Mechatronics LAB- Internet Of Things

Arduino GPS Tracker for Beginners: Detailed Guide with Code

Objective: Build an Arduino GPS Tracker

This tutorial provides a detailed guide for beginners to create an Arduino GPS tracker using the TinyGPSPlus library. It covers how to read GPS coordinates, date, and time, and print the information to the Serial Monitor, along with Google Maps links for easy tracking.

Project Goals for Arduino GPS Tracker

• Understand how to connect and use a GPS module with Arduino.
• Read and decode GPS data using the TinyGPSPlus library.
• Display GPS coordinates, date, and time on the Serial Monitor.
• Generate Google Maps links for easy location tracking.

Required Components for Arduino GPS Tracker

Here’s a list of components needed to build the Arduino GPS tracker project:

Component	Description	Link
Arduino Uno	Main microcontroller for the GPS tracker	Amazon Link
GPS Module (e.g., NEO-6M)	Receives GPS signals and provides location data	Check Availability
SoftwareSerial Library	Allows serial communication with the GPS module	Built-in Arduino IDE
TinyGPSPlus Library	Processes GPS data into readable format	Available on Library Manager
Jumper Wires	Connects components to Arduino	Amazon Link
Breadboard	For prototyping connections	Amazon Link

How GPS Module Works

A GPS module connects to the Arduino via serial communication. It receives signals from at least four GPS satellites to determine the user's location. The module outputs NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) sentences, which contain information about latitude, longitude, date, and time.

GPS Module Pinout and Description

Pin	Description
VCC	Connects to 5V on Arduino to power the module
GND	Connects to GND on Arduino for grounding
TX	Connects to RX pin on Arduino (pin 3), sends data to Arduino
RX	Connects to TX pin on Arduino (pin 2), receives data from Arduino

Circuit Connection for Arduino GPS Tracker

The GPS module must be connected to the Arduino correctly to receive accurate GPS data:

Component	Arduino Pin	Details
GPS Module VCC	5V	Provides power to the GPS module
GPS Module GND	GND	Grounds the GPS module
GPS Module TX	Pin 3	Sends GPS data to Arduino
GPS Module RX	Pin 2	Receives data from Arduino

How the Circuit Works

The GPS module sends data to the Arduino, which uses the SoftwareSerial library for serial communication on pins 2 and 3. The TinyGPSPlus library decodes the NMEA sentences and extracts relevant data such as latitude, longitude, date, and time, which are displayed on the Serial Monitor.

Arduino Code for GPS Tracker

This code initializes the GPS module, reads GPS data, and displays the location in a format compatible with Google Maps. Copy and upload this code to your Arduino to get started.

#include 
#include 

// Define GPS module connections
static const int RXPin = 3, TXPin = 2;
static const uint32_t GPSBaud = 9600;  // Baud rate for GPS module

TinyGPSPlus gps;           // Create TinyGPSPlus object
SoftwareSerial ss(RXPin, TXPin); // SoftwareSerial for GPS communication

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);  // Start serial communication with PC
  ss.begin(GPSBaud);     // Start communication with GPS module

  Serial.println(F("Arduino GPS Tracker"));
  Serial.println(F("Reading GPS data using TinyGPSPlus library..."));
}

void loop() {
  // Read data from GPS module
  while (ss.available() > 0) {
    if (gps.encode(ss.read())) {
      displayInfo();  // Call display function when new data is available
    }
  }

  // Check if GPS data is not received within 5 seconds
  if (millis() > 5000 && gps.charsProcessed() < 10) {
    Serial.println(F("No GPS detected: check wiring."));
    while (true);  // Stop program if no GPS data is received
  }
}

void displayInfo() {
  Serial.println(F("Google Maps Link:"));
  if (gps.location.isValid()) {
    Serial.print("http://www.google.com/maps/place/");
    Serial.print(gps.location.lat(), 6);
    Serial.print(F(","));
    Serial.println(gps.location.lng(), 6);
  } else {
    Serial.println(F("INVALID LOCATION"));
  }

  // Display Date and Time
  Serial.print(F("Date/Time: "));
  if (gps.date.isValid()) {
    Serial.print(gps.date.month());
    Serial.print(F("/"));
    Serial.print(gps.date.day());
    Serial.print(F("/"));
    Serial.print(gps.date.year());
  } else {
    Serial.print(F("INVALID DATE"));
  }

  Serial.print(F(" "));
  if (gps.time.isValid()) {
    if (gps.time.hour() < 10) Serial.print(F("0"));
    Serial.print(gps.time.hour());
    Serial.print(F(":"));
    if (gps.time.minute() < 10) Serial.print(F("0"));
    Serial.print(gps.time.minute());
    Serial.print(F(":"));
    if (gps.time.second() < 10) Serial.print(F("0"));
    Serial.print(gps.time.second());
  } else {
    Serial.print(F("INVALID TIME"));
  }

  Serial.println();
}

Steps to Upload Arduino Code

• Connect your Arduino to the computer using a USB cable.
• Open the Arduino IDE, go to "Tools" > "Manage Libraries" and install the TinyGPSPlus and SoftwareSerial libraries.
• Copy and paste the code above into the Arduino IDE.
• Select the correct board (e.g., Arduino Uno) and port from "Tools" menu.
• Click the "Upload" button to transfer the code to the Arduino.

Check Output for Arduino GPS Tracker

• Open the Serial Monitor (Ctrl+Shift+M) after uploading the code.
• The Serial Monitor should display the GPS coordinates, date, and time.
• If the location is valid, a Google Maps link will be displayed for easy access.

Troubleshooting Tips for GPS Tracker

• No GPS Data: Check wiring, ensure the GPS module is connected to pins 2 and 3, and confirm the baud rate is set correctly.
• Invalid Location: Wait for a few seconds for the GPS module to lock onto satellites, especially when indoors.
• Serial Monitor Issues: Ensure the baud rate of the Serial Monitor matches that of the Arduino code (115200).

Suggestions for Beginners

Start with simpler projects like LED blinking or basic sensor interfacing to build foundational skills before moving on to projects like GPS tracking. Understanding serial communication and basic coding concepts will help in more advanced projects.

Recommended Book for Learning Arduino

Arduino Programming for Absolute Beginners - This book is a great resource for learning Arduino basics, including fundamental concepts and hands-on projects.

For more Arduino tutorials and projects, visit MechatronicsLab.net for resources on Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi.