Difference between revisions of "Microduino-NEO-6M"

Microduino-NEO

Microduino-NEO module maybe the most beautiful GPS module that you've seen. Its core module use UBLOX NEO-6M, high sensitivity, update rate up to 5Hz, using mini ceramic antenna with IPEX interface, and build-in a rechargeable battery backup.

Feature

• High sensitivity；
• Update rate up to 5Hz；
• With a powerful PC support：u-center；
• PPS indicator，easily determine the current status of the module；
• Built-in rechargeable backup battery (to support warm start or hot start)；
• Small, cheap, stackable, opened platform;
• Open source hardware circuit design, compatible with the Arduino IDE development environment for programming; ；
• Define unified interface Microduino specification and contain rich peripheral modules. Set up the quick connection with other Microduino modules and sensors easily and flexibly.
• 2.54 pitch row female connector for easy integration into breadboard.

Specifications

• Communication protocol：
  • Microduino NEO-6M module use NMEA-0183 protocol and output GPS data, using the UBX protocol to configure the module.

• Reception characteristics
  • 50 channels，GPS L1(1575.42Mhz) C/A 码，SBAS:WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS
  • Capture tracking sensitivity：-161dBm

• Positioning accuracy
  • 2.5 mCEP （SBAS：2.0mCEP）

• Update rate
  • Maximum 5Hz

• Capture time
  • cold start：27S（Fastest time）
  • warm start：27S
  • hot start：1S

• Note：
  • Cold start means that module stored history information which GPS receiver has lost (corresponding to the main power supply and battery both lost power), then restart the module, called cold start.
  • Warm start means that the is the module saved the historical information, but this information is inconsistent with information of currently visible satellites, and under such conditions to start module, called warm start.
  • Hot start means that module stored GPS history information which consistent with the currently visible satellite's information, then restart the module, called a hot start.

• Interface characteristics
  • TTL，compatible 3.3V/5V microcontroller system
  • Serial communication baud rate：
    • Microduino NEO-6M module supports several baud rate：4800、9600、38400（defult）、57600；

• Set the baud rate by two resistors (R3,R4,recommend value is 1k)：

Pin Description

Microduino-NEO6M-Pinout

Microduino-NEO6M-Pinout

Document

Eagle PCB File:Microduino-NEO6M.zip

Main components

• GPS module：UBLOX NEO-6M：File:NEO-6 DataSheet (GPS.G6-HW-09005).pdf
• Super capacitor：XH414H File:XH414H.pdf

• NMEA-0183 protocol： File:NMEA-0183 CN.pdf,File:NMEA-0183 EN.pdf
• u-center GPS evaluation software User Guide： File:U-center GPS evaluation software User Guide.pdf

Development

• Make sure the +3.3 v power supply current can reach 200ma, not recommended use FT232R debugging directly, because FT232R's output +3.3 v current is too small.

Arduino library and supported package

• 【Adafruit_GPS librarygithub download 】
• 【U8glib librarygoogle download 】

• u-center-8.0

• Microduino NEO-6M uses RX0,TX1 to communicate with Core module, so can't superimposed with Microduino FT232R directly.

Debugging with PC

• Use serial port to debugging;
  • Can't superimpose the FT232 module, connect the FT232 and NEO-6M using the RX0 and TX1.

Download and debug program with FT232R and Core Module

• If you use default pin（RX0、TX1）：
  • Unplug the Microduino NEO-6M module when downloading program;
• If you want to change the jumper cables to meet your requirement: Cut off the connection between the middle of bonding pad and RX0/TX1, then welding the middle of bonding pad to D2 and D3.
  • If you changed the jumper cables,the serial connect between Microduino NEO-6M and Core should be changed to TX-D2、RX-D3 from connection TX-RX0、RX-TX1（corresponding to Core+'s Serial1）

PPS State indicator

• This indicator connects to TIMEPULSE port on UBLOX NEO-6M module, the output characteristic can be set by program;
• PPS indicator has two state as default value without program setting：
  • Keeping on，indicates that module has started, but but have not yet achieved positioning;
  • Flicker,（100ms off，900ms on），indicates that module has achieved position successfully.
• Easy to identify the state of module by PPS indicator.

Connection mode

• If use Microduino FT232R to debug，can't superimpose them directly.Because FT232 and NEO-6M have the same RX、TX pin definition，while the normal serial communication should be connected to TX and RX crossover;
• Module and microcontroller connection requires only a minimum of four lines;
  • VCC and GND for power supply to the module, the module's TXD, RXD connects to the microcontroller's RXD TXD;
  • (Note：Pay attention to this，module's TXD 和 RXD can't connect to RS232 serial port on PC directly, must use the level converter chip (such as MAX232).

Application

Program Download

Test Program：File:Program Test NEO-6M.zip

Test Microduino NEO-6M module

• Prepared hardware：Microduino FT232R、Microduino Core、Microduino OLED、Microduino NEO-6M;
• Prepared software：Arduino IDE（1.0 release upper）、Adafruit_GPS library、Microduino provides test program（Arduino part);
• Test environment：Open area，don't test in root;
• Put the downloaded library to the libraries folder of Arduino IDE installation fold；
• Start Arduino IED，open the test program，card type chooses "Microduino Core (Atmega328P@16M,5V)"，download directly;
• Observed the OLED after the download completed:
  • After half of minute,display data and time;
  • Go on waiting,when you see PPS indicators of Microduino NEO-6M flashing, then the speed, latitude and longitude indicators can be displayed,if not, please restart Microduino Core.

How to use the library

• For Adafruit_GPS library：
  • Make sure the GPS baud rate is 38400 in function "void setup()",that is：GPS.begin(38400);
  • If you don't change the jumper cable：
    • Unplug the Microduino NEO-6M module when downloading program;
    • Use the Core or Core+ to debug, make sure include "Adafruit_GPS GPS(&Serial)" in program;
  • If you have changed the jumper cable:
    • When use Core+ to debug，make sure include "Adafruit_GPS GPS(&Serial1)" in program;
    • When use Core to debug, make sure include "SoftwareSerial mySerial(3, 2)" and "Adafruit_GPS GPS(&mySerial)" in program;

Use u-center configuration module to update rage

• Firstly, place the Microduino NEO-6M into an open area, and then connects to PC by Microduino FT232R;
• Start "u-center" software:
  • set the baud rate：Menu：“Receiver”-“Baudrate”-“38400”；

set baud rate

• • Open the serial to start the communication：Menu：“Receiver”-“Port”- choose the port that Microduino FT232R using.

set port

• • Now，you can see the data on the "u-center";

data

• Update rate
  • Open menu：“View”-“Messages View”，display the "Messages" window；
  • Open“UBX”-“CFG(Config)”-“RATE(Rates)”，suppose you need 2HZ update rate, only need set the "Measurement Period" to 500ms；
  • After configured,click the "Send" button on the left bottom to send the configuration to Microduino NEO-6M module. If you see the data update quickly on other information window, that means the set successfully.

Configure window

Pictures

Microduino NEO Front

Microduino NEO Back