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I have a GPS device question: I’m using a GPS tracking program on my phone called FitTrack, to produce GPX files that i then import into Strava. Sometimes the GPS tracking works fine, but more often than not, in certain areas the GPS signal gets lost and the program stops tracking. I don’t realize this happens since the device is in my jersey pocket. It seems certain areas are worse than others for tracking. The tracking in CP usually goes well, but in PP, I normally can’t even finish 1 lap before the signal gets interrrupted. When I try to track my rides up River Rd. or 9W or Piermont Rd. the signal gets interrupted or the tracking is way off. But last week i did a 40 mile loop up in the Ct. hills and the tracking was perfect.
Anybody have any ideas on this? Many thanks!!
Phone-based tracking is a bit of a misnomer, because GPS signals are not necessarily the driving factor in how your handheld device puts itself on the map.
This variance is usually noted in the circumference that surrounds your dot on the screen and is typically noted in either a tight circle or a wider, shaded area.
What is happening is that your location is calculated into a formula called Circular Area of Probability.
Satellites will triangulate a signal and communicate with the ground-based device to determine a location and then average the readings. With 11 or 12 satellites tracking a moving target, this usually provides reliable CEPs within a 3-meter range and at variable speeds.
When signals are less strong, or the phone is reverting back to its phone-based signal to estimate location, the CEP widens, in certain cases tripping up a programming option in some tracking software that automatically shuts down the continuous line on the map.
This can be fixed, depending upon your software and device, by setting up a default GPS reading to favor the satellite signal over any 3G signals. Look in options > tools > signal option, or some variant of that.
Static cell phones can be located approximately, with much wider CEPs, via 3G signals because each cell tower is programmed to know its own grid coordinates. Using a measurement of signal strength, triangulation and some sophisticated trigonometry, mobile phones can then provide basic, approximate locations, generally while not in motion.
This is good when you are sitting at your desk, but not so great when in motion.
thanks J.D.
Team Garmin-Transitions
Matt White, Director-Sportif, Team Garmin-Transitions
Another very solid performance by Ryder today; proving he’s in good condition. He’s certainly going in the right direction. Now the goal is to keep him inside the top 10. We also had a very gutsy ride by Johan Van Summeren today – all in all a great day for a team that’s come through a lot here.
Ryder Hesjedal, Team Garmin-Transitions
Its hard to say how happy I am to be in the top 10 in the Tour de France. It wasn’t a position I expected to be in, but we’ve fought hard every day as a team. Guys are still recovering from injury and giving me 100 percent support. It’s a great feeling and its important to me to continue to make the proud. That’s my mission here, so we’ll see what tomorrow holds. Hats off to Johan for an epic ride!
The WSJ goes slumming for sources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703720504575377332273114438.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsFifth
Hadn’t realized how low Murdoch has taken the Journal. This is shocking.
of course.
the investment in wiggo is making a giant sucking sound, so murdoch has to generate interest (or money) somehow…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jes46G6FXVY