Understanding GPS Jammers: What They Are and How Geotab Detects Them

As tracking technology becomes more prevalent, GPS tracking is increasingly used for business and personal purposes. While many people are comfortable with having their movements tracked, there are those who seek to evade location tracking by using GPS jammers.

GPS jammers are devices designed to disrupt GPS signals, preventing GPS receivers from accurately determining location. They work by transmitting signals on the same frequency as GPS, causing interference and rendering the GPS receiver unable to locate the device accurately.

Geotab, a company that specializes in GPS tracking, has developed technology to detect GPS jamming attempts. The technology monitors deviations in vehicle movement and detects anomalies in GPS signals, indicating the presence of a GPS jammer.

While GPS jammers may be used for legitimate purposes such as privacy protection, they can also be used for illegal activities such as stealing vehicles or evading tracking by law enforcement. It is important for businesses and individuals to be aware of the potential risks and take measures to detect and prevent the use of GPS jammers.

GPS Jammers: Definition and Function

A GPS jammer is a typically small, self-contained, transmitter device used to conceal one’s location by sending radio signals with the same frequency as a GPS device. When this occurs, the GPS device is unable to determine its position due to interference.

The relatively low power and quick start up time allow the jammers to be used only when required. Although illegal, various types of cheap GPS jammers are available for purchase online, such as physical shields, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth jammers, remote control jammers, spy camera jammers and drone jammers, just to name a few.

How a GPS jammer works:

The user plugs the jammer into the automotive auxiliary power outlet.

The unit is placed close to the installed GPS tracker.

When active, the GPS jammer generates an interference signal over a 5 to 10 meter radius to disrupt reception of the GPS satellite signal.

To understand how a jammer functions, it is also helpful to know how the global positioning system (GPS) works.

A GPS tracker receives microwave signals from an array of satellite transmitters orbiting the Earth. Once the tracker receives signals from four or more satellites, it determines its position through a series of time calculations and trilateration. The receiver relies on these precise and specific satellite signals to determine where it is in the world. The GPS tracking device then transmits this position and velocity information to a monitoring location, usually, sent over the cellular network.

In some cases, satellite malfunction or solar flares can temporarily disrupt the transmission of GPS signals. A GPS jammer is different though in that it sends out radio signals or signal noise with the same frequency as the GPS device, to override or distort the GPS satellite signals. When this occurs, the GPS device can then no longer calculate its position because the satellite signal is masked by the interference.

Who uses GPS jammers?

The reasons for using jammers are varied. Originally created by the government, GPS jammers were designed for military use. Concealing vehicle location can be crucial to the success of a mission. The devices act as a cloak giving the military privacy, increased safety and an overall advantage in high-risk situations.

Among civilians, some speeding drivers may use jamming devices to try to prevent detection by police and avoid fines. Criminals use GPS jammers as cover for vehicle theft or to avoid toll charges or mileage charges. In the fleet world, GPS jamming could be used by a driver to prevent the employer from knowing where they are going with the company vehicle.

Are GPS jammers legal?

GPS jamming is illegal in many countries, such as the U.S., Canada, and also in the UK. In the U.S., the federal Communications Act of 1934 outlawed the marketing, sale or use of GPS jammers. In Canada, the Radiocommunication Act also prohibits importing, manufacturing, distribution, selling, possessing and using GPS jamming devices.

Harsh penalties exist for using jammers, for example:

1.Fines of up to $100,000 or more in the U.S.

2.Imprisonment

3.Loss of equipment

The Impact of GPS Jammers on the Transportation Industry

GPS jammers pose a serious threat to law enforcement and the transportation industry, causing significant disruption and potential dangers. The interference caused by jammers can impact GPS vehicle tracking, a critical source of business data for many companies in the transportation industry. Fleet tracking or telematics systems allow fleets to monitor and manage fuel use, idling, driving behavior, engine health, and other activities, making them a valuable tool for optimizing operations and reducing costs.

Using GPS jammers is not only illegal; it can also be potentially dangerous. In one case, a truck driver in New Jersey was fined almost $32,000 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) when the GPS jamming device he was using disrupted air traffic control information at Newark Liberty International Airport. The driver had installed the jammer in his work truck to hide his location from his employer. However, an FCC investigator was able to locate the jammer using radio monitoring equipment and confirm that it was the cause of the interference.

It is essential for businesses that rely on fleet tracking or telematics systems to take measures to detect and prevent the use of GPS jammers to ensure the safety of their operations and compliance with the law.

A Guide to Detecting GPS Jamming with Geotab

Fleets can use their Geotab solution to minimize the negative effects and keep drivers from flying under the radar. When a GPS signal is not received, the Trips History map will show a missing or interrupted trip – calling attention to an issue.

If GPS jamming occurs mid-trip, a straight line will be displayed from when jamming starts to the point where the jamming device is turned off. Anyone monitoring the vehicle will quickly see this and can investigate the cause of the missing trip information. There may be other reasons for loss of GPS data, other than GPS jamming, for example a radio that is not working properly.

A straight line in MyGeotab indicates GPS disruption.

The GPS module in newer Geotab GO units has a jamming detection function that will trigger the device to report a debug log. Fleet managers can see this in the MyGeotab log details as: “GpsJammingDetected.”

Creating GPS Jamming Alerts with Geotab

Geotab users can set up alerts for GPS jamming by creating a Log Data & Collisions report in MyGeotab and configuring it to be sent only when at least one event is detected. In the event of GPS jamming, the report will be sent via email as an alert, prompting further investigation.

It is important to note that even when GPS jamming occurs and disrupts GPS receiver functionality, all other functions of the Geotab GO device remain unaffected. The device will continue to gather and send critical vehicle-related data such as engine data, error codes, and auxiliaries.

Geotab is committed to maintaining a robust and stable system and will continue to make GO devices as tamper-proof as possible. To learn more about Geotab’s security policies, please visit the Geotab Security Center.