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Using the 5Hz Locosys GPS with Arduino/ArduPilot

Posted by Chris Anderson on November 27, 2008 at 2:00pm

Sparkfun is now selling the excellent 5Hz Locosys (Mediatek chipset) GPS that Dean Goedde uses in ArduPilot. We're developing a daughterboard that will allow this 3.3v module to be a plug-and-play replacement for the 5v, 1Hz EM406 GPS that we're currently using for ArduPilot. In the meantime, if you want to start playing with a 5Hz GPS with Arduino here's some code and instructions to get you started.
The code is Jordi's new NMEA parser for the Locosys GPS. It's checksum verified, rocksolid, continuous, no delays, loop rate is about 32000hz. It uses pointers, so it's efficient.

You have to configure the Locosys for the first time you use it. It's very easy, you just need an FTDI cable. Be sure to connect the GPS to a 3.3 volt source. (We'll do this setup for you in the commercial version)


Instructions (please use the picture above as reference):

1-Run Realterminal and open the port @4800bps, you should see all the NMEA stuff, is not check the connections..
2-Now make sure you have checked the options marked with the green arrow... +CR +LF
3-Copy and paste this code: $PMTK251,38400*27 to the box indicated with the red arrow.
4-Then click the "Send ASCII" button indicated with the blue arrow..
5-Then the NMEA should disappear, and starting showing strange values. Go back to the "Port tab" (yellow arrow),
close the port, and choose the Baud "38400", and open the port again. You should the NMEA data again... =)
6- Then go back to the "Send" tab, and copy&paste this code: $PMTK314,0,1,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0*28 then click Send, this should turn Off all sentences except GGA and RMC
7-Copy&paste now this code: $PMTK220,200*2C This should increase the updates to 5hz... (WOW!!!)..
8- Now you are able to connect the GPS module to Arduino, (only connect the RX pin to the TX of the GPS)
9-Then upload the code above, and open the port monitor, you should see Lat, Lon, Course, Speed, Altitude, Fix Position... like this:
46024504 8050998 312 0 519 1 (and yes you now know the exact position of my Swiss Chalet =P)...

If you want other setup codes for this GPS, you can find them in this datasheet.

Code explanation

If you'd like to understand the NMEA parser code a bit better, here are some of the library functions that it calls (all from the standard C++ library):

  • First of all pointers, which are very easy. They just give you the memory address where a variable is allocated in the ram: info
  • Then the strncmp(), better know as String Comparator. We use it to compare the header of the NMEA string "$GPGGA": info
  • Then strtl(), which means String to Long Variable. It converts a string number into a long variable: info
  • Then the strtok(). This is the string tokens, which looks for tokens in a string, for example commas ",", the ones used to separate values in the NMEA sentence: info
  • The atoi() will convert strings to integers: info
  • If you want to know all the available functions, see the library called "strings.h", "stdlib.h": info and info
(All these libraries are already installed in the Arduino IDE.)
Tags: ardupilot
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Comments

  • Nathan December 30, 2008 at 11:58am
    I know in theory this GPS unit is better than the EM-406 (according to the data sheet) but in practice how much better is it? I am working on a GPS project and the EM-406 does not seem to be good enough and I am basically wondering if getting this new one will drastically improve my accuracy. Also thank you for the article it is very useful.
  • Spencer Riggs December 14, 2008 at 11:56am
    Yes, I saw the battery backup, but I was a bit unclear on how it worked.

    I think I am going to try to use Sparkfun's RS232 shifter, or breadboard it. RS232 would be a bit more convenient for me than FTDI, but I have enough budget to try both.

    Thanks Chris!
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson December 14, 2008 at 9:45am
    Solder on leads and plug them into a breadboard with a 3.3v power supply, then connect the FTDI cable to a strip of breakaway pins and the RX an TX pins to the matching FTDI pins.

    Or just build our board.

    As you can see from the product listing, it as a battery backup.
  • Spencer Riggs December 14, 2008 at 8:31am
    How did you connect the module to your computer to configure it? Also, does it store configuration in ROM or does it have a battery backup?
This reply was deleted.