Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vernon Barry on March 23, 2012 at 12:20pm

There is no setting to activate the GPS, it just works but due to the solar storms and aging GPS satellite fleet, GPS signal is very week and is hit or miss indoors with any GPS receiver. You can tell if the GPS module itself has lock (aquired enough satellites) when the led on it goes solid, blinking means no lock or fix and thus you won't get any position data.

Just thought of something since you said you went outside, are you sure you plugged the GPS into the correct port????? One says NOT GPS!!! make sure it's plugged into the ardupilot (red board) not the oilpan (blue board).

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Kohrn on March 23, 2012 at 12:27pm

The problem is the GPS never blinks. It is always on when I connect power to the oilpan.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Vernon Barry on March 23, 2012 at 12:38pm

OK, it's a standalone device for the most part which sends the ardupilot data so if it has power it boots, blinks and then goes solid. Assuming good power, it sounds like a defective GPS. Call DIY drones, they are extremely helpful on the phone. In this case, I think you have enough justification that it's a bad part. Again, the GPS is largely standalone, so unless you plugged it into the wrong port and fried it, I would pretty much have to assume it is in fact bad. The only other way to know is to rig up a FTDI cable and try to communicate directly with the GPS and see what it's putting out.

 

FYI this is an old thread on GPS problems and maybe some answers of how to test further are in there.

http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/help-mediatek-problems?commentId=...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Kohrn on March 23, 2012 at 12:42pm

I was afraid of that. I am in Brazil and it will be very difficult to return it.

I did follow the instructions exactly, and did plug it in correctly. Ok, I guess a call is in order soon.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Vernon Barry on March 23, 2012 at 12:45pm

Here, try this first to be sure

http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/Test

 

There is a test for GPS from the CLI in the Mission Planner. This should help determine what's going on.

 

Maybe this too

http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/Troubleshooting#I'm_us...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Kohrn on March 23, 2012 at 1:36pm

Yes, I tried that before, sorry that I didn't mention that. When I type "gps" in the window, it says hit enter To stop, but nothing else appears.

• ▶ Reply