Imagine a smartwatch where the display doubles as both a keyboard and a mouse interface! And guess what? It’s totally doable.
GPS tracking technology has become indispensable in our modern world, serving purposes ranging from parcel tracking to navigation across various industries.
Yet, when it comes to tracking smaller items like luggage, keeping an eye on children’s whereabouts, or discreetly monitoring someone, we often require a device that’s compact and inconspicuous, effortlessly attachable without taking up much space.
Today, we’re delving into the creation of the tiniest GPS tracker imaginable—a device that can be affixed to keychains, attached discreetly to bags for child safety, or even integrated with pets’ collars or vehicles for tracking purposes.
Our foremost criterion: keeping the device compact, under a mere 3cm. That’s why we’ve chosen the Indusboard Coin as our base, offering the perfect balance of size and durability.
To maintain this small footprint, we’ve opted for the L86 GPS module, measuring just 1.5 cm and featuring an integrated GPS antenna. This module ensures accurate location tracking while keeping the overall size to a minimum.
For transmitting data via GSM, we’ve integrated the SIM800l module, which operates efficiently on the 2G band. However, for those seeking higher network speeds, a seamless swap to a 4G or 5G GSM module is entirely feasible, ensuring adaptable performance according to specific tracking needs.
In our design phase, we’ve settled on the L86 GPS module for its reliability and compact size. This module communicates via a serial port at a baud rate of 9600, perfectly aligning with the capabilities of our chosen hardware.
Given the flexibility of the Indusboard, which supports both software and hardware serial connections, we’ve opted to utilize its hardware serial capabilities. By default, pins 43 and 44 are designated as RX and TX serial pins, seamlessly integrating with the L86 GPS module.
When it comes to powering the GPS module, efficiency and compatibility are key. The L86 GPS requires a power supply within the range of 2.8V to 4V, drawing approximately 100mA during operation. Fortunately, our chosen board provides a dedicated pin capable of supplying this power. Thus, we’re connecting the GPS module to the 3.3V and GND pins on the Indusboard, ensuring reliable and stable power delivery throughout its operation.