Simple GPS Logger

Let's make a gps logger with an arduino mini pro!

I made this project so I could easily record my track when i'm trekking.
I wanted something simple and cheap.

You just have to turn it on and it will record your track as soon as the gps founded the satellites.

• Download code/documentation/models here: http://gps.madnerd.org
• Github : http://github.com/pigetArduino/gpslogger

In this tutorial, we will see

• How to wired everything
• How to upload the code
• How to display and convert tracks

Feel free to ask any questions, all the code/video/documentation are MIT/CC Attribution licence
As always I tried to put everything in a github repository so you can modify/reuse/correct/translate anything.

Before I start a small trick on Windows to download my projects without even opening a web browser

• Press : Windows Key
• Type: gps.madnerd.org

Here is the components I used for this gps.

• Gps module ublox Aircraft model mwc: 8€
• Micro sd card 2go : 4€
• Batteries holder 4AAA on/off : 1€
• Arduino mini pro 3.3V : 1,50€
• Passive buzzer 3v: 1€
• Total : 15.50€

Before you read the other steps, watch this short video, where I show all the steps to make this gps
As for all my videos, editing was done on Blender

Here is how to wired everything on an Arduino

• You can use a sdcard module instead of an Micro SD card adapter.
• Do not plug the GPS serial on the arduino serial or you won't be able to use serial to debug/upload code.
• SD card works on 3V, use an arduino mini pro 3V

SD card Adapter

• 1 --> X
• 2 --> 12
• 3 --> GND
• 4 --> 13
• 5 --> VCC
• 6 --> GND
• 7 --> 11
• 8 --> 10 (Chip select)

GPS

• RX --> 2
• TX --> 3

Buzzer

• + ---> 9
• - ----> GND

You will need an 3V FTDI cable to upload code on your Arduino

• Copy the code / librairies into your arduino sketchbook (gps.madnerd.org)
• Board: Arduino Mini Pro 3V
• Processor : Atmega328 (3.3V, 8mhz)

At the beginning of the code

You can change the timezone:

const int timezone = 0;

You can also change how many times the gps saved the position

const int gps_interval = 15 * 1000;

The track is saved as a csv file, if you want to convert it or display it on a map, you will either need to use the website gpsies.com or the free software viking.

Gpsies.com

• Go to http://gpsies.com
• Click on Create a track
• Import the csv file
• Or click on convert to get a gpx track file

Viking

• Download it here : https://sourceforge.net/projects/viking/
• Go to file
• Retrieve
• Import file with GPS Babel
• Choose (at the end of the list) : universal csv with field structure in first line

• Add a map in layer
• Use Open Street Map (Mapnick) or Bing Aerial