Gps not getting a fix

[spiffomatic64]

I recently got the Adafruit Ultimate GPS Breakout, and followed the tutorial exactly as I like to verify my parts work first before modifying the code (as I am not exactly a programmer, more of a hacker)

The echo, and parser examples will get the date/time but no satellites,

Code: Select all

Time: 2:1:21.85
Date: 29/12/2012
Fix: 0 quality: 0
$PGTOP,11,2*6E
$GPGGA,020122.086,,,,,0,0,,,M,,M,,*45
$GPRMC,020122.086,V,,,,,0.00,0.00,291212,,,N*4B
$PGTOP,11,2*6E
$GPGGA,020123.086,,,,,0,0,,,M,,M,,*44
$GPRMC,020123.086,V,,,,,0.00,0.00,291212,,,N*4A

Time: 2:1:23.85
Date: 29/12/2012
Fix: 0 quality: 0
$PGTOP,11,2*6E
$GPGGA,020124.086,,,,,0,0,,,M,,M,,*43
$GPRMC,020124.086,V,,,,,0.00,0.00,291212,,,N*4D
$PGTOP,11,2*6E
$GPGGA,020125.086,,,,,0,0,,,M,,M,,*42
$GPRMC,020125.086,V,,,,,0.00,0.00,291212,,,N*4C

I left the unit outside for 30 minutes.

I've read that the power source could cause issues, so I tested with the 5v and 3.3v from the arduino (duemilanove) powered via usb(from a macbook pro) and a 9'v batt to the barrel jack of the arduino

Anything else I should try?

I sort of feel as though the chip may be doa? but I'm an EE noob so I'll defer to the interwebs

[adafruit_support_bill]

On initial power up of the module, it can take quite a long time to download the almanac data. Some users report an hour or longer on first use. With the backup battery installed, the data is retained and subsequent satellite fix times will be much quicker.

[spiffomatic64]

wow, so without a battery it will always take around an hour to start up?

or I should say (CAN take an hour to start up)

[adafruit_support_bill]

CAN take an hour to start up

It is typically less. The actual time depends a lot on the signal strength.

[spiffomatic64]

ok, I'm going to leave the unit outside powered via 9v batt to the arduino, and 5v from the arudino to the gps for an hour today.

If this doesnt work Im assuming I need to contact support for a replacement?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Yes. Be sure to include a link to this thread in your message.

[spiffomatic64]

no dice

Gps breakout to arduino VIN to +5V, GND to Ground, RX to digital 2 and TX to digital 3 on an Arduino Duemilanove powered via a fully charged 9v battery via http://www.adafruit.com/products/67

The arduino current is running the parsing sketch, but I dont think that really matters for this test..

I've emailed support@adafruit and included this thread.

Thanks for the help

[shahran]

Hello,

I just order GPS breakout board and tried to use it outside with an external antenna. It didnt get a fix for a long time even with external antenna and also it was not showing that the antenna connected in the message. Please assist The screenshots attached are within the building but as you can see from the messages it is not indicating that the antenna is attached.

Is it necessary to install the coin battery in the back to make it get a fix faster.

Regards,
Shahran

[adafruit_support_mike]

The coin cell does help the GPS module calculate a fix faster.

The pin header shown in the photo is a bit unusual.. have you soldered the pins into the PCB?

If not, do. Pin header doesn't make a reliable connection unless it's soldered in place.

[shahran]

Please check this output from the GP and see why we are not seeing any msg for the antenna

[adafruit_support_mike]

Let's see what the module thinks about the antenna status: disconnect and reconnect power and watch for a $PGTOP sentence. What values does it report?

[shahran]

Ok will try it but could you email us the command to enable external antenna on the GPS. for $ in this format which we could sen. I am unable to find that the command to enable external in the command set documents.

Thanks
Shahran

[shahran]

I did the test but no PGTOp message showed when I removed and plugged it back again plz check and assist. We need the command set to enable external antenna.

[adafruit_support_mike]

There's no command to enable or disable the antenna. The module should detect an antenna automatically when it starts up. The $PGTOP sentence just says whether it found anything.

Did you disconnect and reconnect power to the GPS module, or disconnect/reconnect the antenna? If it was the antenna, do the power. The module emits a set of diagnostic messages at startup that could help identify the problem.

[shahran]

I initially did with antenna and as you per instructions now i did it with powering off , remove antenna, powering on and then power off add antenna and power on. Please see the pics of the message and respond.