First and foremost, ARGOS and GPS system are both satellite-based systems. Althought, they can appear very similar, you will see that both have totally different ways of communicating.

GPS or Global Positioning System, also known as Navstar, is a Global Navigation Satellite System. GPS is an American satellite system created in 1973 and fully operational in 1995. GPS system provides location and time everywhere, anytime.

When a device finds four or more GPS satellites, the GPS system can provide a location of 3/5m accuracy. 

The ARGOS system employs ARGOS satellites (Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite) launched in 1999. The ARGOS system is based on a French-American partnership. Indeed, this system came from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales) in France, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in the USA. ARGOS system is able to calculate locations based on Doppler effect, it is principally made to collect and transmit data.

PTTs will ask the GPS satellites for its location. Then, the device will transmit its GPS locations using the ARGOS network.

Xerius has experience with these two different systems, we have the knowledge to work with both of them.

Our aim is to give very accurate locations to scientists thanks to the GPS system and secured data thanks to ARGOS system.

Nowadays, ARGOS and GPS systems are becoming more and more efficient. ARGOS plans to miniaturized their satellites which will provide lighter tags.