SparkFun GPS-RTK-SMA Breakout - Cannot output UBX on UART 1

GPS/GNSS Development Boards
1

I have two of these boards. In order to use one as a rover (a quadcopter), UBX messages must be used by the flight

controller (Pixhawk).

I can only output UBX thru the USB connected to U-Center. I have tried all combinations of PRTS settings for UART 1 - UBX is the only one that does not emit. No problem with NEMA or RTCM3 messages. As well, UBX is not possible on the RTCM port, UART 2. Again, all other message combinations work.

A USB connection is not possible for GPS on the flight controller.

All requested messages do correctly appear in the U-Center “Packet Monitor”.

I’m wondering if this is a hardware “feature”…

If anyone can shed light on this it would be highly appreciated! TU John

2

Hi John,

A couple of thing to check:

Connect the board to your PC via USB and open up u-center.

Select the correct COM port and connect to the module.

You should see the satellite signal strength ‘bar chart’ etc. appear?

Open View \ Messages View

Use the message ‘tree’ to select UBX-CFG-PRT

Select 1-UART1 as the Target

Click Poll at the bottom of the window

Check that you see UBX in both Protocol-In and Protocol-Out

By default, it should be UBX+NMEA+RTCM3

If not, select UBX+NMEA+RTCM3 for both In and Out and click Send at the bottom of the window

No UBX messages are output by default. You need to enable them. I assume the PixHawk does this - but maybe not?

Select UBX-CFG-MSG in the tree

Select (e.g.) 01-07 NAV-PVT

Tick UART1. Leave the rate box set to “1”

Click Send at the bottom of the window

The NAV-PVT (Position Velocity Time) message should now be being output on UART1 once per second.

If you enable it on USB too and then select UBX-NAV-PVT in the tree, you should see the fix details being updated every second?

You will also see the UBX data in View \ Packet Console or View \ Binary Console

You can reset the module back to the factory defaults with UBX-CFG-CFG

Select “Revert to default configuration” and click Send

Then click “Save current configuration” and click Send

You can check what software your module is running with UBX-MON-VER

Upgrade instructions are here:

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ho … 1583443041

Let us know how you get on,

Paul

3

Good Morning Paul - thank you for the fast and detailed reply!

I had everything configured correctly with the exception of UBX CFG MSG. No output device had been ticked there.

I can now proceed - the flight controller only accepts UBX…everything else just consumes bandwidth.

Thank you again - problem solved.

John