GPS Modules with Arduino and Raspberry Pi

Learn how satellite positions systems like GPS work, how to use GPS modules with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, and build a GPS position logger which can display results on Google Maps.

The Global Positioning System, or GPS, is one of several satellite positioning systems that we can use to determine our location, altitude and the exact time - from anywhere in the world.

Thanks to these systems, and the availability of low-cost receiver modules, we can easily add GPS functionality to any project.

Today I’ll explain how these positioning systems work, what kind of data we can get out of them, and how we can use these popular modules with both the Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

And, as a fun experiment, I’ll show you how to build a simple Arduino-based GPS logger that saves your position onto a microSD card, using a file format that can be imported into Google Maps. I took a walk in the park with it to give it a test.

Here is what you’ll see in today's video:

00:00 - Introduction
01:25 - Satellite-Based Navigation Systems
08:00 - Look at GPS Modules
10:34 - Basic GPS Operation with SoftwareSerial
15:28 - GPS Libraries - TinyGPS++
19:55 - Beitian 880 with HMC5883 magnetometer
25:48 - Adafruit Ultimate GPS with Raspberry Pi
32:19 - Build a GPS Position Logger
47:52 - Conclusion

As always, you’ll find a detailed article with code samples and cheat sheets on the DroneBot Workshop website. And a dedicated thread for it on the DroneBot Workshop Forum, so you can discuss it in detail.

This is the first of a few GPS-related videos and articles I’ll be producing, as I have a couple of GPS projects on the go. So please subscribe so that you don't miss any of them.

Thanks for watching!

[Dronebotworkshop]

Hi everyone - It's come to my attention that there has been someone masquerading as myself, responding to some comments here with a link to a Telegram chat to win a prize from me. THIS IS A SCAM, I am not holding a contest, nor do I have a Telegram account. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE MESSAGES!!


Thanks!

Bill (The real one!)

[HazzaBaniMalek]

This channel is disgustingly underrated, , this is PURE GOLD

[smithbotics]

I'm officially intending to be a life long subscriber to your channel. I recently bought a GPS module to start experimenting with and lo and behold, your latest video is chocked full of extremely helpful information to help me along with that. I really do appreciate what you do here in your videos and am so grateful you decided to contribute your knowledge and solid explanations of such interesting topics. Have to say that you're just great!! Thanks.

[mrarduino]

Thanks for a brilliant video, just one thing to note is that GPS uses Trilateration not Triangulation, your explentation was spot on, as it is distance that is measured and not the angle then that makes it Trilateration. Love your channel, keep them videos coming.

[bapisaha]

I subscribe to many DIY/Electronics channels... But this man, ohh he is just SUPERB. I personally give thanks to HIM and also inspire him to make such type of video in his own time. Whatever be the viewers' number, subscriber or others fact, HE is no doubt oswme . I fall in LOVE with his video.

[klaymon]

Bill, another outstanding video. Thanks for continuing your work.

[douglasosborn]

I rate this channel 10/10. A very interesting topic, please continue.

[cyadid]

great video as always ! Users pay attention I have struggled for long time getting GPS data using the built in TinyGPS examples and failed just because the baude rate was set to 4800 instead of 9600 as shown in the video

[WildLifeBackyardCamera]

amazing video as usual. Thanks a lot for all your time spent in order to share your knowledge! :)

[jackdrew]

Its amazing but i swear, every time i view one of your educational videos its even better content wise then the last. Keep up the good work u r a Godsend.

[hingwk]

I want to express sincerest gratitude to you Sir, you are the Best Professor in this subject!

[acestudioscouk-Ace-GACE]

Really interesting. Thanks for going right from the beginning, to which systems exist and how they work. I feel I have a basic knowledge now and ready to learn more.

[sottilavong]

Thank you! For your love! I wish to give you a big big huge! Thank you for caring and for sharing your wisdom and knowledge! You are the best teach and I hope to me you one day. Thank you and may God bless you! With love, ScottieV.

[daveseddon]

Thanks Bill, that was a most informative session - I always learn a lot from your channel. 🙂👍

[reallifelima]

We sure have come a long way from that pain in the rear Loran-C system. Hated using that for navigation. It took forever to establish a connection to enough antennas and it had to be turned off if I needed to use my Marine VHF

[dwsantx]

You can tell the effort going behind the scenes to make this happen. Great job 👍

[baldrickdaisy]

Fantastic information on “GPS” Thanks Bill 👌

[petermolnar]

As always an excellent video, thank you for your efforts!

[majeedali]

thank god ive found this gem of a channel

[rdhunkins]

I did not know that Arduino had the capability to use other pins as a serial TX/RX pair. Very cool! Thanks!