What about GPS Jammers?

A GPS jammer or GPS blocker is a device that interrupts any communication between a Global Position System’s satellites orbiting in space and a receiver placed on Earth. GPS jamming is an intentional way of disrupting GPS signals by devices such as smartphones and trackers. Depending on the output power of the GPS jamming device, GPS reception can be jammed from 10 meters up to over a kilometer. 

There are different types of GPS jammers, some will block the GPS signals some will also block the cellular signals. In our case, the jammers who block GPS signals are not a concern since our device has multiples ways to obtains its location using RF signals in other part of the spectrum (cellular/Wi-Fi). However, if a jammer blocks the cellular signals (GSM and LTE) then it may not be possible for the device to transmit its information back to the Tive platform. The device supports many cellular bands and if one band is jammed, it will automatically switch to another band to transmit its data. If all GSM and LTE bands are jammed using a more sophisticated jammer, there is nothing we can do about it. In this case, the device will continue to record and log its location (Wi-Fi or GPS if these bands are not jammed) but it will not send these records to the Tive Platform until the cellular frequencies are no longer jammed.

In many parts of the world including US, UK and most European countries, the usage and sales of GPS jammers are strictly prohibited. According to Federal Law here in the United States, “the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming equipment that interferes with authorized radio communications such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is strictly prohibited”.