RTK Facet stuck in Serial Config mode on display

GPS/GNSS Enclosed Products
1

Hi everyone! I am having an issue with my SparkFun RTK Facet (GPS-19029), purchased in April of 2023.

I have been using up until a few weeks ago with no problems at all. A couple weeks ago, as I was recording a point, I noticed that on the Facet’s display, instead of the normal information, it just said “Serial Config” on the display.

Powering off and on doesn’t help. It boots, says that the Rover has started and then the “Serial Config” message appears. The unit has not been wet or abused.

Since, I was on V3.2, I updated to V4.0 … didn’t help. Performed a factory reset … didn’t help. When I have it connected to my computer via the USB cable it seems to work as expected. I can put it into Config mode and edit settings, etc. However, when I unplug the USB cable and restart the unit, it just goes back to the “Serial Config” message on the display.

I downloaded a serial terminal app and watched the output while it was in the ‘Serial Config’ mode.

The text menu comes up and then a line of trash characters gets entered every few seconds, looks something like this:

SparkFun RTK Facet v4.0
** Bluetooth SPP broadcasting as: Facet Rover-B402 **
Menu: Main
1) Configure GNSS Receiver
2) Configure GNSS Messages
3) Configure Base
4) Configure Ports
5) Configure Logging
6) Configure WiFi
7) Configure Network
p) Configure User Profiles
r) Configure Radios
s) Configure System
f) Firmware upgrade
x) Exit
ˇ–ˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇ˛ˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇUnknown choice: .

SparkFun RTK Facet v4.0
** Bluetooth SPP broadcasting as: Facet Rover-B402 **
Menu: Main
1) Configure GNSS Receiver
2) Configure GNSS Messages
3) Configure Base
4) Configure Ports
5) Configure Logging
6) Configure WiFi
7) Configure Network
p) Configure User Profiles
r) Configure Radios
s) Configure System
f) Firmware upgrade
x) Exit
ˇ–ˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇ˛ˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇˇUnknown choice: .

… this repeats over and over

So it’s like something internally is chattering at the serial port that puts it in serial config mode and then that chatter keeps the serial menu alive and it’s just stuck in this state.

I’m not really a tinkerer, but if there’s something anyone can suggest, I’ll be happy to give it shot. I haven’t really gone beyond using the built-in WIFI interface to configure the unit. I’m hoping someone here might have some advice or a next step to take.

Thanks,

Kevin

2

Sorry for the hassle! I’m not sure what could have failed but I’m interested to have a look. Please go here (https://www.sparkfun.com/returns) and get an RMA. Once we receive it we should be able to get it fixed up and sent back out to you quickly.

3

Thanks, I have a small job I need to finish up with it this week, and can send it out next Monday.

I can still do most of the things I need to do, just the internal NTRIP and WiFi features seem to fail. The Bluetooth connection is still good and I’m still getting data into my software and can use the NTRIP features in it for corrections.

4

Sounds good. Glad to hear you’re still operational!