A real-time GPRS surveillance system using the embedded system

As for data surveillance, the general packet radio service (GPRS) is the best candidate for always-on connection to any movement vehicles or individuals from the ground up to a few thousand feet above ground. Because of the inherent characteristics of the GPRS, the client circuit design requires a central processing unit (CPU) with an appropriate operation system (OS) to activate point-to-point protocol (PPP) as well as IP-addressed transmission control protocol (TCP/IP). This paper presents a system design for clients to carry out GPRS connection, and send GPS and other data to a server system. For surveillance purpose, a geographic information system (GIS) is applied to track the clients on the electronic map. The system architecture and design concept are discussed. Circuit implementation and real world tests are demonstrated and verified. The data transmission delay is estimated within 0.75 s, while the surveillance period can be controlled from 5 to 120s. The proposed system has been test in ground vehicles to ultralight aircraft at 1000 ft with most areas in Taiwan.