GNSS Click

How does it work?

GNSS Click is based on the L86, a compact GNSS module from Quectel Wireless Solutions. The L86 supports the L1 band only (1575.42MHz for GPS and 1601.71MHz for GLONASS), with 33 tracking and 99 acquisition channels. Under L86’s hood is the MediaTek MT3333 chipset that can achieve the perfect performance. The module is an ultra-low tracking power consumption device with a high sensitivity of -167dBm while tracking and -149dBm in acquisition mode with a reacquisition time of less than 1 second. The greater number of visible satellites increases horizontal positioning accuracy (<2.5m CEP) and decreases acquisition time (<5s TTFF with a warm start). GNSS Click supports anti-jamming and better positioning under signal conditions with onboard LNA for better sensitivity, multi-tone active interference canceller, and balloon mode for high altitudes up to 80km.

The L86 can automatically predict satellite orbits from data stored in its internal flash (EASY™ technology). Also, it can adaptively adjust its ON/OFF time to balance positioning accuracy and power consumption (AlwaysLocate™ technology). To save power consumption, GNSS Click comes with VBAT connection pads and a backup power supply selection jumper for connecting an external power supply that 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 periodically control the board’s power on/off time to reduce average power consumption, configurable using the PMTK command. GNSS Click will enter the Periodic mode after successfully fixing the position.

For communication with the host microcontroller, L86 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 other functions accessible through mikroBUS™ signals, such as Force on (FON) and Reset (RST). A logic high state on the FON pin will force the module to wake from Backup mode, while the RST pin provides a general reset function.

In addition to the possibility of using the built-in POT antenna, this Click board™ can also use an external active antenna (https://www.mikroe.com/accessories/antennas) offered by Mikroe, thanks to the onboard u.FL connector. In addition to precise positioning, the GNSS Click has an accurate timing signal indicated via a red LED indicator marked as PPS and an AADET LED, which serves as an active antenna detection indicator. In addition to the indicator, the NMEA message will include the detection result and notification of different external active antenna statuses.

This Click board™ can only be operated with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing 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 9DOF 2 Click corresponds to the pinout on the mikroBUS™ socket (the latter shown in the two middle columns).

Notes	Pin					Pin	Notes
	NC	1	AN	PWM	16	NC
Reset	RST	2	RST	INT	15	NC
Wake Up	FON	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	NC
Ground	GND	8	GND	GND	9	GND	Ground

Onboard settings and indicators

GNSS Click electrical specifications

Software Support

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

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

Library Description

This library contains API for GNSS Click driver.

Key functions

• Wake-up module function

• Generic read function.

• Generic write function.

Example Description

This example reads and processes data from GNSS clicks.

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

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

Other Mikroe Libraries used in the example:

• MikroSDK.Board
• MikroSDK.Log
• Click.Gnss

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 Mikroe compilers.

mikroSDK

This Click board™ is supported with mikroSDK – Mikroe 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.