Replies to This Discussion

3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Jordi Muñoz on October 10, 2008 at 8:52am

Hello Matthias:

No the GPS is not damage, and is normal the led do not blink when you enter into binary protocol (or using ardupilot librarys).

Just be sure of reset the arduino after you plug the GPS, in that way arduino will set up the desired binary protocol settings, when you disconnect the GPS it switches back to the standard binary protocol, sending bytes we don't need.

A something else, try to disconnect the gps RX pin from the TX pin of arduino, and then open the serial terminal.. You should the data...

And is sending something at 57600 and are raw bytes, no ASCII...

The only why to back again to NMEA sentences is using the Sirf interface software... I will post it here for you, just let me back home =).


jordi

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Jordi Muñoz on October 10, 2008 at 2:55pm

Here is the Sirf Demo, try to connect you GPS to the computer using any serial ttl cable like the FTDI, and then use this software to change the GPS to NMEA mode.. Good Luck..

Jordi

Attachments:

• SiRFDemo.zip, 8.1 MB

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Permalink Reply by HugePanic on October 10, 2008 at 4:49pm

Thank you very much! :)

I'll try this later...ehh.. tomorrow.....

will let you know what happend...

goodnight

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Permalink Reply by HugePanic on October 20, 2008 at 9:48pm

Hi Jordi,

i now tried servarl times to reset my module, but i think it's gone...

I connected the module with a power source and then directly to the serial port of my computer.
(gnd connected; RX to TX and TX to RX)

The only commands i can send/receive is the call for the modules software version.
about everything else brings error messages.... (unknown character or sth like this)
So the module is working, but weird....

i am a litte disapointed that it is not possible to reset the module to factory default. (of course i tried the option in the programm, simply not working at all)

So i think i have to buy another module.

But one question: Do you have any idea how this could happen?? I just used the ardupilot code.

Is it possible that i cut off power while switching to sirf, and resulting in this behavior???

Thanks for your help...

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Jordi Muñoz on October 20, 2008 at 10:44pm

Hello Again,

i don't think the unit is damage, i will tell you why (unless the unit is factory defective):

1- When you change the settings you never touch the firmware of the unit.
2-All the setting are stored in the RAM memory.
3-The ram memory is kept alive with a internal battery.

If you wait one week or two, the data will erase, and go back to the normal and boring NMEA@4600bps.

I know this because every time, i have to do it when i don't use the unit for a period of time..

Now, if you have very bad luck, maybe the data in the RAM is damage, that's very difficult (in my point of view), because the data is "check summed" .

The next thing you could do is go to SIRF demo software again, (be sure of connecting well everything, GROUND, TX and RX)... Try to use terminal to see if you are getting something, IF yes, your unit still alive...

Then in the "Data Source Setup" select you COM port, and the select the speed 57600 bps..
Now click ok, and in the main windows click in the symbol named "Connect to data source", then normally you should see all the parameters of you GPS... anyway, now go to action tap and click on "Initialize Data Source". here make sure that the option "Factory reset" is selected and "Clear User data in battery backed RAM"... Now click ok, it should restart you system.

Then click again in action, "Synchronize Protocol and Baud rate", and you should see valid data in the screen.

Are you using a FTDI cable, are you sure is running in TTL level?

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Permalink Reply by HugePanic on October 21, 2008 at 12:22am

i'll try exactly this procedure later today.

I am not using an FTDI cable. my computer has ha RS232 port. i am using this port directly, without any additional hardware.

good to know that there is this "two" week period.... i have to move around the country soon, so 2 weeks is no problem to wait... :)

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Jordi Muñoz on October 21, 2008 at 3:50am

Ahh ok i see the problem, maybe your GPS is burned now, there is a huge difference between R232 and serial TTL level.. Maybe if you are lucky, you have the new version of the r232 that works with 5volts, commonly in new computers...

Anyway the FTDI cable will create you a serial port at TLL level, friendly to the GPS, and other stuff working at TTL level voltages..

If you one to use your r232, what you need is a converter from r232 to serial TTL level..

Like the MAX232, or easier just buy this:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=133

Or maybe this:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=449

Arduino has a build in FTDI, "convert" the USB to serial TTL...
i also recommend you this, will help you out to rescue your GPS also:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8772

Good luck!!

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Permalink Reply by alex on March 18, 2009 at 11:23am

hi, i am using this gps module in my graduation project.

you are the only one who seem to use it on the whole internet =D so i'll ask.

when i'm powering up this module, data are always going out from him. 4 "little" data string and 1 big (2-3 times longer)

but i can't read those data, i dont know if parity is odd, even or not, if data bit are 7 or 8 and whats even more weird is that data speed is at 2.8KHz

would you know how can i reset him? (i'm using a pic microcontrolleur, i'll have no issue making the software, i just don't know how to speak with him)

thanks

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Jordi Muñoz on March 18, 2009 at 11:29am

Alex,

I why you need to restart it?

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Permalink Reply by alex on March 18, 2009 at 12:39pm

i want to reset it because it is suposed to use standard parameter at his first power up, wich i know.

as stated before, it is actually using unknow parameter and because of that all my communication attempt failed

Permalink Reply by alex on March 19, 2009 at 7:38am

well, sorry =p, i re-check my signal with an oscilloscope and it was 4800 baud. then with a pen i succefully analysed it, its in EVEN mode, 8bits, ans with 2 stop bits.

now my only remaining problem is, how can i configure CCS to use 2 stop bits

Permalink Reply by Art McGee on October 6, 2010 at 9:49am

I have been using this product with the GPS Eval board that I bought from sparkfun.com. I was using the SIRF demo software to set the baud-rate and it stopped functioning. I am unable to reset the baud-rate or get any response back from the EM-406A device. The red light on the device seems to be out but if you shade it you see a faint red glow. I suspect that it got set at too fast of a speed for the device and now the communications do not work. I have tried resetting through the SRIF demo software but I have had no luck. At this point I'm going to end up waiting for the sram to reset and see if that works. I would like to find a solution before then.

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