Welcome to Arctic Tracker documentation!
Arctic Tracker is an APRS tracker platform based on the ESP32S3 MCU module, a GPS, a display and a VHF/UHF transceiver module. Hardware prototypes were created mainly as experimental prototypes to show how we can build a tracker using affordable modules. The Arctic Tracker is also a IoT device capable of using WIFI and the internet when this is available: For easy configuration, for pushing APRS data, etc. It can also function as a igate.
Main features
The firmware is implemented in C and based on the ESP-IDF which again is based on FreeRTOS. It is fairly complete now. The following features are implemented:
Command shell running on a serial port (USB).
FAT filesystem.
Internetworking using WIFI. Automatically connect to access points available. User can set up an ordered list of APs to try. It can also function as its own access point.
Webserver/REST API.
OLED display, status screens and menu. Use button to operate.
Sending and receiving of APRS packets. Tracking, smart beaconing.
Digipeater and igate.
Add highly compressed earlier position reports to packets. This can improve trails significantly. See how this is done here.
Firmware upgrades over the air (OTA).
Basic information on battery and charging.
Track logging. Store positions in flash memory e.g. every 5 seconds and upload to a REST API on a Polaric Server when network is available.