Overview GPS Navigation software

Normally GPS Navigation Software comes in two types:

Navigation with route calculation and directions from the software to the user of the route to take, based on a vector-based map, normally for motorised vehicles with some motorised forms added on as an afterthought.
Navigation tracking, often with a map "picture" in the background, but showing where you have been, and allowing "routes" to be preprogrammed, giving a line you can follow on the screen. This will also be used for geocaching.

Route Calculation Software

Tracking Software

Terminology

Track
A track is a trace of somewhere that you have actually been (often called a "breadcrumb trail"). It will normally leave a trace on a screen, or a series of recorded points. A GPS unit (external or internal) will send details of the location, probably once per second. The software will have some selection method to pick up some of these details and record them, either by taking a reading based on a set time interval, based on a set distance, based on a change in direction by more than a certain angle, or a combination of these. Each point will have a date and time stored with it, and the points can be linked by a line, which is the track.

Retracing your steps is a simple matter of following the track back to the source.

Route
A route is a preset series of points that make up a set route to follow. Most software will allow the route and the track to be displayed at the same time.

Waypoint
Waypoints are used to mark particular locations, and are not linked to tracks or routes.

Platforms
Software can be used on a computer, but for most daily use, this will either be on a PDA, a dedicated device or a mobile phone. These devices can normally be connected to a computer for uploading routing information or downloading tracks created.

A GPS tracking unit is a device that uses the Global Positioning System to determine the precise location of a vehicle, person, or other asset to which it is attached and to record the position of the asset at regular intervals. The recorded location data can be stored within the tracking unit, or it may be transmitted to a central location data base, or internet-connected computer, using a cellular (GPRS), radio, or satellite modem embedded in the unit. This allows the asset's location to be displayed against a map backdrop either in real-time or when analysing the track later, using customized software.

Types of GPS trackers.
Usually, a GPS tracker will fall into one of these three categories:

Data loggers
A GPS logger simply logs the position of the device at regular intervals in its internal memory. Modern GPS loggers have either a memory card slot, or internal flash memory and a USB port. Some act as a USB flash drive. This allows downloading of the data for further analysis in a computer.

These kind of devices are most suited for use by sport enthusiasts: They carry it while practising an outdoors sport, e.g. jogging or backpacking. When they return home, they download the data to a computer, to calculate the length and duration of the trip, or to overimpose their paths over a map with the aid of GIS software. GPS devices are also integral tools in geocaching.

In the sport of gliding, competitors are sent to fly over closed circuit tasks of hundreds of kilometres. GPS loggers are used to prove that the competitors completed the task and stayed away from controlled airspace. The data stored over many hours in the loggers is downloaded after the flight is completed and is analysed by computing the start and finish times so determining the fastest competitors.

In some Private Investigation cases, these data loggers are used to keep track of the vehicle or the fleet vehicle. The reason for using this device is so that a PI will not have to follow the target so closely and always has a backup source of data.

Data pushers
This is the kind of devices used by the security industry, which pushes (i.e. "sends") the position of the device, at regular intervals, to a determined server, that can instantly analyze the data.

These devices started to become popular and cheaper at the same time as mobile phones. The falling prices of the SMS services, and smaller sizes of phone allowed to integrate the technologies at a fair price. A GPS receiver and a mobile phone sit side-by-side in the same box, powered by the same battery. At regular intervals, the phone sends a text message via SMS, containing the data from the GPS receiver.

Some companies provide data "push" technology, enabling sophisticated GPS tracking in business environments, specifically organizations that employ a mobile workforce, such as a commercial fleet.

The applications of these kind of trackers include:

Fleet control. For example, a delivery or taxi company may put such a tracker in every of its vehicles, thus allowing the staff to know if a vehicle is on time or late, or is doing its assigned route. The same applies for armored trucks transporting valuable goods, as it allows to pinpoint the exact site of a possible robbery.
Stolen vehicle searching. Owners of expensive cars can put a tracker in it, and "activate" them in case of theft. "Activate" means that a command is issued to the tracker, via SMS or otherwise, and it will start acting as a fleet control device, allowing the user to know where the thieves are.

Animal control. When put on a wildlife animal (e.g. in a collar), it allows scientists to study its activities and migration patterns. Vaginal implant transmitters are used to mark the location where pregnant females give birth. [1] Animal tracking collars may also be put on domestic animals, to locate them in case they get lost.
Race control. In some sports, such as gliding, participants are required to have a tracker with them. This allows, among other applications, for race officials to know if the participants are cheating, taking unexpected shortcuts or how far apart they are. This use has been featured in the movie "Rat Race", where some millionaires see the position of the racers in a wall map.
Espionage/surveillance. When put on a person, or on his personal vehicle, it allows the person monitoring the tracking to know his/her habits. This application is used by private investigators, and also by some parents to track their children.