ESP32 - GPS

In this guide, we'll discover how to extract GPS coordinates (longitude, latitude, altitude), GPS speed (in kilometers per hour), and date-time information from the NEO-6M GPS module. Additionally, we'll explore the process of calculating the distance between the current GPS position and a predefined set of GPS coordinates (such as the coordinates of London).

Hardware Used In This Tutorial

1×ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module
1×USB Cable Type-C
1×NEO-6M GPS module
1×Jumper Wires
1×Breadboard
1×(Recommended) Screw Terminal Expansion Board for ESP32
1×(Recommended) Power Splitter For ESP32

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1×DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1×DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)
Disclosure: Some of the links in this section are Amazon affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Additionally, some links direct you to products from our own brand, DIYables.

Introduction to NEO-6M GPS module

Pinout

The NEO-6M GPS module has 4 pins:

  • VCC pin: needs to be connected to VCC (5V)
  • GND pin: needs to be connected to GND (0V)
  • TX pin: is used for communication between the GPS module and ESP32, needs to be connect to Serial RX pin on ESP32.
  • RX pin: is used for communication between the GPS module and ESP32, needs to be connect to Serial TX pin on ESP32.
NEO-6M GPS module Pinout

Wiring Diagram

ESP32 GPS module Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

If you're unfamiliar with how to supply power to the ESP32 and other components, you can find guidance in the following tutorial: How to Power ESP32.

ESP32 Code

Reading GPS coordinates, speed (km/h), and date time

/* * This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com * * This ESP32 code is released in the public domain * * For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-gps */ #include <TinyGPS++.h> #define GPS_BAUDRATE 9600 // The default baudrate of NEO-6M is 9600 TinyGPSPlus gps; // the TinyGPS++ object void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); Serial2.begin(GPS_BAUDRATE); Serial.println(F("ESP32 - GPS module")); } void loop() { if (Serial2.available() > 0) { if (gps.encode(Serial2.read())) { if (gps.location.isValid()) { Serial.print(F("- latitude: ")); Serial.println(gps.location.lat()); Serial.print(F("- longitude: ")); Serial.println(gps.location.lng()); Serial.print(F("- altitude: ")); if (gps.altitude.isValid()) Serial.println(gps.altitude.meters()); else Serial.println(F("INVALID")); } else { Serial.println(F("- location: INVALID")); } Serial.print(F("- speed: ")); if (gps.speed.isValid()) { Serial.print(gps.speed.kmph()); Serial.println(F(" km/h")); } else { Serial.println(F("INVALID")); } Serial.print(F("- GPS date&time: ")); if (gps.date.isValid() && gps.time.isValid()) { Serial.print(gps.date.year()); Serial.print(F("-")); Serial.print(gps.date.month()); Serial.print(F("-")); Serial.print(gps.date.day()); Serial.print(F(" ")); Serial.print(gps.time.hour()); Serial.print(F(":")); Serial.print(gps.time.minute()); Serial.print(F(":")); Serial.println(gps.time.second()); } else { Serial.println(F("INVALID")); } Serial.println(); } } if (millis() > 5000 && gps.charsProcessed() < 10) Serial.println(F("No GPS data received: check wiring")); }

Quick Instructions

  • If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
  • Do the wiring as above image.
  • Connect the ESP32 board to your PC via a micro USB cable
  • Open Arduino IDE on your PC.
  • Select the right ESP32 board (e.g. ESP32 Dev Module) and COM port.
  • On Arduino IDE, Go to Manage Libraries in the left bar
  • Search “TinyGPSPlus”, then find the TinyGPSPlus library by Mikal Hart
  • Click Install button to install TinyGPSPlus library.
ESP32 TinyGPS++ library
  • Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE
  • Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to ESP32
  • See the result on Serial Monitor:
COM6
Send
Autoscroll Show timestamp
Clear output
9600 baud  
Newline  

Calculating the distance from current location to a predefined location

The below code calculates the distance between the current location and London (lat:51.508131 , long: -0.128002)

/* * This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com * * This ESP32 code is released in the public domain * * For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-gps */ #include <TinyGPS++.h> #define GPS_BAUDRATE 9600 // The default baudrate of NEO-6M is 9600 TinyGPSPlus gps; // the TinyGPS++ object const double LONDON_LAT = 51.508131; const double LONDON_LON = -0.128002; void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); Serial2.begin(GPS_BAUDRATE); Serial.println(F("ESP32 - GPS module")); } void loop() { if (Serial2.available() > 0) { if (gps.encode(Serial2.read())) { if (gps.location.isValid()) { double latitude = gps.location.lat(); double longitude = gps.location.lng(); unsigned long distanceKm = TinyGPSPlus::distanceBetween(latitude, longitude, LONDON_LAT, LONDON_LON) / 1000; Serial.print(F("- latitude: ")); Serial.println(latitude); Serial.print(F("- longitude: ")); Serial.println(longitude); Serial.print(F("- distance to London: ")); Serial.println(distanceKm); } else { Serial.println(F("- location: INVALID")); } Serial.println(); } } if (millis() > 5000 && gps.charsProcessed() < 10) Serial.println(F("No GPS data received: check wiring")); }

Quick Instructions

  • Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE
  • Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to ESP32
  • See the result on Serial Monitor:
COM6
Send
Autoscroll Show timestamp
Clear output
9600 baud  
Newline  

Video Tutorial

Making video is a time-consuming work. If the video tutorial is necessary for your learning, please let us know by subscribing to our YouTube channel , If the demand for video is high, we will make the video tutorial.

Learn More

※ OUR MESSAGES