3D Robotics

Tutorial: Programming your uBlox GPS module

Although you can buy the uBlox modules pre-programmed from the DIY Drones store, you may want to do it yourself, either because you want to update the firmware or change some settings, or because you've bought the module from Sparkfun because we were out of stock and you need to set it up to use with ArduPilot.

Here's a simple tutorial on how to program your module (it replaces this older tutorial):

First, you'll need the DIY Drones adapter if you don't already have it.

You can use our GPS-to-FTDI cable to connect this directly to your PC, or make your own.

If you're going make your own, solder a four pin header on the pins below the GPS connector on the adapter, as shown above. Now connect it to your FTDI cable, with the pin mappings shown above. I use jumper cables and a six-pin breakaway header for this, as shown below, but you can use any method you want, including making a custom cable, which is the neatest method if you plan to do this more than once:

Jumper wires connected to six-pin header:


Header plugged into FTDI cable:


Once you've made the physical connections, download and install the U-center software from uBlox. (It doesn't work on Windows 7, so if that's what you're using, open a virtual Windows XP mode window to run the software in. You'll also need to "attach" the FTDI USB serial ports, which you should be pretty familiar with if you use virtual XP mode).

Now run the U-center software, selecting the Com port that your FTDI cable is attached to. You also need to tell it what baud rate the GPS module is running at. If you got it from the DIY Drones store, it's 38,400. If you got it from Sparkfun, it's probably 9,600:


You can tell if it's working by going to View/Binary Console. You should see the data flowing through. Also, the icons circled below should be green or flashing green (it's not showing a sat lock because I'm indoors):


If it's not working, check these things:

1) Did you wire it up right?
2) Did you select the right Com port?
3) Did you select the right baud speed?

If you want to update the firmware, you can get the latest uBlox firmware here. Use the one for the "LEA-5H" modules.

To flash the new firmware go to Tools/Firmware update. Make sure the firmware image points to the file you downloaded and unzipped.


To configure a module to use with ArduPilot, download this file.

Go to Tools/GPS configuration, and select the file you just downloaded. Check the "Store configuration..." box and click on "File >>> GPS".



If you were communicating with the module at any speed other than 38,400, you'll find that the configuration process will fail midway through. That's because it's just gotten to the bit that changes the communications speed to 38,400. Set your u-center com speed to 38,400 and run it again. It should work this time.

When you're done, go to Receiver>> Action>> then click Save Config. Otherwise, every time you unplug your gps, it will revert back to the original configuration.

Views: 28148

Comment by Coby on January 8, 2011 at 11:16am
Hi Chris.  Yeah I was just offering to copy the contents so it's wikified.  Doesn't matter to me.  Thanks!
Comment by Alexandre Girard on January 14, 2011 at 6:14am

For info, the "Flash Description File" is stored in C:\Program Files\u-blox\u-center\content\flash.txt

 

Another important thing that occured for me during the flash:

  • Flash the last firmware from ublox
  • Change the GPS configuration
  • GPS has been set to 9 600 bauds with new firmware
  • GPS configuration send timeout error by the en of the configuration
  • Set GPS connexion to 38 400 bauds
  • Resend the GPS configuration file to the GPS, everything go smoothly now
Comment by Jarco den Dekker on January 30, 2011 at 6:23am

Hi,

 

I did everything according the tutorial and updated everything in the ublox, nevertheless I have the GPS on the uCenter outside the house and after one and an half hour still no fix

 

What am I doing wrong?


3D Robotics Comment by Chris Anderson on January 30, 2011 at 10:45am
Jarco, it could be a defective module. Some of them have a poor antenna connection. You may want to return it for replacement.
Comment by Michael Manuel on January 31, 2011 at 6:29pm

I am currently running Windows 7 on my machine. When running under the "classic" theme, uCenter seems to run fine, but are there any operational issues that may rise? I do not have XP mode on my machine.


My real issue is that I have not been able to connect my GPS (ublox 5) at all, nor has it ever acquired signal. Here is some background:

- FDTI cable/adapter purchased from diydrones store

- Ublox 5 purchased from diydrones store

- GPS has never acquired signal in use with UAV DevBoard

- GPS is not recognized by uCenter at all (despite being recognized in the device manager as being connected to COM5, baud rate of 38,400), thus firmware cannot be updated

 

I've followed the instructions, but still cannot acquired signal, nor connected to uCenter. Any ideas or similar problems?  

 

Is the problem rooted in the fact that I am running Windows 7 (in classic theme)? If it is, why can't the GPS connect even when attached to UBD? May it be a defective unit? Am I not using the correct COM or baud rate?


Thanks,

Mike

Comment by John on April 3, 2011 at 2:08am

Hi Chris

 

I am looking for the flash definition file that needs to be loaded with the firmware update. I try to update the firmware to v6.00 in order to load your config file. My upload screen all goes well until it looks for the flash definition file and then the screen goes red and the firmware is not flashed. I have used Jordi's older post on setting up with v5.0 as i dont need to update my firmware, and loaded the config file he recommended, changed the setting that he recommended and the ublox get satelite signal but no sat lock. What is, or what does the flash definition file do when updating the firmware of the Ublox LEA 5H? Also, do I need to set the GPS to work with satellites for Africa, Specifically Cape Town where I stay. 

 

Thanks John

Comment by John on April 3, 2011 at 8:42am
Hi Chriss

No worries about my post abouve I Found it.

Thanks
John
Comment by devangel77b on April 17, 2011 at 1:01pm
What voltage are you supplying to it? I have a new GS407 module and DIYdrones breakout board for it, and I can talk to the chip and reconfigure it just fine, but I get no fixes, see no satellites, and get no time info. I have heard this can be fixed by upping the voltage but I am reluctant to try without someone who knows about this chiming in as to why that is good...
Comment by Bijay Adhikari on May 21, 2011 at 1:12pm
I have followed the instruction and flashed few times, don't seem to have any luck....any ideas...anyone?
Comment by Giuseppe on July 28, 2011 at 8:06am

Good afternoon,
I've got a Ublox LEA-5H-0-009. I've tried many times, but I'm not able to fix the satellites.
I updated the firmware and tried all the solution mentioned in the forum, but nothing…seems that it works, but the antenna does not catch the satellites.
In attached you can find the ublox center snapshots.
Have you got any other solution?
Thanks, Giuseppe.

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