A New Approach of Automobile Localization System Using GPS and GSM/GPRS Transmission

This paper presents a low cost automotive localization system using GPS and GSM-SMS services. The system permits localization of the automobile and transmitting the position to the owner on his mobile phone as a short message (SMS) at his request. The system can be interconnected with the car alarm system and alert the owner, on his mobile phone, about the events that occurs with his car when it is parked. The system is composed by a GPS receiver, a microcontroller and a GSM phone. Additional, the system can be settled for acquiring and transmitting of information, when requested, about automobile status and parameters (engine status, speed, direction, etc.) or alert when it started engine, exceed a given speed limit or if leave a specific area. By using the PC connection, the system can be used as navigation system. Optional, the system can be used as car tracking system if connected with GSM/GPRS phone. The presented application is a low cost solution for automobile position localizing and status, very useful in case of car theft situations (alarm alert, engine starting, localizing), for adolescent drivers watching and monitoring by their parents (speed limit exceeding, leaving a specific area), as well as in car tracking system application. The proposed solution can be used in other types of application, where the information needed are requested rarely and at irregular period of time (when requested).