[time-nuts] Ublox F9P multi-band GPS receiver

[Bob kb8tq]

Hi

Based on the F9P data sheet, you will need an L1 / L2 antenna that is wide enough 
to get the Galileo E5B as well as the Glonass L1OF and L2OF bands. The gotcha 
is that (so far) I have not found a gain number for the target antenna. As we have
found on other modules, you do want to get the right gain. L1/L2 antennas range 
from 50+ db down to below 30 db. Simply tacking a pad on a 50 db antenna is not 
the best way to do things if you are in an urban area. 

There also is the issue of powering the antenna. It is not clear what sort of antenna
bias circuit the SparkFun module has on it. If it simply is using the module’s bias setup
that also could be an issue. Max Vcc on the module is 3.6V. The VCC_RF pin can have
main Vcc - 0.1V max on it. If that *really* means that 3.3V is about it for antenna bias,
that eliminates roughly 100% of all the used antennas out there. It also eliminates a 
number of the new ones. 

If you put in an external bias setup, there are a lot of antennas to pick from on eBay. 
They come and go. The used stuff generally will be 12V powered. It also is likely 
to have a pretty good data sheet on it. The new stuff from China seems to be sold
by a variety of people who pop up for a while and then go away for a while. Making
sure of what you are getting is a bit tough as a result. There are extensive stories
in the archives …..

Bob

> On Jan 21, 2019, at 10:21 AM, Graham / KE9H <ke9h.graham at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> What kind of antenna is needed to simultaneously hear all of the systems at
> once?
> My PCTel GPS antenna has a filter that limits it to only the US GPS system.
> 
> --- Graham
> 
> ==
> 
> On Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 4:01 AM Dustin Marquess <dmarquess at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> If DigiKey's pricing is accurate, the ZED-F9T is $13.89 more than a
>> ZED-F9P.  I would have gladly paid $14 more for a version of the
>> SparkFun board using the T(iming) version instead :(.
>> 
>> On Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 12:10 AM Bob kb8tq <kb8tq at n1k.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi
>>> 
>>> From a *very* quick read of the doc’s:
>>> 
>>> 1) The device *does* have a position hold capability
>>> 
>>> 2) There is some level of data on the time pulse. It it only 1 ns
>> resolution?
>>> 
>>> 3) It does appear to support Galileo and Glonas in addition to GPS.
>>> 
>>> 4) It is clearly multi-band for GPS. It is unclear from a quick read if
>> it is multi-band for the other systems.
>>> 
>>> 5) If you get one, make sure you have the RF cable connector it needs.
>>> 
>>> 6) I have not (yet) found a recommendation for the antenna gain.
>>> 
>>> Again, all from a quick read ….
>>> 
>>> Bob
>>> 
>>>> On Jan 20, 2019, at 5:42 PM, Mark Sims <holrum at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Sparkfun is now selling the Ublox F9P L1/L2 GPS receiver module on a
>> board ($219).  The F9P supports GPS/Galileo/Glonass/Beidou and tracks L1/L2
>> data.  It outputs carrier phase data and has survey-in and fixed position
>> support along with RTK support (10 mm accuracy).   Looks like the F9P has 1
>> time pulse output.
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