4 ms·

I have a few questions about that if you have a minute: What GPS module did you go with and is it still available? Did you have problems getting signal inside

by daveguy 10y ago

I have a few questions about that if you have a minute: What GPS module did you go with and is it still available? Did you have problems getting signal inside (need to be by a window, run an antenna, etc)?

ChuckMcM 10y ago
I used the Adafruit "ultimate" GPS module (https://www.adafruit.com/product/746 https://www.adafruit.com/product/746) which has the 1pps output and can connect to an external antenna. Then I got this antenna (https://www.adafruit.com/product/960 https://www.adafruit.com/product/960) and this adapter (https://www.adafruit.com/product/851 https://www.adafruit.com/product/851). Soldered a header connector to Beaglebone protocape (https://www.adafruit.com/product/572 https://www.adafruit.com/product/572), wired it to the serial port and PPS to the GPIO pin (just like this: https://web.archive.org/web/20131209092059/http://the8thlayerof.net/2013/12/08/adafruit-ultimate-gps-cape-creating-custom-beaglebone-black-device-tree-overlay-file/ https://web.archive.org/web/20131209092059/http://the8thlaye...). I put the GPS antenna on my window sill, it has no problem at all staying locked. My plan had been to stick it outside the window but turned out not to be necessary.
jlgaddis 10y ago
I've also used the Adafruit module, although with a Raspberry Pi. FWIW, the PPS signal seemed to be a little off from another receiver though (Garmin GPS 18x LVC). I never tried to pinpoint the issue but I strongly suspected the Pi. No noticeable issues w/ the antenna inside on a window sill (should be fine as long as you can see four satellites). I haven't tried it myself but I've heard of several other good experiences w/ the BeagleBone Black. The Garmin seemed to work the best for me, although it is a little more expensive. I was strongly considering putting a few of them in $work's (private) facilities as a fun, nerdy project but I never got around to actually doing it. The Garmin with a BBB might very well be a great combination for that. One other thing: make sure you use a "real" serial (or parallel) port -- not a USB to serial adapter!

by daveguy 10y ago

ChuckMcM 10y ago

I used the Adafruit "ultimate" GPS module (https://www.adafruit.com/product/746 https://www.adafruit.com/product/746) which has the 1pps output and can connect to an external antenna. Then I got this antenna (https://www.adafruit.com/product/960 https://www.adafruit.com/product/960) and this adapter (https://www.adafruit.com/product/851 https://www.adafruit.com/product/851). Soldered a header connector to Beaglebone protocape (https://www.adafruit.com/product/572 https://www.adafruit.com/product/572), wired it to the serial port and PPS to the GPIO pin (just like this: https://web.archive.org/web/20131209092059/http://the8thlayerof.net/2013/12/08/adafruit-ultimate-gps-cape-creating-custom-beaglebone-black-device-tree-overlay-file/ https://web.archive.org/web/20131209092059/http://the8thlaye...). I put the GPS antenna on my window sill, it has no problem at all staying locked. My plan had been to stick it outside the window but turned out not to be necessary.

jlgaddis 10y ago

I've also used the Adafruit module, although with a Raspberry Pi. FWIW, the PPS signal seemed to be a little off from another receiver though (Garmin GPS 18x LVC). I never tried to pinpoint the issue but I strongly suspected the Pi. No noticeable issues w/ the antenna inside on a window sill (should be fine as long as you can see four satellites). I haven't tried it myself but I've heard of several other good experiences w/ the BeagleBone Black. The Garmin seemed to work the best for me, although it is a little more expensive. I was strongly considering putting a few of them in $work's (private) facilities as a fun, nerdy project but I never got around to actually doing it. The Garmin with a BBB might very well be a great combination for that. One other thing: make sure you use a "real" serial (or parallel) port -- not a USB to serial adapter!