Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Motor vehicle theft has been a rampant crime, not only in the Philippines but in

the entire world. there have been a multitude of Laws submitted to counter these crimes,

but crime cases havent been dwindling, even in the presence of these laws. On the 2015,

the PNP has reported over 9,201 cases of motor vehicle theft incidents in the Philippines

[1].

There have been a lot of anti-theft procedures and mechanisms for motor vehicles

have been invented to counter these threats, it may have decreased the number of cases

but does completely eradicate the problem [2] [3] and tracking down these stolen cars is

even a larger hurdle, as tracking down these cars would require a large amount of time

and effort.

Vehicle tracking systems are commonly used by fleet operators for fleet

management functions such as fleet tracking, routing, dispatch, on-board information and

security. The American Public Transportation Association estimated that, at the beginning

of 2009, around half of the public buses in the United States were already using a

tracking system to trigger automated stop impaired customers and to do any important

announcements to the passengers already on board [4].

Vehicle tracking system is also used as an anti-theft system. If a vehicle is stolen,

the owner can easily track the vehicle. After the introduction of vehicle tracking system
the chances of recovering the car has increased enormously [5]. Vehicle tracking system

has made people`s lives much easier.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

The researchers came up with the Vehicle Tracking System using Arduino that

will minimize the time and effort require to track stolen vehicles. This is a device that

will be hidden inside the vehicle, tracking vehicles can be done via text messages.

Tracking stolen vehicles will be made easy and portable, tracking can be done at any time

or anywhere.

The result of this project study is an operational and ready to use device that can

track lost or stolen vehicles. It uses Arduino UNO that serves as the brain of the system,

GPS and GPRS modules to connect and track the vehicle via SMS and pinpoint its exact

location with the use of Google Map.

The researcher`s goal is to come up with the following objectives:

1. To be able to track the vehicle at anytime and anywhere the owner

may be.
2. To be able to register and drop new mobile numbers that can send

requests to the system.

3. To be able to track the vehicle automatically and manually upon

request.
4. To be able to track the vehicle via Text message, the device will reply

with its exact latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates and the history

of the coordinates can be viewed through a Developed Android App.

1.3 Conceptual Framework

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 The Vehicle Tracking System using Arduino is developed to help vehicle track

their lost vehicles, in the event that it might have gotten stolen or the owner might have

forgotten where the vehicle was parked.

First, the user sends a specific SMS format to the system. The SMS can either be

to register or drop cellphone numbers, change between the automatic and manual modes,

and to request Real-time longitude and latitude coordinates.

Then, the MCU that is placed within the vehicle, processes that request, whether

the sent SMS follows an exact format for a command. If a specific SMS format is

recognized, the system will initiate the command. If an error is detected within the format

of the SMS sent, or the cellphone number used is not registered, the SMS will be

discarded

Lastly, upon verification of the SMS and cellphone number used. When the owner

Syste
User Track
m
receives an SMS reply from the system indicating its longitudinal and latitudinal

3
coordinates, the owner can then now track the location of the system and can see the

history of the path using the developed Android Application

Figure 1.1 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

1.4 Significance of the Study

In this time period, transportation is very common. A lot of happenings occur on

the road every. Therefore, the need of security and monitoring is to be developed.

Vehicles are expensive and valuable, losing a vehicle is a depressing and grievous

experience. As a lot of procedures and precautions have already been made to stop

vehicle stealing, but it does not completely eradicate the problem [2] [3]. Tracking down

these stolen vehicles require large quantities of time and effort, but majority of tracking

operations fail [6].

Thus, the findings of this study will be salutary and may help the following

people with different lifestyle to cope up from this problem they are facing:

To Vehicle Owners: The results of the study will help vehicle owners track down

their vehicle more easily, with less hassle and less time consumption.

To the Police Force: The results of the study will help the police in tracking down

stolen cars, which will lower money and time consumption for tracking operations.

To the Researchers: The results and the outcome of this project will be

advantageous for further improvement and for future development and application.

1.5 Scope and Delimitations of the Study

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Like any other studies, this study has its limitations and delimitations.

This project is limited to the following:

1. In case if the battery is drained, the project will not function, all methods of

connecting will be useless.

2. The system will use specific format, for the device to respond with the

specific data such as location coordinates, any errors on the message request

format will be rejected.

3. The system will only recognize the registered mobile numbers, SMS requests

from unregistered mobile numbers will be discarded.

4. The researchers used a GLOBE SIM Card for the system to use.
5. The system has to have a sufficient amount of mobile number load and signal

strength of the network to reply to the SMS requests.

6. The Developed Android App will clear the data received if the android phone

is turned off.

This project study has the following delimitations:

1. The project is dependent on a 12Vdc power supply. There are two power

sources, main source and back-up source.

2. The project will send an SMS containing location data with the exact

Latitudinal and Longitudinal coordinates, and the history of the coordinates

can be viewed using the developed Android Application

3. The project is small which can fit anywhere within the car. Such as, the trunk,

glove compartment, or the under spare tire.

4. The project uses a smartphone having a requirement of A-GPS, GLONASS.

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1.6 Definition of Terms

Along with the contexts of the research paper the following terms below may get

people confused. Below each word is given by its definition according to how it was used

on this research paper.

A-GPS (Assisted Global Positioning System) - is a global navigation satellite

system (GNSS) that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver

in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an

unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites

Back-up Source - 12V battery source from the vehicle

Developed Android App - an application made by the researchers that records

the location marks of the place the user requests through google maps

Exact Coordinates - the latitude and longitude coordinates from an another

application by using GPS settings in the phone

GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a global satellite

navigation system, providing real time position and velocity determination for

military and civilian users.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a packet oriented mobile data

service on the 2G and 3G cellular communication system`s global

system for mobile communications.

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GPS (Global Positioning System) a global navigation satellite system that

provides location and time information in all weather conditions,

anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an obstructed line of sight

to four or more GPS satellites.

GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) is a digital mobile

telephony system that is widely used in Europe and other parts of the

world. GSM uses a variation of time division multiple access.

Latitudinal and Longitudinal coordinates - coordinates sent for the tracking

system in the form of decimal. (#.######, #.#####)

Main Source - source from the vehicle ignition system (+12Vdc).

Sent Coordinates - the latitude and longitude coordinates sent from "Vehicle

Tracking System using Arduino"

System - The device that processes the requests by the user. A project entitled

"Vehicle Tracking System using Arduino."

Track - the action taken by the system particular to location that sends GPS

coordinates to the phone of the user through the developed android app

with Google Maps

User - the vehicle owner which sends requests to the vehicle tracking system

Vehicle Tracking System using Arduino a project design that can is stored

inside a vehicle, which can help in tracking down the vehicle in case it is

stolen or lost

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 Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

2.1 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1.1 GPS SMS tracker TK103B

This tracking device comes along with remote control free PC version software,

the Google maps, this TK103 SMS GPS tracker links your device with real time tracking

status to let you using this small electronic GPS with a cellular technology to transfer all

your location information stored to a secure server which will later allow to fully access

through your computer or smartphone. Its battery life can last up to more than 200 hours

[7].

The GPS SMS tracker TK103B uses a battery for its power source while the

researchers used a 12V battery for the back-up source and 12V main source from the

vehicle for which if the vehicle is off still the Vehicle Tracking System is on. The study

covers the hardware and software design of devices developed to

determine and transmit the vehicles information, such as its location,

to the remote Tracking Server. Tracking Systems aid in determining the

geographic positioning information of vehicles, once collected it will

then transmit it to a remotely located server.

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 Figure 2.1.1 TK103B Remote Controlled GPS tracker

2.1.2 SPOT-30 Spot Gen3 GPS Satellite Messenger

Most GPS tracking devices are equipped with the same basic technology, what

make this SPOT-30 Spot Gen3 GPS different from other GPS trackers are its amazing

design and effectiveness featured in this special trackers platform which enables you to

fence off certain areas from the map even when the tracker enters to the restricted areas.

It has a vibration sensor that tells your SPOT to send track updates when you are moving

and to stop when you do.

The researchers adopted the principle of tracking using GPS. The SPOT-30 well

has amazing and effective features that could even track the restricted areas. It also has an

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update or notification. Our design pertains to the command request depends on request

sent to the device. It also has a manual mode which you can request location manually.

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 Figure 2.1.2 SPOT-30 Gen. 3 GPS satellite Messenger

2.1.3 ACR PLB-375 ResQlink+

In 2003, the federal government approved use of PLBs in the United States. This

ACR PLB-375 GPS tracker is one among the best GPS devices that can analyze the

designated zones on a map. Another feature is that this GPS has the capacity to make and

receive emergency phone calls, including the content of SMS capital letters of SOS

sent out and the information about the current longitude and latitude on the web site

connected in a minute.

This tracking device has a content of SMS of SOS in which it sends out the

current latitude and longitude in a minute. With that, the concept of GPS again that sends

out message performing the current location. Our vehicle tracking system hasnt a

function of sending gps coordinates through phone calls. It is also connected to the web

site in a minute while our project isnt using a website accessing the location.

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 Figure 2.1.3 ACR PLB-375 ResQlink+

2.1.4 Trax Personal GPS Tracker

Trax is one of the smallest and most technologically advanced personal GPS

locators, with fantastic accuracy and a battery life of one day. Its most stand out features

of this Blue Trax Personal GPS Tracker is its update intervals that passes between

locations sent to the server at least once every five minutes. Its reliable intelligent real-

time high tech algorithm tracking equipped in this GPS tracker. Most important of all,

this Trax is built with 3 years free data Sim card that allows users to access for free

roaming in more than 30 countries around the Globe.

This tracker had a concept of giving an update interval that passes between

locations sent every 5 minutes. Same concept that we have yet our project could give

location every 10 minutes in Automatic mode. It has a 3-year unlimited subscription to

internet to access for free while our project is intended to reload every now and then the

sim.

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 Figure 2.1.4 Trax Personal GPS Tracker

2.2 REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

2.2.1 Advanced Vehicle Tracking System on Google Earth Using GPS and GSM

On December 2013, Sowjanya Kotte & Hima Bindhu Yanamadala presented their

project study on GPS based vehicle tracking/navigation system. This is done by fetching

the information of the vehicle like location, distance, etc. by using GPS and GSM. The

information can be transformed with the following features: The information of the

vehicle like location, etc. is obtained after every specified time interval defined by the

user. Then this periodic information of location is transmitted to monitoring or tracking

server. This transmitted information is displayed on the display unit by using the google

earth to display vehicle location in the electronic google maps.

The researchers adopted the principle of monitoring the location map in a google

map but through developed android app. It displays using the google earth while our

project is limited only to google maps.

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2.2.2 Design and Implementation of Real Time Vehicle Tracking System

In the study, Design and Implementation of Real Time Vehicle Tracking System

by Vinar Kumar and Rama Krishna has provided an integrated Cell Phone GPS-GSM

system to track vehicles using Google Earth application develop in android application

for mobile system. The remote module has a Bluetooth mounted on the moving vehicle

with attached accident detecting sensor to identify if accidents happens. Bluetooth will

be the medium of communication with the user mobile for activating the GPS position

of the cell phone.

The researchers adopted the principle of using the Android Applicaton for

mobile system. They have used Google Earth in directing the location, yet our project

the Vehicle Tracking System using Arduino uses Google Maps.

Figure 2.2.2 Block Diagram of GPS Tracking System

2.2.3 Design and Implementation of a Mobile Devices-based Real-time

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 Location Tracking

In the study, Design and Implementation of a Mobile Devices-based Real-

time Location Tracking by Hyo-Haeng Lee, In- Kwon Park, and Kwang-Seok Hong,

the use of mobile is to track and to identify the location of objects in real time. They

may use simple, inexpensive nodes (badges/tags) attached to or embedded in objects

and devices (readers) that receive the wireless signals from these tags to determine

their location. One of the mobile services that can be accessed is the GPS feature.

Figure 2.2.3 Mobile Devices-Based Real Time Location

Tracking

The study proposes a real-time location tracking system using a GPS module

for different mobile devices. Several users may be required to manage and to

observe most of the subjects (people) being monitored. Another mobile feature

adopted is the GIS that has been implemented on many mobile devices. With the

widespread adoption of GPS, GIS has been used to capture and to integrate data in

the field. GIS APIs are designed to manage GIS data for delivery to a web browser

15
client from a GIS server. They are accessed with a commonly used scripting

language such as VBA or JavaScript.

The researchers adopted the principle of receiving locations through SMS.

The difference is that it has a secure cloud that could connect through the online

portal. It uses a database to capture and integrate a data. Our project is directed to

the developed app and that when a GPS coordinates have received through SMS, it

will parse the data into a location mark through google maps.

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

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 The system block diagram (refer to figure 3.1) is composed of six major blocks:

The Power Regulation, Microcontroller Unit, GPRS-GPS Module, GPS Antenna, GMS

Antenna, and Android Phone.

The power regulation supplies 12V DC that powers up the Microcontroller unit,

and GPRS-GPS Module. In the Microcontroller Unit block, data inputs are collected,

processed, transmitted and stored. At the same time, commands are being given to output

devices. The GPS-GPRS Module is mounted on the Arduino Uno R3 Microcontroller

unit, this is where the SIM card for the system is placed, the GPS and GSM antennas are

connected to the GPS-GPRS Module simultaneously, the module processes data received

from the antennas and sends this data to the MCU to be processed and give commands

based on the results. The GPS Antenna which is connected to the GPS-GPRS Module

through the I/O Ports, the antenna receives location data in terms of Longitude and

Latitude from the GPS Satellite in space and then feeds this data to the Module. On the

other hand, the GSM antenna which is also connected to the GPS-GPRS Module,

receives and sends data to mobile phones that are communicating to the system,

Upon, powering the system, the Microcontroller Unit receives and sends data that

are being feed to it through the GPS-GPRS Module, the GPS-GPRS Module receives

data from the GSM and GPRS antenna simultaneously, and send it to the Microcontroller

Unit to be processed and give commands based on the data gathered.

The user sends a SMS to the system, which is then received by the GSM

Antenna, and is feed to the GPS-GPRS Module, simultaneously, the GPS antenna

receives data from the GPS satellite and then feeds this data to the GPS-GPRS Module,

upon verification and with adequate data received from the GPRS-GPS Module, the

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 MCU will give off a command to the GPS-GPRS Module, the Module will send a GSMS

to the user, the user will then use the Android App to pinpoint the exact location of the car

through Google Maps.

Power Regulation

GPRS/GSM
GPS Antenna GPS SHIELD Module
Arduino R3
(SIM800L

GSM Anten
Android Phone

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Figure 3.1 BLOCK DIAGRAM

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3.2 Research
Instrument

Identifying the target function of

the project design was the primary aim

of the project. The researchers identified

the components that are used in constructing

the circuit necessary for the system.

The Vehicle Tracking System is controlled by the Arduino Uno Microcontroller

unit. The Arduino Uno serves as the brain of the system, it runs on an input voltage of

5Vdc to 12Vdc, and has 14 Digital I/O Pins, from which 6 are PWM Digital pins and 6

Analog Input pins. This MCU controls the system, the EG25A1 GPS Shield is mounted

on the Arduino Uno Microcontroller Unit.

The EG25A1 is a complete GPS engine module that features super sensitivity,

ultra-low power and small form factor. The GPS signal is applied to the antenna input of

module, and a complete serial data message with position, velocity and time information

is presented at the serial interface with NMEA protocol or custom protocol.

The GPS Shield runs within 3.0V 3.6V range, it is compatible with Gizduino

and Arduino microcontrollers. It has a full I/O interface functions that are available

through 2x7 header connecter. The JQC 3FF relay is mounted on this shield, the SIM

module and GPS antenna are connected to the shield.

SIM800L module is a quad-band GPRS/GSM module, it uses an input voltage of

3.4Vdc 4.4Vdc, the SIM card is inserted here, the module receives and sends SMS, the

SMS are sent to the MCU to be processed and give appropriate actions to the received

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data. Meanwhile, the GPS 001 Antenna is a dielectric antenna that runs on a 2.7Vdc to

5Vdc, longitude and latitude coordinates are being received in the antenna through the

GPS satellites, these data are then feed to the GPS module and then handed over to the

Arduino MCU to be processed, the MCU then gives the coordinates to the SIM module to

be then sent to the user upon request.

The designing of the circuit was done using Fritzing version 0.9.32, a software for

electronic circuit simulations. Proteus 8 Professional, another software for electronic

software circuit simulation application, was also used in designing the project. Upon the

completion of simulations. PCB Wizard V 3.50 was used to create the Printed Circuit

Board layout for the system.

The researchers made a program using Arduino IDE V1.6.8 programming

software and uploaded it to the Arduino Uno MCU. The researchers also used Arduino

Studio programming software for the Android Application to be utilized.

The researchers use a smartphone having a requirement with A-GPS, GLONASS.

The developed android application was installed to the smartphone in order for the user to

view the location marks in it.

(a) Arduino Uno R3 (b) SIM800L Module

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 (c) GPS Shield (d) GPS Antenna

(e) GSM Antenna (f) 12V-5V USB Converter

(g) GPS Module (h) Smart Phone

(with A-GPS, GLONASS)

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 (h) Android V 2.2.1

(i) Proteus 8 Professional V 8.1

23

(j) Fritzing V 0.9.3

(k) PCB Wizard V 3.50

(l) Arduino IDE V 1.6.5

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 Figure 3.2 Research Instruments

3.3 Output Design

The figure shown is the final output design of the project Vehicle Tracking

System using Arduino and the developed Android Tracking Device application.

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Figure 3.3 System Output Design

26
Figure 3.4 Android Application Output Design

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3.4 Operations Manual

This set of function is a guide on how to use and operate the Vehicle Tracking System

using Arduino R3.

For Admin/User:

Note: It is advisable to send SMS request to the vehicle tracker one at a time.

1. Wait for the vehicle tracker to send a SMS im ready.

2. Start sending SMS request to the tracker.
To register new number
Send SMS request code with the format: REG<space>(last 9-digit of

number to be registered)<space>A or B<space>Password. Example:

REG 366881880 A 123

Wait for the SMS confirmation from the tracker that the number is

registered.

To drop a registered number

Send SMS request code with the format: DRP<space>A or

B<space>Password. Example: DRP A 123

Wait for the SMS confirmation A/B successfully drop from the

tracker.

To change mode to Manual or Automatic

To change the mode to manual, send SMS code MAN. Example:

MAN
Wait for the SMS confirmation from the tracker MANUAL mode

ON, send <location> for location.

To change the mode to automatic, send SMS code AUT. Example:

AUT

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 Wait for the SMS confirmation from the tracker "AUTOMATIC mode

ON,10min interval".
Note: After changing the mode to automatic and receiving the

confirmation, the tracker will now begin sending the location of

the vehicle every 10 minutes.

To request for the vehicle location

Send SMS code LOC. Example: LOC

Wait for the SMS reply from the tracker which contains the location

of the vehicle in longitude & latitude format.

To change security password

Send SMS request code with the format: NEW<space>New

Password<space> Old Password. Example: NEW 358 123

Wait for the SMS confirmation password updated from the tracker.

To retrieve the password of the tracker (in case forgotten)

In case the user forgets the password of the tracker, send SMS code

Inf. Example: Inf

Wait for the SMS reply from the tracker containing the current

password of the tracker.

To reset the tracker

Send SMS code rst to reset the tracker. Example: rst

Wait for the SMS reply from the tracker resetting & im ready
Note: The code rst is primarily used when unexpected messages

are received from the vehicle tracker like >.

3. Start tracking vehicle using Tracking Device Application
Install Tracking Device Application on your android phone. (Once)
Open the android app.
Edit and save the number of the vehicle tracker.

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 Click Start to Track to track the vehicle via longitude & latitude

coordinates which is displayed on google map of the application.

Note: You can only track the vehicle, given that you have receive the

proper SMS format for the location coordinates when requesting for

location and using automatic mode.

3.5 Flow Chart

3.5.1 System Flow Chart

Here the flow chart (Refer to Figure 3.2) for the tracking system is

discussed. Upon turning the system on, the system will send a SMS to the

registered mobile number im ready to indicate that the system is ready to accept

SMS requests. The system will wait for SMS requests, once a SMS request is

received the system will then process it, it first checks if the mobile number

sending the request is registered in to the system. If NO, then the SMS is

discarded. If YES, then it will continue to checking the SMS request format sent

if it follows the indicated format for specific requests. If NO, then the SMS is

discarded. If YES, then the system will start processing the received SMS request,

to see what the user is asking for. If the user has sent the SMS REG <9-digit

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mobile number> <EEPROM Location> <Password>, the system will then start

to register the mobile number from the received SMS request, 09 + <9-digit

mobile number>, once the mobile number has been identified, the system will

then process on to which EEPROM Location should the sent digit mobile number

be stored which is limited to location A and B, the password is then analyzed for

security purposes. Then the system will send num<EEPROM location> update

09 + <9-digit number> to signal that the number has been successfully

registered.

Dropping of numbers is also possible, sending the SMS Request DRP

<EEPROM Location> <Password> will command the system to drop the mobile

number registered on the EEPROM Location specified on the SMS Request,

Password is added for additional security measures. <EEPROM location>

successfully drop is then sent back to the user.

Password to be used in requests can also be changed. If the system

receives a SMS request of NEW <New Password> <Old Password>, the system

will process if the New password has 3 numbers. if NO, then the request is

discarded. If YES, the system will then replace the old password stored with the

new password specified on the SMS Request. The system will reply password

updated to the user. When the user forgets the password for requests, Inf SMS

request is sent to the system to retrieve Password Information.

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 The user can then choose between the Automatic and Manual Modes for

requesting location. Sending the SMS request AUT will change the current

tracking mode of the system to Automatic, the system will then send a reply

AUTOMATIC mode ON, 10min interval and a separate SMS with the current

location coordinates, the system will then periodically send location coordinates

every 10 mins. MAN SMS request is sent to the system to change the current

tracking mode to Manual, the system will then send a reply MANUAL mode

ON, send <LOC> for location to the user, and the system will send location

coordinates upon request. LOC SMS request is for requesting the current

location coordinates with GPS time and the system will then reply

lat,lon<11+14.4029,124+59.8221> , 13:10:25 format.

3.5.2 Android Application Flow Chart

Here the Flowchart (refer to Figure 3.3) for the developed Android

Application is discussed. Upon opening the developed Android Application

namely Tracking Device App, press EDIT button located at the bottom right

corner of the application, then tap Enter Phone Number, enter the 10-digit

mobile number used in the Tracking System, upon completion tap the SAVE

button to update the mobile number. After updating the number utilized for the

developed Android Application, any SMS received from the saved number is

processed and location coordinates are extracted here. When the Android

Application receives, a SMS containing the location coordinates, SMS Received

<location Coordinates> notification will appear and shortly disappear. The

received location coordinates are then plotted to the Map within the developed

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Android Application. When Start to TRACK button is pressed, the user will

then be redirected to the Map, Internet Connection is required to properly utilize

the developed Android Application. If there is NO internet connection, map

details will not load, zooming in into the marked locations will only show white

background. If the mobile phone is connected to the net, map details will load,

and will be more detailed, zooming in into marked locations will give more

specific data on the location. recently acquired location coordinates are pinned on

the map with Blue Markers. Red Marker indicates the most recently received

location coordinates. + and - buttons are placed on the bottom right corner to

enable zooming in and out on the map.

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