Serial Telemetry and External GPS - How to Configure?

[flyingw]

Before creating a new thread please refer to the documentation for Navio2 and Navio+.

I want to use an external GPS because the one included with the Navio2 does not work in the presence of a DragonLink 433MHz telemetry transceiver.

I am using the Navio2’s UART for the serial telemetry port. How would I connect a GPS?

Thanks,

Paul

[TB_RTK]

@flyingw

the one included with the Navio2 does not work in the presence of a DragonLink 433MHz telemetry transceiver

Do you mean interference messing up the gps signals?

[mlebret (Marc Lebret)]

@flyingw

How would I connect a GPS?

Hello,

You need an USB to serial converter with 5v out to power the GPS.

Option to pass to Ardupilot is -B /dev/ttyUSB0.

If there is an I2C compass on the GPS board, I2C lines (SDA, SCL) go to the I2C port of the Navio

RMK: Navio GPS should work with Dragonlink 433. Antenna placement is the key.

An antenna ground plane could help you: http://autoquad.org/wiki/wiki/configuring-autoquad-flightcontroller/gps-groundplane/

Marc

[flyingw]

TB_RTK and Mark,

Thanks for the tips. I will make a groundplane and try.

TB_RTK - yes the GPS cannot acquire satellites when the 433MHz transceiver is running.

Also, Mark can you please recommend a USB to serial converter? Like this one?

Amazon.com: WINGONEER USB 2.0 to TTL UART 6PIN CP2102 Module Serial Converter :...

Or, maybe an FTDI serial adapter?

Thanks,

Paul

[flyingw]

Humorous development:

I was able to get the GPS to work amid the RF by installing a rudimentary shield, but I don’t think it will work in practice.

I got 10 satellites and a 1.2 hdop - certainly flyable with the frying pan in place. At least now I think the cause is that the GPS antenna needs shielding from RF.

[TB_RTK]

Funny enough, if you flip the pan around you would get much better gps signals. (less multipath)

[flyingw]

This seems to be working well. Getting 10-12 sats, 1.0 hdop.