GPS trackers connect to a series of satellites to determine location. The tracker uses a process called trilateration which uses the position of three or more satellites from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network and its distance from them to determine latitude, longitude, elevation, and time. 

Learning how to work a GPS tracker is simple. In the vehicle, the tracker will usually be powered by the onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) connector, a cigarette lighter, accessory socket, or an internal battery. The information it collects is then transmitted to the software that allows the user to aggregate and analyze the data.

How do GPS trackers work with the software? Some are active trackers, meaning that they are able to provide users with a real-time view of global positioning. This type of tracker can be looped into a managed service.

Passive trackers are usually less expensive than active ones as they simply store the GPS data to be viewed at a later time.