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Standard Protocols

Documentation for widely adopted GPS tracking protocols.

Overview

Standard protocols are supported by multiple device manufacturers and fleet management platforms, making them ideal for interoperability.

GT06 Protocol

The GT06 protocol is widely used by Chinese GPS tracker manufacturers.

Connection

Devices typically connect via TCP on port 5023.

Message Format

+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Start | Length | IMEI | Command| Data | Info | Stop |
| 0x7878 | 1 byte | 8 bytes| 1 byte | n bytes| 2 bytes| 0x0D0A |
+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+

Common Commands

CommandDescription
0x01Login Message
0x12Location Data
0x13Status Information
0x15String Information

Server Response

The server should respond to login messages with an acknowledgment.

TK103 Protocol

The TK103 protocol and its variants are used by many GPS tracking devices.

Connection Modes

  1. SMS Mode - Commands via SMS
  2. GPRS Mode - Data over TCP/UDP

GPRS Format

$(DeviceID),(Command),(Data)#)

Common Commands

CommandDescription
BP00Handshake
BR00Location Data
BO01Alarm Data

Example Messages

# Login
$(123456789012,BP00)#

# Location
$(123456789012,BR00,241123,A,2234.0232,N,11354.4565,E,0.0,45.0,241123,FFF7FBFF)#)

H02 Protocol

Used by many entry-level Chinese GPS trackers.

Format

*HQ,(DeviceID),(Command),(Data)#)

Example

*HQ,1234567890,V1,123456,A,2234.0232,N,11354.4565,E,0.00,45,231124,FFFFBBFF#

Meitrack Protocol

Protocol for Meitrack GPS devices.

Message Format

$$B+(Message),(IMEI),(Data)\r\n

Command Examples

$$B863070014494362,AAA,35,23.113643,113.358345,231124121212,A,9,19,0,248,1.1,89,3498969,460,0,9459,45011,83#

Protocol Comparison

FeatureGT06TK103H02Meitrack
BinaryYesNoNoNo
CompactYesMediumMediumNo
ExtensibleYesLimitedLimitedYes
ChecksumYesLimitedNoYes

Implementation Tips

  1. Port Management: Use different ports for different protocols
  2. Buffering: Implement proper message buffering
  3. Error Handling: Handle malformed messages gracefully
  4. Logging: Log raw messages for debugging
  5. Testing: Test with real devices, not just documentation