DIY Smallest GPS Tracker with Circuit and Code

The DIY Smallest GPS Tracker is built around the Indusboard Coin microcontroller board, which serves as the central processing unit and coordinates data flow between the onboard subsystems. Location data is acquired using the connected L86 GPS module, which communicates with global navigation satellites to determine precise latitude, longitude, and time coordinates. To transmit this location information remotely, the system utilizes the SIM800l GSM module, enabling cellular communication capabilities such as sending SMS text messages or interacting with a remote server via mobile data networks. An optional SSD1306 OLED display can be integrated into the circuit via I2C to provide local visual feedback, showing real-time status updates or coordinates directly on a compact screen. The entire system is programmed using the Arduino IDE or compatible software, allowing developers to write custom logic that reads NMEA sentences from the GPS receiver, formats the coordinate data, and triggers the GSM transmitter. Additionally, an optional coin cell battery can be incorporated to maintain real-time clock (RTC) backup power, ensuring that timekeeping data is preserved even when the main power source is interrupted.