How Do Onstar & GPS Work?
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Radio Signals
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Automobiles equipped with OnStar or GPS navigational systems transmit and receive signals sent using satellites that are in orbit above the earth. Radio signals are transmitted from the OnStar or GPS unit to a central database via satellite. OnStar data transmissions contain the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, as well as its year, make and model, and any OnStar account information, which is used to diagnose car trouble or pinpoint the location of a vehicle in the event of an emergency.
Transmission
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Data is transmitted using data loggers, data pushers and data pullers. While data pullers are always on for the purpose of transmitting information only when needed, data pushers and data loggers transmit signals at regular intervals in order to establish travel points of the vehicle, the individual or the assets being tracked by the GPS.
Data pushers send information through the satellite to the central database, which calculates the speed of travel, direction, distance traveled and current location. The time and location of the GPS unit is logged with each transmission and used to determine the speed and distance traveled since the last transmission, which also indicates the rate of speed at which the vehicle traveled between the tracked points.
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Calculations
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There are 24 satellites in orbit, and 16 are used in GPS tracking. The satellites travel around the earth twice per day and transmit the signals to and from the GPS units and the central database. These signals are time stamped as to when they were sent and when they were received.
OnStar systems are also equipped with an onboard computer system that tracks the performance, condition, and needed repairs and maintenance on the vehicle. This information is also transmitted to the central database and is used to inform you about the need to service and maintain your vehicle.
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Comments
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riverbadboy
Nov 22, 2009
also, READ YOUR AGREEMENT TERMS. I have.onstar does not monitor location. so they dont monitor unless you crash / Stolen OR You can be tracked and stopped,if law enforcement gets a court order (ie. judge to sign piece of paper then faxed to onstar).also in the fine print, your cars speed, your safetybelt info.(whether you had it on or not) and position in a crash can be submitted for review for law enforcement. if you dont mind this then feel free to onstar. like some, i dont feel that its worth it to have the govt control. sorry to seem paranoid but not all of the info is ever revealed in these articles.
