- -165 dBm sensitivity, 10 Hz updates, 66 channels
- Designed for wearable use with the Flora system
- Only 20mA current draw
- RTC battery-compatible - sew a battery on to create a atomic-precision real time clock
- Built-in datalogging
- >25Km altitude
- Internal patch antenna + u.FL connector for external active antenna
- Fix status LED
Hook up GPS
Use alligator clips to connect Flora's 3.3V pad to the 3.3V pad on the GPS. Likewise connect RX to TX and TX to RX, then finally GND to GND.
Unlike the GPS breakout and GPS shield we carry, the Flora GPS is for use with 3.3V power and logic only!
Program FLORA
Basic Echo Test
We'll start with the most basic test, where we listen to the raw GPS data, to make sure it shows up! Copy and paste this code into a new sketch window and upload it to your Flora
Install Adafruit GPS Library
Our helper library will make using the GPS easy since we have working code already. The library is available on GitHub
You can download the most recent version from the Arduino library manager.
First, open up the Arduino library manager
Search for the Adafruit GPS library and install it
We also have a great tutorial on Arduino library installation at:
http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-all-about-arduino-libraries-install-use
Load Echo Demo
We'll begin by loading up the HardwareSerial echo test example available in the Adafruit_GPS library
Wire up the GPS module according to the hookup. Check your board and serial port settings and upload this sketch to your Flora using the Upload button in the IDE. Open up the Serial Monitor.
You should see something like the following from the serial monitor. You may not have as many numbers, but there should be sentences that start with $GPRMC and $GPGGA, etc. If you see text like that it means your GPS and connection are working fine.
Getting location data
Detailed GPS Test
Now that we know it basically works, we'll try to get 'fix data' from the GPS. For this, you will have to have the GPS outside. It cannot be inside a building, even if its right at the window. The silver antenna must be pointing up with a clear view of the sky!
Wire up the GPS module according to the hookup
Check your board and serial port settings and upload this sketch to your Flora using the Upload button in the IDE.
Place the GPS module (still connected to the Flora) outside. Once the GPS has located the satellite data, the red LED on the GPS will stop blinking.
If you see the LED blinking once a second, it does not yet have a fix!
It can take many minutes to get a fix if it doesn't see any satellites immediately.
Once it has a fix, you can check the serial monitor for the GPS data, which includes the current date and time in UTC. It will also give you your latitude, longitude and approximate altitude with the Serial monitor
Downloads
Files
Downloads:
- MTK3329/MTK3339 command set sheet for changing the fix data rate, baud rate, sentence outputs, etc!
- Datasheet for the PA6H (MTK3339) GPS module itself - used in version 3 of this module
- MT3339 GPS PC Tool (windows only) and the PC Tool manual
- Mini GPS tool (windows only)
This guide was first published on Nov 08, 2012. It was last updated on Nov 08, 2012.