Breakout board for Sparkfun u-blox GPS module
I received my u-blox GPS receiver and connector from Sparkfun recently, and needed a PCB to hook it all together. I've put together a simple layout including a lithium backup battery and a 4-pin 0.1" header to connect it to my ArduPilot.
I've attached the Eagle file for the layout. I case you don't have Eagle, you can get it free at www.cadsoft.de. I've also attached two PDFs, one with labels, the second with only the traces and pads, mirrored to use for toner transfer. This is such a tiny board that I didn't want to send it off to be made, so I used to toner transfer method to make a quick prototype. I didn't have the proper transfer film, and used inkjet photo paper, which didn't work great, but was good enough for a first prototype.
The GPS connector is a bit tricky to solder on, but if you have some experience with surface mount soldering, it is not much different than a fine-pitch IC. You might want to order a couple of extra connectors in case they get damaged, they seem pretty delicate. I chose to not use to backup battery at this time, and connected a jumper wire from the positive pad for the battery to the 3.3V supply. The correct battery for the PCB is part P244-ND from Digikey. It was tabs attached to the battery to allow it to be soldered to the PCB.
The GPS connector does not provide a good mechanical connection, so the breakout board must somehow be attached to the GPS receiver. I used double-sided tape for this.
After connecting power to the board and hooking it up to the PC with a 3.3V FTDI adapter, I successfully connected to the receiver with the u-blox software, and got a GPS lock. Now on to getting it working with ArduPilot!
Note: This is a single sided board - the GPS connector mounts on the top (copper) side, while the 0.1" connector and battery mount on the bottom. You must take care to ensure that the battery lead does not extend far enough to touch the receiver PCB (and possibly short something).
UPDATE: I've temporarily removed the PCB files. The way I had the TX/RX pins on the board was swapped with respect to the ArduPilot, so I am fixing that, and will post new layout files soon.
I've attached the Eagle file for the layout. I case you don't have Eagle, you can get it free at www.cadsoft.de. I've also attached two PDFs, one with labels, the second with only the traces and pads, mirrored to use for toner transfer. This is such a tiny board that I didn't want to send it off to be made, so I used to toner transfer method to make a quick prototype. I didn't have the proper transfer film, and used inkjet photo paper, which didn't work great, but was good enough for a first prototype.
The GPS connector is a bit tricky to solder on, but if you have some experience with surface mount soldering, it is not much different than a fine-pitch IC. You might want to order a couple of extra connectors in case they get damaged, they seem pretty delicate. I chose to not use to backup battery at this time, and connected a jumper wire from the positive pad for the battery to the 3.3V supply. The correct battery for the PCB is part P244-ND from Digikey. It was tabs attached to the battery to allow it to be soldered to the PCB.
The GPS connector does not provide a good mechanical connection, so the breakout board must somehow be attached to the GPS receiver. I used double-sided tape for this.
After connecting power to the board and hooking it up to the PC with a 3.3V FTDI adapter, I successfully connected to the receiver with the u-blox software, and got a GPS lock. Now on to getting it working with ArduPilot!
Note: This is a single sided board - the GPS connector mounts on the top (copper) side, while the 0.1" connector and battery mount on the bottom. You must take care to ensure that the battery lead does not extend far enough to touch the receiver PCB (and possibly short something).
UPDATE: I've temporarily removed the PCB files. The way I had the TX/RX pins on the board was swapped with respect to the ArduPilot, so I am fixing that, and will post new layout files soon.
-
Moderator Comment by Chris Anderson on June 23, 2009 at 8:20am -
Can you add a screen shot of the board and/or a pdf of the schematic to this post, so people without Eagle can see it?
-
Comment by Damon Pipenberg on June 23, 2009 at 8:42am -
Chris,
I've added PDFs of the board layout to my post above. I don't have a schematic right now, but I'll post one if I get a chance. I'm new to using Eagle and haven't completely figured it out yet. I'll also post a photo of the finished board as soon as I have a chance.
-
3D Robotics Comment by Jordi Muñoz on June 23, 2009 at 9:06am -
You bit me! I was developing one like you but without battery, but it has power regular =). Your eagle files has no dimensions. May i use your battery idea and develop a connector with optional power regulator?
-
Comment by Damon Pipenberg on June 23, 2009 at 10:53am
-
Sure you can. A regulator is a good idea. I'm powered mine from the Ardupilot shield, but it would be nice to be able to use a battery. I'm pretty new to using Eagle, so I'm not surprised that I made some mistakes. I'll have to learn about dimensions.
-
3D Robotics Comment by Jordi Muñoz on June 23, 2009 at 11:02am -
Dimension's is the lines that surrounds you design. Is the one used to cut your board too.
-
Developer Comment by Mark Colwell on June 23, 2009 at 6:25pm -
What is the part # from Sparkfun for the connector?
-
Comment by H. Stanford on June 24, 2009 at 12:12am
-
@Damon.
Part 8-10 of this tutorial on SparkFun was exceptionally useful for learning Eagle, FYI.
-
Comment by Damon Pipenberg on June 24, 2009 at 7:12am
-
H. Standford:
Thanks for the link, I'll definitely work through that.
Mark:
The GPS connector is part number GPS-09079 - it should be linked in my post above. The other connector is a standard 0.1" header - for example number PRT-00553.
Comment
Contests
Season Two of the Trust Time Trial (T3) Contest has now begun. The third round was a reliablilty/aerial photography round for both planes and copters, which is now closed. Stay tuned for the next round, beginning soon.A list of all T3 contests is here.
Top Content
Groups
-
DIYDrones - CNC Project
61 members
-
Moderators
57 members
-
ArduPilot (legacy) User …
95 members
-
ArduCopter Evolution Team
108 members
-
ArduCopter User Group
617 members
© 2012 Created by Chris Anderson.
You need to be a member of DIY Drones to add comments!
Join DIY Drones