What’s the difference between GPS and GNSS?

GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is an overall term used to describe the network of satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing systems used globally. GPS (Global Positioning System) is one of these networks.

Which systems do FreeWave use?

The FreeWave Fusion Mini uses GPS, Galileo a, and GLONASS systems.

What does the FreeWave Fusion Mini use the GPS module for?

The FreeWave Fusion Mini uses the GPS module for two reasons; one is for the location of the device in latitude and longitude and an accurate time.

Most electronic clocks can suffer from clock drift when numerous factors like temperature changes, electric, and magnetic interference can affect the accuracy of the clock.

Accurate time updating from the satellite is required for your data to be displayed without the correct time.

How often does the location get updated?

At the point where the Fusion Mini is due to do a transmission back to the FreeWave platform, it will attempt to get a GPS fix.

How can I be sure the location displayed is accurate?

Different factors can the Fusion Mini’s ability to receive an accurate GPS fix.

The Fusion Mini needs an unobstructed view of the sky overhead.

If there are any obstructions around the Fusion Mini, this will impact the time taken to get a GPS fix. Obstructions can be having the Fusion Mini inside a building or underneath trees. Also, if the Fusion Mini is up against a building, tank, or rock wall/cliff, this could also cause an issue getting an accurate fix. Obstructions also can cause something called “multipath error” where the GPS chip receives GPS information at different wavelengths (one direct and another bouncing off a wall) which cause uncertainty about the location.

If the GPS module receives a GPS fix reasonably quickly and on a single wavelength, it will have complete certainty that the unit is at that position. The longer the GPS fix takes to complete or multipath issues occur, the GPS module is uncertain about whether the coordinates received are completely accurate.

The FreeWave Map visual will display the last accurate GPS location even if there have been subsequent transmissions with more uncertainty provided those positions are close to each other.