Wrapped up the Arduino based GPS tracker project!
This project used a SIRF GPS module I bought off Ebay, integrated with a data logging shield that can write to an SD card. The Arduino microcontroller board makes it all work together. The code supports and LCD readout of the GPS coordinates, heading, speed, etc. In the photos below the LCD is removed because it didn't fit in the case nicely. I'm making another version that has a readout when the parts come.
Basically this is a teen tracker. As long as it is powered, it logs GPS coordinates of the trip every few seconds. It records speed as well (not perfectly accurate). Using gpsvisualizer web site, you can pull out the SD card, put it in your computer, point to the file that is saved and draw a map of the trip. I even tested this in the trunk of the car, and it worked perfectly.
Here is a photo of the completed unit, in it's box. Also shown is the cell phone USB battery that I got at Target, foam taped to the side of the unit. This might seem odd, but the unit would normally draw power from a USB adapter from a car, not from this battery.
Here is a shot with the case open, showing the adafruit data logger shield with the GPS module hanging off to the side, installed in the prototype area of the shield. The Arduino itself is beneath the shield that you can see.
It all snaps inside this project box from Sparkfun.
I polished up the code so the waypoints are taken more often, unless the speed is low in which case some delays are added to keep the file down. I added some LCD display improvements including displaying the compass direction next to the heading (i.e. N, E, S, W, NE, etc). Took it bike riding at it worked perfectly too.
Earlier posts have links to the build, but a couple notes on the circuit, since i havent drawn it.
The box is $11.95 from Sparkfun http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=10088
The adafruit sd logger card is the base prototype board. I built it up according to it's directions, it is a nice prototype card. I attached the GPS in the empty prototype area. $19.50 and worth every penny.
http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17_21&products_id=243
It supports the SDFat library, which writes to and SD card in a format that is directly readable by your PC in a .csv file.
You can get several LCD modules from Digikey if you want one. I used this one for $9.25
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?WT.z_header=search_go&lang=en&site=us&keywords=NHD-0208AZ-FL-YBW-ND&x=21&y=15
The GPS module came for $30 from ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250686123796&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_898
The GPS has a two wire serial interface, described in it's documentation and the photo below. Instead of pins 2,3 I moved the interface to pins 8,9 to avoid conflicts with the LCD and SD card. Pins 10 and above are used by the SD card interface built into the proto board. I did not use a serial LCD like in this example, i used a parallel one. The LCD is hooked up like the Arduino library examples, except the pins are moved to 7,6,5,4,3,2.
(photo borrowed from i182will)
Here is a dump of the code. Atrocious coding as it is. I works though! I am a brute force programmer.
