New GPS module--Tiny 10Hz Mediatek unit (just $38.95!)

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:

State-of-the-art 66 channels MediaTek MT3329 GPS Engine

High sensitivity: Up to -165dBm tracking, superior urban performance
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

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 )

Torin - As far as I can tell, the DIYdrones store is a business, not a "fast-paced hobby that changes daily." From what I've seen of the store and its products, its there to make a profit, not to satisfy the desires of the hobbyist community by selling items at-cost. The technology they "bring us" is mostly developed by others (including "free" software) and then integrated by them into hardware products at a profit. You seem to feel that their business, for some reason, should be devoid of criticism. Last I checked, any business (even a non-profit, which they are not) is subject to criticism. I'm particularly curious where the "exclusive to DIYDrones" firmware came from, since I believe the actual answer will surprise everyone.

To add to that, we have comments from Chris Anderson which berate one product and endorse another (which they happen to sell)... despite the fact that Sparkfun did objective testing and concluded otherwise. When asked about his methodology, he responds with sarcasm while admitting to being subjective rather than objective in his testing. That's the type of "technology" and "technological advice" you get, and yet you feel they should be immune from criticism (while running a for-profit business that uses bits and pieces of the free software others develop to power their own products, without so much as crediting those open software projects).

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Comments

Lew Payne June 25, 2010 at 10:04am

Torin - As far as I can tell, the DIYdrones store is a business, not a "fast-paced hobby that changes daily." From what I've seen of the store and its products, its there to make a profit, not to satisfy the desires of the hobbyist community by selling items at-cost. The technology they "bring us" is mostly developed by others (including "free" software) and then integrated by them into hardware products at a profit. You seem to feel that their business, for some reason, should be devoid of criticism. Last I checked, any business (even a non-profit, which they are not) is subject to criticism. I'm particularly curious where the "exclusive to DIYDrones" firmware came from, since I believe the actual answer will surprise everyone.

To add to that, we have comments from Chris Anderson which berate one product and endorse another (which they happen to sell)... despite the fact that Sparkfun did objective testing and concluded otherwise. When asked about his methodology, he responds with sarcasm while admitting to being subjective rather than objective in his testing. That's the type of "technology" and "technological advice" you get, and yet you feel they should be immune from criticism (while running a for-profit business that uses bits and pieces of the free software others develop to power their own products, without so much as crediting those open software projects).
Chris Whiteford June 25, 2010 at 6:46am

Ouch. I just ordered the adapter board and the GPS separately yesterday for more then the pair costs now. :-(

That sucks.

chris.
Tony H June 25, 2010 at 6:31am

Thanks for verifying Thomas. I messaged Jordi about adding one to my order/canceling my current one
Tony H June 25, 2010 at 5:39am

I ordered this from the store last night. Now, I'm looking at it again...do I need an adapter cable with the jst plugs to connect it to the ArduPilot Mega/Oil Pan, or does it solder on?
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson June 25, 2010 at 4:48am

Lew, personal experience. Sorry you don't like my chatty blog posts. I'll try to write only in precision scientific language going forward, just to make you happier.
Lew Payne June 25, 2010 at 12:08am

"We like this one a lot. It's nearly as good as the uBlox module, but cheaper and smaller."

Chris - What is the factual basis for your claim? The Sparkfun tests (as opposed to subjective opinion or just plain conjecture) clearly show that the older MediaTek MT3318 with a passive antenna outperforms the U-Blox even with an active antenna. What is the basis for your claim?

Also, what is your definition of "nearly as good?" I have difficulty following flowery generalizations using vague and ambiguous terms, especially when claims are being made that go against the grain of formal tests.
Lew Payne June 24, 2010 at 11:49pm

"Note that the new MediaTek has custom and exclusive "DIYDrones" firmware that allows the unit to output an efficient and very compressed binary protocol."

Jordi, where can we find the documentation on the "custom and exclusive" binary protocol? Since it was mask programmed exclusively for DIYDrones, and you're selling it (as well as the MT3329 without the board), then I imagine you'd already have the documentation for the binary protocol. Please post a link to it... the link in the store is just to the "standard" version.

How did you get the manufacturer to crank out "customized for DIYDrones" versions of their firmware, without committing to huge (100,000+) quantities? Also, in order for the manufacturer to customize it, you must have given them some specs as to what you wanted the binary protocol to look like. In other words, if it was customized to your specifications, then by definition you already have those specifications. Could you post them (the binary protocol), please?

Or is there more to this than meets the eye?
Jhon June 24, 2010 at 8:55pm

how well this gps support RFI ? because i have the same one from flytron, with simpleosd xl and it get messed by the most tiny RFI from DC/DC reg of camera, or any other noise source
Developer

Jordi Muñoz June 24, 2010 at 8:28pm

And ours have rechargable coin battery....
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson June 24, 2010 at 8:14pm

I suspect the Rangeview module is plain NMEA. That's fine for OSD, but not best for UAV use. You'd need to reprogram ours to NMEA mode to use with the Rangevideo OSDs.

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