Sonsivri

I'm looking to buy/build a simple GPS Dog Collar.

All it NEEDS to do it track where the dog goes, so when he returns the info can be downloaded and displayed on a PC.
( maybe uploaded to Google Maps )

But if it were to transmit some how ( RF maybe ) so the animal can be located that would be a plus.
( Range of about 2 acres )

I figure by now there must be some cheap GPS modules that could be used with maybe a simple project box and a 9v?

You can buy everything but DIY is more fun ;)
For your luck the SiRF star III modules have become quite cheap these days. So you can use one of those with SPI or RS232 interface (have a look at your favourite semiconductor and electronics shop) as a base. All you need now is microcontroller and some memory. I would suggest an a SD card with FAT filesystem.

There are plenty of projects like this out the net. So it shouldn't be a problem to find hardware and software.
Otherwise you can adapt a project and just change it to what you need.

For transmitting the data there is an easy way. Since Android mobilephones (yeah I'm a fan of it) or iPhones are pretty cheap you can use them for sending the current position. This can be made per SMS (for long distances), WiFi or Bluetooth (for short distances). The second ones are able to livetrack your do so you can track him.
You also can use JUST the phone for complete work (GPS tracking, sending data, and so on).
However there is also another way. You can buy a GSM-module and pu it together with your microcontroller.


Last but no least, here is a project:
http://www.opengpstracker.org/

For two acres, have you thought about looking out the window? Seriously....

The reason I actually am not being a smartass is that you did not specify the accuracy or what you are actually doing with it (in other words, I think you did not tell us the whole story and there's a "secret" part to this collar application)...I get the feeling you're going to be very disappointed in the resolution you're going to be getting on this one. Battery life and satellite visibility may also be serious issues (dog under porch syndrome) with this approach.

Try this site, it might help you      http://www.buxtronix.net/2011/10/gps-feline-tracker.html

As I said, the transmitting is just a bonus.. we live on a large farm, but it's not like just looking over on open field.

as for Under the Porch.. that's fine too... as I stated, the first use was to just data log where the dog had been when he returns.. not really to search out and find him.
So the data would show, him going under the porch or into someplace loosing signal, but then the signal would return once he exited somewhere and returned to the house.

Posted on: November 13, 2011, 09:59:58 21:59 - Automerged

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This looks perfect!  Thanks..
Nice size and does exactly what I want.

(http://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/performance/accuracy/histogram.png)

Just a thought, we have a few members here, that warning or even a mute don't work. they say punishment here is too strict,
maybe as punishment, we get them walk your dog with a tracker and 38Amp battery straped to them.

(http://www.forestpal.com/images/pack.jpg)

....or, if you're going to go to all the trouble of building some complicated electronics, just shoot the dog and program its replacement to go where and when you want.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5349770802105160028

pickit2 - I am not going to ask where you are proposing to attach the cables for that battery.  As strict as things are here, I think checking into Guantanamo would be more relaxing  :P

Well for my taste A.M.E.E from Red Planet would make a really cool pet to start with.
In first version all the weapons aren't really necessary but they are a must have to defend your home from burglars later ;)

The basic mind of a dog can be recreated out of a cluster of about 1000 Altera Stratix V or so.
I'm sure the guys from the Sonsivti AI-board will help you out with this part.
And don't forget the voice commands! ;)

Anyone here wanna start AMEE-v1.0 ???

...nice pet...
(http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs23/f/2007/324/2/3/AMEE_final_render_by_darth_biomech.jpg)

AMEE-v1.0 sounds good to me...
i'd like to be a part of it...

If we can gather enough people we can start with the project. Well it really sounds very intetesting.

But this robot discussion here is off topic. It should be transferred to another subboard. Or start a new one.

@jcsntoll

Did your dog get a GPS collar yet? Or are you in construction stage?
I thought a little bit about it and this was the solution of my problem with the neighbours dog.
I don't really know whose dog it is but that dog always shit into my garden so next time I'll put a small GPS device on it to track him. Luckily he has a big collar and long fur so nobody will see it till the dog comes back to me.

...I'll tell you later how it worked.