Hi Guys,
I’m testing a Fone 3G I got a few weeks ago but I can’t get the GPS to work.
I’m using an Arduino Nano and follow the instructions on your site.
These I what Is see when I try the test code:
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
GPS not working on Fona 3G
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- rskup
- Posts: 230
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:04 pm
Re: GPS not working on Fona 3G
Looking at the wiring photo, I zoomed in best I could, did you run 5V to the Vio pin on the Fona? Isn't the Nano 3V logic?
Also, is that an active or passive antenna for the GPS?
And just a bit confused, looks like you're powering both boards via the USB, but then tied their 5V pinouts together?
Also, is that an active or passive antenna for the GPS?
And just a bit confused, looks like you're powering both boards via the USB, but then tied their 5V pinouts together?
- oscmejia
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2020 5:36 pm
Re: GPS not working on Fona 3G
Thank for your response @rskup.
Probably I'm doing something wrong, but here is my reasoning and what I see:
Yes, the arduino is 3v, and here (https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fon ... ut/pinouts) I see this:
And yes, I'm powering with both, USB, and from the Arduino board. If I remove any of those, the Fona just doesn't boot. I was expecting that it should wrk with the 5v from the board, but it doesn't.
any suggestions?
Probably I'm doing something wrong, but here is my reasoning and what I see:
Yes, the arduino is 3v, and here (https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fon ... ut/pinouts) I see this:
I tried both, active and pasive antenas:These pins are all 3-5V input safe and if they are an output, the logic level is whatever Vio is set to.
And yes, I'm powering with both, USB, and from the Arduino board. If I remove any of those, the Fona just doesn't boot. I was expecting that it should wrk with the 5v from the board, but it doesn't.
any suggestions?
- rskup
- Posts: 230
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:04 pm
Re: GPS not working on Fona 3G
Some thoughts -- as I understand it, Vio needs to be at the same voltage as the logic voltage. From the tutorial, the section on pinouts: "A 5V micro (like Arduino) should have it be 5V, a 3V logic micro should set it to 3V".
I use an Adafruit Feather (#2771), which is also 3V logic, to control my FONA 3G. I tie the 3V output on the Feather to the Vio pinout on the FONA.
Something else that might help -- if you have decided to only use an active antenna, you also need to solder that "bias" bridge near the connector, described in the tutorial under "Antenna Ports".
Of course, if you decide to only use a passive antenna, you don't solder that bridge. But from various articles I've read if you do use a passive antenna, there will be a several minute delay before the GPS will begin working the first time it's powered up. Has something to do with "data tables" being downloaded, see link below:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/342 ... gps-module
This may/may not matter -- the only other thought I have is since you are powering both boards with the USB is to remove the wires connecting their 5V pinouts together. Again, may not matter, but it doesn't seem needed and keeps things simpler.
Let me know what happens, I like tinkering with my FONA 3G, and also have a SIM7000G breakout board, I find this stuff interesting.
I use an Adafruit Feather (#2771), which is also 3V logic, to control my FONA 3G. I tie the 3V output on the Feather to the Vio pinout on the FONA.
Something else that might help -- if you have decided to only use an active antenna, you also need to solder that "bias" bridge near the connector, described in the tutorial under "Antenna Ports".
Of course, if you decide to only use a passive antenna, you don't solder that bridge. But from various articles I've read if you do use a passive antenna, there will be a several minute delay before the GPS will begin working the first time it's powered up. Has something to do with "data tables" being downloaded, see link below:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/342 ... gps-module
This may/may not matter -- the only other thought I have is since you are powering both boards with the USB is to remove the wires connecting their 5V pinouts together. Again, may not matter, but it doesn't seem needed and keeps things simpler.
Let me know what happens, I like tinkering with my FONA 3G, and also have a SIM7000G breakout board, I find this stuff interesting.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.