📌 Introduction
In modern transportation and logistics systems, real-time vehicle tracking is essential for monitoring, security, and operational efficiency. This project demonstrates how to build a complete SIM-based real-time GPS tracking system using ESP32, SIM7600 4G LTE module, MQTT protocol, and a live web dashboard.
Unlike WiFi-based IoT systems, this project works entirely on 4G LTE cellular connectivity. That means your device can operate in moving vehicles anywhere with mobile network coverage — without depending on local WiFi.
This guide explains everything step-by-step so that even beginners can successfully build this project.
⚙️ System Architecture
GPS Module → ESP32 → SIM7600 4G LTE → MQTT Broker → Live Web Dashboard
The GPS module continuously reads satellite data and provides latitude, longitude, speed, and altitude. ESP32 processes this data and creates a structured JSON payload. The SIM7600 module connects to the internet using a 4G SIM card. Data is then sent to an MQTT broker. The web dashboard subscribes to this MQTT topic and displays the vehicle location in real-time on a map.
🧠 Core Technologies Used
- ESP32 Microcontroller (Main Processing Unit)
- SIM7600 4G LTE Module (Cellular Connectivity)
- NEO-6M GPS Module (Live Location Tracking)
- MQTT Protocol (Lightweight IoT Messaging)
- TinyGSM Library
- PubSubClient Library
- TinyGPSPlus Library
- Leaflet.js for Live Map
- OpenStreetMap Tiles
💡 Key Features
- SIM-Based Internet Connectivity
- Real-Time GPS Location Tracking
- Live Interactive Web Dashboard
- OLED Display for On-Device Data
- Automatic MQTT Reconnection
- Low Bandwidth Data Usage
- Multi-Vehicle Scalability
- Industry-Ready IoT Architecture
🔩 Hardware Required
- ESP32 Development Board
- SIM7600 4G LTE Module
- NEO-6M GPS Module
- SH1106 128×64 OLED Display
- 4G SIM Card with Active Data Plan
- External 5V 2A Power Supply
- GPS & LTE Antennas
Important: SIM7600 must be powered using a stable external power supply. Do not power it from ESP32.
🔌 Pin Connections
LTE Module → ESP32
TX → GPIO 16
RX → GPIO 17
GND → GND
VCC → External 5V
GPS Module → ESP32
TX → GPIO 27
RX → GPIO 14
VCC → 3.3V
GND → GND
OLED (I2C) → ESP32
SDA → GPIO 33
SCL → GPIO 32
💻 Software Setup
Required Tools
- Arduino IDE
- ESP32 Board Package
- TinyGSM Library
- PubSubClient Library
- TinyGPSPlus Library
- U8g2 Library
Network Configuration
- APN: airtelgprs.com
- MQTT Broker: broker.emqx.io
- Port: 1883
- Topic: device/SL001/gps
🚀 Step-by-Step Build Process
- Connect all hardware components as per wiring diagram.
- Insert active SIM card into SIM7600 module.
- Upload firmware to ESP32 using Arduino IDE.
- Open Serial Monitor and verify network + MQTT connection.
- Upload dashboard file to your hosting server.
- Open dashboard URL and verify live tracking.
Within minutes, your vehicle tracking system will be fully operational.
📥 Download Complete Project Files
📺 Full Video Tutorial
Complete step-by-step explanation available on:
🎥 YouTube Channel: Yarana IoT Guru
🌍 Real-World Applications
- Fleet Management Systems
- School Bus Monitoring
- Delivery Vehicle Tracking
- Vehicle Anti-Theft System
- Industrial Asset Tracking
- Cold Chain Logistics
👨💻 Developed By
Mr. Abhishek Maurya
Founder – Yarana IoT Guru
Official Contact: +91-7052722734
Website: https://yaranaiotguru.in