2006-12-08 06:45:22 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cell Phones & Plans
...i could tell ya...easy...but it costs each force...charged by the mobile network...per text...trace...whatever...depends if it is life threatening...they can do loads...trust me on this one...proper answer...happy hols...xxx
2006-12-08 06:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Using RF direction finding and triangulation. Each cell tower has 3 sectors in which the signal is aimed in directions similar to that of the 3 point star (a.k.a. the Mercedes symbol). Whichever sector receives the signal the strongest is the direction the signal is coming from. This tower is on a map and they electronically draw a line from it in your direction. Most likely 3 or 4 other towers will also be able to pick up your signal. The strongest direction is determined and lines are drawn. Where all the lines intersect on the map is where the signal is coming from. This can be further improved by factoring in signal strengths into the equation. Even if you're not making a call, you phone still transmits every so often to keep in touch with the base. The base can request the phone to transmit again to make sure it is still within range. The police could have the system poll your phone as often as needed to track you.
Nowadays, due to e911 regulations, most phones have a pseudoGPS built in. It's not a fully functional standalone GPS, but it picks up part of the GPS signal and another part is supplemented by the cellular tower. This information is used to accurately pinpoint your signal down to within 3 meters. Most phones can disable this feature or make it only available for 911 use, but the police can still use the methods mentioned before to find you. Also, if they really wanted to, on phones that support OTA firmware upgrades they could upload software to your phone that would allow it to operate as a wireless bug so they can listen to whatever is going on in your room or car. How bout them apples?
2006-12-08 06:53:20 · answer #2 · answered by Geoff S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Something to do with the GPS (like in cars) in it and the signals it is sending to the towers around it. You can narrow down a location by determining which towers it is closest to.
2006-12-08 06:54:14 · answer #3 · answered by Christy K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can get ur address from your service provider...they can track a phone if it has GPS or they can track which signal tower your phone is using.
2006-12-08 06:55:16 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Fashionista 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋