Cellphone users can now be pinpointed with accuracy of a few metres. All
networks can locate a handset to within a few hundred metres by seeing which
base station it is using, and some cellphones have GPS signals that allow them
to be located far more precisely. Now Qualcomm of San Diego has developed a
system that doesn鈥檛 need GPS. All phones emit a timing signal, which nearby base
stations retransmit. By measuring the time lag between signals, any GSM
cellphone can work out its position by triangulation and send this information
back to the base station.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Mind
THC in cannabis may reduce nightmares in people with PTSD
News
Environment
Fishers detonate a bomb every hour on one Indonesian coral reef
News
Environment
How bad is the UK drought and how long will it continue?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles