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Wiring up uBlox! (Only for PRO's)

Posted by Jordi Muñoz on May 27, 2009 at 1:00pm
Hello again! I'm not so good making intros, so imagine you just read a long and well redacted introduction of why uBlox (the best GPS ever) is so difficult to find and interface with (Specially the SparkFun version). So let's go to the point. ;-)If you are beginner please don't try to make this.Fallow this pictures in order to make the wiring (hurry!):

And this is an example of how to connect it to ArduShield, but you must configure the unit first! So continue reading for instructions.

You will need to configure uBlox module using U-center, only have to do it once, the settings will remain in the EEPROM forever. Download U-center from here and install it:http://www.ublox.com/en/evaluation-kits/u-center/u-center.htmlMake sure you supply the unit with 3.3V and interface it using the FTDI cable. When you are able to see real time data with U-center, you are ready to proceed. Click here for a u-Center user guide.Now UBX has 8 Message Class, we only use "Class 0x01" called "NAV":

Each class has "Messages ID's", we only need 3 ID's of "Class 0x01", the ones marked with blue:

If you need more information about uBlox protocols please download this uBlox_Protocol_Specification.pdf.Everything else must be disabled. Now that you know what we are trying to do, lets go with a more detailed instructions:Go to Message View by pressing F9 (menu View->messages view):

(I'm using Paparazzi instructions but modified).1. Right Click on the NMEA Text on top of the tree and choose disable child messages2. Choose UBX->CFG->NAV5(Navigation 5) - set it to use Airborne 8 <4G. This tells the Kalman filter to expect significant changes in direction.Note that this setting is only good for faster moving airplanes. For a fixed position hovering heli, 'pedestrian' setting is better3. UBX->CFG->PRT - set USART1 to 57600bps4. Change the baudrate of U-Center to 57600bps if the connection is lost at this point5. UBX->CFG->RATE(Rates) - change the Measurement Period to 250ms This gives a 4 Hz position update since 4 x 250ms is one second.6. UBX->CFG->SBAS : Disable (SBAS appears to cause occasional severe altitude calcuation errors)7. UBX->NAV (not UBX->CFG->NAV): double click on POSLLH, STATUS, VELNED. They should change from grey to black.8. UBX->CFG->CFG : save current config, click "send" in the lower left corner to permanently save these settings to the receiver.You are done!! Now plug the GPS to your ArduPilot and fly like a PRO ;-)[UPDATE:]Another great way to do it:

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Comments

  • olli November 26, 2009 at 10:26am
    oh, that sounds easy.... :-))


    thanks
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson November 26, 2009 at 10:21am
    If you're using our adapter, you can just solder four header pins in the supplied holes and connect your FTDI cable to them.
  • olli November 26, 2009 at 10:10am
    hello,

    i have buy the ublox 5 with the adapter-board... i must config the gs407 now.

    how do I connect the FTDI-cable to the gs-407 adapter ???


    must i connect the gs407+adapter to shield V2 WITHOUT ardu ? and FDTI normaly to shield ?
  • shawn vatcher October 30, 2009 at 3:28pm
    does anyone have a ublox image i can upload to mine. my ublox was corrupted and when i reinstalled the firmware i lost all the settings and i dont see them posted anywhere. the new ucentre is different and doesnt have some of the settings were the were in your post.
    thanks
  • Developer
    Mark Colwell August 12, 2009 at 9:21pm
    David, TX is yellow RX is green
  • Developer
    Jordi Muñoz August 6, 2009 at 3:24pm
    Hot cakes!
  • DougB August 6, 2009 at 3:21pm
    Just recieved one of the 12 uBlox's that sparkfun got in. It did come with the black antenna cover. If your looking for one from sparkfun make sure you sign up for their email notification. They were all gone within about an hour.
  • Developer
    Jordi Muñoz July 21, 2009 at 7:02pm
    Hey Mark,

    SOrry i just saw you replay. What you see there is a mix of NMEA and UBX messages. You must disable all the NMEA stuff.

    Regards!
  • NorthSweden July 11, 2009 at 1:18am
    The soldering was tricky, but i have it working now, and i think it is fast to find satellites to.

    Great GPS
  • Developer
    Mark Colwell July 8, 2009 at 6:04am
    Jordi, having problems with uBlox configuration,
    Should I set child messages off for NEMA & UBX?
    How should I turn off all other messages, classes?
    uCenter is connecting &working fine,
    Should I be able to see data out with text window or just binary window?
    uCenter is a cool program it displays GPS data very well.!

    Sample of current configuration's data received in Hyper-terminal:

    ¢9$GPTXT,01,01,02,u-blox ag - www.u-blox.com*50
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,HW UBX-G5xxx 00040005 *1B
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,EXT CORE 5.00 (29857) Sep 18 2008 08:45:02*5A
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ROM BASE 4.00*12
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,MOD LEA-5H-0*2E
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ANTSUPERV=AC SD PDoS SR*20
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ANTSTATUS=DONTKNOW*33
    µbõPlyµbõ´ì†Á
    %UÿÿUŒÃFŠCçµbôPlwµbô´ì†Á
    %$GPTXT,01,01,02,u-bl
    ox ag - www.u-blox.com*50
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,HW UBX-G5xxx 00040005 *1B
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,EXT CORE 5.00 (29857) Sep 18 2008 08:45:02*5A
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ROM BASE 4.00*12
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,MOD LEA-5H-0*2E
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ANTSUPERV=AC SD PDoS SR*20
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ANTSTATUS=DONTKNOW*33
    µbõPlyµbõ´ì†Á
    %UÿÿUŒÃFŠCç$GPTXT,01,01,02,u-blox ag - www.u-blox.com*
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,HW UBX-G5xxx 00040005 *1B
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,EXT CORE 5.00 (29857) Sep 18 2008 08:45:02*5A
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ROM BASE 4.00*12
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,MOD LEA-5H-0*2E
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ANTSUPERV=AC SD PDoS SR*20
    $GPTXT,01,01,02,ANTSTATUS=DONTKNOW*33
    µbõPlyµbõ´ì†Á
    %UÿÿUŒÃFŠCçµbôPlwµbô´ì†Á
    %UÿÿU'÷ÒÍæ9µbî
    P

    Any help is appreciated, Thanks
This reply was deleted.