White Papers

New Ovum Research Reveals Limitations of GPS for Wireless 9-1-1 Calls

In the United States, the number of 9-1-1 calls from cell phones is rapidly increasing. Processing 9-1-1 phone calls from cell phones is complex because wireless callers are not automatically linked to their current location the way callers using landline phone service are linked to their address. Currently, the two most widely used methods of locating wireless 9-1-1 calls are Global Positioning System (GPS) and Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (U-TDOA). Ovum interviewed managers of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in 10 of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Our survey results concluded that GPS is not adequate for locating 9-1-1 phone calls in some environments because of its inability to locate callers in many indoor environments and in cities with tall buildings.

Combating Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons White Paper

Governments around the globe are becoming acutely aware of the growing problem of inmates obtaining and using contraband cell phones within prisons. These phones are being used to carry out criminal activity both inside and outside the prison walls, posing a significant threat to prison security and public safety. This paper evaluates several methods, including TruePosition LOCINT, currently being used or being sought after to address the issue of contraband cell phones in prisons, and examines their effectiveness to enable corrections authorities to find and remove contraband cell phones while also preventing future criminal activity from being carried out from within the prison.

Frequently Asked Questions about U-TDOA

What is U-TDOA location technology? How does U-TDOA work? What is the difference between GPS and U-TDOA? This document provides answers to questions like these and more common inquiries about U-TDOA wireless location technology.

Government Insights White Paper

Security and law enforcement officials face multiple and growing challenges and threats to the security of borders, airports, seaports, critical infrastructure, and the legal flow of transportation and commerce. These challenges are compounded as wireless technology is being exploited by criminals and terrorists in such a manner to carry out illegal activities and remain undetected. This paper, authored by Mark Kagan of Government Insights, examines how wireless location intelligence provides an invaluable tool for security and law enforcement officials to identify, prevent, and combat criminal and terrorist activities.

TeleCompliance White Paper: High-accuracy Location Technologies and How They Are Used in Mission-critical Applications

Wireless location technology has been in use for the better part of the decade in the United States, first implemented to locate individuals who dial 9-1-1 from mobile phones, and expanded to law enforcement agencies and other government entities that use it when a life-threatening situation or court order requires the data. This paper, authored by TeleCompliance LLC, evaluates the performance of two wireless location technologies — A-GPS and U-TDOA — and explains why U-TDOA is better suited for real-world, mission-critical situations.

TruePosition Guide to Location Technologies

As the need to locate people, places, and things becomes more intrinsically intertwined with day-to-day life, it is important to understand the various location technologies that exist today in order to make informed decisions. As the performance requirements for location technologies have become more demanding, there still exists a great deal of uncertainty, misunderstanding, and myth about which location technologies perform best under different circumstances.

E9-1-1 FAQs White Paper

Enhanced 9-1-1 is the wireless version of the 9-1-1 wireline emergency-calling system in the United States. The process of dialing 9-1-1 on a cell phone, processing the call, determining the location of the caller, and sending the applicable emergency response is a complex system.  The E9-1-1 Frequently Asked Questions White Paper provides answers to common questions about the complexities of adopting a standardized emergency number system.

U-TDOA: Enabling New Location-Based Safety and Security Solutions

The use of wireless location intelligence in safety and security strategies creates a powerful, layered defense against criminal and terrorist activity as well as a revolutionary way to protect citizens and save lives. In order to be successful, a wireless location intelligence system must be driven by the best-performing location technology. This white paper focuses on how the location technology Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (U-TDOA) performs in mission critical safety and security situations.