Embedded Files
This Arduino sketch reads GPS data from a NEO-6M GPS module and displays the latitude, longitude, and distance from a predefined home location (in this case, London) on a 16x4 I2C LCD screen.
In the first picture, the setup showcases the back end of the Arduino GPS Distance unit with an Arduino Nano and a GPS module mounted on it. This configuration shows a compact and portable solution for tracking geographical data. The Arduino Nano serves as the brains of the operation, interfacing with both the GPS module and the 16x4 LCD display via I2C communication. The GPS module communicates with the Arduino Nano through serial communication, providing real-time latitude and longitude data.
The second picture captures the user with the setup, demonstrating the functionality of the system in action. With the GPS module properly configured and connected to the Arduino Nano, it successfully acquires longitude and latitude coordinates. The Arduino Nano then utilizes these coordinates, along with predefined home base coordinates (set to London's latitude and longitude which you change for your home location), to calculate the distance from the home base. This distance calculation is achieved through mathematical algorithms implemented in the Arduino code, leveraging the TinyGPS++ library to parse GPS data and perform distance calculations accurately.
Finally, the third picture illustrates the integration of the GPS tracking system into the console of a vehicle. This deployment suggests the practical application of the setup for navigation or location-based services while on the move. The Arduino Nano, along with the GPS module and LCD display, seamlessly fits into the vehicle's console, providing real-time geographic information to the user. The code running on the Arduino continuously reads GPS data, updates the LCD display with latitude, longitude, and distance from home, and ensures that the system functions reliably, even in a dynamic environment like a moving vehicle. Overall, this project showcases the versatility of Arduino-based GPS tracking systems and their potential applications in various scenarios, from outdoor adventures to vehicle navigation.
Arduino code below with detailed comments explaining each part to someone who's new to programming
/* Author: Douglas Fessler Date: 2024-03-26
#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
#include <TinyGPS++.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
const int RX_PIN = 6, TX_PIN = 5;
const uint32_t GPS_BAUD = 9600; //Default baud of NEO-6M is 9600
TinyGPSPlus gps; // The TinyGPS++ object
SoftwareSerial gpsSerial(RX_PIN, TX_PIN); // The serial interface to the GPS device
// CHANGE AND ENTER YOUR LAT/LONG FROM WHERE YOUR TRAVELING FROM BELOW
const double LONDON_LAT = 51.508131;
const double LONDON_LON = 0.128002;
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 4); // Address 0x27, 16 column and 4 rows
unsigned long previousMillis = 0;
const long lcdInterval = 1000; // LCD update interval (milliseconds)
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
gpsSerial.begin(GPS_BAUD);
lcd.init();
lcd.backlight();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Arduino - GPS");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Module");
}
void loop() {
unsigned long currentMillis = millis();
if (currentMillis - previousMillis >= lcdInterval) {
previousMillis = currentMillis;
updateLCD(); // Update LCD display
}
readGPS(); // Read GPS data
}
void updateLCD() {
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0,0);
lcd.print(" Adventure VAN GPS");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Lat: ");
lcd.print(gps.location.lat(), 4); // Display latitude with 6 decimal places
lcd.setCursor(0, 2);
lcd.print("Lon: ");
lcd.print(gps.location.lng(), 4); // Display longitude with 6 decimal places
lcd.setCursor(0, 3);
lcd.print("From Home: ");
lcd.print(TinyGPSPlus::distanceBetween(gps.location.lat(), gps.location.lng(), LONDON_LAT, LONDON_LON) / 1000);
lcd.print(" km");
}
void readGPS() {
while (gpsSerial.available() > 0) {
if (gps.encode(gpsSerial.read())) {
if (gps.location.isValid()) {
Serial.print("- latitude: ");
Serial.println(gps.location.lat());
Serial.print("- longitude: ");
Serial.println(gps.location.lng());
Serial.print("- distance to Home: ");
Serial.println(TinyGPSPlus::distanceBetween(gps.location.lat(), gps.location.lng(), LONDON_LAT, LONDON_LON) / 1000);
} else {
Serial.println("- location: INVALID");
}
Serial.println();
}
}
if (millis() > 5000 && gps.charsProcessed() < 10)
Serial.println("No GPS data received: check wiring");
}
Now, let's go through each part:
Include Libraries: The sketch includes necessary libraries such as Wire for I2C communication, LiquidCrystal_I2C for interfacing with the LCD, TinyGPS++ for parsing GPS data, and SoftwareSerial for communicating with the GPS module.
Pin Definitions and Constants: Pins for RX and TX connections to the GPS module are defined along with the GPS module's baud rate. London's latitude and longitude are also defined as constants.
Object Instantiation: Objects for GPS parsing, software serial communication, and LCD display are instantiated.
Setup Function: The setup() function initializes serial communication, software serial for GPS communication, and the LCD display. It also prints a message on the LCD indicating the setup.
Loop Function: The loop() function continuously checks for GPS data and updates the LCD display at regular intervals.
Update LCD Function: The updateLCD() function clears the LCD, updates it with current latitude, longitude, and distance from London, and displays the information.
Read GPS Function: The readGPS() function reads data from the GPS module via software serial. It checks if valid GPS data is available, and if so, it prints latitude, longitude, and distance from London to the serial monitor. If no GPS data is received within 5 seconds, it prints a warning message.
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