Components

	Arduino UNO R3 SHIELD	x 1
	SIM800L GSM MODULE	x 1
	MAX-M8Q u-blox	x 1
	SIM card with SMS	x 1
	LTC2924CGN#TRPBF Analog Devices Inc.	x 1

Tools, APP Software Used etc.

Fritzing

Description

DIY GSM GPS Location Tracker with Arduino

Project Overview

This project demonstrates how to build a simple and reliable location tracking system using an Arduino and a GSM module. The device retrieves GPS coordinates and sends them directly to your mobile phone via SMS. It’s ideal for basic tracking applications like vehicle monitoring, asset tracking, or personal safety.

How It Works

The system uses a GSM module (SIM800) to communicate over the cellular network. When triggered, it fetches location data (latitude and longitude) and sends it as a text message to a predefined phone number. The user can view the location instantly using any map service.

Key Features

Real-time location tracking via SMS
Works without internet connectivity
Compact and portable design
Low-cost and beginner-friendly
Supports remote tracking requests

Components Required

Arduino Uno (or compatible board)
SIM800 GSM module
GPS module (such as Neo-6M)
SIM card with SMS capability
Power supply (battery or adapter)
Connecting wires
Optional: enclosure for portability

Circuit Description

The GPS module communicates with Arduino via serial communication to provide location data.
The SIM800 GSM module is also connected via serial pins to send SMS messages.
Proper power supply is critical, as the GSM module requires stable current (typically 3.7V–4.2V with sufficient amperage).

Ensure correct TX and RX connections between modules and Arduino, and use voltage level shifting if required.

Software Setup

Install Arduino IDE
Include necessary libraries for GPS communication
Configure serial communication for both GSM and GPS modules
Define the recipient phone number in the code
Upload the program to the Arduino

Program Logic

Initialize GSM and GPS modules
Wait for a trigger (button press or SMS command)
Read GPS coordinates
Format the location into a Google Maps link
Send the message via the GSM module

Sample Output

You will receive an SMS like:

Latitude: xx.xxxxxx, Longitude: yy.yyyyyy

Or a clickable Google Maps link for easy navigation.

Applications

Vehicle tracking systems
Personal safety devices
Asset monitoring
Fleet management basics
Emergency location sharing

Design Tips

Use a stable power source for the GSM module
Add an external antenna for better signal strength
Enclose the circuit for durability
Optimise code for faster response time

Possible Improvements

Add a rechargeable battery module
Integrate with a mobile app
Include geofencing alerts
Enable continuous tracking instead of on-demand
Add an OLED display for live coordinates

Conclusion

This Arduino GSM Car Tracker is a practical and cost-effective project for learning embedded systems and communication technologies. It combines GPS positioning with GSM messaging to deliver reliable tracking without internet dependency. Explore more exciting projects at CircuitDigest Arduino Projects and get inspired by innovative builds on CircuitDigest DIY PCB Projects.

Code

Source code

C/C++

/*Program to send Latitude and Logitute Information from SIM800 to Phone via SMS on call request
 * Code by: B.Aswinth Raj
 * Dated:23-04-2019
 * Sample Output for AT+CIPGSMLOC=1,1   ==> +CIPGSMLOC: 0,75.802460,26.848892,2019/04/23,08:32:35 //where 26.8488832 is Lattitude and 75.802460 is longitute 
 * Link to send: https://www.google.com/maps/place/26.8488892,75.802460 ; //where 26.8488832 is Lattitude and 75.802460 is longitute 
 */
#include <SoftwareSerial.h> //Software Serial header to communicate with GSM module 
SoftwareSerial SIM800(10, 11); // RX, TX 
String Link = "The current Location is https://www.google.com/maps/place/"; //we will append the Lattitude and longitude value later int the program 
String responce = "";
String Longitude = "";
String Latitude = ""; 
String SIM800_send(String incoming) //Function to communicate with SIM800 module 
{
    SIM800.println(incoming); delay(100); //Print what is being sent to GSM module 
    String result = "";
    while (SIM800.available()) //Wait for result 
    {
    char letter = SIM800.read();
    result = result + String(letter); //combine char to string to get result 
    }
return result; //return the result 
}
void setup() {
//PWRKY pin of GSM module has to be pulled low for 1sec to enable the module 
  pinMode(12,OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(12, LOW);   //Pull-down
  delay(1000);                      
  digitalWrite(12, HIGH); //Release 
  Serial.begin(9600); //Serial COM for debugging 
  SIM800.begin(9600); //Software serial called SIM800 to speak with SIM800 Module 
  delay(1000); //wait for serial COM to get ready 
  responce = SIM800_send("ATE1"); //Enable Echo if not enabled by default 
  Serial.print ("Responce:"); Serial.println(responce); 
  delay(1000);
  responce = SIM800_send("AT+CGATT=1"); //Set the SIM800 in GPRS mode 
  Serial.print ("Responce:"); Serial.println(responce); 
  delay(1000);
  responce = SIM800_send("AT+SAPBR=3,1,\"CONTYPE\",\"GPRS\" "); //Activate Bearer profile 
  Serial.print ("Responce:"); Serial.println(responce); 
  delay(1000);
  responce = SIM800_send("AT+SAPBR=3,1,\"APN\",\"RCMNET\" "); //Set VPN options => 'RCMNET' 'www'
  Serial.print ("Responce:"); Serial.println(responce); 
  delay(2000);
  responce = SIM800_send("AT+SAPBR=1,1"); //Open bearer Profile
  Serial.print ("Responce:"); Serial.println(responce); //Open bearer Profile 
  delay(2000);
  responce = SIM800_send("AT+SAPBR=2,1"); //Get the IP address of the bearer profile 
  Serial.print ("Responce:"); Serial.println(responce); 
  delay(1000);
}
void prepare_message()
{
  //Sample Output for AT+CIPGSMLOC=1,1   ==> +CIPGSMLOC: 0,75.802460,26.848892,2019/04/23,08:32:35 //where 26.8488832 is Lattitude and 75.802460 is longitute 
  int first_comma = responce.indexOf(','); //Find the position of 1st comma 
  int second_comma = responce.indexOf(',', first_comma+1); //Find the position of 2nd comma 
  int third_comma = responce.indexOf(',', second_comma+1); //Find the position of 3rd comma 
  for(int i=first_comma+1; i<second_comma; i++) //Values form 1st comma to 2nd comma is Longitude 
    Longitude = Longitude + responce.charAt(i); 
  for(int i=second_comma+1; i<third_comma; i++) //Values form 2nd comma to 3rd comma is Latitude 
    Latitude = Latitude + responce.charAt(i); 
  Serial.println(Latitude); Serial.println(Longitude); 
  Link = Link + Latitude + "," + Longitude; //Update the Link with latitude and Logitude values 
  Serial.println(Link);
}
String incoming = "";
void loop() {
  if (SIM800.available()) { //Check if the SIM800 Module is telling anything 
    char a = SIM800.read();
    Serial.write(a); //print what the module tells on serial monitor 
    incoming = incoming + String(a);
    if (a == 13) //check for new line 
    incoming =""; //clear the string if new line is detected 
    incoming.trim(); //Remove /n or /r from the incomind data 
    if (incoming=="RING") //If an incoming call is detected the SIM800 module will say "RING" check for it 
    {
     Serial.println ("Sending sms"); delay(1000);
     responce = SIM800_send("ATH"); //Hand up the incoming call using ATH
     delay (1000);
     responce = SIM800_send("ATE0"); //Disable Echo
     delay (1000);
     responce = ""; Latitude=""; Longitude=""; //initialise all string to null
     SIM800.println("AT+CIPGSMLOC=1,1"); delay(5000); //Request for location data 
      while (SIM800.available()) 
      {
       char letter = SIM800.read();
       responce = responce + String(letter); //Store the location information in string responce 
      }
      Serial.print("Result Obtained as:");   Serial.print(responce); Serial.println("*******");
     prepare_message(); delay(1000); //use prepare_message funtion to prepare the link with the obtained LAT and LONG co-ordinates 
     SIM800.println("AT+CMGF=1"); //Set the module in SMS mode
     delay(1000);
     SIM800.println("AT+CMGS=\"9612345678\""); //Send SMS to this number 
     delay(1000);
     SIM800.println(Link); // we have send the string in variable Link 
     delay(1000);
     SIM800.println((char)26);// ASCII code of CTRL+Z - used to terminate the text message 
     delay(1000);
    }
  }
  if (Serial.available()) { //For debugging 
    SIM800.write(Serial.read());
  }
}

Schematic and Layout

Schematics

image_1775731058588.jpg

Download Gerbers

Apr 09,2026

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DIY GSM GPS Location Tracker with Arduino

Build a compact SIM800-based tracker to send real-time location via SMS

Published: Apr 09,2026

Standard PCB

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