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BS2 GPS, not working like it should, tried many ways.... — Parallax Forums

BS2 GPS, not working like it should, tried many ways....

zBusterzBuster Posts: 7
edited 2009-09-19 01:06 in BASIC Stamp
Hi,

I have the BS2 connects to computer with USB...
Rev B...idk

The GPS reciever is revision 2.3
The *.pdf file has sample code and says how to wire this thing up...
GND - Ground
VCC - +5 volts
SIO - pin 15
/RAW - connected for raw data, not connected for smart data....

The thing is I get the following with raw connected....::::::::::::::::::===>

Parallax GPS Receiver Module Test Application

Hardware Version: 8.9
Firmware Version: 8.9

Signal Valid:
Acquired Satellites: 767

Local Time: 09:09:38
Local Date: 43 2042

Latitude: 098° 98' 51.1" 8 (98.5829 )
Longitude: 137° 01' 12.7" ' (µ137.1323 )
Altitude: 928.7 meters ( 3044 feet )
Speed: 3514.5 Knots ( 4044.3 MPH )
Direction of Travel: 1053.8°


thats fine & dandy.....and the numbers are all incorrect ALSO......
when i disconnect raw i get.....:::::::::::======>

Parallax GPS Receiver Module Test Application

Hardware Version: 1.0
Firmware Version: 1.0

Signal Valid: No
Acquired Satellites: ?

Local Time: ?
Local Date: ?

Latitude: ?
Longitude: ?
Altitude: ?
Speed: ?
Direction of Travel: ?

This is where it says the ? marks and the No....
I want a Yes and a numbers..... [noparse]:D[/noparse]

I do not understand how this is hapening....
It is sample code properly wired up.... and i even tried the 1.1 sample code off their sight....
FAIL.....


anybody have any Ideas as to why it gives incorrect values with /RAW grounded (LOW), and why it gives ??? with /Raw not connected (HIGH)...??????
Also, any ideas as to how to fix this errors....?????
i do what it say and fail....

I am knew to using GPS and cannot really figure this out...
Kinda dum of me, considering i can program quite a bit of parallax stuff on a bs2.....
And, I post because i googled ALOT and could not find anything relating to this......

Thanks,
Buster
pdf
pdf
GPSManualV1.1.pdf
222K

Comments

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-09-18 15:32
    What appears to be happening is that the GPS Module has not locked onto at least 3 satellites yet. You're probably still seeing the Red LED on the side blinking as well. You won't get a Yes and valid data until that LED stops blinking and becomes solid. If you're inside, try going outside. GPS wasn't intended to work inside so you're probably not getting a good enough signal.

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    Chris Savage

    Parallax Engineering
    50 72 6F 6A 65 63 74 20 53 69 74 65
    ·
  • zBusterzBuster Posts: 7
    edited 2009-09-18 15:40
    Ya,

    that red LED is blinking slow...
    never has been solid, ever....

    I am right next to a window....idk if that means anything....i will try it outside....

    if this happens so easily, in a building, then what if I am outside...?
    Line-of-Sight....
    Trees?
    powerlines?
    i have everything thats connected setup and working properly, but the GPS, fails for now...
    I am making a portable GPS reciever thing, for fun....
    will try outside soon....
    maybe I might get lucky....

    but even though i am at a window 5th floor....

    I try and get back if it works outside....

    From,
    zBuster
  • zBusterzBuster Posts: 7
    edited 2009-09-18 16:04
    OK,

    I got the verdict....

    the LED still flashes slow....
    The GPS still outputs the ??? marks like before....
    and I do not understand....its correct code.....? right?

    I post my code that I found online on parallax's sight for that to see if something is incorrect....

    From,
    zBuster
    BS2
    BS2
    GPSDemoV1.1.BS2
    12K
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-09-18 16:06
    Fifth floor…that implies a steel building and that would definitely interfere with the GPS receiving radio signals from space. The documentation specifies outdoor operation and that environmental conditions can affect GPS reception. Also, what is your power source? I have seen people ho could not get a lock using a 9V battery to power the board and GPS. This will not work. The 9V cannot provide enough current to run the GPS Module. Take care.

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    Chris Savage

    Parallax Engineering
    50 72 6F 6A 65 63 74 20 53 69 74 65
    ·
  • zBusterzBuster Posts: 7
    edited 2009-09-18 16:21
    I tried the GPS outside....
    Same way it acted as inside....
    I even walked to an open area where i could try this away from buildings...
    I am using the 4 AA batteries in series to power my BS2.....

    I just do not get how this isn't working still.....

    From,
    zBuster
  • sylvie369sylvie369 Posts: 1,622
    edited 2009-09-18 16:41
    It will take a long time to get a lock - much longer than you probably expect it to. Turn it on outside in the open, and leave it on while you go do something else. If you come back 1/2 hour later and it's still not giving a solid red light, something else might be wrong. I have learned not to expect a good signal within the first 5 minutes of turning it on, and 10 or 15 minutes would not surprise me at all.

    If you keep watching the light waiting for it to get a lock, the onboard "watched pot" detector will keep it from ever getting a good signal. You have to go away and come back.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-09-18 20:31
    Realistically it should lock within a minute or so unless you don’t really have a clear view of the sky, it is extremely overcast or the batteries are low. 4 AA batteries could run that for awhile, but if they’re low enough they could be causing problems. Do you have a multi-meter to test them under load?

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    Chris Savage

    Parallax Engineering
    50 72 6F 6A 65 63 74 20 53 69 74 65
    ·
  • zBusterzBuster Posts: 7
    edited 2009-09-19 01:06
    Hi,

    It works [noparse]:D[/noparse]
    I was just a bit impatient and did not notice the different pulses in the LED....

    Here is what the thing did...::::===>>
    1- Power on Slow Flashing, NO SIGNAL...
    2- Faster Flashing, just a bit faster, Aquiring signal.....
    3- Solid LED, Connected, now you don't have to worry, once connection starts it is gona stay...
    ***it is dificult to establish connection, it is picky with its line of sight....IDK...it just is....
    ***And, once the connection is on, they all know what each one is and wants...so, they will stay but enough interference will cause problem....lol

    sorry about the troubles but I'd have neva have learned unless i went through all this yackin'.....

    :P

    From,
    zBuster
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