Tracker for Children, Pets Integrates u-blox GNSS, Cellular Technologies

The Trax personal tracker for children and pets uses a u-blox receiver.

Swedish WTS (Wonder Technology Solutions) has launched Trax, a personal tracking device for children and pets. Based on a u-blox GNSS receiver module with integrated antenna and cellular module, the tiny tracker can be located anywhere, anytime via a free Android or iPhone mobile phone app.

In addition to real time tracking, Trax provides flexible geofence alerts, and can monitor how fast your teenager is driving. It also works indoors, thanks to a proprietary dead-reckoning algorithm that delivers a position even when satellites are out of sight. Accurate down to 1.5 meters, the robust, water resistant device also provides an “augmented reality” mode that helps users locate their trackers using a smartphone’s built-in camera view.

To achieve the smallest possible size, Trax uses a u-blox’ CAM-M8Q GNSS receiver module with a built-in antenna. CAM-M8Q (chip antenna module) provides both small size (9.6 x 14.0 x 1.95 mm) and multi-GNSS capability. It is based on a u-blox M8 chip and includes an integrated chip antenna plus SAW filter, LNA, TCXO, RTC crystal and passives. The surface-mount module is also extremely low in height making very thin customer designs possible.

“Trax is the world’s smallest and most versatile personal tracking device available, packed with features designed to provide peace of mind to parents and pet owners almost anywhere in the world,” said Fredrik Danelius, Managing Director at WTS, “By combining the leading GNSS and cellular technologies from u blox, we have designed a tiny, reliable, low-cost device that protects our most valuable family members: children and pets.”

Trax comes with an integrated SIM-card and two years of free data and roaming in 33 countries. It is charged via USB and typically lasts between two and four days on a full battery. For wireless connectivity, device integrates a u blox SARA-G3 GSM/GPRS module which is footprint compatible with the SARA-U2 UMTS/HSPA module for easy 2G to 3G upgrade.

“Trax is an elegant and sophisticated example of our embedded GNSS and cellular modules combined to protect people’s loved ones,” said Pasi Alajoki, Area Sales Manager at u-blox, “It is an extremely important application of our mobile communications and global positioning technology where performance, size and power consumption play a critical role. We are proud WTS chose u-blox for Trax.”