Summary of DIY GPS TRACKER FEATURES THREE ARDUINO BOARDS
Duane Bester built a GPS tracker and data logger by combining an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense with an MKR Mem Shield and an MKR GPS Shield, prototyping on a breadboard, debugging GPS code outdoors, then designing a custom PCB in EasyEDA using Eagle schematics and having boards fabricated and assembled by PCBWay. He also addressed programming via J-Link and resolved part orientation questions during fabrication.
Parts used in the GPS Tracker:
- Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense
- MKR Mem Shield
- MKR GPS Shield
- SD card (via Mem Shield)
- GPS module (on MKR GPS Shield)
- Breadboard (for prototyping)
- Custom PCB (designed in EasyEDA)
- J-Link programmer
- PCBWay fabrication and assembly service
Duane Bester has built a GPS Tracker From Scratch Using 3 Arduino boards to make a GPS tracker and a data logger. A flash of idea came to him, to combine the new Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense with an SD card and GPS module for a project that records GPS and IMU data.
So he opted to buy the Nano 33, the MKR Mem Shield, and the MKR GPS Shield and couple all of them together. He later found out that these boards aren’t footprint-compatible, so He combined them with a breadboard. It took time to get all the plugins installed and everything connected correctly. The biggest challenge he faced was the GPS module, and he says “It really helps to start debugging the GPS’ example code outside; where the satellite signal is available.” After successfully vetting the Prototype code for the arduino, he went ahead to build a custom PCB.
For the PCB design, he used easyeda to build his custom PCB. The first thing he did was obtaining the schematics from the Nano 33, the MKR Mem Shield then the MKR GPS Shield. The schematic was easy to access via Github. Since they are Eagle schematic files, the Eagle trial version was used for an in-depth analysis. After that, he copied the full Nano 33 BLE schematic as it is, as well as matching up the component names and numbers.
He then included the GPS module then he had to figure out how to program through J-Link. To ensure it’s optimal, he went on to send off the design to PCBWay to be built and coupled. This was a smooth process, with some questions concerning the part name and orientation. Few weeks later he received the plan PCB boards in the mail, then six weeks later he got the fully assembled PCB boards.
Read more: DIY GPS TRACKER FEATURES THREE ARDUINO BOARDS
- What Arduinos did he use to build the GPS tracker?
He used the Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense together with the MKR Mem Shield and the MKR GPS Shield. - How did he prototype the combined boards?
He coupled the boards on a breadboard because the boards were not footprint-compatible. - What was the biggest challenge during prototyping?
The GPS module was the biggest challenge and he recommends debugging GPS example code outdoors for satellite signal. - Which tools did he use to design the custom PCB?
He used EasyEDA for PCB design and reviewed Eagle schematic files from Github using the Eagle trial version. - How did he obtain the schematics for the modules?
He obtained the schematics from Github, which were Eagle schematic files. - How did he handle programming the custom board?
He figured out how to program the board using a J-Link programmer. - Where did he send the PCB design for fabrication?
He sent the design to PCBWay for fabrication and assembly. - Were there any issues during fabrication?
PCBWay asked questions about part names and orientations, which were resolved. - How long until he received assembled PCBs?
He received bare PCBs in a few weeks and fully assembled PCBs about six weeks later.
