I have 2 cats that I want to keep track of when they're outside.
I currently use a device called the loc8tor to track them, but it has a short range.
I want to build 2 small tags (no bigger than 30 x 50 mm) that will attach to their collars.
Each tag will broadcast their exact position (through gps) via an RF tranceiver.
So, it has to have a microcontroller, a GPS, a tranceiver and a replaceable power supply.
I have found a tranceiver that will do the trick: A Linx TRM-433-LT. 3000ft range/http://www.linxtechnologies.com/en/products/modules/lt-rf-transceiver
For power supply I could have 2 LR44 batteries or 1 CR2032. GPS, I'm not sure. I've been told CR2032s are a lot better than 2 LR44s, but they are a little big...
And the microcontroller has to be very small.
The device that will receive the broadcast RF signal will be through another transceiver, attached to an arduino, attached to my android phone.
I plan to create an app that will interpret the data and display it on a map, along with my own position (via my phone's gps)
This shouldn't be much of a problem because I design/code flash games for my profession, and I am quite code literate.
The app, on my command, will broadcast a message. If the message is received by a tag, it will turn on it's transmitter and it's gps detection. the tag will then broadcast it's position via the gps. I hope with my device (the user-end) that I can detect he strength of the signal received through my own tranceiver, as this will be a helpful indication to where the cat is also. If in the likely scenario I get a signal from the cat's tag, but containing no GPS coordinates, then it's still good to know that the cat is still in range.
As soon as the tranceiver goes out of range or I send a message saying "stop", the tags' rf tranceivers will turn stop transmitting and stop checking GPS.
I live in an area surrounded mostly by fields, so the range of the RF will be great.
I did A-Level electronics (for which I got an A) but I've more or less forgotten it all now. I never really understood circuits. No joke.
I've bought a load of tools that I think will be necessary. A pic programmer, a new soldering iron, an arduino, the necessary wires to connect the arduino to my phone, some pcb strip boards...
Can someone help me further with advice or suggestions? I don't know what to do from this point.
I currently use a device called the loc8tor to track them, but it has a short range.
I want to build 2 small tags (no bigger than 30 x 50 mm) that will attach to their collars.
Each tag will broadcast their exact position (through gps) via an RF tranceiver.
So, it has to have a microcontroller, a GPS, a tranceiver and a replaceable power supply.
I have found a tranceiver that will do the trick: A Linx TRM-433-LT. 3000ft range/http://www.linxtechnologies.com/en/products/modules/lt-rf-transceiver
For power supply I could have 2 LR44 batteries or 1 CR2032. GPS, I'm not sure. I've been told CR2032s are a lot better than 2 LR44s, but they are a little big...
And the microcontroller has to be very small.
The device that will receive the broadcast RF signal will be through another transceiver, attached to an arduino, attached to my android phone.
I plan to create an app that will interpret the data and display it on a map, along with my own position (via my phone's gps)
This shouldn't be much of a problem because I design/code flash games for my profession, and I am quite code literate.
The app, on my command, will broadcast a message. If the message is received by a tag, it will turn on it's transmitter and it's gps detection. the tag will then broadcast it's position via the gps. I hope with my device (the user-end) that I can detect he strength of the signal received through my own tranceiver, as this will be a helpful indication to where the cat is also. If in the likely scenario I get a signal from the cat's tag, but containing no GPS coordinates, then it's still good to know that the cat is still in range.
As soon as the tranceiver goes out of range or I send a message saying "stop", the tags' rf tranceivers will turn stop transmitting and stop checking GPS.
I live in an area surrounded mostly by fields, so the range of the RF will be great.
I did A-Level electronics (for which I got an A) but I've more or less forgotten it all now. I never really understood circuits. No joke.
I've bought a load of tools that I think will be necessary. A pic programmer, a new soldering iron, an arduino, the necessary wires to connect the arduino to my phone, some pcb strip boards...
Can someone help me further with advice or suggestions? I don't know what to do from this point.
