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New board to allow use of 5Hz GPS modules with ArduPilot

Posted by Chris Anderson on December 5, 2008 at 12:30pm

(Shown at left above, with a Locosys LS20033 GPS module for size comparison) ArduPilot is designed to use the solid and reliable EM406 GPS module, which is a 5v, 1Hz device that works well under most conditions. But if you want more precise navigation, you may want to upgrade to the 5Hz Locosys module that Dean Goedde is using with AttoPilot. That's a 3.3v module, so you can't just plug it into the ArduPilot board. Instead, Jordi has designed a special daughterboard that does the following: --Converts ArduPilot's 5v power to 3.3v power --Provides a EM406 connector, so it's a direct plug-in replacement for the EM406 --Provides a break-out connector so you can add a wireless modem, such as a Zigbee. --Power LED We may release this as a pre-made product, but in the meantime you can make your own. Buy the board from BatchPCB here. Components:

Eagle files (schematic and PCB) are here.

Tags: ardupilot
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Comments

  • Darren March 3, 2011 at 8:37pm

    wow did you re-open an old blog...

    but here is the eagle software link

    http://www.cadsoftusa.com/

     

  • kuxz March 3, 2011 at 8:18pm
    what software do I need in order to view the Eagle files (schematic and PCB) ?
    I can't seem to open the file .
  • YOUSUF KHALIL YOUSUF February 4, 2010 at 5:22am
    Hi Guys......:)
    Is it possible to connect iPAQ GPS with ardupilot circuit or any type of GPS. Cuz I would like to use the ardupilot circuit for sailing boat application to control rudder i.e. to set the rudder in autopilot mode by using ardupilot.
    I notice the ardupilot can only function by using GPS module like EM406 or 5HZ type..Please advise me if the ardupilot is capable to control it by using other type of GPS i.e. not a programmable GPS but with display unit like iPAQ or Raymarine GPS's or any other types of GPS by re-program the ardupilot cicuit to be suitable with new module of GPS...All the best..
  • Tim Trueman August 13, 2009 at 12:40pm
    Is there some documentation that labels your daughtercard other than the board itself? Something like "this pin connects to the Tx pin on the GPS".
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson April 1, 2009 at 7:23am
    Yes, that's correct about Xbee. It sounds like that datalogging board could indeed work.
  • Kyle Sanders April 1, 2009 at 6:45am
    Ah, maybe I was thinking of the Xbee afterall. If I am not mistaken, the Xbee works to just transmit all data that comes across it, correct? no interpreting or formatting.. kind of like a repeater. The reason I ask would be for situations where ground station monitoring is impractical. I was thinking something like this device that you could run the wires from the GPS to both the ArduPilot board and that logging board. Would that work in theory?
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson March 31, 2009 at 10:33pm
    Not here. Right now we're doing datalogging on the ground with our groundstation (TBA) and Xbee. We might offer onboard datalogging with ArduPilot Pro, which will be built on the Arduino Mega platform.
  • Kyle Sanders March 31, 2009 at 10:25pm
    For some reason I recall seeing a setup of using a daughter board to log GPS data to an SD card, was that ever discussed on this site? I know recently there is talk about ArduPilot Pro / 2.0 doing logging, but this was with the original sim hardware, plus a second, smaller board.
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson March 28, 2009 at 11:13pm
    Adam, yes that was fixed months ago. The problem only existed with the boards in the first few weeks.
  • Adam Barnett March 28, 2009 at 9:29pm
    Hey Chris I was just wondering if the power situation was fixed in ArduPilot v15 or if I still need to brige D2 in order for the daughterboard to be powered correctly.
    Thanks,
    Adam
This reply was deleted.