This is an efficient vehicle tracking system designed and implemented for tracking the movement of any equipped vehicle from any location in the world at any time. The proposed system made good use of a popular technology that combines a Smartphone application with a microcontroller. This will be easy to make and inexpensive compared to others. The designed in-vehicle device works using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global system for mobile communication / General Packet Radio Service (GSM/GPRS) technology that is one of the most common ways for vehicle tracking.
The device is embedded inside a vehicle whose position is to be determined and tracked in real-time. A microcontroller is used to control the GPS and GSM/GPRS modules. The vehicle tracking system uses the GPS module to get geographic coordinates at regular time intervals. The GSM/GPRS module is used to transmit and update the vehicle location to a database. A Smartphone application is also developed for continuously monitoring the vehicle location.
The Google Maps API is used to display the vehicle on the map in the Smartphone application. We can view the exact location in the Google map. Thus, users will be able to continuously monitor a moving vehicle on demand using the Smartphone application and determine the estimated distance and time for the vehicle to arrive at a given destination. In order to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the system, this paper presents experimental results of the vehicle tracking system and some experiences on practical implementations.
This project application is implemented using components such as GPS module to track the location parameters, GSM Modem to send SMS to user number and microcontroller ATMEGA328 to process the data. The GPS parameters are also shown on 16*2 LCD. The user needs to send first SMS to the system for getting information of the location. GSM modem then immediately sends back location information.
Software :
- Arduino IDE
- Embedded CPP code
- Proteus Simulator
Hardware:
- Arduino UNO Logic Board (Atmega328 Microcontroller )
- 16*2 LCD Display
- Regulated Power Supply
- GSM Modem
- GPS Module With Antenna
Applications and Advantages:
1) School transport Tracking: “Vehicle tracking system”can be used in the school bus for tracking.
2) This project can be used for detection of cab or car of companies.
3) Theft Protection: This project can be very useful when your vehicle or car is stolen.
4) We can implement this project in our bikes, two-wheeler, motor cyles, and in four-wheeler as well.
Limitations:
1) We need to have either PC or smartphone with internet to track the location. We can not get the location name and place directly. We need to enter parameters in google map to show the location.
GPS module’s Tx pin is connected to Rx (Pin 0) of Arduino. Arduino’s Tx (Pin 1) is connected to Rx of GSM Modem. LCD Data Lines are connected to 2,3,4,5 and LCD control lines are RS, R/W , En are connected to Pin 12, Gnd, 11 etc. Regulated power supply for all the units.
Working :
User needs to send SMS to the system for getting the latitude and longitude parameters. SMS can be any string command for example “TRACK” The SMS is received by GSM Modem and command is processed and compared. If it is valid command , it then sends back another SMS with location parameters. Thus using information , we can know the exact location.