ESP32 with Neo-6M GPS Module: Hardware Serial Code & Practical Implementation Guide

In this project, I used the ESP32 WROOM-32 development board in combination with the Neo-6M GPS module to acquire real-time satellite-based location data. The hardware components were interconnected using hardware serial (UART) to ensure reliable communication between the ESP32 and the GPS module. The wiring setup is illustrated below.

Neo-6M GPS Module     |      ESP32 WROOM-32

       Vcc      =====>   VIN (3.3V)

GND   =====>     GND

    TX      =====>    GPIO16

    RX     =====>   GPIO17

Snapshot of the NEO-6M GPS Module used in this project:

Front View of the NEO-6M GPS Module

Backside of the NEO-6M GPS Module

Snapshot of the ESP32 WROOM-32 Arduino board used in this project:

After the interconnecting these two boards you have to follow following procedures.

Install TinyGPS++ library:

• Open Arduino IDE → Go to Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries.
• Search TinyGPS++ and install it.

Connect ESP32 via USB and select the correct board:

• Tools → Board → ESP32 WROOM DA module
• Tools → Port → Select your ESP32’s port.

My board and port selection as follows:

Upload the code and open Serial Monitor (115200 baud).

Use following Arduino code read the GPS and write the results on the serial monitor.

#include <HardwareSerial.h>

#include <TinyGPS++.h>

static const int RXPin = 16, TXPin = 17; // ESP32 Hardware Serial pins

static const uint32_t GPSBaud = 9600;    // Default baud rate of Neo-6M

TinyGPSPlus gps;

HardwareSerial gpsSerial(1); // Using UART1

void setup() {

    Serial.begin(115200); // Monitor serial

    gpsSerial.begin(GPSBaud, SERIAL_8N1, RXPin, TXPin);

    Serial.println("GPS Module is starting...");

}

void loop() {

    while (gpsSerial.available()) {

        gps.encode(gpsSerial.read()); // Parse GPS data

       

        if (gps.location.isUpdated()) {

            Serial.print("Latitude: ");

            Serial.print(gps.location.lat(), 6);

            Serial.print(" Longitude: ");

            Serial.print(gps.location.lng(), 6);

            Serial.print(" Speed: ");

            Serial.print(gps.speed.kmph());

            Serial.println(" km/h");

        }

    }

}

Once the GPS module locks onto satellites, LED of the GPS will start to blink. then you will see Latitude, Longitude, and Speed in the Serial Monitor as follows:

Finally, my overall setup can be denote as this.