Overview

This project showcases a mobile tracker node periodically transmitting its GPS location via LoRa to the base node, which can be connected to a smartphone or computer running the Meshtastic app. This allows the user to visualize the movement and position of the tracker in real time, even in areas with no cellular signal or Wi-Fi. 

Leveraging the open-source Meshtastic firmware, this setup simulates a real-world wildlife or person tracking scenario, where one module acts as a mobile tracker (e.g., worn by an animal/person or attached to a moving object), and the other serves as a base station or receiver.

It uses a long-range, low-power GPS tracking system with Heltec LoRa development boards, specifically the Heltec LoRa32 V3 and Heltec Wireless Tracker, which feature built-in LoRa radios and GPS modules. 

Hardware Used

Heltec Meshtastic LoRa32 V3 Development Board (863-928MHZ)

Heltec Wireless Tracker GNSS Antenna

TP4056 Lithium Battery Charger Module

3.7V Rechargeable Battery Flat Pack (Li-ion/Li-Po)

Rocker Switch 2-pin ON-OFF

Software Used

Meshtastic Web Flasher

Meshtastic App

• For Android
• For iOS

Application Discussion

Heltec Meshtastic LoRa32 V3

WiFi LoRa 32 is a classic IoT dev-board designed & produced by Heltec Automation. The newly launched V3 version has the same pin sequence as the V2 version and retains Wi-Fi, BLE, LoRa, OLED display, and other functions.

Main Features:

Application in the Project:

• Acts as the receiver node, listening for GPS data from the tracker.
• Displays location updates through the Meshtastic app via Bluetooth or USB connection.
• It was used handheld and connected to a power bank via USB.

 

Heltec Wireless Tracker

Wireless Tracker is a development kit based on ESP32-S3FN8. It integrates SX1262 and UC6580 to provide a fast GNSS solution for IoT. It can track any object and then upload that data wirelessly by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or LoRa, and has been widely used in Meshtastic.

Wireless Tracker supports L1 + L5/L2 and GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, NAVIC, QZSS multi-system joint positioning. It is perfectly compatible with Arduino and can be widely used in development for bicycle sharing services, tracking pets or livestock, locating vehicles, monitoring children, etc.

Main Features:

• ESP32-S3FN8+SX1262+UC6580 Chipset, supports Wi-Fi, LoRa, Bluetooth, and GNSS.
• Low power design of dual-frequency multi-system based on 22nm technology.
• Supports L1 + L5/L2, supports GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, NAVIC, QZSS multi-system joint positioning.
• Type-C USB interface with a complete voltage regulator, ESD protection, short circuit protection, RF shielding, and other protection measures.
• Onboard SH1.25-2 battery interface, integrated lithium battery management system (charge and discharge management, overcharge protection, battery power detection, USB / battery power automatic switching).
• Onboard Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, dedicated 2.4GHz metal spring antenna, reserved IPEX (U.FL) interface for LoRa and GNSS use.
• Onboard 0.96-inch 160*80 dot matrix LCD can display debugging information, battery power, and other information.
• Support the Arduino development environment.

Pinout:

Application in the Project:

• Functions as the tracker node, attached to a moving subject.
• Regularly broadcasts GPS coordinates via LoRa to the base station.
• Powered by a battery and features a built-in charging circuit (TP4056) for portable use.

Meshtastic Setup

Web Flasher

1. Open the Meshtastic Web Flasher in your browser.

2. Connect your Heltec device to your computer via USB. In the Web Flasher, select your device model. Choose the Firmware 2.6.11.60ec05e Beta and click Flash.  

Heltec V3

Heltec Wireless Tracker

3. Click Connect, choose the correct COM port, and press Install.

Heltec V3

Heltec Wireless Tracker

4. Wait for the flashing process to complete, then click Done. Your device now has the Meshtastic firmware installed.

Application

1. Install the Meshtastic App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

 

2. Open the app, tap Devices, then Scan for Devices. Finally, select your Heltec device from the list to connect.

 

3. In the app settings, set:

• Node Name – choose a name for the device.
• Role – Tracker for the mobile unit, Client for the base node.
• Frequency – Set the correct LoRa frequency for your region(Philippines 915MHz).
• Channel – Make sure both devices are on the same channel.
• GPS Broadcast – Enable if you want location updates sent to other nodes.

4. Save settings, then test the connection between both modules. Move the tracker outdoors to get a GPS signal and check if its location updates appear on the map in real time.

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Hardware Setup

Actual Set-up: Heltec V3

Power via Type-C cable connected to a power bank.

 

Heltec Wireless Tracker

Power via 3.7V Li-Po battery connected to a TP4056 battery charging module and switch.

 

Heltec Wireless Tracker Wiring

Li-Po Battery Negative(BLACK) wire  -->  TP4056 Bat-

Li-Po Battery Positive(RED) wire  -->  TP4056 Bat+   

Heltec Wireless Tracker Negative(BLACK) wire  -->  TP4056 Bat-

Heltec Wireless Tracker Positive(RED) wire  -->  Rocker Switch  -->  TP4056 Bat+ 

Video Demonstration

Conclusion

The Heltec LoRa GPS Tracker System successfully demonstrated how low-power, long-range communication can be used for real-time location tracking without internet or cellular networks. By using Meshtastic firmware, the setup was simplified and made highly configurable via a mobile app. This project highlights the practicality of LoRa-based GPS tracking for outdoor or remote environments and opens possibilities for future wildlife or personal monitoring, disaster response, and asset tracking applications.

References

Meshtastic Website
Heltec Automation Website
Meshtastic Frequency in the Philippines from Github

Project Authors

• Leizhelle Yvonne Brasileño
• Aozey Caingles
• Myrl Arcyl Diesto