A number of weeks back we had a Group Buy(#5) in our forum for the MTK3339 GPS. This is a very popular GPS which a good 3dFix time and a 1Hz update rate. A few days into the group buy, we realized we would need a breakout for the GPS due to its footprint. Dkedr was kind enough to provide us with one. With this, a boosterpack was quicky designed in Eagle and sent to SeeedStudio for fabrication.
During the wait period, the GPSs arrived. One GPS was sent to Rob who quickly created a parser for on the MSP430G2553 Launchpad coupled with a Nokia 5110 LCD BoosterPack. He used a ribbon cable to connect to the MTK3339GPS. You can download his code from the 43oh Forum Code Vault.
The gps breakout boards arrived within a couple of weeks. We soldered the headers and an LED to indicate a 3D Fix. The BoosterPack connects to the Launchpad’s P1.1 and P1.2 serial pins through solder jumpers. If you would like to use some other pin for serial receive from the GPS, you can desolder the jumpers easily. This will save the serial port on your LP for something else. A good thing when connected directly the the LPs serial pins is that you do not need an MSP430 chip on the board. Fire up hyperterminal and you will see the GPS throwing out GPS strings.
Below, we use EarthBridge to make sure the GPS is working ok. Looks like a good fix and a strong satellite(s) signal.
All those who entered the group buy get free breakout boards. The remaining boards will be available in the 43oh Store for $5 next week. Make sure you put your email in the “Remind me when in stock” box.
This is great! I’ve put my name in the store box. Coupled Wwth the SD card boosterpack..sweet datalogger.