PIC based GPS device - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Gopinath.R
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 04, 2012, 09:24:51 pm
content: I am totally new to electronics and having a headache choosing the right components.So for a GPS with GSM modem, Is PIC184550 or PICAXE18x enough?, if it is, then what GPS module and GSM modem should I use.I am in India, so choices are good, because components may not be available hereThank you....

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2012, 09:43:23 pm
content: Communication with a GPS module is via a serial port. Any micro its fast enough. Ideally you want a micro with a serial port, but it is not hard implementing a serial port in software.Any of the PIC chips are fine.Arduino GPS shield with software libraries are available, so an Arduino is a simple solution too.Richard

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2012, 10:17:36 pm
content: The Telit GM862-GPS has both GSM and GPS.It has serial i/o.I'll even sell you mine, I don't need it anymore. Private message if you're interested. I have a USB dev board and antennas as well as the module.

author: Gopinath.R
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2012, 12:09:50 am
content: Quote from: 8086 on February 04, 2012, 10:17:36 pmThank you very much

author: Gopinath.R
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 05, 2012, 12:13:10 am
content: Quote from: amspire on February 04, 2012, 09:43:23 pmThank you, I've heard that starting off with Adruino will not do any good in learning aspect. Is it so?

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2012, 01:51:08 am
content: The Arduino is excellent for learning, but it depends what you want.The Arduino uses a form of C++ that has been simplified a bit, so it is not strick C++. If your want to learn C++, then perhaps Arduino is not the best, but otherwise, it still ends up doing conventional microcontroller programming.In general, if the Arduino lets you get results quicker, then you will learn faster with the Arduino. Since the arduino has many affordable shields already available, it can sometimes be possible to have a working application in a day, while the same job may take weeks (or months if you have to make your own hardware) using other processors. For many people, the Arduino helps make their project move quickly.The Arduino has a big library for things like communications, sensors, LCD displays, digital controls, A/D, PWM and so on. It is also very quick to get from a new Arduino to running the first programs. So it is excellent for very fast development.For commercial designs, it is usually better to program from scratch. Once a program written from scratch has reached the stage of initial functioning, then development from that point is probably as efficient as for the Arduino, and probably will use a much smaller amount of code. Smaller, lean code may mean that a cheaper processor can be used, and some companies may have a legal problem using the Arduino code under the terms of the Arduino's open source license. They might prefer to use their own code.Richard

author: electrode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2012, 02:20:01 am
content: It's also worth mentioning that all avr-gcc (ie. "normal AVR C code") will work within the Arduino IDE. This means you can manipulate registers manually or learn by redoing certain tasks at a lower level.