Gps

[Neubob]

I'm very interested in buying some stock in a company specializing in GPS technology. It's a growing market that has yet to come close to its potential, with more innovations coming every day.

I was wondering if any of you guys know of any specific companies new, or at least fresh to this field.

I'm currently looking at Garmin (GRMN), which is a giant, and Novetel (NGPS), which is relatively small and specializing in the high-end aspects of the market. Garmin's stock value has doubled in the last year, while Novitel, in the last 3 years, has grown almost 7 fold.

Any advice would be highly appreciated.  

Thanks in advance.

[Westy]

RFID and GPS all-in-one.   I predict BIG, lucrative government contracts driving sales boosting this type of product during the next 20 yrs.

 
http://www.mcmtechnology.com/GPS_RFID_GIS_mapping_integration.htm


http://www.nationalrfid.com/

[Neubob]

Originally posted by Westy
RFID and GPS all-in-one.   I predict BIG, lucrative government contracts driving sales boosting this type of product during the next 20 yrs.

 
http://www.mcmtechnology.com/GPS_RFID_GIS_mapping_integration.htm


http://www.nationalrfid.com/

Very interesting. However, and perhaps this is due to my lack of intelligence, I am having trouble pinpointing exactly what the unique benefits are of the integration of Radio Frequency Identification and GPS. I read the list, and it seems like it can be used within a system where GPS gives general location, and the RFid component tightens the location and IDs the actual object. I can see this as very valuable in the tagging and tracking of migrating animals, as well as the tagging and tracking of shipments incoming from international ports.

Some of my questions include:

Does RFid use a transponder that constantly sends out a signal, which is then received and analyzed, or is the signal activated when the analysis aparatus sends out a quary signal, prompting a response?

Has the integration of GPS and RFid been patented?

What, if any, are the every-day civilian applications?

[Westy]

Most folks use GPS for navigation or as a toy.    The benefit (or peril?) of linking RFID with GPS is that someone can track anything they want and anywhere it goes. That anything could be cargo, an animal or a person.  As you noted it can be used in many ways - locate a skier buried under an avalanche.  A lost package anywhere in the world.  A kidnapped child or captured soldier.  Track the migratatory habits of the African swallow.  Find lost munitions.  etc etc

  With RFID sending out a constant homing signal (or activated remotely) and GPS being able to ID said signal, to within a yard or a meter  these days, when they're combined if it is lost, or hiding, it can be found - literally instantaneously.

  As for specific details (about patents and such) I don't know.   But publicly traded companies working on it's development would be good to watch.

[Neubob]

Thanks Westy. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.