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A Novel GPS based soldier health monitoring andposition tracking systemSuresh Muthusamy  ( infostosuresh@gmail.com )

Kongu Engineering CollegeSanthiya Pandiyan 

Kongu Engineering CollegeMuneeshwari Paramasivam 

Saveetha Engineering College

Research Article

Keywords: GSM, GPS, Sensors, Tracking

Posted Date: July 6th, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1773317/v1

License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.  Read Full License

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AbstractThe safe future of our country mainly hangs on armed forces and a fundamental role is played by eachof the soldiers. Soldiers tend to face death when they are �ghting for us in the war �eld. He neverdiminishes his duty. He secures us guards our nation in the most di�cult topography on hills, mountains,plains and forest excluding weather conditions and also in the most di�cult situations. The protection ofour nation is the primary work of them. The principle and key duty of the soldier is to protect people. Inmost situations they lost their lives for our Nation. It is the responsibility of all of us in the world to helpour soldiers and make a contribution for them. Our proposed method will be useful for the soldier who isstruggling for us in the war �eld for our lives. This proposed method by us will be helpful to �nd the spotof the armed soldiers using GPS and also it is helpful for us to observe all the physical health status ofthe soldiers using speci�c sensors. With the help of this method, communication will be made betweenthe soldier in the war �eld and the person in the base unit.

1. IntroductionThe armed forces of tomorrow swear to the newest technology in the modern world which we have everobserved. The Military Services are fastly moving and approaching new inventions with moredevelopment now-a-days. The most crucial and necessary character is played mostly by the army forcesin war. Soldier physical health is one of the most important one because they are the protectors whoprotect our country from enemies. Many things are there to do in order to safeguard our soldier life.Knowing the exact spot of the soldier where he is and also the physical movement of them is veryimportant for the base station to secure them. This project, we have arised with an idea of following theexact spot of the army member and also the physical health condition of the soldier in between the �ght,which will entitle the persons in the base station to design the war plan accordingly. So, our paper herefully focuses on tracking and following the exact spot of the army members with the help of GPS, whichis meant to be very useful for the base camp to know the correct spot of the army member where he is.

2. Literature ReviewBrijesh Iyer et.al (2018) [2] proposed a paper entitled “IoT enabled tracking and monitoring sensor formilitary applications”. They suggest a technique that is speci�cally designed to meet the safety needs ofarmed personnel on the battle�eld. The proposed method is primarily concerned with determining theexact location of soldiers on the battle�eld. For determining human life expectancy, many human keysigns and physical status conditions such as temperature, pulse rate, smoke detection, and oxygensaturation are used. Kahtan Aziz et.al (2016) [11] proposed a paper entitled “Smart Real-time HealthcareMonitoring and Tracking System using GSM/GPS Technologies''. Physical status monitoring techniqueshave improved in recent years, and they have suggested a new innovative system to detect the patient'scurrent physical status in their proposed and used method. They are completely focused on keeping trackof the pressure and temperature rates. This method can be used by animals, schoolchildren, andtransportation personnel to determine the exact location. Pratik Kanani et.al (2020) [19] proposed a paper

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entitled “Real-time Location Tracker for Critical Health Patients using Arduino, GPS Neo6m and GSMSim800L in Health Care”. They focused their proposed work on an IOT device that detects the preciselatitude and longitude, i.e. the location of the patients in relation to the base station room. Doctors andhealth centre staff can also determine the exact location of the patient using web applications on theserver and Google Maps, and medical assistance can be provided accordingly.This technique can also beused by wild animals, schoolchildren, and transportation personnel to determine their exact location.Pallavi Kulkarni et.al (2019) [14] proposed a paper entitled “Secure Health Monitoring of Soldiers withTracking System using IoT ''. The paper fully focuses on an IOT developed Physical status observing andcontinuous following system for our armed forces. This system can also be placed on the person's bodyto key an eye on tracking their health status and the exact location using GPS. This system alsocomprises small wearable transmission modules,tools and sensors. Patil Akshay et.al (2017) [15]proposed a paper entitled “GPS Based Soldier Tracking and Health Monitoring”. This paper which theyproposed helps to monitor the armed force at any instance with the help of GPS. Here, soldiers' physicalstatus is measured continuously and then the measured information is passed to the base station.If andonly if any death occurs, unfortunately for any person in the war �eld, the base station will know thedifference in pulse rate and exact spot of the person who has died.

Manoj K et.al (2019) [13] proposed a paper entitled “Soldier Health Monitoring and Tracking System''. Intheir proposed method they focused on knowing the exact spot of the soldier as well as physical statusof the armed person. The base station will come to the exact spot where the soldier is present by themessage sent by the GPS and the physical health condition of them with the help of the message sent byGSM to them Here they also used Google map which can be used to display the locations of soldiers.Jasvinder Singh Chhabra et.al (2017) [10] proposed a paper entitled “GPS and IoT Based Soldier Tracking& Health Indication System”. With the help of their proposed method, soldiers are able to communicateregularly in all areas. Their approach is much simpler. The graphical display section of their proposedmethod for displaying the digital map can be added in the future. D. Poornakumar et.al (2020) [3]proposed a paper entitled “Soldiers Navigation and Health Monitoring System using GPS and GSM”. Thismethod is an effective safety and protective method which is done by combining the developments inembedded along with wireless automation. It is useful for a Con�dential mission. In the proposed methoddeveloping a hardware system and picking a suitable GPS may be included in their future works. Deepa Jet.al (2019) [4] proposed a paper entitled “Soldier Health Positioning Tracking System Using GPS andGSM Modem''. They created a project using a wireless body area sensor network (WBASN), whichincludes temperature and heartbeat sensors, which is used to track the physical health of the armedperson wherever it is needed.The proposed method is useful for determining the exact location of asoldier and map-reading is accomplished between one soldier and another soldier by knowing theirheight, speed, distance, and physical status of all armed people on the battle�eld, allowing militarypersonnel to coordinate war strategies. Thanga Dharsni et.al (2017) [25] proposed a paper entitled“Soldier Security and Health Monitoring”. It is an acute secure and comfort system done by combiningthe advancements in far and new ideas. This method has a stable capacity. This method can also be

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applied as a factor of basic conditions. The correctness of their proposed method is in�uenced by someof the elements such as weather, humidity as well as rainfall.

3. Proposed MethodologyOur proposed methodology is split up into binary parts

1. Soldier Unit

2. Base Unit.

SOLDIER UNIT:

Soldier unit shown in Fig. 1 is always kept on the soldiers envelope which is further divided into differentparts as sensors, Emergency Button, GPS, GSM and also a warm up unit.

BASE UNIT

The base unit consists of a mobile phone that can be used to display information about the soldier's unitvia SMS. Figure 2 depicts the Base Unit.

4. Block DiagramFigure 3 depicts the main working theory of our proposed system, which is divided into two parts:transmitter and receiver. A step-down transformer and a power supply board with Bridge Recti�ers,Capacitors, Resistors, and a PIC16F877A microcontroller are used to connect GPS, GSM, and biomedicalsensors like pressure, oxygen, heart rate, and temperature level to the transmitter.The diode then becomesa Recti�er circuit, whose primary function is to convert AC current to DC current. The LCD Display willdisplay our Project Title "Soldier Health Monitoring System" while the screen is being turned on. All of thesensors in this area will carry out their assigned tasks and display the results.For each sensor, a thresholdvalue will be de�ned. If the measurement obtained by the speci�ed sensors falls between the thresholdvalue, they will appear normal, such as N. Alternatively, if the sensor values are not between the thresholdvalues, H will be shown and a message will be sent to the Prede�ned Contacts. Another unit, thethermoelectric unit, is connected to this device and is used to heat the soldier's body when he is cold.When a soldier presses a circuit-connected button, it means that he is in a dangerous situation. TheReceiver part is made up of a cell phone with a SIM card that receives the soldier's message and the basestation.

5. Components Description

5.1 Power Supply

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A power supply component takes the AC input from the outlet and converts it to uncontrolled DC, loweringthe voltage level with an input phase down power transformer before rectifying the input with a recti�er.The pulsating DC output is �ltered using a capacitor. The 7805 regulator regulates power �uctuations andprovides a controlled production. Figure 4 depicts a basic power supply.

5.2 Programmable Interface ControllerAmong all the other parts, the PIC microcontroller shown in Fig. 5 is the most simple. It takes data fromall of the sensors, as well as the GSM module and GPS. In an emergency, it sends commands and showseach command on the LCD screen, as well as sending a GSM warning message to a nearby station.

5.3 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)All Sensor results are shown on the LCD in this case. Figure 6 depicts the LCD.

5.4 Global Positioning SystemFigure 7 shows how the Global Positioning System (GPS) can be used to determine the current locationof soldiers on the battle �eld. The GPS system determines the soldier's latitude and longitude

5.5 Global system for Mobile CommunicationThe GSM module takes a SIM card and works in the same way as a cell phone. SMS is sent to thenumber stored in the controller by the Global System for Mobile Communication. Then, using a chipcalled a GSM module, connectivity is formed between our mobile device and a computer machine.Figure 8 depicts a special form of modem known as a GSM modem.

5.6 Temperature sensorThe body temperature of the soldier is determined with the aid of a Temperature Sensor, as shown inFig. 9. It outputs a temperature in degrees Celsius. The temperature sensor is said to have a sensitivity of10mV/degree Celsius.

5.7 Heartbeat sensorThe heartbeat sensor, as shown in Fig. 10, is a system that measures the soldier's pulse rate per minute,or the speed of the heartbeat. The average human heartbeat is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

5.8 Pressure sensorThe soldier's pressure rate is measured using a pressure sensor. The standard pressure ranges between80 and 120 mm/Hg. Figure 11 depicts the pressure sensor.

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5.9 Oxygen SensorThe MQ2 sensor, shown in Fig. 12, is one of the most widely used gas sensors for determining the gasconcentration in the air around the soldier. The standard gas concentration is between 100 and 150 partsper million.

5.10 Thermoelectric UnitA thermoelectric (TE) module, as shown in Fig. 13, is a semiconductor-type electronic element that allowsheat to be transferred from one side of the unit to the other. When the soldier's body temperature fallsbelow the normal amount, a small heat pump triggers in this system.

5.11 Panic ButtonThis Button when used by the soldier will address a SMS alert message to the base station, along withtheir present spot.

6. FlowchartOur proposed system is brie�y explained in the �owchart shown above.

When the sensor begins to operate, the GPS will begin monitoring the soldier's position in bothlatitude and longitude.

The soldier's temperature is determined using a temperature sensor, and the natural temperature ofthe human body is between 31 and 37 degrees Celsius. If the sensor level oscillates below or abovethe usual body temperature, a warning SMS is sent to the control room, and the thermoelectric deviceautomatically begins heating the soldier's body if it falls below the normal level.

The soldier's pulse rate is calculated using a heartbeat sensor, and a typical human heartbeat rate is60 to 100 beats per minute. The control room will receive an SMS with the position if it goes below orabove the usual threshold value.

To assess the level of pressure, a pressure sensor is used. If the pressure falls below or increasesabove the normal range of 80 to 120, it is considered dangerous.

The standard gas level is 100 to 150 ppm, and the gas concentration is determined using a Grovegas sensor. A warning SMS with the Oxygen level and position will be sent to the control room if itexceeds the normal level.

In the event that a soldier uses a button available there in an emergency, the control room will benoti�ed via his locator that the soldier is in an emergency situation.

7. Result And Discussion

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Figure 15 depicts the entire hardware setup for our project.

Figure 16 shows the sensor readings shown on the LCD display.

The performance from the mobile device is depicted in Fig. 17 with latitude and longitude.

Figure 18 shows the message indicating an emergency when the soldier presses the button, as well asthe location.

8. ConclusionThe “Soldier health monitoring and position tracking system using GPS” project is a critical safety andsecurity approach that incorporates embedded and wireless automation technologies. We infer that usinga heart beat sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and an oxygen sensor, the above proposedapproach is used to monitor a soldier's physical health parameters. This approach is also useful forsoldiers in battle since it helps them to request assistance from the base station if they feel they are in acritical situation by pressing the button located there. Our proposed approach also sends information tothe base station via SMS about where he is and how he is feeling. By attaching a breath sensor and asuitable sensor base station, the above proposed method by us will provide additional security to oursoldiers. The graphical display portion of our proposed system for viewing the digital map may be addedin the future. Interconnecting a camera to the controller may also be used to improve this process.

DeclarationsAuthor contributionsAll authors are equally contributed for the preparation of this manuscript.

FundingNo funding applicable for this manuscript.

Data availabilityData sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the currentwork.

Con�ict of interestThe authors whose names are listed immediately certify that they have NO a�liations with orinvolvement in any organization or entity with any �nancial interest or non-�nancial interest in the subjectmatter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Ethics approval

Agreed.

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Figures

Figure 1

Soldier’s Unit

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Figure 2

Base Unit

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Figure 3

Block Diagram

Figure 4

Power Supply

Figure 5

PIC Microcontroller

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Figure 6

LCD Display

Figure 7

GPS Module

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Figure 8

GSM

Figure 9

Temperature Sensor

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Figure 10

Heartbeat Sensor

Figure 11

Pressure Sensor

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Figure 12

Oxygen Sensor

Figure 13

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Thermoelectric Unit

Figure 14

Flowchart

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Figure 15

Hardware Setup

Figure 16

Sensor Results Displayed in LCD

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Figure 17

Received SMS

Figure 18

Emergency SMS Received