Neo-6m GPS FIx Issue

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I have bought a neo-6m GPS module and connected it to my Arduino UNO. The GPS module comes with a patch antenna, using which I was rarely getting a GPS fix, so I also bought one external magnetic GPS antenna so as to get the GPS fix sitting indoors, but it still I am not getting the fix.

My code:
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
int GPSBaud = 9600;
SoftwareSerial gpsSerial(2,3);

void setup()
{
Serial.begin(9600);
gpsSerial.begin(GPSBaud);
}

void loop()
{
while (gpsSerial.available() > 0)
Serial.write(gpsSerial.read());
}

Screenshot (60).png
Screenshot (60).png651×705 14.4 KB

2

Hey! I too got the same GPS module yesterday, initially, the battery on it charges for nearly one hour. The battery is for the RTC in the Module, and the GPS works only when the RTC works. So let it charge for one hour or a bit more and then wait for 20mins when starting for the first time. After it gets connected once, it will take only 7-15 seconds to get fixed.

3

sai_srikar:
I have bought a neo-6m GPS module and connected it to my Arduino UNO. The GPS module comes with a patch antenna, using which I was rarely getting a GPS fix,

So when you take the GPS outside, how long does it take to get a fix ?

4

Shishimaru:
Hey! I too got the same GPS module yesterday, initially, the battery on it charges for nearly one hour. The battery is for the RTC in the Module, and the GPS works only when the RTC works. So let it charge for one hour or a bit more and then wait for 20mins when starting for the first time. After it gets connected once, it will take only 7-15 seconds to get fixed.

The battery is not for an RTC as such, but to provide a power source to backup the satellite data the GPS downloads. This data allows the GPS to get a new fix fairly quickly if the GPS is powered off for a short period.

The state of charge of the battery should not affect the normal powered operation of the GPS.

5

Check if any component on the board is getting hot. I have a neo-6m board that has never achieved a fix, but it still emits the NMEA sentences. One component gets too hot to touch so it'll never work.

You are getting the UTC and date in the sentences (in the RMC sentence) so it is connecting with at least one satellite because that's where those two data come from, not from an on-board RTC.

Does the antenna connect via a tiny coaxial plug and socket? I found it is is easy to deform the centre pin and not make a connection.

The u-centre program from u-blox is a great tool. This will show you what satellites are been received and their strength. Free from u-blox.com .

Good luck.

6

srnet:
So when you take the GPS outside, how long does it take to get a fix ?

It takes atleast 20 minutes

7

sai_srikar:
It takes atleast 20 minutes

The GPS or the antenna is most likely faulty then.

Or junk.

8

Is there a better GPS module when compared to neo6m or may be the external antenna that I bought may not be working accordingly. Does an external antenna really help for getting a GPS fix?

My project is to send my GPS coordinates in the form of an SMS to someone and I am using a6 gsm module and this neo 6m.

9

There is a review of the performance of various GPSs here;

GPS Performance Review

10

Thank you sir, are all those antennas in the GitHub post active type?

11

What does the u-center software tell you? Does it display any green signals?

12

sai_srikar:
Thank you sir, are all those antennas in the GitHub post active type?

I did not take them apart to check.

13

God I'm having this exact problem, I must have read almost every online solution I've found. I tried with multiple devices... Anyone else in Europe?

14

GPS troubleshooting tutorial here;

From the above;

In approximate order this would be my summary of the reasons behind a GPS that 'does not work'

  1. GPS is indoors
  2. GPS is connected incorrectly
  3. Arduino program uses the wrong GPS baud rate
  4. Arduino program is not correct
  5. GPS is faulty
  6. Arduino is faulty