diy-gps

A DIY GPS navigator built using ESP32, uBlox Neo M8N GPS module, and an OLED display.

Features

• Real-time GPS tracking
• Display of latitude and longitude
• Altitude measurement
• Current speed in km/h
• Number of satellites connected
• Time display in IST (UTC+5:30)
• Debug mode via Serial Monitor

Hardware Requirements

• ESP32 Development Board
• uBlox Neo M8N GPS with Compass
• 128x64 0.96 Inch OLED Display Module (I2C Interface)
• Breadboard
• Jumper Wires

All components were sourced from robokits.co.in

Cost Optimization

You can build this project in different ways depending on your needs:

• For basic tracking: Use cheaper GPS modules
• For high accuracy: Use uBlox Neo M8N
• Current build ($22) offers a great balance of cost and accuracy
• Total cost can range from $15-100 depending on component selection

Quick Start Guide

1. Gather Components

   • Purchase all components listed above
   • Make sure you have a good USB cable for ESP32

2. Hardware Assembly

   • Connect GPS Module to ESP32:
     • Red wire: VCC → 3.3V
     • Black wire: GND → GND
     • Yellow wire: TX → GPIO16 (RX2)
   • Connect OLED Display to ESP32:
     • VCC → 3.3V
     • GND → GND
     • SCL → GPIO22
     • SDA → GPIO21

3. Software Setup

   • Install Arduino IDE from arduino.cc
   • Install ESP32 board support (Guide)
   • Install required libraries through Arduino Library Manager:
     • TinyGPS++
     • Adafruit_GFX
     • Adafruit_SSD1306

4. Upload Code

   • Open esp32-gps-navigator.ino in Arduino IDE
   • Select "ESP32 Dev Module" from Tools > Board menu
   • Choose correct COM port
   • Click Upload button

5. First Run

   • Take the device outdoors for better GPS signal
   • Wait for "GPS INIT..." message
   • First fix might take 1-2 minutes
   • Once connected, you'll see coordinates and other data

Understanding the Display

Sats:7  Speed:0.0
51.5074         <- Latitude
-0.1278         <- Longitude
ALT:35m   13:45 <- Altitude & Time(IST)

Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions:

• No GPS fix: Make sure you're outdoors or near a window
• OLED not working: Check I2C connections and address
• No serial output: Verify correct baud rate (115200)
• GPS not responding: Double-check TX wire connection

Future Goals

Map Navigation

• Implementing local map rendering for navigation
• Custom MapForge parser written in Rust (mapsforge-rs)
  • This is a separate project to efficiently parse MapForge binary maps
  • Written in Rust for better performance and memory safety
  • Will be integrated with this GPS navigator for map rendering
• Custom renderer for OLED display
• This is a complex feature under development as it involves building several components from scratch

Project Ecosystem

This project is part of a larger ecosystem:

1. diy-gps: Current project for basic GPS functionality (this repo)
2. mapsforge-rs: Rust-based MapForge parser (in development)
3. Map renderer: Future component for navigation display

Future Improvements

Possible enhancements you can try:

• Add map rendering for navigation (work in progress)
• Create a custom PCB design instead of using breadboard
• Add a battery for portable use
• Store coordinates in SD card
• Add a button to change display modes
• Connect to WiFi to log location
• Design a 3D printed case

Important Notes

• This is a basic version that can be enhanced based on your needs
• Component quality affects GPS accuracy and fix time
• Consider soldering components on a PCB for permanent use
• The code is modular and can be adapted for different displays or GPS modules

Debug Mode

For developers:

• Set debugMode = true in code
• Open Serial Monitor at 115200 baud
• View detailed GPS data stream

Contributing

Feel free to fork this project and submit pull requests for any improvements.

License

MIT License

Support

If you need help:

• Open an issue in GitHub
• Review open/closed issues
• Contact me: chetanbaliyan10@gmail.com

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Note: This project is ideal for learning about GPS, ESP32, and I2C displays. Build responsibly!