Telematics glossary
This glossary explains, in plain terms, the vocabulary of vehicle tracking, fleet management and vehicle security. Each term is defined in its exact trade sense, from GNSS to CAN bus and from tachograph to eco-driving.
Tracking and mapping
GNSS / GPS
GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is the umbrella term for the positioning satellite constellations, including the American GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou. A telematics unit calculates its position by receiving several of these constellations, which improves accuracy and signal availability. The term GPS originally referred only to the American constellation, but it has entered everyday language to mean vehicle tracking in general.
Geofencing (virtual zones)
Geofencing draws a virtual geographic zone on the map: a worksite, a depot or an entire region. The system triggers an alert as soon as a vehicle enters or leaves that zone, in real time. It is a key fleet management tool for monitoring rounds, securing a perimeter or automating presence reports.
Geocoding (address)
Geocoding converts GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) into a readable postal address, and the reverse. On the platform, each raw position becomes a street name and a town, easier to read than a string of numbers. Reverse geocoding is what displays "Rue de l'Industrie, Nivelles" rather than a pair of figures.
Real-time tracking
Real-time tracking shows the updated position of vehicles continuously on a map, a few seconds apart. It relies on the regular transmission of GPS frames over the mobile network to the platform. Speed, heading and ignition status accompany each position.
Trip history
Trip history records every movement of a vehicle with its start point, stops, route and duration. It lets you replay a working day, justify a visit or calculate the distance covered. The data is kept to produce activity or tax reports.
Telematics
Telematics combines telecommunications and on-board computing to collect, transmit and use a vehicle's data remotely. It covers GPS positioning, CAN bus reading, communication with the platform and alerts. It is the technical foundation of modern fleet management.
Vehicle data (CAN bus)
CAN bus
The CAN bus (Controller Area Network) is the internal network that links a vehicle's control units, from the engine to the gearbox. By connecting to it, a telematics unit reads manufacturer data such as engine speed, fuel consumed or fault codes. That connection is what sets true fleet tracking apart from a simple GPS tracker; see the fleet management page.
J1939 / FMS interface
SAE J1939 is the standard CAN protocol for trucks, buses and machines, defining how engine and vehicle data is encoded. The FMS interface (Fleet Management System) is a standardised connector that exposes part of that data to third-party systems, regardless of the truck make. Together they allow a multi-brand fleet to be read in a uniform way.
Odometer
The odometer is the vehicle's total mileage counter. Read from the CAN bus, it provides a reliable mileage figure without manual entry, to schedule maintenance, calculate a cost per kilometre or draw up a tax statement. Without a CAN connection, distance can be reconstructed from GPS positions.
Engine hours
Engine hours count the running time of the engine with the ignition on, including while stationary. This figure is essential for construction and agricultural machines, which drive little but run a lot. It is used to plan maintenance on a realistic basis rather than on mileage alone.
Fuel level
The fuel level is read from the CAN bus or via a dedicated probe, as a percentage or in litres. Cross-referenced with trips and idling, it highlights over-consumption, refuelling and abnormal drops that may signal siphoning. It is a concrete basis for tracking costs.
AdBlue
AdBlue is a urea solution injected into the exhaust of recent diesel engines to reduce nitrogen oxides, via the SCR system. Its level is reported on the CAN bus, which avoids the immobilisation of a vehicle whose AdBlue tank has run empty. Monitoring makes it possible to anticipate top-ups across a whole fleet.
Fault codes
Fault codes, or DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes), are the alerts generated by the vehicle's control units when something goes wrong. Reported in real time from the CAN bus, they signal a developing fault before the dashboard warning light. They make it possible to plan a workshop visit rather than suffer a breakdown.
Security and anti-theft
Stolen Vehicle Recovery system (SVR)
A stolen vehicle recovery system (SVR) is used to locate and recover a vehicle after a theft. It combines positioning, resistance to jamming and a link to a monitoring centre. Belgian insurers often require it above a certain vehicle value; see the anti-theft page.
Jamming detection
Jamming means emitting an interfering signal to silence the GPS or GSM trackers of a stolen vehicle. A serious SVR system detects this attack and triggers a response: alarm, starter cut-off or locking. Location can continue through other channels even under jamming; see the anti-theft page.
Engine immobilisation / starter cut-off (SECO)
Engine immobilisation prevents the vehicle from restarting by cutting the starting circuit (SECO function, Secure Engine Cut-Off). The command is triggered remotely from the platform, or automatically according to a security scenario. As a precaution, the cut-off never activates on a moving vehicle.
TT category
TT categories classify stolen vehicle recovery systems according to their security level and their location and intervention capabilities. Your insurance contract states the category required for your vehicle. Provide that reference to receive a suitable system; details on the anti-theft page.
INCERT
INCERT is the Belgian body that certifies vehicle security systems, their installers and monitoring centres. In our anti-theft installations, it is the partner monitoring centre that is INCERT-approved, under number TB-0004; it receives the alerts and coordinates the intervention. Our units are not themselves INCERT-approved, and we do not claim otherwise.
iButton / RFID 1-Wire (driver identification)
The iButton is an electronic contact key that the driver places on a reader to identify themselves, via the 1-Wire protocol (a variant of RFID). The system therefore knows who is driving which vehicle and when, which feeds the per-driver reports and the eco-driving score. Without valid identification, starting can be blocked.
Private / business mode
Private / business mode lets the driver hide private trips while still recording business trips. It meets GDPR requirements when a company vehicle is also used privately. Masking switches off automatically in case of towing, disconnection or accident.
Compliance
Smart tachograph
The smart tachograph is the mandatory device that records the driving and rest times of trucks. The second generation transmits certain data remotely and can be checked by the authorities without stopping the vehicle. Its data downloads automatically via the remote tachograph solution.
DDD file
The DDD file is the standard format of the data downloaded from a tachograph and a driver card. Retrieving and archiving it at regular intervals is a legal obligation. Remote download avoids bringing the vehicle in physically and handling the card; see the remote tachograph page.
Driver card
The driver card is the personal smart card that identifies the driver on the tachograph and records their activity. Its data must be downloaded and kept according to the regulations. The remote tachograph automates that download without taking the vehicle or the driver off the road.
Driving and rest times
Driving and rest times are governed by European regulation to limit fatigue at the wheel among professional drivers. The tachograph records these times, and failing to comply exposes the driver to penalties during checks. Monitoring makes it possible to anticipate overruns before an offence occurs.
Eco-driving / driver score
Eco-driving measures driving quality from acceleration, braking, speeding, sharp cornering and over-revving. Each driver receives a score that highlights room for improvement and helps reduce fuel, wear and accident rates. Details on the eco-driving page.
Hardware and connectivity
Telematics unit
The telematics unit is the on-board device that captures the GPS position, reads the CAN bus and transmits the data to the platform over the mobile network. Our units are developed in-house and offered in variants to suit the need, from a simple tracker to a full CAN connection. The choice of model depends on the vehicle and the functions expected.
IP67 / IP68 / IP69K ratings
IP ratings (Ingress Protection) describe how well a unit resists dust and water. IP67 withstands temporary immersion, IP68 prolonged immersion, and IP69K resists high-pressure hot-water cleaning, common on machines and vehicles washed with a jet. The higher the rating, the harsher the environment the hardware can take.
BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) is a short-range radio link with very low power draw. It connects wireless sensors and beacons to the unit, for example for temperature or for identifying a towed asset. It is a key building block of asset tracking and of environmental measurements.
Temperature sensor / cold chain (reefer)
A temperature sensor monitors the environment of a refrigerated compartment (reefer) and records the cold curve throughout the transport. It triggers an alert as soon as a threshold is crossed, before the goods are compromised. It is a key point of temperature-controlled transport; see the containers page.
Sleep mode
Sleep mode reduces a unit's consumption when the vehicle or asset is stationary for a long period. The electronics go dormant and wake on movement, at a set time or on a call from the platform. That is what lets a self-powered tracker last a long time on battery.
M2M SIM card
The M2M SIM card (Machine to Machine) is a SIM card designed for connected devices, with central management of the SIM fleet and often multi-operator roaming. It provides the link between the unit and the platform, including abroad. Its profile is optimised for small, regular data volumes.
Battery life
Battery life is the length of time a self-powered tracker works without external power. It depends on the battery capacity, the frequency of positions and the use of sleep mode. On a well-tuned asset tracker, it can reach several years.
Platform
Fleet management
Fleet management brings together the tracking, analysis and steering of a vehicle fleet from a single platform. It combines positions, consumption, maintenance, driving and costs to support operational decisions. See the fleet management page.
Asset tracking
Asset tracking locates equipment that has no ignition: trailers, skips, machines, tools. It relies on self-powered trackers with long battery life, without wiring or power supply. Details on the asset tracking page.
White label
White label lets you offer the platform under your own visual identity, logo and domain name. Your customers or your teams use the tool without seeing the supplier's brand. It is a common choice for resellers and large accounts.
API
An API (application programming interface) lets third-party software exchange data with the platform in an automated way. Positions, trips, alerts or reports can thus feed your ERP, your TMS or your billing tool. Integration runs on defined data flows, without double entry.
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