I have a brand new RTK Surveyor. On battery or power, if I turn it on, the PPS light briefly is yellow, and then it turns off, and then there are no lights. It will not do anything else or appear to function in any way. The position of the setup switch does not matter.
Hi, have you checked the battery voltage?
The brief yellow LED is the ZED-F9P GNSS receiver booting. Please attach a USB cable to the ‘Config ESP32’ connector and open a port at 115200bps. Let us know what you see for serial output once the unit is powered on. This will tell us if the ESP32 is programmed, operational, and able to configure the GNSS receiver.
Additionally, once a GNSS antenna is attached, and you have a clear view of the sky, does the PPS LED begin to blink? This will tell us if the internal receiver is functional.
Of course, if any of this is outside what you’re comfortable with, please contact customer service and we’ll get a return going immediately.
Jumping in on this one since I seem to have a similar issue with the RTK Surveyor. After the boot sequence, all I get is the BT pairing light flash. I can connect via BT, but receive Fix Type: Invalid in SW Maps. Toggling the SETUP button allows me to connect via wifi. Good clear of the sky… no PPS flash other than the one at boot. Unit charge is good.
I attached the USB cable to the ‘Config ESP32’ connector and opened the port. The serial port data dump after boot:
ZED-F9P firmware: HPG 1.13
SparkFun RTK Surveyor v1.9-Dec 8 2021
microSD online
MAX17048 configuration complete
Batt (96%): Voltage: 4.20V Charging: 12.90%/hr Green
GNSS configuration complete
WiFi Stopped
Bluetooth broadcasting as: Surveyor Rover-6A76
State: Rover - No Fix
Batt (96%): Voltage: 4.20V Charging: 12.90%/hr Green
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
Batt (96%): Voltage: 4.20V Charging: 12.90%/hr Green
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
GNSS Antenna was attached… no change and no blinking of the PPS light.
Other options to pursue?
Thanks!
@rdoc - Excellent, thanks for the serial output! That helps. Everything seems to be functioning except for RF reception. Let’s talk about what’s working:
-
ESP is running and broadcasting over bluetooth (good)
-
Firmware is running to the point that the ZED is configured
The lack of a blinking PPS means the ZED is not receiving any RF signal. This is often seen when no antenna is hooked up or you’re trying to use the device indoors.
GNSS Antenna was attached… no change and no blinking of the PPS light.
Good clear view of the sky…
Good! But something is still wrong.
What antenna are you using? I will assume you’re using our recommended ‘UFO’ antenna (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17751) with TNC to SMA cable (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17833). Please correct me if I’m wrong.
We have a few options:
-
As always, if you’re uncomfortable poking around, please return the unit. We’ll get it diagnosed and fixed with 48 hours.
-
Or if you’re comfortable opening the device, take out the two screws and look at the SMA pin. This is where RF connects to the PCB. Make sure there is a good solder connection (no gaps).
https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/learn_t … ss_SMA.jpg
- If that looks ok, make sure your TNC to SMA cable has a center pin. It should look like below:
https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/learn_t … MA_Pin.jpg
-
If that fails to get a lock, make sure all RF cables are reasonably tight and seated. Out doors it should take no longer than 30 seconds to get a satellite fix with any of our RTK products.
-
If that fails, get the antenna and setup near a window and plus the USB C cable into ‘CONFIG UBLOX’. Then download and install u-center (https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ge … u-blox/all). Our goal here is to connect to the ZED receiver and ‘see’ what it sees. With the default u-center setup you should very quickly start to see satellite information.
@sparky, thanks for the reply.
The antenna is part of the sparkfun kit, so your assumption is spot on. I checked the pins and buzzed the cable, looks all good there.
Opened the case, and checked the solder connections. Only thing that seemed odd was the component next to the L1/L2 Active Antenna silk screen. See pictures below.
The one thing that does standout is the lack of time stamps after a reset, logging, or monitoring the ucenter traffic.
Sample U-Center Dump:
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNRMC, Size 27, 'Recommended Minimum Specific GNSS Data'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNVTG, Size 21, 'Course Over Ground and Ground Speed'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGGA, Size 33, 'Global Positioning System Fix Data'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GPGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GLGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GAGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GBGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGLL, Size 20, 'Geographic Position - Latitude/Longitude'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNRMC, Size 27, 'Recommended Minimum Specific GNSS Data'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNVTG, Size 21, 'Course Over Ground and Ground Speed'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGGA, Size 33, 'Global Positioning System Fix Data'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GPGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GLGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GAGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GBGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGLL, Size 20, 'Geographic Position - Latitude/Longitude'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNRMC, Size 27, 'Recommended Minimum Specific GNSS Data'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNVTG, Size 21, 'Course Over Ground and Ground Speed'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGGA, Size 33, 'Global Positioning System Fix Data'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GPGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GLGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GAGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GBGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGLL, Size 20, 'Geographic Position - Latitude/Longitude'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNRMC, Size 27, 'Recommended Minimum Specific GNSS Data'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNVTG, Size 21, 'Course Over Ground and Ground Speed'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGGA, Size 33, 'Global Positioning System Fix Data'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GNGSA, Size 47, 'GNSS DOP and Active Satellites'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GPGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GLGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
??:??:?? R -> NMEA GAGSV, Size 20, 'GNSS Satellites in View'
Reset Log:
Resetting to factory defaults. Press 'y' to confirm:
Settings erased successfully. Rebooting. Good bye!
ets Jul 29 2019 12:21:46
rst:0xc (SW_CPU_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
configsip: 0, SPIWP:0xee
clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
mode:DIO, clock div:1
load:0x3fff0030,len:1240
load:0x40078000,len:13012
load:0x40080400,len:3648
entry 0x400805f8
ZED-F9P firmware: HPG 1.13
SparkFun RTK Surveyor v1.9-Dec 8 2021
Reset reason: ESP_RST_SW
microSD online
EEPROM is blank. Default settings applied
MAX17048 configuration complete
Batt (99%): Voltage: 4.20V Charging: 4.16%/hr Green
Updating UART1 rate
Updating UART2 rate
GNSS configuration complete
WiFi Stopped
Bluetooth broadcasting as: Surveyor Rover-6A76
State: Rover - No Fix
Batt (99%): Voltage: 4.20V Charging: 3.12%/hr Green
Failed to find last log. Making new one.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
Failed to find last log. Making new one.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
Failed to find last log. Making new one.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
Failed to find last log. Making new one.
beginLoggingUBX: No date/time available. No file created.
Any other troubleshooting options, or am I missing something on the photos?
Thanks again.
https://i.imgur.com/IGLTRMV.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zyDmiyg.jpg
sparky:
@rdoc - Excellent, thanks for the serial output! That helps. Everything seems to be functioning except for RF reception. Let’s talk about what’s working:
ESP is running and broadcasting over bluetooth (good)
Firmware is running to the point that the ZED is configured
The lack of a blinking PPS means the ZED is not receiving any RF signal. This is often seen when no antenna is hooked up or you’re trying to use the device indoors.
GNSS Antenna was attached… no change and no blinking of the PPS light.
Good clear view of the sky…
Good! But something is still wrong.
What antenna are you using? I will assume you’re using our recommended ‘UFO’ antenna (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17751) with TNC to SMA cable (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17833). Please correct me if I’m wrong.
We have a few options:
As always, if you’re uncomfortable poking around, please return the unit. We’ll get it diagnosed and fixed with 48 hours.
Or if you’re comfortable opening the device, take out the two screws and look at the SMA pin. This is where RF connects to the PCB. Make sure there is a good solder connection (no gaps).
- If that looks ok, make sure your TNC to SMA cable has a center pin. It should look like below:
If that fails to get a lock, make sure all RF cables are reasonably tight and seated. Out doors it should take no longer than 30 seconds to get a satellite fix with any of our RTK products.
If that fails, get the antenna and setup near a window and plus the USB C cable into ‘CONFIG UBLOX’. Then download and install u-center (https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ge … u-blox/all). Our goal here is to connect to the ZED receiver and ‘see’ what it sees. With the default u-center setup you should very quickly start to see satellite information.
That looks like a solder blob shorting out that component, and therefore shorting the antenna center pin to ground. You may want to carefully remove that blob without desoldering the part below it
/mike
@rdoc - Yep, that looks like the problem:
https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/learn_t … Jumper.jpg
Someone during production must have tagged that 0402 component while soldering the SMA connector in place.
Do you have a good iron, flux, and/or solder wick? With the unit full powered off, a quick swipe over the top of that component should clear the jumper. If you want to attempt it, you’re welcome to. If it all goes pear shaped, don’t worry, we can fix it.
Good luck and let us know if we need to get a solder skillz badge ready.
Looks like a solder skillz badge is in order. 
Up and operational - the biggest problem was getting enough magnification to see it clearly. Thanks for all the help!
Nice work! Sorry again for the production error. Glad to hear you’re up and running. I’ll DM you for some repair prizes.
Hi - OP here, thanks for the info! I ended up upgrading to an RTK Express due to time constraints, but I appreciate all the details here.
Not a problem, cgorski. I have your ticket open in my inbox. I will process your case soon.
Cheers!