Learn more about signal levels and how they affect your tracking experience
GPS Signal
GPS is the signal received by the CloudHawk Tracker from the GPS satellites in orbit around Earth to determine the position of the tracker. In your CloudHawk portal, you will notice that the GPS signal will change as it updates the location in real-time. The signal levels that we report in the CloudHawk portal are: No Signal, Weak, Medium, and Strong. In order to view a more specific signal level, you can view the tracking unit in the installer portal.
GPS signals can dynamically change based on numerous factors including:
- Being enclosed in metal: If the tracker is significantly or entirely enclosed by metal, it will not be able to get a GPS signal.
- Inside buildings/Underground: While CloudHawk trackers have a patented UltraSense® antenna design that provides exceptional tracking coverage, the signal will not be as strong while inside.
- Dense Cities: In urban environments with many large buildings and skyscrapers, the signal may become weak as it will “bounce” and “reflect” off tall buildings. CloudHawk tracking devices perform well compared to competing systems in this environment but you'll still notice some variation of signal levels.
Cellular Signal
Cellular signal is the connection between the CloudHawk Tracker and cellular towers. CloudHawk uses a decentralized SIM card provider that allows the tracking unit to connect to hundreds of providers worldwide. The cellular connectivity will vary constantly as certain geographic areas may be further from a cellular tower than others. In your CloudHawk Portal, the live signal levels for cellular connectivity is recorded. They report as No Signal, Weak, Medium, and Strong. In order to view a more specific signal level, you can view the tracking unit in the installer portal.