle and asset tracking system, which will cover the entire island of Jamaica. The system uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in determining location of an asset equipped with a processing unit, which was developed at the university. We aim to improve this system by increasing the accuracy of the system and adding navigational capabilities.
The Micro-tracking system is a cost effective GPS error correction system designed to work with a GSM cellular network. Several factors introduce errors in GPS based positioning calculations. This system is geared towards reducing or even eliminating these errors, thus the accuracy of the GPS system. The system is able to provide the same services as the Differential GPS (DGPS) systems, which are in use today. The DGPS systems use radio frequency transmitters to broadcast error correction information. Cellular Based GPS Error Correction System (CBECS), on the other hand, uses the existing cellular phone network, will eliminate the expensive RF transmitter and the limitations associated with them, thus drastically reducing cost and increases efficiency significantly.
The system uses an error correction algorithm based on Kalman Filtering, a set of mathematical equations that provides an efficient computational means to estimate the state of a process, which is aimed to improve accuracy. The equations needed to solve the user positions are non-linear in nature. This non-linearity causes the equations to be very difficult to solve. The normal approach is to linearise the equations and then applying standard simultaneous equation solving techniques. Kalman filters are expected to provide the tools needed to efficiently solve the equations. Mapping information and software is also needed for both tracking and navigation.
The UWI-CBECS research system is leading the way for GPS enhancements and applications as it relates to Jamaica. The knowledge gained from this research and integration with modern techniques will open up new opportunities for the use Global Positioning Systems in Jamaica.
