The Locosys LS20031 GPS receiver integrates a MediaTek MT3329 66-channel GPS chip with a ceramic antenna to create a complete GPS module that can track up to 66 GPS satellites at a time. The GPS module supports up to a 10Hz update rate, a built-in rechargeable battery for rapid satellite acquisition (external power is still required for normal operation), and more than 6 different NMEA ASCII sentences that are output to a TTL-level serial port.

Overview

The LS20031 global positioning system (GPS) receiver module from Locosys receives GPS data on up to 66 channels and outputs the data in more than 6 different National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) GPS sentences to a TTL-level serial port at a rate of up to 10 Hz. Since the GPS module has an integrated ceramic antenna, you don’t need to buy an external antenna or worry about the many different antenna connectors. The module can typically acquire a fix from a cold start in 35 seconds, and by saving information about the satellites it was last connected to the LS20031 acquire a hot-start fix in less than 2 seconds.

Features

• 35 second cold start, less than 2 second hot start
• Supports 66-channel GPS
• Up to 10Hz update rate
• 3 to 4.2 V operating range
• Built-in rechargeable battery to preserve system data for rapid satellite acquisition
• Red LED indicator for GPS fix or no fix
• MediaTek MT3329 receiver chipset
• Capable of SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS)

Configuration

The LS20031 GPS receiver module’s firmware is initially set to a 5Hz update rate, a 57600bps serial communication rate, and is set to output GGA, GLL, GSV, GSA, RMC, and VTG NMEA sentences. After connecting the LS20031 GPS receiver to a computer using a serial port or USB-to-serial adapter, you can use the Mini GPS windows application (483k zip) to change these default settings. You can change the baud rate, or turn off the NMEA sentences you don’t need. The MTK packet user’s manual (79k pdf) provides a list of ASCII packets that you can send to the LS20031 to configure it from within an embedded application.

The GPSFox (1MB zip) windows application from Locosys displays the serial GPS data in a fancy format, but, unlike the the Mini GPS application, it can’t configure the LS20031 GPS receiver module.

Note: This is a 3.3V device. External components (such as voltage dividers) are required when interfacing with 5V systems.

General specifications

Notes:

1. Measured when position fix is available and input voltage is 3.3V.

File downloads

• LS2003X GPS Receiver Module Family Datasheet (317k pdf) Datasheet for the LS2003X family of GPS receiver modules.
• MTK packet user’s manual (79k pdf) A description of the ASCII packets that can be sent to the LS20031 GPS receiver module to configure it.
• MiniGPS application (version 1.4) (1MB zip) A windows application for configuring the LS20031 GPS receiver module. This utility lets you change the update rate and control which NMEA formats are output. Archive includes the MiniGPS User Manual PDF.
• MiniGPS application (verison 1.32)(483k zip)
• GPSFox application by Locosys(1MB zip)

Recommended links

• LS20031 GPS configuration tutorial DIY Drones explains how to configure the LS20031 by sending MTK ASCII packets with a terminal program.
• A Cheap GPS Enclosure Tutorial on how to make a cheap enclosure for the Locosys LS20031 using a dental floss container.