GPS

 NEO-6M GPS Module that can track up to 22 satellites and identifies locations anywhere in the world. It may serve as a great launch pad for anyone looking to get into the world of GPS.

They are low power (suitable for battery powered devices), inexpensive, easy to interface with and are insanely popular among hobbyists.

Hardware Overview

NEO-6M GPS Chip

At the heart of the module is a NEO-6M GPS chip from u-blox. The chip measures less than the size of a postage stamp but packs a surprising amount of features into its little frame.

It can track up to 22 satellites on 50 channels and achieves the industry’s highest level of sensitivity i.e. -161 dB tracking, while consuming only 45mA supply current.

Unlike other GPS modules, it can do up to 5 location updates a second with 2.5m Horizontal position accuracy. The u-blox 6 positioning engine also boasts a Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) of under 1 second.

One of the best features the chip provides is Power Save Mode(PSM). It allows a reduction in system power consumption by selectively switching parts of the receiver ON and OFF. This dramatically reduces power consumption of the module to just 11mA making it suitable for power sensitive applications like GPS wristwatch.

The necessary data pins of NEO-6M GPS chip are broken out to a 0.1″ pitch headers. This includes pins required for communication with a microcontroller over UART. The module supports baud rate from 4800bps to 230400bps with default baud of 9600.

Here are complete specifications:

Receiver Type	50 channels, GPS L1(1575.42Mhz)
Horizontal Position Accuracy	2.5m
Navigation Update Rate	1HZ (5Hz maximum)
Capture Time	Cool start: 27sHot start: 1s
Navigation Sensitivity	-161dBm
Communication Protocol	NMEA, UBX Binary, RTCM
Serial Baud Rate	4800-230400 (default 9600)
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 85°C
Operating Voltage	2.7V ~ 3.6V
Operating Current	45mA
TXD/RXD Impedance	510Ω

NEO-6M GPS Module Pinout

The NEO-6M GPS module has total 4 pins that interface it to the outside world. The connections are as follows:

Wiring NEO-6M GPS module with Arduino UNO

Now that we know everything about the module, we can begin hooking it up to our Arduino!

Start by connecting the patch antenna to the U.FL connector. Remember to thread the U.FL cable through one of the mounting holes for robust connection.

The module usually comes with header pins unsoldered. So, you’ll need to solder them.

Now, connect Tx and Rx pin on module to digital pin#2 and #3 respectively on Arduino; as we’ll be using software serial to talk to the module.

Next, connect VCC pin to the 5V pin on the arduino and GND to ground.

Arduino Code

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

// Choose two Arduino pins to use for software serial
int RXPin = 2;
int TXPin = 3;

//Default baud of NEO-6M is 9600
int GPSBaud = 9600;

// Create a software serial port called "gpsSerial"
SoftwareSerial gpsSerial(RXPin, TXPin);

void setup()
{
  // Start the Arduino hardware serial port at 9600 baud
  Serial.begin(9600);

  // Start the software serial port at the GPS's default baud
  gpsSerial.begin(GPSBaud);
}

void loop()
{
  // Displays information when new sentence is available.
  while (gpsSerial.available() > 0)
    Serial.write(gpsSerial.read());
}

Upload the program and open up the serial monitor from the Arduino IDE. Remember to select 9600 baud. You should see text like the following: