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cheap microcontroller for gps tracking system

babudesai

Im working on gps tracking system for heavy equipment.  I started out project with Fona 3g from adafruit and raspberry pi.  but now i just realized that raspberry pi will file sys will get corrupted from machine turning off and on and not having time for proper shutdown for pi.  so im looking for better and cheaper solution to replace pi, that can handle unexpected shutdowns and not mess up.  also if someone knows cheaper alternative to fona 3g, that has cellular and gps support, i would appreciate it.

  • You can use PIC microncontrollers or go for Arduino....To replace fona 3g you can go for SIM908 it has both GPS,GPRS...And this will help you to miniaturize your circuit..

  • If your application is not too much process intensive than you can use Arduino with Sim908/Sim808 GSM+GPRS Shield...

  • Question where is you 'equipment' is it in the city, or way out in the country ie unimproved. If you stay around town you can use cell stuff, but if that the case like somewhere on a 50+ acre farm, or digging for gold in Alaska your cell phone is all but useless. But there are several ways to go. Sat radio $$$, 2meter repeater (ham radio), commercial repeater service  w/data service. the last two are your best shot, now they are not going to be really small. but doable.

    If you stay around town you can use cell stuff, but if that the case like somewhere on a 50+ acre farm, or digging for gold in Alaska your cell phone is all but useless. But there are several ways to go. Sat radio $$$, 2meter repeater (ham radio), commercial repeater service  w/data service. the last two are your best shot, now they are not going to be really small. but doable.

    Now on to you "shutdown problem" sounds like you are pulling power from the equipment's power. easy put in a small alkaline battery with a small charger on it. so when you shut off the main power the battery is online BUT REMEMBER to use Diodes so you don't backflow. and on the equipment power install some caps (filler), caps (noise), and a choke would be nice.

    equipment power----->|------|

                                               |------------- your device

    your battery        ----->|------|

     

    Cris

  • Thank you guys, the reason I didn't go with sim908 was it's 2g modem and I don't want have to replace it on 100s of machines with 3G when in 2017 2g no longer exists.  The other reason I also went with fona 3G is because gps is included so I don't have to buy another separate module for it. also christina the equipment will be rented around in south Texas area so I think cell service just to send out gps cords will be sufficient.

  • in reply to babudesai

    What I KNOW about the SIM908 is that it has GPS included in the module.

     

     

  • If the issue is that files get corrupt, have you tried not keeping files open for edit, but close files after a write?

     

    files on an sd card can also get corrupted on an arduino ...

  • Good morning,

     

    Could you tell me how you went with your tracking device?