APPENDIX A: WebTech 5000 GPS Vehicle Operation

The WebTech 5000 unit can easily be assembled and ready for operation on a long-
distance coach or school bus in less than 5 minutes from configuration to power-up to
establishing a lock onto a satellite constellation. The GPS unit reports its position
lat.!lon. coordinates" and speed mph" e#ery $0 seconds. The GPS unit uses a cell
modem to communicate with %T&T cell towers to report the GPS locations. 'f the route
happens to fall outside the area of cell tower co#erage( the unit will store its records until
line-of-sight communication is reestablished with the ne)t a#ailable cell tower. Thus( a
complete record of groundtrack locations will be transferred to the *ni#ersity of Te)as
+enter for Space ,esearch enterprise tracking ser#er in the Te)as %d#anced
+omputing +enter.
-ehicle tracking tests with GPS units that communicate through cell modem
transmissions ha#e been successfully conducted in many parts of the state( including
along all ma.or e#acuation routes.
Confi!ration an" Initial Operation
The WebTech 5000 kit consists of four components/ 0" a GPS recei#er and cell modem
with stub antenna for 12G1 and GP,S communication #ia %T&T 3obility( 4" a GPS
antenna puck" with long cable( $" a power!data cable assembly with 04# %+ cigarette
adapter for plugging into a 04# cigarette outlet( and 5" a 04#!04%h battery with 04# %+
cigarette receptor for use when the #ehicle does not ha#e a working 04# outlet.
6igure 0. WebTech 5000 kit components.
1
2
3
4
6igure 4. +onnecting the 04#!04%h battery.
Step #. With the ignition turned on( connect the 04#!04%h power adapter to a working
04# outlet. 78ote/ 'f a functional 04# outlet cannot be located( connect the 04#!04%h
battery to the power!data cable assembly.9 % red light will flash intermittently on the
trailing edge of the GPS recei#er!cell modem( when the unit is first connected. The light
will remain solid red once the cell modem begins to transmit to a cell tower.
6igure $. The indicator light on the GPS recei#er!cell modem.
Step $. 1nsure that the GPS antenna cable is connected tightly to the recei#er!modem
assembly.
6igure 5. +heck the connection of the GPS antenna to the recei#er!cell modem assembly.
6igure 5. Place the GPS antenna puck in a flat( unobstructed area on the dashboard behind the
windshield.
Step %& Place the GPS antenna puck in a relati#ely flat location near the windshield(
preferably in a forward area free from obstruction. The puck should lie as flat as
possible. 't is not necessary to place the antenna outside of the #ehicle to obtain good
reception. When the GPS recei#er ac:uires a sufficient number of satellite signals to
establish a reliable position( the recei#er!modem indicator light will turn solid green.
Step '& Place the recei#er!modem assembly with e)tended stub antenna in an ad.acent
location near the windshield with the container or bag" holding the battery and
connectors on the floorboard in a forward area.
6igure ;. WebTech 5000 recei#er!modem and GPS antenna resting on a dashboard behind the
windshield.
Step 5& <nce the components are properly situated and the =12 light turns solid green(
the unit is ready to track the #ehicle. 6rom power-up to GPS lock often takes less than
4 minutes. 'n rare circumstances( the system may re:uire 5-; minutes to establish an
initial GPS location.
Step (& When GPS telemetry is transmitted to a cell tower( the indicator light briefly
flashes green once appro)imately e#ery $0 seconds". The preferred mode of operation
is to keep the unit plugged into a 04# outlet. 1ach time the #ehicle ignition is turned on
or off( the unit sends a special signal that indicates its readiness. 'f power from the
#ehicle is una#ailable( then the unit can remain attached to the battery for continuous
operation for se#eral days( if necessary. When stationary( the unit will report its position
once e#ery thirty minutes( so long as the GPS antenna remains attached. %n internal
battery in the recei#er!modem assembly will continue to report static locations without
the e)ternal 04#!04%h battery so long as the GPS antenna is attached.
)ED Sinal*
+ninterr!pte" Green )iht
The locator has both a GPS position fi) and GP,S!12G1 cell network co#erage.
,la*hin -e" )iht
The locator has neither a GPS fi) nor GP,S!12G1 cell ser#ice.
+ninterr!pte" -e" )iht
The locator can communicate through the GP,S!12G1 cell network( but cannot
establish a GPS position fi). 7Try mo#ing the unit to a different location.9
,la*hin Green )iht
The locator has obtained a GPS position fi)( but cannot establish GP,S!12G1
cell ser#ice. 7Try mo#ing the unit to a different location.9
.o/entaril0 ,l!tterin Green )iht
The locator is transmitting its GPS position #ia the GP,S!12G1 cell network.
7This will occur briefly e#ery $0 seconds during normal operation( when cell
towers are a#ailable.9
,la*hin Green an" Orane )iht*
The S'3 card is not operating correctly. 7<pen the modem co#er and try to
reseat the S'3 card.9
,la*hin -e" an" Orane )iht*
The S'3 card is not operating correctly( and the unit cannot establish a GPS
position fi).