Hi All

This is my very first attempt at the Instructables. Do let me know if I violated any rules or regulations, I will gladly rectify it.

Having said that, here's my project - An eCollar for our Fido. The eCollar consists of a GSM/GPRS module, a Microcontroller, Pressure/Alt/Temp Sensor, Acceleration Sensor and a 1000mAh lithium ion battery. Once worn and powered up, it will send SMS with realtime GSM location(Latitude/Longtitude), accelerometer position with X/Y/Z info, Temperature, and Absolute Pressure reading to a pre-defined mobile phone number upon receiving a phone call.

Here are the steps -

Step 1: Items Needed

1: Collar for your pet

2: ADAFRUIT FONA - MINI CELLULAR GSM BREAKOUT UFL VERSION(As I happen to have this, considering LoNet 808 - Mini GSM/GPRS + GPS Breakout or LoNet 800L - Mini GSM/GPRS Breakout(smaller) from Seeedstudio)

3: Teensy3.1 (As I happen to have this. Low power consumption MCU is preferred,eg. MSP430)

4: BMP180 breakout from Sparkfun

5: MMA8452 breakout from Sparkfun

6: 1000mAh Lithium Ion Battery with JST

7: Soldering Iron/Solder, Wires, scissors and Double sided tape

Step 2: Connections

Wire them up accordingly (Photo)

Step 3: Running the Codes

Arduino was used as all the libraries were ready.

I used the codes from

https://www.cooking-hacks.com/projects/arduino-rea...

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/mma8452q-acce...

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/bmp180-barome...

for my eCollar.

Do send me an email at superhuat@hotmail.com to request for the arduino code to run the eCollar.

Step 4: Fido With the ECollar!

Ha ha, pardon me for the photos as it was taken around 12 midnight where Fido(Nemo) is sleeping. I woke him up for the photo taking session. :)

Step 5: ECollar in Operation

You can see from the photos, a call was initiated to the eCollar and within secs, a SMS with the following info were received.

Latitude

Longtitude

Accelerometer Position with X/Y/Z info

Absolute Pressure and Temperature

The Lat and Long info can be input to the URL below to get the actual point on map -

http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html

Step 6: Now and Beyond .......

Currently, the eCollar only comes with limited functionalities. Battery life plays an important parts too, I would want it to last for at least a month on a full charge. The eCollar must be waterproof or water resistant. Safety and comfort is a must too as its worn on our Fido 24/7. Not forgetting cost.......

Works to be done, eg. -

extend battery life(putting the GSM module and MCU in Sleep mode, where a received call or SMS will then wake the MCU up, used of low power MCU, other wireless protocol)

use of GPS module as the current version only supports GSM location reporting(using GPS with AGPS is a bonus as they can work together to give more accurate location and when 1 fails, the other can take over. eg. if Fido is lost and hiding in a drain or anywhere where there is no satellite coverage)

translate the lat and long info to map coordinates and update the HTTP server so that its easily viewable via webpages

add algorithm to detect whether Fido is resting or running around or in Distress using the accelerometer. Distress signal can be sent to pet owners via SMS

add algorithm to predict the weather using the pressure and temperature sensor

detection of Heart Rate and Breathing Rate?(Use of PPG Sensors)

add LEDs to the eCollar so that if Fido is missing and when we know that we are near him/her based on the GPS/GSM location, we can blink the LEDs by sending commands to it via SMS.

used of lower cost modules or different modules to provide the same functions

Hope you all will like my eCollar project and I welcome any suggestions.

Let's be responsible pet owners !!! Look after your pets with or without the eCollar. :)

Thank you.