{"wikiid":450806,"langid":"en","namespace":"CATEGORY","title":"FBI Tracking Device","revisionid":1149433,"contents_raw":"== Background and Identification ==\n\nA vehicle tracking system uses automatic vehicle location, a means for automatically determining and transmitting the geographic location of a vehicle. Tracking systems also contain software that collects fleet data for a comprehensive picture of vehicle locations. Modern vehicle tracking systems generally use GPS (Global Positioning System) or GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) technology for locating vehicles. Vehicle information can be viewed on electronic maps via specialized software or the Internet. In large cities, urban public transit authorities are common users of vehicle tracking systems.\n\nVehicle tracking systems are classified as either \u201cpassive\u201d or \u201cactive.\u201d Passive devices store GPS location, speed, heading, and trigger events such as door open\/close and key on\/off. When the vehicle returns to a predetermined point, the tracking device is removed and the data is downloaded to a computer for evaluation. Active devices collect the same information as passive tracking devices but transmit the data in near-real-time via cellular or satellite networks to a computer or data center.\n\nModern vehicle tracking devices usually combine both active and passive tracking abilities. When a cellular network is not available, the device stores data to internal memory and transmits the stored data to the server when the network becomes available again. Historically, vehicle tracking devices are installed in a box, which is then placed into the vehicle and is either self-powered with a battery or wired into the vehicle\u2019s power system.\n\n== Additional Information ==\n\n* [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vehicle_tracking_system|Wikipedia: Vehicle Tracking System]\n* [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tracking_system|Wikipedia: Tracking System]\n* [link|https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/GPS_tracking_unit|Wikipedia: GPS Tracking Unit]","contents_json":{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":2},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Background and Identification"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"A vehicle tracking system uses automatic vehicle location, a means for automatically determining and transmitting the geographic location of a vehicle. Tracking systems also contain software that collects fleet data for a comprehensive picture of vehicle locations. Modern vehicle tracking systems generally use GPS (Global Positioning System) or GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) technology for locating vehicles. Vehicle information can be viewed on electronic maps via specialized software or the Internet. In large cities, urban public transit authorities are common users of vehicle tracking systems."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Vehicle tracking systems are classified as either \u201cpassive\u201d or \u201cactive.\u201d Passive devices store GPS location, speed, heading, and trigger events such as door open\/close and key on\/off. When the vehicle returns to a predetermined point, the tracking device is removed and the data is downloaded to a computer for evaluation. Active devices collect the same information as passive tracking devices but transmit the data in near-real-time via cellular or satellite networks to a computer or data center."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Modern vehicle tracking devices usually combine both active and passive tracking abilities. When a cellular network is not available, the device stores data to internal memory and transmits the stored data to the server when the network becomes available again. Historically, vehicle tracking devices are installed in a box, which is then placed into the vehicle and is either self-powered with a battery or wired into the vehicle\u2019s power system."}]},{"type":"heading","attrs":{"level":2},"content":[{"type":"text","text":"Additional Information"}]},{"type":"bulletList","attrs":[],"content":[{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vehicle_tracking_system","target":false}}],"text":"Wikipedia: Vehicle Tracking System"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tracking_system","target":false}}],"text":"Wikipedia: Tracking System"}]}]},{"type":"listItem","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/GPS_tracking_unit","target":false}}],"text":"Wikipedia: GPS Tracking Unit"}]}]}]}]},"contents_rendered":"<div class=\"clearer\"><\/div><div class=\"headerContainer\"><a class=\"selfLink\" href=\"#Section_Background_and_Identification\" title=\"Link to this section\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span    class=\"fa-svg-icon\"><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" overflow=\"visible\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 7.3.1 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2026 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M427.5 88c-21.4 0-42.2 6.9-59.3 19.4-11.4-11.7-24.4-22.1-38.4-30.7 27-23.6 61.7-36.7 97.7-36.7 82 0 148.5 66.5 148.5 148.5 0 39.4-15.6 77.1-43.5 105l-79.1 79.1c-27.8 27.8-65.6 43.5-105 43.5-82 0-148.5-66.5-148.5-148.5 0-17.9 3.2-35.5 9.4-51.9 4.6-12.4 18.5-18.7 30.9-14.1S259 220 254.4 232.4c-4.2 11.1-6.4 23-6.4 35.2 0 55.5 45 100.5 100.5 100.5 26.6 0 52.2-10.6 71-29.4l79.1-79.1C517.4 240.6 528 215.1 528 188.5 528 133 483 88 427.5 88zm-200 56c-26.6 0-52.2 10.6-71 29.4L77.4 252.5c-18.8 18.8-29.4 44.4-29.4 71 0 55.5 45 100.5 100.5 100.5 21.4 0 42.2-6.9 59.3-19.4 11.4 11.8 24.4 22.1 38.4 30.7-27 23.6-61.7 36.7-97.7 36.7-82 0-148.5-66.5-148.5-148.5 0-39.4 15.6-77.1 43.5-105l79.1-79.1c27.8-27.8 65.6-43.5 105-43.5 82 0 148.5 66.5 148.5 148.5 0 17.9-3.2 35.5-9.4 51.9-4.6 12.4-18.5 18.7-30.9 14.1S317 292 321.6 279.6c4.2-11.1 6.4-23 6.4-35.1 0-55.5-45-100.5-100.5-100.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><h2 id=\"Section_Background_and_Identification\" class=\"header\">Background and Identification<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<p>A vehicle tracking system uses automatic vehicle location, a means for automatically determining and transmitting the geographic location of a vehicle. Tracking systems also contain software that collects fleet data for a comprehensive picture of vehicle locations. Modern vehicle tracking systems generally use GPS (Global Positioning System) or GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) technology for locating vehicles. Vehicle information can be viewed on electronic maps via specialized software or the Internet. In large cities, urban public transit authorities are common users of vehicle tracking systems.<\/p>\n\n<p>Vehicle tracking systems are classified as either \u201cpassive\u201d or \u201cactive.\u201d Passive devices store GPS location, speed, heading, and trigger events such as door open\/close and key on\/off. When the vehicle returns to a predetermined point, the tracking device is removed and the data is downloaded to a computer for evaluation. Active devices collect the same information as passive tracking devices but transmit the data in near-real-time via cellular or satellite networks to a computer or data center.<\/p>\n\n<p>Modern vehicle tracking devices usually combine both active and passive tracking abilities. When a cellular network is not available, the device stores data to internal memory and transmits the stored data to the server when the network becomes available again. Historically, vehicle tracking devices are installed in a box, which is then placed into the vehicle and is either self-powered with a battery or wired into the vehicle\u2019s power system.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"clearer\"><\/div><div class=\"headerContainer\"><a class=\"selfLink\" href=\"#Section_Additional_Information\" title=\"Link to this section\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span    class=\"fa-svg-icon\"><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" overflow=\"visible\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 7.3.1 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2026 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M427.5 88c-21.4 0-42.2 6.9-59.3 19.4-11.4-11.7-24.4-22.1-38.4-30.7 27-23.6 61.7-36.7 97.7-36.7 82 0 148.5 66.5 148.5 148.5 0 39.4-15.6 77.1-43.5 105l-79.1 79.1c-27.8 27.8-65.6 43.5-105 43.5-82 0-148.5-66.5-148.5-148.5 0-17.9 3.2-35.5 9.4-51.9 4.6-12.4 18.5-18.7 30.9-14.1S259 220 254.4 232.4c-4.2 11.1-6.4 23-6.4 35.2 0 55.5 45 100.5 100.5 100.5 26.6 0 52.2-10.6 71-29.4l79.1-79.1C517.4 240.6 528 215.1 528 188.5 528 133 483 88 427.5 88zm-200 56c-26.6 0-52.2 10.6-71 29.4L77.4 252.5c-18.8 18.8-29.4 44.4-29.4 71 0 55.5 45 100.5 100.5 100.5 21.4 0 42.2-6.9 59.3-19.4 11.4 11.8 24.4 22.1 38.4 30.7-27 23.6-61.7 36.7-97.7 36.7-82 0-148.5-66.5-148.5-148.5 0-39.4 15.6-77.1 43.5-105l79.1-79.1c27.8-27.8 65.6-43.5 105-43.5 82 0 148.5 66.5 148.5 148.5 0 17.9-3.2 35.5-9.4 51.9-4.6 12.4-18.5 18.7-30.9 14.1S317 292 321.6 279.6c4.2-11.1 6.4-23 6.4-35.1 0-55.5-45-100.5-100.5-100.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><h2 id=\"Section_Additional_Information\" class=\"header\">Additional Information<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vehicle_tracking_system\">Wikipedia: Vehicle Tracking System<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tracking_system\">Wikipedia: Tracking System<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/GPS_tracking_unit\">Wikipedia: GPS Tracking Unit<\/a><\/li><\/ul>","linked_wikis":[],"can_edit":true,"available_langids":["en","de","es","fr","it","jp","ko","nl","pt","ru","tr","zh"],"ancestors":[{"dataType":"wiki","wikiid":8401,"langid":"en","title":"Tracking Device","display_title":"Tracking Device","namespace":"CATEGORY","summary":"Service and repair information for all kinds of devices used to track or locate lost or stolen items.","url":"https:\/\/www.ifixit.com\/Device\/Tracking_Device","text":"Service and repair information for all kinds of devices used to track or locate lost or stolen items.","image":{"id":3092340,"guid":"LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ","mini":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.mini","thumbnail":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.thumbnail","140x105":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.140x105","200x150":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.200x150","standard":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.standard","440x330":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.440x330","medium":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.medium","large":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.large","huge":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.huge","original":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/LNg1DsXrIA1NY3fJ.full"},"modified_date":1704826460,"author":327748},{"dataType":"wiki","wikiid":1372,"langid":"en","title":"Electronics","display_title":"Electronics","namespace":"CATEGORY","summary":"An expansive variety of repair guides for electronic gear, ranging from home and car audio to calculators.","url":"https:\/\/www.ifixit.com\/Device\/Electronics","text":"An expansive variety of repair guides for electronic gear, ranging from home and car audio to calculators.","image":{"id":3076747,"guid":"V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT","mini":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.mini","thumbnail":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.thumbnail","140x105":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.140x105","200x150":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.200x150","standard":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.standard","440x330":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.440x330","medium":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.medium","large":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.large","huge":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.huge","original":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/V4m2ZCiaWdBcBZVT.full"},"modified_date":1793931282,"author":225663},{"dataType":"wiki","wikiid":11000,"langid":"en","title":"Root","display_title":"Root","namespace":"CATEGORY","summary":"","url":"https:\/\/www.ifixit.com\/Device\/Root","text":"Repair guides, manuals, and troubleshooting help for Root. 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