Great news! Jordi has now released the awesome new (and tiny!) 10Hz Mediatek GPS module attached to an adapter that makes it 100% ArduPilot (and ArduIMU and ArduPilot Mega) compatible. All in one--no soldering required--and you won't believe how small it is! (And just $38.95!) It's preloaded with custom DIY Drones firmware so it outputs an efficient binary protocol optimized for UAV use. Sample code is provide here and will be added to ArduPilot, ArduIMU and ArduPilot Mega over the next month.
We like this one a lot. It's nearly as good as the uBlox module, but cheaper and smaller. We'll be supporting it as a recommended GPS module going forward.
Here's the product description:
USB/UART Interface
Build-in patch antenna for optimal sensitivity
DGPS(WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS) support (optional by firmware)
Maximum update rate : up to 10Hz (optional by firmware)
RoHS compliant
-Based on MediaTek Single Chip Architecture.
-Dimension：16mm x 16mm x 6mm
-L1 Frequency, C/A code, 66 channels
-High Sensitivity：Up to -165dBm tracking, superior urban performances
-Position Accuracy：< 3m CEP (50%) without SA (horizontal)
-Cold Start is under 35 seconds (Typical)
-Warm Start is under 34 seconds (Typical)
-Hot Start is under 1 second (Typical)
-Low Power Consumption：48mA @ acquisition, 37mA @ tracking
-Low shut-down current consumption：15uA, typical
-DGPS(WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS) support (optional by firmware)
-USB/UART Interface
-Support AGPS function ( Offline mode : EPO valid up to 14 days )
We like this one a lot. It's nearly as good as the uBlox module, but cheaper and smaller. We'll be supporting it as a recommended GPS module going forward.
Here's the product description:
State-of-the-art 66 channels MediaTek MT3329 GPS Engine
High sensitivity: Up to -165dBm tracking, superior urban performanceUSB/UART Interface
Build-in patch antenna for optimal sensitivity
DGPS(WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS) support (optional by firmware)
Maximum update rate : up to 10Hz (optional by firmware)
RoHS compliant
Note that the new MediaTek has custom and exclusive "DIYDrones" firmware that allows the unit to output an efficient and very compressed binary protocol. You can still change between NMEA and Binary protocol with standard MTK messages, and switch the refresh rate between 1hz to 10hz, or set any standard serial baud rate (by default is set to 38400 bps and custom binary protocol).
Features:-Based on MediaTek Single Chip Architecture.
-Dimension：16mm x 16mm x 6mm
-L1 Frequency, C/A code, 66 channels
-High Sensitivity：Up to -165dBm tracking, superior urban performances
-Position Accuracy：< 3m CEP (50%) without SA (horizontal)
-Cold Start is under 35 seconds (Typical)
-Warm Start is under 34 seconds (Typical)
-Hot Start is under 1 second (Typical)
-Low Power Consumption：48mA @ acquisition, 37mA @ tracking
-Low shut-down current consumption：15uA, typical
-DGPS(WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS) support (optional by firmware)
-USB/UART Interface
-Support AGPS function ( Offline mode : EPO valid up to 14 days )
Comments
I have been following this community for several years and know its roots are in fact that of an open-source gathering of users with a similiar interest and passion, meant to share and disseminate ideas and passions.
Even the most cursory research will show that Chris has been, and still is, involved in a wide range of ventures which prove that DIYDrones is not meant to be his "cash cow" and unlikey to become the next Boeing or Raytheon. To equate this site to a commercial one like MicrPilot or U-Nav overlooks the dedication and frustration I know Chris and Jordi (and many of the admins) face daily in dealing with the mindnumbing level of questions and often inane comments on the site.
While LewPayne may have had some interesting ideas at times, the one thing he did not have was, RESPECT !
This is still Chris's (and Jordi's) site and they shouldn't have to take sh&t from anyone!
We know that people can sign back on under fake names. But we have ways of tracking these things. We'll try to keep abuse to a minimum for the sake of a better experience for everyone.
Constructive criticism is encouraged and even unconstructive criticism is allowed, as long as it isn't personal. Even when we ban people we tend to leave their comments here, so the views are allowed to live on (unless they're personal attacks). Furthermore, there is a big Internet out there, and people have no shortage of places to have their say elsewhere. This community has pretty strict rules for good behavior, with the hopes that it will not descend into pointless acrimony like so many others. But nobody (other than spammers) gets banned without being warned first.
I appreciate how difficult managing all this must be but from experience I also know that when it comes down to it you can do what you want. Taking this specific case in point.
Chris, profit or no profit at least Jordi and you are contributing to the site, the community and the drones cause. The same is true for a lot of people here.
I'm wondering which is the real, concrete contribution of people who only criticize.
This way of communication does not contribute to the discussion and the good information.
This way of communication only divide people and provide unuseful debate.
How much time do you have to waste in your life ? In this moment I'm wasting mine ...
I would like to say that I like very much this community for the mutual respect and the level of civility, politeness, gentility and courtesy that distinguishes the majority of the members here.
I like a little more artistic way of communication / promotion, without the need to be always finicky / nerds / swot.
Thanks for that and don't feed the trolls !
Best regards,
Ric
Anyhow, Mediatek GPS looks good, waiting if it could be used nicely for an ardumega setup, cheaper then Ublox, smaller and looks nicer ;-)
This thread has spun badly out of control. Jordi posted the new GPS module and forgot to put the binary protocol in the product listing. Within a day people are accusing us of being secretive and worse. Crazy.
As I said, we'll release all the necessary code within the month, including everything about this protocol you'll need.
As for this site being a profit-making company, that absolutely is the aim. But right now our $250,000 of revenues has been matched by about $400,000 in costs. That means that so far we've donated $150,000 of our own money to making as much open source technology available to everyone for the lowest cost.
You raise a gaggle of perennial "Open Source" questions; some of which may seem to pit "insiders" against consumers of Open Source.
Can I suggest a deep breath and a more patient review of these questions.
First - yes - people in the Open Source community are desperately trying to feed their families while giving away their work product - essentially for free. This is not easy, and for those who can manage it - it is quite a balancing act. There is much discussion, and plenty of debate and friction about how and where one draws the lines between profit and open. One can have a different view of the line without taking offense at other views: In large part, these projects are a popularity contest, and team leaders will (try to) tow a line between financial ruin and the loss of project popularity.
You're right in some respects - "Open Source" can be reduced to nothing more than a particular marketing pitch in which the buyer is protected against obsolescence by the strength of an empowered user group rather than the reputation of the manufacturer.
I for one think it's pretty cool that small electronics are creating jobs in the US, and while a perfect webstore may be someone's goal - surely time is better spent on products then the endless pursuit of petty discrepancies.
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