That ilusive GPS lock

Posted by Juan Soler on March 31, 2015 at 3:54am

It seems that I am unable to get my IRIS+ to obtain GPS lock and consequently the device will not arm. 

I am getting 1.99 HDOP consistently but the indicator LED continues to remain in the bilking yellow state,

Naturally enough, I get the old two tone error response when I try to start the motors.

So I am at a loss to explain why locking GPS should be so elusive.  The device initializes fine and this is evident by the parameter dump on the MP.  I have removed the geo fence to see whether there was any change but this has yielded no joy. 

This is an out-of-the-box IRIS+  any ideas out there?

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Replies

  • Michael Visser April 6, 2015 at 1:49am

    I've always been paranoid of letting an IRIS+ just sit drawing current as I want to get as much flight time as possible without re-charging.

    I know it's dependent on the battery capacity - 5100mAh - but in general can you just leave the IRIS+ idling for 15 minutes (e.g. plugged in, ready to go but not armed) without it eating away at your flight time?

  • This reply was deleted.
    • Juan Soler April 9, 2015 at 5:43pm

      I tried to get GPS lock over a few hours last weekend but this proved futile.  I am attempting to upgrade the firmware (because the MP flags an update is available) but the upgrade bombs out with an error modal - I will capture the screen and post in the hope that someone can fathom why this happens.

      I am away with work at the moment and will return home on Friday so I will pick up the problem then.

  • Erik Graham April 1, 2015 at 7:11pm
    I'm starting to think that if it's brand new and it's not working by now, time to ship it back.

    Also, you should contact 3DR support directly.

    From their website:
    "Please send any questions regarding an order or technical support requests to help@3dr.com, call our support line toll-free at+1 (855) 982-2898 or direct at +1 (858) 225-1414."
    • Juan Soler > Erik Graham April 20, 2015 at 3:21am

      Well I called the support line (during business hours) and got an out of hours recording LOL.  

      Then I sent the support team a email describing the problem and requesting that someone get in touch with me....still waiting.  

      The adventure continues....

    • Juan Soler > Erik Graham April 12, 2015 at 3:25am

      Looks like its time to get in touch with 3DR.  I spent another 3 hours trying to get GPS lock with no success.

      I upgraded the firmware and MP so I am running with the latest (although I can't seem to find how to confirm the firmware version in MP)

      Nonetheless, I am fresh out of ideas and energy with this baby so I am keen to see what 3DR have to say.

  • Richard Kennedy April 1, 2015 at 6:32pm

    I don't have an Iris but I've had issues with the cable/s from the gps to the pixhawk. Might want to try and replace the cable or at least make sure it's plugged in all the way. I had poor gps performance it wasn't consistent. It was a bad  / loose cable. 

  • Michael Burmeister April 1, 2015 at 3:48am

    Did you connect it to Mission Planner and check that it even has a GPS.  If this is the first time maybe the cable or GPS went bad in shipment.  Also since you disabled the Fencing, make sure the switches on the right are both up or back.  This is STD or Alt Hold mode that does not require a GPS lock to fly.  If you still see Yellow you have another issue.

    I just saw a brand new IRIS+ and set it on the ground and it had a green light in less than minute.

     

    • Juan Soler > Michael Burmeister April 1, 2015 at 5:21am

      I thought I had confirmed the GPS was working. So I will review and make sure before I conclude that I have a bigger issue on my hands and contact support.  Thanks everyone.

  • Juan Soler April 1, 2015 at 2:38am

    Well I followed all the advice (Holt's instructions to the letter) looked at the videos and read the discussions, then I went out and placed the IRIS on a flat surface - powered the Tx and connected the battery.  I walked away and left the the LED blinking its repetitive yellow message.  

    An hour went by, no change.  Two, three four, yes, I left it out there for six hours and it never acquired a GPS lock.  So I am thinking I either have an issue with this unit (fault) or something much more subtle is going on here...like I am missing something really basic.  At this point I really lean towards the former.

    • > Juan Soler April 1, 2015 at 3:51am

      Juan, the flashing yellow sometimes indicates the Iris was disturbed during the initialization process... those 10 seconds immediately after plugging in the battery... try once more... unplug the battery... place the Iris on the flat, level, not near any metal, view of the sky surface... insert the battery into the tray...  plug in the battery... don't touch the Iris for at least 10-15 seconds...

      If the Iris continues the Yellow at that point... Follow Michael Burmeister's suggestion about Mission Planner, and ensuring the GPS is there and connected.  You might need to contact 3DR support as well... they are extremely helpful...

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