GPS Device Locator

ECE 445 Senior Design

Design Review
February 25th, 2009

Group 16
James Doran
Anthony Mackey
Ojas Marfatia

TA: Peter Hedlund

I. Introduction

In today's world, it is easy to lose track of the items that are so dear to us, but yet
we misplace time to time due to our fast paced lifestyles. The cost and time of
searching and, in many instances, replacing these items can be very great. The
GPS locator will allow many of our college peers, who lose wallets, keys, cell phones,
and other small objects constantly, to locate these items by using our device. The
groups desire and curiosity along with the marketability of this project are the key
factors that led us to create a GPS locator device.

Objectives:
The goal of our project is to create a device which can be placed on any object, and
when lost, the user can go to any computer (internet), and then find the location of
the object within a certain range. Using internet protocol, we would like to have the
GPS unit send signals, RF, through a transmitter to a receiver unit. The receiver unit
will then convert the RF signals into the geographical coordinates. This allows
users to see the location of their missing object. Also, a website will be password
protected so that only the user can locate their specific item. Our goal is to make
the locator device as lightweight and small as possible, so it does not cause any
increased burden to the user.

Benefits of GPS Locator for User:

Can help retrieve lost items

Helps save time in searching for item in exact area instead of searching
multiple locations
Saves money from buying new replacement item
Locator can be attached to any object
User friendly web page to locate device
No User Effort (Attach to object, that's it)

Product Features:

Functions outdoors
Capable of locating object within short range distances
Low power consumption
Provides geographical coordinates of lost item to web site
Location of lost item can be checked through the internet
Transmits signal to receiver through RF
Tracking website will be password protected per user
2

II. Design
Design Block Diagram

Remote Machine

Internet Protocol

Local Host w/
Device Driver

Receiver

Transmitter

Microcontroller

GPS Unit

Description of Block Diagram Functionality

Remote Machine:
3

The remote machine will be a convenient method of obtaining

information from the device via Internet protocol. The remote
machine will consist of any web browser that is capable of
graphically displaying html script coming from the local host
interfaced to the device receiver.

Local Host Machine:

The local host will be an Ubuntu Linux machine that will run the
Apache2 web server with PHP5 script interpretation capabilities
attached to Apache via a module. This is a common set up for
web hosting. The local machine will have a parallel port driver
that will run as a shell script when invoked by php from the
request to view a page from an Internet user. There will be a
Linx QS chip that will help convert CMOS TTL to USB, so data
incoming from receiver can be utilized much easier.

Receiver:
The receiver block holds information that it receives from the GPS
transmitter. It will be connected to the parallel port of the local
computer. The information it holds will be updated periodically,
but only used when a specific request is made from the machine.
The transmitter receiver pair will most likely be RF, and making
the pair operate over a large range will be a main focus, and
predicted difficulty of the project. The receiver operations will
also be controlled by the local computer.

Transmitter:
The transmitter will send information via RF obtained from the
GPS. Its functionality will be controlled by a micro-controller that
will act as an interface between the transmitter and GPS unit.
Again, getting transmission over a large distance will be a focus
of this project, and a difficult task.

Microcontroller:
4

This will be the interface between the transmitter and the GPS
unit. It will also regulate update and transmit cycles for the
connected devices. The microcontroller will also perform error
checks of the incoming data through cyclical redundancy codes
before sending data to the transmitter.
GPS Unit:
Using the global positioning system will be implemented with a
GPS Unit that is pre-built to obtain location information. This
information will be obtained on a periodic schedule, and then
transmitted to the receiver to be interpreted by the local host,
and then sent as data to be displayed in a web browser of a
remote machine.

SCHEMATICS

Description of Schematic Above

5

Laipac PG32 Chip:

This chip is our GPS module, and by using a GPS antenna, it acquires its
current location via satellite communication. The microcontroller will be
communicating with the PG32 by using NMEA0183, a military standard ASCII
language. Pin 5 (RXDA) and pin 6 (TXDA) are the input and output microcontroller
communications of the GPS chip, respectively. Also, pin 18 (PBRESN) is connected to
the microcontroller, and is used to restart the GPS chip when the circuit is powered
on. Finally, pin 27 (RFIN) will be used to receive information from the antenna.

Battery:
Using a coin lithium battery, we will be able to get a long lasting battery that
is small enough to fit our needs.

Antenna:
There will be two separate antennas in our circuit. One will be for the
transmitter, and will be a several inch long whip. Its imperative to have a good
working antenna so that way the device can properly communicate its location to
the receiver. The other antenna will be for the GPS chip and will be a patch antenna
attached that is already attached to the GPS chip.

Oscillator:
The oscillator will be generating the clock signal for the circuit so that data
can be properly transmitted between chips.

TXM-418-LR:
This chip is the transmitter, and operates at 418MHZ frequency. First the
microcontroller enables the chip by making pin 8 (PDN) high. Then, the data is feed
through pin 2 (DATA) from the microcontroller and is broadcasted out pin 5 (ANT) to
the antenna.

PIC16F877A Microcontroller:
The microcontroller is the brains behind our circuit, and is used to properly
encode sent data as well as help conserve power on the chip so the device lasts
longer. It has 4 outputs, 1 input, and a clock input. The outputs are used to control
both the Laipac PG32 and the TXM-418-LR, to both send data as well as to power
down when not in use.

Pseudo Code for Microcontroller

MC = Microcontroller

GPS = GPS chip

TRAN = Transmitter

Power on

MC -> GPS(RXDA)

: Switch to NMEA0183, set bit rate, set parity.

MC -> TRAN(PDN)

: Go to low power mode.

Start loop
MC -> GPS(RXDA)

: Where are we?

GPS(TXDA) -> MC

: We are at LAT and LONG

MC -> MC

: Computes checksum and compares it to data.

IF checksums do not match

Restart loop
ELSE
MC -> MC
MC -> TRAN(PDN)

: Store LATITUDE and LONGITUDE.

: Turn on / enable transmitter.

MC -> MC
information.

: Converts stored data into only necessary

MC -> MC
MC -> TRAN(DATA)

: Adds a form of ID tag to data

: Sends ID tag, LAT, LONG, and checksum 5 times.

MC -> TRAN(EN)
MC -> GPS(RXDA)

: Turn off / disable transmitter.

: Go into trickle/ low power mode.

MC -> MC

: Wait 5 to 30 minutes.

End loop do loop over forever

7

Receiver End Schematic

Local Host

Remote Machine

Description of Receiver End Schematic:

RXM-418-LR:

Receiver

This is the receiver that operates in the 418 MHz range. This receiver operates in
simple on off mode. When the 418 MHz frequency is transmitted from the
transmitter end, the output of the receiver will be a logical high, granted the signal
is received correctly and not corrupted. The level of logical high output is
determined by the Vcc power to this device. The data output will be serial by
nature of the one data pin. The baud the receiver outputs will be controlled
indirectly by the microcontroller on the transmitters side.

SDM-USB-QS-S:

USB Module

The USB module will act as a convenient way to interface the computer to our
device. The module has drivers written for use with Windows computers, and some
patches for Linux Kernels 2.24 2.26. This will make the driver component of the
project much more manageable. Additionally, the module is compatible with
downloadable Windows dlls that can be included in programs on the host computer.
This makes interpretation of the serial data into computer manageable Visual Basic
or C code.

Local Host:

Computer

The local host computer will run server software and communicate to the internet
via port 80. A website will be set up with embedded php that will run a program to
communicate with the QS module. This program will output the devices location as
transmitted by all of the previous steps. Error checking in transmission will be
performed at this stage. If the data correctly checks to its transmitted CRC
checksum generated by the microcontroller, it will be output by the program, and
input into the php webscript. The script will then use this information to look up data
on google maps.

Remote Machine:

Computer

The remote machine will be any computer that is connected to the internet and has
an internet browser capable of interpreting HTML. This computer will make requests
to the local host that cause the php script to begin and send the remote machine
HTML data accordingly.

Remote Request

Block Diagram for Internet Protocol

Interface

Local Host
PHP Script

Check QS Data In

BAD

QS
GOOD? Return
Data
BAD?

Read

GOOD

III. Verification

Performance Requirements
10

The main performance requirements will come into play in obtaining and
transmitting data. Since are we are not concerned about the speed of data
transmission and as the update process will be periodic, and not dynamically on
demand, we are looking for a range of 3,000 feet from our receiver in which we
would be able to locate any object that has our GPS locator attached. Ideally, it
would have been great to connect our transmitter to a heavy-duty antenna, or cell
phone network, but the cost, feasibility and connectability are outside of the scope
of this senior design project to accomplish this goal.
Power consumption of our GPS unit is also a concern. Our GPS unit, which
includes the GPS chip, microcontroller, and transmitter, must have enough power to
last three days. The GPS unit will be constantly running, at least in some cases
standby mode. This will definitely drain a great deal of power, especially since we
want the GPS unit to be as small as possible.
Accuracy of our GPS locator should be within 5 meters of the actual lost item.
Since the U.S. Government (FCC) regulates the accuracy of all GPS chips, 5 meters
is the greatest degree of accuracy that is possible within the United States.

Testing procedures
Along with testing the overall functionality of our device, we will test each individual
component to ensure proper and efficient functionality. The testing of each
component is described below:

GPS chip
The GPS chip will be tested by connecting it to antenna that is located inside
Everitt Laboratory. The connection to the antenna will allow initial testing of the
GPS chip so to ensure proper functionality. After the entire GPS locator device is
connected, we will be able to test the accuracy of our GPS in terms of range and
location accuracy. The accuracy of location and range will be done by field testing
our device and making sure the values meet our specifications. Also, the GPS chip
can be hooked up to a logic analyzer to display some of the data outputs to further
ensure proper functionality.

Internet protocol
To test the internet protocol, we will write simple GPS location scripts and
other scripts and ensure that the output will correctly broadcast the location of our
locator online through Google maps. We will use LabView for simulation to help
11

visualize our signals, and also we will use the drivers provided by Linx through the
SDM-USB-QS chip to further test the accuracy of our GPS output signals.

Receiver
The receiver unit will be tested by sending basic sinusoidal signals through
the transmitter and then recording what the receiver reads. Initially, the receiver
will be fairly close to the transmitter (75 feet) to ensure the readings can be made.
As testing continues, we will increase the distance between the transmitter and
receiver to further ensure correct, error-free data. We will determine the maximum
transmission distance by moving the transmitter away from the receiver until the
signal/noise ratio becomes so great that the receiver makes an error in reading the
data. Through the use of a logic analyzer, we can connect our receiver to the
analyzer and view the waveform as well. Also, the receiver will be tested by
connecting the output of the receiver to an oscilloscope to ensure that the data is
accurate.
Transmitter
The transmitter unit will be tested by sending a sample script into the input
and then determining if the transmitter outputs the same data. This can be done
through using a logic analyzer. Also, to test the range of the transmitter, we will
have the transmitter and a receiver in the same room to ensure that the data link
between the two is functional. We also will test the transmitter with the logic
analyzer to ensure no errors occur from the input of the transmitter to the output of
the transmitter. Through the Agilent Logic Analyzer will be able to visualize the
waveforms of the output from the transmitter. Also, an oscilloscope can be used to
test the voltage levels of the LINX TXM-LR transmitter.

Microcontroller
The Microcontrollers job is to mediate between the GPS chip and the
transmitter. The functionality of the microcontroller will be tested by inputting a
sample NMEA 0108 code, which is the protocol our GPS chip will output, and then
monitoring the output of the data. Since the goal of the microcontroller is to delay
the signal and correct any errors from the GPS chip, we will also test our cyclical
redundancy code to ensure that our microcontroller is capable of correcting error
data and sending the correct data to the transmitter. This test will be done by
sending sample data to the input of the microcontroller that has one error, multiple
errors, and no errors. A successful pass of this test will ensure that our
microcontroller is functioning correctly. The function of the microcontroller in our
circuit will software based, so using debugging tools will be necessary to ensure our
12

error correction code works and that the GPS signal relays the data to the
transmitter only after the data has been corrected

Overall device
Once fully assembled, the device will then be tested, and identical graphs
and measurements will be taken; indoor and outdoor GPS locations, graph of
properly transmitted data vs. distance to test the receiver/transmitter pair, and a
four day test of constant GPS coordinate updates will be visible on the internet.

IV. Ethical Guidelines

For our GPS locator device, there are a few ethical considerations that arise.
Based on the IEEE Code of Ethics, the first code which states that safety, welfare,
and health of the public are taken into account is one of the codes that affect our
device. While our GPS locator device can be very helpful in finding lost devices, if
misused, the device can be used to track and monitor unaware people or others
property which would be an infringement of civil liberties. Also, we must transfer
data in the allotted frequency range given to us by the United States Government,
which Is 260 470 MHz, and Is monitored under FCC regulation Part 15 Section 231.
It would be unethical to work in other frequency ranges that are not approved by
the U.S. Government for civilian use.

13

V. Cost and Schedule

Cost Analysis:

Parts
Part Description Unit Cost
(in $)

Quantity Total
Cost

Order Status

GPS Chip
(Laipac GP32)

$70.00

$70.00

On Order

GPS Antenna

$3.00

$3.00

Researching

Microcontroller
(PIC16F877A)

$3.00

$9.68

Received

Transmitter
(LINX TXM418-LR

$7.46

$7.46

On Order

Receiver (LINX
RXM-418-LR)

$13.56

$13.56

On Order

USB Converter $13.91

(SDM-USB-QS)

$13.91

On Order

Oscillator

$3.00

Received

$3.00

Plastic Encasing

$10.00

Resistors,
Capacitors,
Diodes etc

$5.00

Received

Batteries (Power
Supply)

$5.00

Received

TOTAL

$140.61
Labor

Worker

Hours X 2.5 X Wage

Total Cost

James Doran

120 X 2.5 X $35/hr

$10,500

Anthony Mackey

120 X 2.5 X $35/hr

$10,500

Ojas Marfatia

120 X 2.5 X $35/hr

$10,500
14

TOTAL

$31,500

Total Cost = Parts + Labor = $137.61 + $31,500 = $31,640.61

Task Schedule

Week of
2/9

Anthony Mackey

James Doran

Ojas Marfatia

Work on Proposal and Research GPS information

2/16

Create Circuit Board

Pick apart Linux kernel

& work on device
driver

GPS Interface with

Transmitter

2/23

Work on Transmitter
and Receiver
connection

Pick apart Linux kernel

& work on device
driver

GPS Interface with

Transmitter

3/2

Work on Transmitter
and Receiver
connection

Understand
connection between
receiver to computer
(TTL to USB)

Programming and
Testing of
Microcontroller

3/9

Programming and
Testing of
Microcontroller

Understand
connection between
receiver to computer
(TTL to USB)

Programming and
Testing Microcontroller

3/16

Programming and
Testing of
Microcontroller

Create Webpage

Test and Resolve

computer and receiver
interface

3/23
3/30

Spring Break!
Power Analysis of
Completed Circuit

Create Webpage and

Internet Protocol

Power Analysis of
Completed Circuit

4/6

Integrate all Parts/ Test Device

4/13

Integrate all Parts/ Test Device

4/20

Work on Presentations and Demos

4/27

Work on Final Papers

5/4

Work on Final Papers

15

16