GPS NEO 6M MODULE SENSOR
The NEO-6 module series is a family of stand-alone GPS receivers featuring the high performance u-blox 6 positioning engine. These flexible and cost effective receivers offer numerous connectivity options in a miniature 16 x 12.2 x 2.4 mm package.
The 50-channel u-blox 6 positioning engine boasts a Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) of under 1 second. The dedicated acquisition engine, with 2 million correlators, is capable of massive parallel time/frequency space searches, enabling it to find satellites instantly
Working Principle
A GPS system consists of
- A GPS enabled product like a GPS phone or a GPS Receiver
- A plan for the extent of GPS data. Some plans provide all information’s about the locality you are in. While other plans are used only to track your position.
- A service plan to provide the phone’s location.
- Satellites around the Earth which provides your exact position using “Trilateration”.
Basically a GPS receiver comprises of a receiver, and the help of the 27 earth-orbiting satellites, which rotates in the medium earth orbit. Out of these 27 satellites only 24 are in use and the rest is kept as backup for any failed satellite. Suppose you want to know your exact position using GPS, the receiver determines the exact locations of a minimum of 3 satellites above you and also your position with respect to the satellite. Then a method called “Trilateration” is used to find your exact location. These satellites make two complete rotations around the Earth everyday. So, a minimum of 4 satellites are assured to receive the GPS signals.
Features:
- u-blox 6 position engine:
o Navigate down to –162 dBm and –148 dBm coldstart
o Faster acquisition with AssistNow Autonomous
o Configurable power management
o Hybrid GPS/SBAS engine (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS)
o Anti-jamming technology
- Simple integration with u-blox wireless modules
- A-GPS: AssistNow Online and AssistNow Offline services, OMA SUPL compliant
- Backward compatible (hardware and firmware); easy migration from NEO-5 family or NEO-4S
- LCC package for reliable and cost effective manufacturing
- Compatible with u-blox GPS Solution for Android
- Based on GPS chips qualified according to AEC-Q100
- Manufactured in ISO/TS 16949 certified production sites
- Qualified according to ISO 16750
Specifications
Receiver type 50-channel u-blox 6 engine
Navigation update rate up to 5 Hz
Power supply 2.7 V – 3.6 V
Power consumption 111 mW @ 3.0V (continuous)
33 mW @ 3.0V Power Save Mode (1 Hz)
Operating temp. –40° C to 85° C
Storage temp. –40° C to 85° C
Link to data sheet:
- https://www.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/products/documents/NEO-6_ProductSummary_%28GPS.G6-HW-09003%29.pdf
- https://www.waveshare.com/w/upload/2/2c/NEO-6-DataSheet.pdf
Do’s and Don’ts:
- Do check the connections before powering it up.
- Do hold the sensor from sides only.
- Do read the specifications before using the sensor.
- Do not touch circuit elements from finger tips, the static energy from your fingers can damage the sensor.
- Do not short the pins while soldering.
Storing Instructions:
Store in a closed container away from sunlight and water.
Advantages of Global Positioning System
- GPS is extremely easy to navigate as it tells you to the direction for each turns you take or you have to take to reach to your destination.
- GPS works in all weather so you need not to worry of the climate as in other navigating devices.
- The GPS costs you very low in comparison other navigation systems.
- The most attractive feature of this system is its100% coverage on the planet.
- It also helps you to search the nearby restaurants, hotels and gas stations and is very useful for a new place.
- Due to its low cost, it is very easy to integrate into other technologies like cell phone.
- The system is updated regularly by the US government and hence is very advance.
- 8.This is the best navigating system in water as in larger water bodies we are often misled due to lack of proper directions.
Disadvantages of Global Positioning System
- Sometimes the GPS may fail due to certain reasons and in that case you need to carry a backup map and directions.
- If you are using GPS on a battery operated device, there may be a battery failure and you may need a external power supply which is not always possible.
- Sometimes the GPS signals are not accurate due to some obstacles to the signals such as buildings, trees and sometimes by extreme atmospheric conditions such as geomagnetic storms.
Schematics:
Interfacing with Arduino
Arduino Code:
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
// The serial connection to the GPS module
SoftwareSerial ss(4, 3);
void setup(){
Serial.begin(9600);
ss.begin(9600);
}
void loop(){
while (ss.available() > 0){
// get the byte data from the GPS
byte gpsData = ss.read();
Serial.write(gpsData);
}
}
Applications:
- Tracking system.
- Real time location provider.
- Toys.
FAQ’s:
Q1. How to use with laptop How to use with laptop or tab or mobile?
Ans. Connect the module with TTL to Usb converter to Interface with Laptop.
Q2. Can I use it with raspberry pi?
Ans. Yes, it can be directly interfaced to the 3.3v serial port on the PI’s multipin connector.
Referral Links:
- http://www.furuno.com/en/gnss/technical/tec_what_gps
- https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/gps-basics
- http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Communicate-Neo-6M-GPS-to-Arduino/
- https://randomnerdtutorials.com/guide-to-neo-6m-gps-module-with-arduino/
- http://www.circuitstoday.com/how-global-positioning-system-gps-works
- https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1278363
Documentation links:
2. https://www.waveshare.com/w/upload/2/2c/NEO-6-DataSheet.pdf