Venus GPS no fix

GPS/GNSS Development Boards
1

Hello,

I got the Sparkfun Venus GPS (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/retired/11058) about a year ago, and just got time to start playing with it over the past couple of weeks. I’m using the GPS SMA antenna with it (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/177)

I simply cannot get a GPS fix. I’m able to configure the GPS and read NMEA strings over the UART connection. When I place the GPS and antenna outdoors, in the middle of a giant open field on a clear day, it does not get a fix. The red LED on the Venus stays solid, and the GSA NMEA string shows zero satellites tracking. I’ve let it sit outside for over an hour, and nothing.

I talked with Sparkfun support via e-mail, and they indicated it was likely a bad antenna since I was able to communicate with the Venus via UART. They RMA’ed me a new antenna. I got the new antenna, and went outside to test. I was happy to see that after about 7 minutes (nowhere near the quoted 30 second cold start time in the datasheet), the Venus was able to get a fix. I turned it off and went back inside.

Since then, I have not been able to get a fix again. It’s been a few weeks of trying, and I do the same setup (open field, sunny day, etc), and can’t get a fix after an hour. I have the antenna oriented in the proper direction (ceramic up), and the GPS is being powered by a 1A switching voltage regulator.

I’m beginning to think the Venus is either malfunctioning or just flat out isn’t a great GPS chip. I searched online, and it seemed like a lot of other people were having issues with the Venus getting a fix as well. I’m wondering why SparkFun retired the Venus… is it because you guys saw a lot of your customers were having issues with it?

Either way, the Venus is not functioning. Since it’s retired, maybe I can get store credit for it or something?

Thanks for the help!

2

Hi pcdangio.

Unfortunately we had to discontinue the Venus GPS because the manufacturer of the Venus638FLPx-L IC used on this product doesn’t manufacture that chip anymore. They’ve since upgraded to a more advanced chip and we weren’t 100% sure that the new IC would work with our older PCB design. These were pretty solid GPS receivers and we didn’t have that many problems with them.

If you were able to get a fix once the receiver was working and should continue to work. I’m not sure what’s causing your trouble but it could be related to your power supply or nearby interference. You might try using a pair of AA sized batteries for a power supply to see if RFI on your power supply is part of the problem.

It looks like your order is a year old and is unfortunately not eligible for a store credit. Please try 2 AA sized batteries as a power source and if you’re still having trouble, send us a picture of the top and bottom of your board and a picture of your setup and I’ll see if we can suggest anything that will help.