GNSS2 Click

How does it work?

GNSS 2 Click is based on the L76, a compact GNSS module from Quectel Wireless Solutions. The L76 supports the L1 band only (1575.42MHz) with tracking 33 channels, 99 acquisition channels, and 210 PRN channels. It can also acquire and track any mix of multiple satellite signals. The module is an ultra-low tracking power consumption device with a high sensitivity of -165dBm while tracking and -148dBm in acquisition mode with a reacquisition time of less than 1 second. The greater number of visible satellites increases positioning accuracy (<2.5m CEP) and decreases acquisition time (<5s TTFF with a warm start). GNSS 2 Click supports anti-jamming and better positioning under weak signal conditions with onboard LNA, multi-tone active interference canceller, and balloon mode for high altitudes up to 80km.

The L76 can automatically predict satellite orbits from data stored in its internal flash (EASY™ technology), and it can adaptively adjust its ON/OFF time to balance positioning accuracy and power consumption (AlwaysLocate™ technology). To save power consumption, GNSS2 Click comes with a VBAT connector for connecting an external power supply which can supply power to the module’s SRAM memory. This memory serves for storing GPS information for quick Start-Up sequences. Periodic standby mode can control the power on/off time of GNSS2 Click periodically to reduce average power consumption, and on/off time can be configured using the PMTK command. GNSS2 Click will enter the periodic mode after successfully fixing the position.

For communication with the host microcontroller, L76 uses the UART interface with commonly used UART RX and TX pins as its default communication protocol operating at 9600bps by default configuration to transmit and exchange data. In addition, the Click board™ features some other functions accessible through mikroBUS™ signals, such as Force on (FON), Reset (RST), and Standby (STB). Logic high state on FON will force the module to be woken up from Backup mode, while the RST pin provides a general reset feature. The STB pin can put the module into or exit from Standby mode.

In addition to precise positioning, the GNSS 2 Click also has an accurate timing signal indicated via a red LED indicator marked as PPS and an SMA antenna connector used to connect the appropriate active antenna that Mikroe has in its offer, for improved range and received signal strength.

This Click board™ can operate with both 3.3V and 5V MCUs selectable via PWR SEL jumper. A proper logic voltage level conversion is performed by an appropriate voltage level translator, while the onboard LDO, the AP7331, ensures the recommended voltage levels power module. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

Specifications

Pinout diagram

This table shows how the pinout on GNSS2 Click corresponds to the pinout on the mikroBUS™ socket (the latter shown in the two middle columns).

Notes	Pin					Pin	Notes
Wake Up	FON	1	AN	PWM	16	STB	Standby
Reset	RST	2	RST	INT	15	NC
	NC	3	CS	RX	14	TX	UART TX
	NC	4	SCK	TX	13	RX	UART RX
	NC	5	MISO	SCL	12	NC
	NC	6	MOSI	SDA	11	NC
Power Supply	3.3V	7	3.3V	5V	10	5V	Power Supply
Ground	GND	8	GND	GND	9	GND	Ground

Onboard settings and indicators

GNSS2 Click electrical specifications

Software Support

We provide a library for the GNSS2 Click as well as a demo application (example), developed using MikroElektronika compilers. The demo can run on all the main MikroElektronika development boards.

Package can be downloaded/installed directly from NECTO Studio Package Manager(recommended way), downloaded from our LibStock™ or found on Mikroe github account.

Library Description

This library contains API for GNSS2 Click driver.

Key functions

• Generic parser function.

• Generic read function.

• Wake-up module.

Example Description

This example reads and processes data from GNSS2 Clicks boards™.

 void application_task ( void ) 
 { 
     gnss2_process(  ); 
     parser_application( current_parser_buf ); 
 }

The full application code, and ready to use projects can be installed directly from NECTO Studio Package Manager(recommended way), downloaded from our LibStock™ or found on Mikroe github account.

Other Mikroe Libraries used in the example:

• MikroSDK.Board
• MikroSDK.Log
• Click.Gnss2

Additional notes and informations

Depending on the development board you are using, you may need USB UART click, USB UART 2 Click or RS232 Click to connect to your PC, for development systems with no UART to USB interface available on the board. UART terminal is available in all MikroElektronika compilers.

mikroSDK

This Click board™ is supported with mikroSDK – MikroElektronika Software Development Kit. To ensure proper operation of mikroSDK compliant Click board™ demo applications, mikroSDK should be downloaded from the LibStock and installed for the compiler you are using.

For more information about mikroSDK, visit the official page.