Looking for help on building a GPS receiver (novice)

Hi there, I appreciate anybody viewing this and hope you all are doing well under these difficult times. I'm new to this community and found it through my research. I

I'm trying to build an incredibly small GPS receiver for a project of mine. Again, as mentioned in the title, my knowledge is very limited on the subject. I'm somewhat tech-savvy and can build computers, but that's about it. No code knowledge, no electrical knowledge. I do have some help from friends and family, but I'd love to reach out to a community for advice.

Alright, so my goal is to have this receiver on an object that I can track and find with my phone. I've thought of multiple options including RFID, Bluetooth and even thought Wi-Fi for a second. Bluetooth is still in the running. From my understanding, RFID is limited to the NFC of the smartphone. The best option would be GPS, as I would hope to also gain speed and flight data. A big component of this project is the aerodynamic profile, so I've already searched out power sources and batteries to meet these criteria (although recommendations are always welcome). My project is looking at the ranges of mm and decigrams for components. I can push to cm in width and length, but not depth. And the weight total of this project would be appreciated to be a couple of grams or under.

So, that boils it down to my main question, what components do I need to accomplish this? I've found antenna patches and batteries that seem to be the perfect size and weight I'm looking for. My main request from you is help on the GPS component of this, but advice and recommendations in all fields would be great. Do I only need a power source, wiring, GPS antenna patch, and phone (with a GPS app)? Or is there more to it? Speed and flight data would be incredible, but are not necessary for the main goal of location molex.com/molex/products/family/gnssgps_antennas this is one of the companies I've been looking at. I've also looked at OriginGPS and Beitian, but can't find low prices.

Also, to add, this project needs to have as low of a cost as possible. The power source, battery and GPS antenna that I've searched have all been very affordable. I'm looking to potentially produce hundreds (maybe more?) of these for a group of mine. That's what I'm aiming for. Any help would be fantastic!

Thank you,
-Boeman

 

A smartphone would be the main tool included in this. I will be working with a couple of others on a locator app, or find a basic one, for the time being, to test. I was thinking in my head that the device would relay information back to the smartphone and GPS system.

edit: I think I'm understanding what you mean. The receiver on the object would need a cell module to transmit back to the cell phone?

 

Understood on the product links, my apologies. And as to the GPS tracking, I knew of them. I suppose I was thinking of my idea as a small-profile relay that could send information back to the smartphone, where the phone was sort of the "main hub".

 

Sorry, I wasn't very clear to the point. The object would travel through the air 100-600 feet. It's flight testing. The user would walk to the general vicinity of the landing and be able to find its location if it's hidden under heavy brush or whatnot. I have learned of the ranges of the different connections too, thank you! If speed and flight metrics can be tracked by adding GPS, that would be best. Could I instead use GPS for tracking, speed, and location? And Bluetooth to connect back to the phone once within the ~30-foot range to pinpoint location?

ed: I guess I've found some Bluetooth/GPS tracking devices now. I just thought of that. If that's the answer, I apologize if I wasted your time! Your help was much appreciated, might not have gotten to that thought without this.

 

Sorry, I finally had to get some sleep. I appreciate your help on this so far, truly.

Now, I don't think I'll need "live" tracking. Would a logger be able to track distance, direction, and speed? Then you'd have to retrieve that data once within Bluetooth range of the object? I wouldn't need live results. Being able to acquire data after linking up with the GPS/BT object would be fine.

Really, the main objective is locating the object if it veers off course. The secondary, but not necessary, objective would be flight data (speed and direction path), whether that's gained live or after recovery.

Other main elements that are needed, if I can reiterate, is a low profile design, mm/cm and decimeters in dimensions. A total of under 3-5 grams is optimal.

 

Understood. So a logger, which seems to be the less component-heavy option, can track data. I'm planning on having a solar cell charge to a battery. We're working on that, as well, but that might be beside the point. I'm thinking GPS logger for data, and then a simple Bluetooth chip for nearby location. We'll be able to walk to within 10-30 feet of the object. Let me spit-ball this out there.

Device is launched
GPS logs flight data
Participants walk to close vicinity of object while scanning Bluetooth
Location of object found through Bluetooth
GPS data transferred to smartphone for assessment on an app

That's essentially my vision. I mentioned earlier, flight data would be a HUGE plus, but is not necessary. If what I'm thinking isn't feasible/too complicated, I can resort back to a Bluetooth locator. I joined this forum though, because I added GPS to my idea for this project You've been great! Thank you! If and when I get this completed, I'll send you one!