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

(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:

2 x 0.1uf capacitor, 490-2536-1-ND or, PCC1828CT-ND (recommended)
2 x 1.0uf polarized capacitor, 493-2364-1-ND (optional)
1 x Power regulator SMD, LM317EMPCT-ND
1 x Blue Led, 160-1643-1-ND
1 x 240 ohms low tolerance resistor <= 1%, RG20P240BCT-ND
1 x 390 ohms low tolerance resistor <= 1%, P390DACT-ND
1 x 10 kohms normal resistor, P10KDACT-ND
1x EM406 connector, Sparkfun

Eagle files (schematic and PCB) are here.

I have a Locosys LS20033 that was supplied with my Blackstork OSD (note instructions say it should be a EB-85-A which takes 5-6v )
The Blackstork has a voltage output of 5v as does the Ardupilot, but the LS20033 says it voltage should be 3.3min 3.3 typ and 4.2 max...

I see that the Daughter board detailed above is for the LS20031, this has the same power requirements LS20033. Will running the LS20033 kill it (i assume it would be no good) and if so why would it be supplied with the Blackstork that delivers 5v to the gps???

Finally I assume that given the correct voltages are applied, I can just tap into the TTL data output from the LS20033 and supply it to both the Ardupilot and the Blackstork, is this correct?

Tychoc did you end up having a spare daughter board in OZ you would be will to sell.. I am based in Brisbane?

Cheers

Mick

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Comments

Reto March 26, 2009 at 11:11pm

I use a Locosys LS202001 which is also a 3.3v unit. I power it independently from ArduPilot with a nice dc/dc voltage regulator like this one I got from Ebay. It is small an handles 5A. I also power my Xbee RF modem from this source. As a newbie, I needed some help to find out the way to connect it! Some info on that here. The specification sheet is here.
Michael Molloy March 26, 2009 at 5:53pm

Wow didn't see the above post till after I posted mine...
Michael Molloy March 26, 2009 at 5:52pm

I have a Locosys LS20033 that was supplied with my Blackstork OSD (note instructions say it should be a EB-85-A which takes 5-6v )
The Blackstork has a voltage output of 5v as does the Ardupilot, but the LS20033 says it voltage should be 3.3min 3.3 typ and 4.2 max...

I see that the Daughter board detailed above is for the LS20031, this has the same power requirements LS20033. Will running the LS20033 kill it (i assume it would be no good) and if so why would it be supplied with the Blackstork that delivers 5v to the gps???

Finally I assume that given the correct voltages are applied, I can just tap into the TTL data output from the LS20033 and supply it to both the Ardupilot and the Blackstork, is this correct?

Tychoc did you end up having a spare daughter board in OZ you would be will to sell.. I am based in Brisbane?

Cheers

Mick
NorthSweden March 26, 2009 at 11:25am

Hii

I have ordered the Locosys LS20033 GPS and i wonder if i could use only a 3.3 voltage regulator to get the gps to powered, should i have some caps?
kitemaker Ken March 1, 2009 at 12:00pm

Chris & tychoc: Thanks for the tips, it is now working. I used my multimeter to learn that the LED wasn't connected to ground, so reworked the solder at the cathode side. More practice with SM! That is one tiny blue LED, the smallest that I have ever seen.
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson March 1, 2009 at 9:44am

Ken: it sounds like you may have soldered on the LED the wrong way around. Can you unsolder them and try again with another one?
tychoc March 1, 2009 at 9:40am

I built two of them and both LEDs light up on mine.

-tychoc
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson March 1, 2009 at 7:45am

Ken: Could be (I didn't design the board). Can you try and see?
kitemaker Ken February 28, 2009 at 11:50pm

Chris: I made one of these daughter boards to learn how to do surface soldering. It is working fine powering my LS20031 at 3.3V, but the power LED doesn't light. The LED is speced at 10k. Is it possible this should instead be a 1K LED, like those in the ArduPilot?

-Ken
Michal February 12, 2009 at 9:47am

Thats great! I will post the results if there will be any. Thank you for confirmation.
Regards
Michal

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