GPS Devices

Integrating dedicated GPS tracking hardware with ModularIoT.

Overview

GPS devices are standalone tracking units that periodically report location and related data. They’re common in fleet management and asset tracking.

Typical Data

GPS devices typically report:

• Latitude and longitude
• Speed and heading
• Altitude
• Timestamp
• Satellite count and HDOP

Integration Approaches

Direct Connection

Device connects directly to ModularIoT ingestion endpoints.

Protocol Gateway

Device communicates via proprietary protocol, gateway translates.

Manufacturer API

Device reports to manufacturer cloud, API integration pulls data.

Common Protocols

• HTTP POST - Modern devices with cellular connectivity
• TCP binary - Legacy devices with compact protocols
• UDP - Low-overhead transmission

Configuration Considerations

• Reporting interval balance (battery vs freshness)
• Wake-on-movement for parked assets
• Geofence-triggered reporting
• Data compression for bandwidth

Driver Requirements

Each GPS device manufacturer requires a driver that:

• Parses the protocol
• Extracts position data
• Maps to canonical metrics