Track Your Vehicle: Anytime, Anywhere, Without Limits
Steve Knoth, a senior product marketing engineer at Power by Linear Products (part of Analog Devices), sheds light on the power requirements for vehicle tracking systems.
A vehicle tracking system helps keep tabs on either a single car or an entire fleet. These systems are made up of automatic tracking hardware and software for collecting and, if needed, transmitting data.
Both active and passive trackers gather data accurately, but they differ in how and when they share this information. Active trackers, also known as real-time trackers, send data via satellite or cellular networks, providing instant updates on a vehicle’s location. This real-time capability makes them ideal for businesses looking to enhance delivery efficiency and monitor their drivers. Active trackers can also alert you when a vehicle enters or exits a set area, offering theft prevention and stolen vehicle recovery benefits. However, these perks come at a higher cost, as active trackers are more expensive and charge a monthly service fee.
Passive trackers are more affordable but come with lower data storage limits. They save information on the device itself, which means you need to manually connect the tracker to a computer to access its data. These trackers are small, easy to hide, and are often used by people who need to track mileage or businesses looking to minimize vehicle misuse. They are also useful for jobs like detective work, where immediate feedback isn’t a priority but regular data checks are planned.
Both types of trackers are portable and compact, requiring battery power and backup capability to protect data during power losses. Due to the high system voltages and currents in vehicles, typically involving a single-cell Li-ion battery, switchmode chargers are preferred. Switchmode chargers offer higher efficiency than linear chargers by generating less heat.
Automotive applications require input voltages up to 30V, sometimes more. For GPS tracking systems, an appropriate charger would convert the usual 12V to a single-cell Li-ion battery (3.7V typical) and provide protection against voltage spikes, along with backup capability.
Battery Charging ICs
Linear battery chargers are valued for their simplicity, small size, and low cost. However, they have limitations such as restricted input and battery voltage ranges, higher power consumption, excessive heat generation, fewer charge termination options, and lower efficiency.
In contrast, switchmode battery chargers are preferred for their versatile design, multi-chemistry charging capabilities, and high efficiency, which translates to less heat and faster charging times. They also accommodate a wide range of operating voltages. Despite some trade-offs like higher costs, more complex designs, potential noise, and larger sizes, switchmode chargers are commonly used in modern automotive applications, wireless power systems, energy harvesting, solar charging, and remote sensors due to their efficiency and effectiveness.
