While GPS tracking systems are quite effective at tracking
vehicles and equipment out on the open road, they lack the
ability to track items that have been taken indoors,
containerized, or otherwise moved out of GPS satellite
reception.
Adding to its line of Radio Frequency tracking products, Pegasus
Technologies, Inc. has developed the MicroTrac Radio Frequency
Tracking Transmitter, a miniature (RF) tracking transmitter
capable of interfacing with virtually any existing GPS tracking
product on the market. The MicroTrac device can be supplied in
an OEM form factor that can be through-hole mounted onto a PC
board, or it can be supplied in its own enclosure with an
interface wire assembly. The device measures just 1.9 inches
long by 0.8 inches wide and about 0.3 inches thick, can be
powered from 7 to 35 volts, and transmits 500 milliwatts of RF
power in the 400-470MHz band. The transmitter is equipped with
an onboard microcontroller and a 1200-baud modem and encodes a
unique identification number along with the ignition status of
the vehicle in which it is installed in each tracking beacon
transmission. The MicroTrac transmitter has two activation
inputs and has been designed to allow for automatic activation
in case its host GPS device is removed from the vehicle. Other
features include a 1200 baud external com port, optional backup
battery, several antenna options, and input status reporting.
The Pegasus PT5901 Mobile Tracking Receiver is used to track the
MicroTrac Transmitter from a vehicle or aircraft.
How it works:
The MicroTrac Transmitter is hidden anywhere within the
vehicle. It is powered from the vehicle electrical system
and has an optional rechargeable backup battery. The same
unit can be installed in 12 or 24 volt vehicles. The
transmitter is activated through one of its two inputs and
will then transmit a pulsed VectorTrac compatible
radio-tracking signal. This signal can then be tracked using
standard VectorTrac equipment such as SATs, RTRs, and Mobile
Tracking Receivers.
