Arduino based Vehicle Tracker using GPS and GSM

In our previous article, we have learned about “How to interface GPS module with Computer and How to make a GPS updated Clock”. In this project we are going one step ahead with GPS and going to track a vehicle using GPS and GSM. This Vehicle Tracking System can also be used for Accident Detection Alert System, Soldier Tracking System and many more, by just making few changes in hardware and software.

Tracking of vehicle is a process in which we track the vehicle location in form of Latitude and Longitude (GPS coordinates). GPS Coordinates are the value of a location. This system is very efficient for outdoor application purpose.

This kind of Vehicle Tracking System Project is widely in tracking Cabs/Taxis, stolen vehicles, school/colleges buses etc.

Components Required:

• Arduino
• GSM Module
• GPS Module
• 16×2 LCD
• Power Supply
• Connecting Wires
• 10 K POT

GPS Module and Its Working:

GPS stands for Global Positioning System and used to detect the Latitude and Longitude of any location on the Earth, with exact UTC time (Universal Time Coordinated). GPS module is the main component in our vehicle tracking system project. This device receives the coordinates from the satellite for each and every second, with time and date.

GPS module sends the data related to tracking position in real time, and it sends so many data in NMEA format (see the screenshot below). NMEA format consist several sentences, in which we only need one sentence. This sentence starts from $GPGGA and contains the coordinates, time and other useful information. This GPGGA is referred to Global Positioning System Fix Data. Know more about Reading GPS data and its strings here.

We can extract coordinate from $GPGGA string by counting the commas in the string. Suppose you find $GPGGA string and stores it in an array, then Latitude can be found after two commas and Longitude can be found after four commas. Now these latitude and longitude can be put in other arrays.

Below is the $GPGGA String, along with its description:

$GPGGA,104534.000,7791.0381,N,06727.4434,E,1,08,0.9,510.4,M,43.9,M,,*47

$GPGGA,HHMMSS.SSS,latitude,N,longitude,E,FQ,NOS,HDP,altitude,M,height,M,,checksum data

Identifier	Description
$GPGGA	Global Positioning system fix data
HHMMSS.SSS	Time in hour minute seconds and milliseconds format.
Latitude	Latitude (Coordinate)
N	Direction N=North, S=South
Longitude	Longitude(Coordinate)
E	Direction E= East, W=West
FQ	Fix Quality Data
NOS	No. of Satellites being Used
HPD	Horizontal Dilution of Precision
Altitude	Altitude from sea level
M	Meter
Height	Height
Checksum	Checksum Data

Circuit Explanation:

Circuit Connections of this Vehicle Tracking System Project is simple. Here Tx pin of GPS module is directly connected to digital pin number 10 of Arduino. By using Software Serial Library here, we have allowed serial communication on pin 10 and 11, and made them Rx and Tx respectively and left the Rx pin of GPS Module open. By default Pin 0 and 1 of Arduino are used for serial communication but by using SoftwareSerial library, we can allow serial communication on other digital pins of the Arduino. 12 Volt supply is used to power the GPS Module.

GSM module’s Tx and Rx pins of are directly connected to pin Rx and Tx of Arduino. GSM module is also powered by 12v supply. An optional LCD’s data pins D4, D5, D6 and D7 are connected to pin number 5, 4, 3, and 2 of Arduino. Command pin RS and EN of LCD are connected with pin number 2 and 3 of Arduino and RW pin is directly connected with ground. A Potentiometer is also used for setting contrast or brightness of LCD.

Working Explanation:

In this project, Arduino is used for controlling whole the process with a GPS Receiver and GSM module. GPS Receiver is used for detecting coordinates of the vehicle, GSM module is used for sending the coordinates to user by SMS. And an optional 16×2 LCD is also used for displaying status messages or coordinates. We have used GPS Module SKG13BL and GSM Module SIM900A.

When we ready with our hardware after programming, we can install it in our vehicle and power it up. Then we just need to send a SMS, “Track Vehicle”, to the system that is placed in our vehicle. We can also use some prefix (#) or suffix (*) like #Track Vehicle*, to properly identify the starting and ending of the string, like we did in these projects: GSM Based Home Automation and Wireless Notice Board

Sent message is received by GSM module which is connected to the system and sends message data to Arduino. Arduino reads it and extract main message from the whole message. And then compare it with predefined message in Arduino. If any match occurs then Arduino reads coordinates by extracting $GPGGA String from GPS module data (GPS working explained above) and send it to user by using GSM module. This message contains the coordinates of vehicle location.

Programming Explanation:

In programming part first we include libraries and define pins for LCD & software serial communication. Also define some variable with arrays for storing data. Software Serial Library is used to allow serial communication on pin 10 and 11.

#include<LiquidCrystal.h>
LiquidCrystal lcd(7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2);

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial gps(10,11); // RX, TX
char str[70];
String gpsString="";
... ....
.... ....

Here array str[70] is used for storing received message from GSM module and gpsString is used for storing GPS string. char *test=”$GPGGA” is used to compare the right string that we need for coordinates.

After it we have initialized serial communication, LCD, GSM & GPS module in setup function and showed a welcome message on LCD.

Read more: Arduino based Vehicle Tracker using GPS and GSM