Device Overview

GPSBiTS is a vehicle (and/or fleet) tracking system envisioned by Kunal Singh of thrillEX Multimedia , and engineered as a joint-venture by myself under Horizons Edge Pty Ltd

Our initial goal was (and still is for the most part!) to create a web-based consumer-centred vehicle tracking system at the lowest possible price, without sacrificing the featuresets available on higher-end trackers currently on the market. Over the past two years of development, our project has transformed from a simple "ping-based tracker" to a complete vehicle administration and security suite.

Unfortunately, due to the extended development time, we have potentially openned the door for rival companies to flood the market with their own simplified solutions. As a result we've added many unique features to cater for the needs of consumers, as well as potential companies looking to create customised solutions for fleet management and security.

Feature list

As mentioned previously, the project has evolved to meet the needs of consumers and companies alike. The initial base featureset was as follows:

• SMS-Based tracking
• Vehicle location displayed on a map via the web
• Passworded and pincoded device
• Ability to modify passwords and reply-to numbers remotely
• Fully automatic error recovery

As time progressed, and harder/better/faster/stronger/cheaper components emerged, the following new features were added incrementally:

• SMS and GPRS based tracking
• Quad Band GSM module
• SiRF based GPS module with AGPS
• EEPROMS to store up to 8 hours of logging
• Ability to POST logging and status data to the web
• Fully-featured standby UPS with a LiIon battery and charge monitoring
• Error reporting for faulty battery, extended service outages, etc
• Ability to control Central Locking in vehicles (and report current lock status)
• AntiHijack (auto-locking) after travelling 200metres (or ignition start)
• Ability to control an engine immobilizer relay remotely
• Ability to control vehicle headlights remotely
• Ability to control vehicle sirens remotely
• Three customizable button inputs
• An expansion header (and custom protocol) for future additions

In addition to the above featureset, a new means of "mass-configuration" was required as opposed to manually setting up each expansion using a single SMS. The result was new bank/register-based configuration logic written from the ground up, capable of configuring nearly all device aspects (including passwords, pincodes, debug port configuration, expansions, etc) using a single SMS! All configuration data is non-volatile and store in EEPROM for retrieval in real-time or during initial bootup.

As much as I'd love to go into detail concerning the above features (as well as many MANY more that weren't mentioned), some things are best left unsaid. There are lots of funky flowcharts, schematics, animations and even photos of current developments that need to be kept from the prying eyes of the public, until at least we're 100% completed ;)