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Virtual Fence - Anti Theft Device

Made by akshayan-sinha / Security / IoT

About the project

Use Geo-Fence to secure anything within your SAFE-HOUSE. Edge-computed fence based on GPS and Cellular IoT

Project info

Difficulty: Easy

Platforms: Arduino, Bolt IoT

Estimated time: 2 hours

License: Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication version 1.0 or later (CC0 1+)

Items used in this project

Hardware components

	Arduino UNO	x 1
	SIM808 GPS/GPRS/GSM Shield	x 1

Story

In 2022, over 1 million theft cases, which is a 7% rise compared to 2021, have become a great concern in India. With a population of more than 1.4 billion, you never know whom to trust apart from your own self.

Hence, we are left with only one solution - Track Your Belongings

With the increased availability of devices to access the internet, we all need an automated system, that keeps us updated on our physical product and informs us if it has been moved from its designated location.

But, how do we track them? And how should one get an alert of a theft? We shall see and build a project on that.

What is a Virtual Fence?

A Fence is a physical boundary, which is used to restrict kids and dogs from exiting the border Boundaries provide a layer of security, which also restricts entry from outside. But these boundaries need to be maintained heavily. And once an object has moved out or stolen, then the theft cannot be further located.

This brings us to a solution, which is geofencing a physical device attached to our belonging. This belonging would be a mere part of the IoT - Internet of 'Things'.

The above pictorial is a sample of Geofence in a public area. Best part? Since it is on a virtual map, having a virtual fence would have no effect on whether you own the area. This area could be your Home, Office, favorite Coffee Shop, or even parlor.

But before we get started -

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Cellular + GPS

To be able to have global connectivity and uninterrupted internet, the ideal network protocol is cellular technology. With a GPS Module attached to it, it is just perfect.

This amazing combination can only be carried by an integrated device. And at the cheapest, we considered SIM808 Module + GPS as the primary module to continue with this project. Let us look more into its features and specifications -

SIM808 GSM :

Supports Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz, compatible with all 2G networks all around the world.
Inner MT3337 GPS receiver, -165dBm precision, control on a same serial port.
Earphone/ microphone outputs on a card or external 32-ohm speaker + supports voice calls with an electret microphone.
Sending and receiving SMS.
Sending and receiving GPRS data (TCP/IP, HTTP vb).
UART communication with automatic baud rate settings.
GPRS multi-slot class 12/10
GPRS mobile station class B
Comply with GSM phase 2/2 +
Class 4 (2 W @ 850 / 900MHz)
Class 1 (1 W @ 1800 / 1900MHz)
Support low power consumption mode: 100mA @ 7V-GSM mode
Support AT command control (3GPP TS 27.007,27.005 and SIMCOM enhanced AT Commands)
Supports GPS satellite navigation technology
Support LED status indicator: Power supply status, network status, and operating modes
Working environment: -40 ℃ ~ 85 ℃

SIM808 GPS :

22 tracking/66 acquisition channel
GPS L1 C/A code
Precision: Tracking: -165dBm,
Cold start: -148dBm
Finding Location Time(typical): Cold start: 32sn, Hot start: 1sn, Warm start: 5sn
Accuracy: ~2.5m

With all these features, it is nearly a handheld portable phone. Yes, you can make a phone call too :P

One grieving concern is, whether going ahead with a smaller size module would fit the portability requirements - Even if a SIM800 module was taken into consideration, for a prolonged secure network that requires more uptime it is a much safer option to go ahead with its successor. Hence, the SIM808 module was chosen for this project. Even though based on availability and price we can always go ahead with the SIM800.

Let us first understand the module and how to get started with a SIM module -

Prologue:

We'll use Arduino UNO to use it as a USB TTL device and send AT commands to SIM808 x module to test the working of the module using PUTTY or Arduino IDE’s Serial Monitor.

Hardware Side -

1. Make following connections > GND of both modules connected to each other.

2. (For PuTTY) TXD of SIM808 connect with TX1 (PIN 1) of Arduino UNO. Similarly RXD ->RX0.

3. (For Arduino) TXD of SIM808 connect with (PIN 10) of Arduino UNO. Similarly RXD ->11.

4. Connect the Arduino UNO to Arduino IDE and upload a default code that does not interface the serial monitor. Eg: Blink LED sketch.
5. Press Normal button for 2 seconds and leave - the Device will start after that. (Different from power sliding switch)

Software side (PuTTy) -

1. Install PuTTY Application software from https://www.putty.org/

2. Change 'Connection Type' to 'Serial'.

3. Enter Serial port on PuTTY. eg: COM8 > With baudrate as '9600'.

4. Click on 'Open' to open the serial terminal

Software side (Arduino IDE) -

Use the below code -

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial mySerial(10, 11); 
void setup() {  
    Serial.begin(9600);  
    mySerial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {  
    Serial.println("AT");  
    if (mySerial.available()) {	
        Serial.write(mySerial.read());  
    }  
    if (Serial.available()) {	
        mySerial.write(Serial.read());  
    }  
    delay(500);
}

Testing Commands -

AT - Check serial communication with module | if no response recheck connections / redo connections / loose connection /module turned off
AT+CMEE=1 - 1 to disable error &the 2 for verbose errors with error codes
AT+CPIN? - Check SIM availability with module

# Make Phone Calls

ATD9989758468; - Phone calls to the number - use Mic and Speaker jack for i/o
ATH - End phone call
ATA - Pick up phone call when serial monitor says ‘RING’ repeatedly
AT+CLCC - Check caller number

# Make Text Messages

AT+CSMP=17,167,0,0 - Avoid error messages or delivery of empty SMS
AT+CMGF=1 - Text Mode
AT+CMGS="+917002834895" - Send message to this number
> Enter your message
> //After pressing 'Enter' move to next line or/and Press Ctrl+Z to send the message
AT+CMGS: 55 - Responses with the packet command after a few seconds to show that message was delivered.
AT+CMGL = "ALL” - Read all messages

# For GPS Coordinates (GNS because using v2.0 of SIM808)

AT+CGNSPWR = 1 - Turn on GPS module - use 0 to turn OFF
AT+CGNSSEQ = "RMC" - Proper sequence of NMEA according to RMC
AT+CGNSINF - Prints Time and GPS according to module - returns 0 if GPS not set. Returns 1 when outdoors for setting with GPS satellite

Now that we know how to use the device, let us understand the logic on preparing a virtual fence, and how to use the Arduino to perform this logic -

Code Breakdown

1. Communication between Arduino & SIM808

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

SoftwareSerial mySerial(5, 6);

It sets up a SoftwareSerial instance named mySerial using digital pins 5 (RX) and 6 (TX) on the Arduino, which will be used to communicate with the SIM808 module.

2. Function Prototypes and Global Variables

void(* resetFunc) (void) = 0;
void GPS_data();
void check_GPS();
void sendSMS();

char frame[256];

byte GNSSrunstatus;  
byte Fixstatus;           
char UTCdatetime[15];

char latitude[10];
float latitude_val;

char longitude[11];
float longitude_val;

long lat_val;
long lon_val;

long lat_high;
long lat_low;

long lon_high;
long lon_low;

int lat_check;
int lon_check;

char altitude[8];
char speedOTG[6];
char course[6];
char fixmode[1];
char HDOP[4];
char PDOP[4];
char VDOP[4];
char satellitesinview[2];
char GNSSsatellitesused[2];
char GLONASSsatellitesused[2];
char cn0max[2];
char HPA[6];
char VPA[6];

Pre-declaration of Functions without function body, to inform the program about the existence of function, before defining, so as to manipulate the arrangement within the program.
Global variables like altitude, speedOTG are to be used within the program, and since the device will run indefinitely, the values are most likely to get reset on setting up new locations as Geo-Fencing.

3. Initialization of Arduino with Cellular Device

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  mySerial.begin(9600);

  mySerial.println("ATr"); 
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CSQ"); 

  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CCID"); 

  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CPIN?"); 

  updateSerial();
  GPS_data(); 
  
  lat_high = lat_val + 900;
  lat_low = lat_val - 900;
  lon_high = lon_val + 900;
  lon_low = lon_val - 900;
}

AT+CSQ - Returns the signal strength of the device.
AT+CCID - Read SIM information, which returns the unique Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) of the installed SIM card.
AT+CPIN - Checks if the SIM is locked with a PUK code, or whether it is ready to use.
Calling GPS_data() function to initialize the current location, as the center of the Geo-Fence

Next, set the fence around the center by selecting coordinates values with 300m-500m towards lat and long.

4. Hardware - Software Serial Interconnection

void updateSerial()
{
  delay(500);
  while (Serial.available()) 
  {
    mySerial.write(Serial.read());
  }
  while(mySerial.available()) 
  {
    Serial.write(mySerial.read());
  }
}

mySerial.write(Serial.read()) : Forwards from Hardware Serial to Software Serial
Serial.write(mySerial.read()) : Forwards from Software Serial received to Serial Port

5. GPS Module Initialization

void GPS_data(){
  mySerial.println("AT+CGNSPWR=1");
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CGNSSEQ="RMC"");
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CGNSINF");
  check_GPS();
}

AT+CGNSPWR = 1 : Turns ON the SIMCOM module
AT+CGNSSEQ=RMC : Configure the GPS module for settings (RMC - Time, date, position, course and speed data)
AT+CGNSINF : GNSS navigation information parsed from NMEA sentences

Next, let us call check_GPS() function to update the current GPS data.

6. Update GPS Data

void check_GPS(){

  ...
}

This function includes the main section of the whole project, which requests for the current GPS location, and then checks whether it is within the Geo Fence limits. Let us break down the code even further!

7. Initialization of Local Variables for GPS

int8_t counter, answer;
  long previous;

  counter = 0;
  answer = 0;
  memset(frame, '

Code

GeoFence using Arduino

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

char MESSAGE[300];
String phone = "xxxxxxxxx";

SoftwareSerial mySerial(5,6); // RX, TX ( TX of module -> 10 of Arduino) -- ( RX of module -> 11 of Arduino) -- (GND common)

void(* resetFunc) (void) = 0;
void GPS_data();
void check_GPS();
void sendSMS();

char frame[256];

byte GNSSrunstatus;  //<<<<<<< was char array
byte Fixstatus;           //<<<<<<< was char array
char UTCdatetime[15];

char latitude[10];
float latitude_val;

char longitude[11];
float longitude_val;

long lat_val;
long lon_val;

long lat_high;
long lat_low;

long lon_high;
long lon_low;

int lat_check;
int lon_check;

char altitude[8];
char speedOTG[6];
char course[6];
char fixmode[1];
char HDOP[4];
char PDOP[4];
char VDOP[4];
char satellitesinview[2];
char GNSSsatellitesused[2];
char GLONASSsatellitesused[2];
char cn0max[2];
char HPA[6];
char VPA[6];



bool inRange(long val, long minimum, long  maximum)
{
  return ((minimum <= val) && (val <= maximum));
}

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
  Serial.begin(9600);
  mySerial.begin(9600);
  //pinMode(13, OUTPUT);

   mySerial.println("AT\r"); //Handshaking with SIM808
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CSQ"); //Signal quality test, value range is 0-31 , 31 is the best
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CCID"); //Read SIM information to confirm whether the SIM is plugged
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CPIN?"); //Check whether it has registered in the network
  updateSerial();
  GPS_data(); //Initial GPS Data
  
  lat_high = lat_val + 200;
  lat_low = lat_val - 200;
  lon_high = lon_val + 200;
  lon_low = lon_val - 200;
  
  /*
  lat_high = latitude_val + 0.00005;
  lat_low = latitude_val - 0.00005;
  lon_high = longitude_val + 0.00005;
  lon_low = longitude_val - 0.00005;
  */
}

void loop() {
  updateSerial();
  GPS_data();  
}

void updateSerial()
{
  delay(500);
  while (Serial.available()) 
  {
    mySerial.write(Serial.read());//Forward what Serial received to Software Serial Port
  }
  while(mySerial.available()) 
  {
    Serial.write(mySerial.read());//Forward what Software Serial received to Serial Port
  }
}

void GPS_data(){
  mySerial.println("AT+CGNSPWR=1");
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CGNSSEQ=\"RMC\"");
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CGNSINF");
  check_GPS();
}

void check_GPS(){

  int8_t counter, answer;
  long previous;

  counter = 0;
  answer = 0;
  memset(frame, '\0', sizeof(frame));    // Initialize the string
  previous = millis();

  do {

    if (mySerial.available() != 0) {
      frame[counter] = mySerial.read();
      counter++;

      if (strstr(frame, "OK") != NULL)
      {
        answer = 1;
      }
    }
    // Waits for the asnwer with time out
  }
  while ((answer == 0) && ((millis() - previous) < 2000));
  
  frame[counter - 3] = '\0';

  // Parses the string
  strtok(frame, ": ");
  GNSSrunstatus = atoi(strtok(NULL, ","));//Gets GNSS run status
  Fixstatus = atoi(strtok(NULL, ",")); // Gets Fix status
  strcpy(UTCdatetime, strtok(NULL, ".")); // Gets UTC date & time
  strtok(NULL,",");  // skip three zeroes
  strcpy(latitude, strtok(NULL, ",")); // 
  strcpy(longitude, strtok(NULL, ",")); // Gets longitude
  strcpy(altitude, strtok(NULL, ",")); // Gets MSL altitude


    if (Fixstatus != 0){

      Serial.println("GPS Data received");
      
      Serial.print("Runstatus: ");
      Serial.println(GNSSrunstatus);
      Serial.print("Fixstatus: ");
      Serial.println(Fixstatus);
      Serial.print("UTCdatetime: ");
      Serial.println(UTCdatetime);
      Serial.print("latitude: ");
      Serial.println(latitude);
      Serial.print("longitude: ");
      Serial.println(longitude);
      Serial.print("altitude: ");
      Serial.println(altitude);

      //Serial.println(lat_high);
      latitude_val = atof(latitude);
      
      lat_val = latitude_val*1000000;  //13.000000 -> 13000000
      
      Serial.println(lat_val); 
      
      longitude_val = atof(longitude);
      lon_val = longitude_val*1000000;
      
      Serial.println(lat_high);
      
      if (lat_high == 0){
        sprintf(MESSAGE, "Latitude : %s\nLongitude : %s\nAltitude : %s km\n\nInitial Position of the Module\n\nhttp://maps.google.com/maps?q=%s,%s\n", latitude, longitude, altitude, latitude, longitude);
        sendSMS();
        
      }
      else{

        lat_check = inRange(lat_val, lat_high, lat_low);
        lon_check = inRange(lon_val, lon_high, lon_low);
        Serial.print(lat_check);
        Serial.println(lon_check);
        if (!(lat_check)){
  
          sprintf(MESSAGE, "Latitude : %s\nLongitude : %s\nAltitude : %s km\n\nALERT!! Module is outside the GeoFence\n\nhttp://maps.google.com/maps?q=%s,%s\n", latitude, longitude, altitude, latitude, longitude);
          sendSMS();
        }
      
      }

    }
     else if ((Fixstatus == 0) && (lat_high == 0)){
      Serial.println("Resetting Arduino to check GPS data");
      delay(5000);
      resetFunc();
    }
}

void sendSMS()
{
  Serial.println("Start to send message ...");
  
  Serial.println(MESSAGE);
  Serial.println(phone);

  mySerial.println("AT+CSMP=17,167,0,0"); //Handshaking with SIM808
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.println("AT+CMGF=1"); //Handshaking with SIM808
  updateSerial();
  String sim_sms = "AT+CMGS=\"" + phone + "\"\r";
  mySerial.println(sim_sms); //Handshaking with SIM808
  updateSerial();
  mySerial.print(MESSAGE);       //This is the text to send to the phone number, don't make it too long or you have to modify the SoftwareSerial buffer
  delay(500);
  mySerial.print((char)26);// (required according to the datasheet)
  Serial.println("Check SMS");
}

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Virtual Fence - Anti Theft Device

About the project

Project info

Items used in this project

Hardware components

Story

What is a Virtual Fence?

Get PCBs for Your Projects Manufactured

Cellular + GPS

Hardware Side -

Software side (PuTTy) -

Software side (Arduino IDE) -

Testing Commands -

Code Breakdown

Code

GeoFence using Arduino

Credits

akshayan-sinha

Leave your feedback...

Shop

Project Hub

Video

Blog

Shop home

3D printing

Single Board Computers

Development kits

Sensors

Internet of things

Robotics

Accessories

Product of the Week

Electromaker Educator

The Electromaker Show

The Electromaker Podcast

Virtual Fence - Anti Theft Device

About the project

Project info

Items used in this project

Hardware components

Story

What is a Virtual Fence?

Get PCBs for Your Projects Manufactured

Cellular + GPS

Hardware Side -

Software side (PuTTy) -

Software side (Arduino IDE) -

Testing Commands -

Code Breakdown

Code

GeoFence using Arduino

Credits

akshayan-sinha

Leave your feedback...

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