GPS tracking using LoRaWAN

Few monthes ago we decided to develop LoRaWAN based GPS tracking solution for rivers/seas coastal areas with intensive shipment using Open Source Code.

Here results of our first test setup.

First of all the closest sea for as located in > 1600 kilometers so we tested it in city environment.

Base station

Raspberry pi + SX1301 shield was used as LoRaWAN gateway.

It was placed on the balcony of 25th floor of building:

GPS End Node

Hardware was designed by myself.

First iteration - STM32L0 + SX1276 + SIM68. Typical set of components, I would say.

Second iteration - STM32L0 + SX1276 + MT3339 as attempt to reduce self cost of Node.

Packed in waterproof enclosure (because of river/sea usage for):

Powered by 12V battery and being placed in car:

LoRaMac-Node being used with few changes:

• protobuf used to pack payload;
• FuOTA implemented to update firmware over the air (not works stable enough yet unfortunately);

LoRaWAN server

Chirpstack was adopted to use it for GPS application:

• payload storage implemented;
• OpenStreetMap layer added to display track points;

Here what we got:

https://track.m2m-tele.com/#/organizations/2/applications/2

user/password - guest/guest1

First test

Here what we got:

> 1.5 kilometers far away signal was catched.

Improvements to be implemented

• Getting Fuota working much stable than now;
• Decide what power supply is convenient for GPS tracker being placed on ships.

Keep updates of the project at our telegram channel