Help Center

• Poor GPS


• Tracking During ‘No GPS’


• GPS errors 


• GPS Reception


• Missing transit

Poor GPS (Gray Circle)

When your device has poor GPS signal it will show a gray circle to indicate this. The gray circle is not the size of the radius that you have set for this location, just an indication that the device does not have sufficient GPS signal at this time.

GPS technology has limitations, regardless of AngelSense, that we essentially try to make the best of using our analytics. GPS reception indoors is poor due to not having line of sight with satellites, along with GPS limitations in general. Once the device is able to gain GPS signal upon leaving the indoor location it will resume sending the GPS location.​

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Tracking During ‘No GPS’

Indoors GPS typically has no reception. This normally does not impact the app, since AngelSense smart analytics “understand” the device has not left that place and it is likely that it is still indoors in that place.

In standard GPS devices, the lack of GPS reception indoors is a major issue since there are no analytics and a caregiver is unable to track the device in such a case. AngelSense on the other hand, shows you the exact route to the indoors place and is smart enough to determine the device is still there.

The AngelSense device stores the GPS readings in its memory and once the cellular connection is re-established, it will transmit the entire GPS recording it stored. This ensures that even in cases when the cellular connectivity is lost all the data for your device’s schedule is saved.

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GPS errors

GPS can be affected by poor signal strength from being indoors or being pressed up against something metal. Bad satellite signals and signal interference happen when something gets in the line of sight between your GPS device and the satellite network.

Tall buildings, dense foliage, mountains, and even reflective objects can cause such a problem. For example, in areas of skyscrapers there is a phenomenon called “reflection”, where the signal from satellites reflects through the buildings and may cause the location to be off.

We cannot eliminate the GPS errors, but we can indicate to you that accuracy is limited. Our analytics will also filter out many of the false exits from indoors locations due to GPS reception issues.

We have evaluated many devices, picked the best one and on top of it built sophisticated analytics that build the daily schedule and create reliable alerts.

Still, in downtown areas the solution will have accuracy limitations. What this means is that when downtown, the GPS may have more significant errors. It is the limitations of the core GPS technology, regardless of AngelSense.

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GPS Reception

Outdoors: GPS technology is generally accurate. Bad satellite signals and signal interference happens when something gets in the line of sight between the GPS device and the satellites. Tall buildings, dense foliage, mountains and even reflective objects can cause interference. Furthermore, accuracy problems can arise from a variety of conditions ranging from atmospheric to terrestrial.

Indoors: GPS typically has no reception. This normally does not impact the app, since AngelSense smart analytics “understands” the child has not exited that place and it is likely that the child is still indoors in that place.

In vehicles: GPS signals are typically accurate. In case of GPS reception issues in a vehicle, knowing where the device is located within the vehicle may help. For example, if it is in the middle of the vehicle as compared to near a window, or worn on the back as opposed to on the front or side pockets.

Areas with Skyscrapers: In areas of sky scrapers there is a phenomenon called “reflection”, where the signal from satellites reflects through the buildings and may cause the location to be off.

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Missing transit

There can be two reasons for missing a transit.

1. When you’re on a call with the device, it can’t send GPS location updates. So, if you’re on a call (1-Way Voice or 2-Way Voice ) the whole time the device is moving, it won’t be able to track the movement properly.


2. GPS reception issues during the transit, e.g. since the Angel is far from a window or device is blocked by a metal object.

Typically the device would have GPS signal inside a vehicle and it is rare for it not to. For a better idea, knowing where the device is located within the vehicle may help to understand what may be causing the loss of GPS signal. For example, if it is in the middle of the vehicle as compared to closer to a window. Or worn on the back as opposed to on the front or side pockets. You may try wearing the device in a different location to see if this helps.