Beginner
10 min

Provide accurate location data based on satellite signals even in challenging urban areas with MAX-f10S and PIC32MZ2048EFM100

L1/L5 dual-band professional-grade GNSS receiver

GNSS MAX 2 Click with Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF

Published Oct 21, 2024

Click board™

GNSS MAX 2 Click

Dev. board

Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC32MZ2048EFM100

Support applications that rely on accurate location data, such as navigation, mapping, and augmented reality

A

A

Hardware Overview

How does it work?

GNSS MAX 2 Click is based on the MAX-F10S, a professional-grade L1/L5 dual-band GNSS receiver from u-blox, designed for achieving meter-level accuracy even in challenging urban environments. This board is built on the u-blox F10 GNSS technology, leveraging both L1 and L5 GNSS bands for enhanced precision. The dual-band capability allows the MAX-F10S to mitigate multipath effects, using signals from both L1 and L5 bands to deliver significantly better positional accuracy than single-band receivers. This Click board™ is ideal for various applications requiring reliable and accurate positioning in urban settings, offering significant benefits for vehicle tracking, fleet management, micromobility solutions, and more, even when used with small antennas. As a concurrent GNSS receiver, the MAX-F10S can track multiple GNSS constellations simultaneously, including GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou systems with SBAS enabled, ensuring robust and reliable performance in complex urban areas. Its RF front-end architecture is designed to receive dual-

frequency signals concurrently, providing high sensitivity and improved accuracy. To further enhance its reliability, the module includes two internal SAW filters and a low-noise amplifier (LNA), protecting the receiver from RF interference caused by nearby cellular modems. Its efficient power management system also allows the receiver to use only a subset of GNSS constellations, reducing power consumption while maintaining high accuracy. The GNSS MAX 2 Click communicates with the host MCU through a UART interface using the standard UART RX and TX pins. The default communication speed is set at 9600bps, ensuring efficient data exchange. It also provides an I2C interface for communication with a host MCU in the I2C Fast mode. Still, it must be noted that the I2C interface can only be operated in the peripheral mode. Besides interface pins, this Click board™ also incorporates a reset pin (RST) for direct module resetting and an external interrupt signal (EXI) that can be programmed for various functions, such as waking up the module.

Furthermore, GNSS 17 Click includes a red PPS LED indicator, which emits a synchronized pulse signal from the MAX-F10S once per second. The PPS function is enabled by default, and the module will output the PPS signal once a 3D fix is achieved. This Click board™ also features the SMA antenna connector with an impedance of 50Ω, compatible with various antennas available from MIKROE, like the Active GPS Antenna, to enhance its connectivity. Also, in the case of the primary supply failure, the module can use a backup supply voltage from a connected battery if you need the Click board™ to be a standalone device. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Also, it comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

GNSS MAX 2 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF development board is a fully integrated 32-bit development platform featuring the high-performance PIC32MZ EF Series (PIC32MZ2048EFM) that has a 2MB Flash, 512KB RAM, integrated FPU, Crypto accelerator, and excellent connectivity options. It includes an integrated programmer and debugger, requiring no additional hardware. Users can expand

functionality through MIKROE mikroBUS™ Click™ adapter boards, add Ethernet connectivity with the Microchip PHY daughter board, add WiFi connectivity capability using the Microchip expansions boards, and add audio input and output capability with Microchip audio daughter boards. These boards are fully integrated into PIC32’s powerful software framework, MPLAB Harmony,

which provides a flexible and modular interface to application development a rich set of inter-operable software stacks (TCP-IP, USB), and easy-to-use features. The Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF development board offers expansion capabilities making it an excellent choice for a rapid prototyping board in Connectivity, IOT, and general-purpose applications.

Curiosity PIC32MZ EF double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC32

MCU Memory (KB)

2048

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

100

RAM (Bytes)

524288

You complete me!

Accessories

Active GPS antenna is designed to enhance the performance of your GPS and GNSS Click boards™. This external antenna boasts a robust construction, making it ideal for various weather conditions. With a frequency range of 1575.42MHz and a 50Ohm impedance, it ensures reliable signal reception. The antenna delivers a gain of greater than -4dBic within a wide angular range, securing over 75% coverage. The bandwidth of +/- 5MHz further guarantees precise data acquisition. Featuring a Right-Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP), this antenna offers stable signal reception. Its compact dimensions of 48.53915mm and a 2-meter cable make it easy to install. The magnetic antenna type with an SMA male connector ensures a secure and convenient connection. If you require a dependable external antenna for your locator device, our active GPS antenna is the perfect solution.

GNSS MAX 2 Click accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Reset
RA9
RST
ID COMM
RPD4
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
External Interrupt
RPE8
PWM
Time Pulse Signal
RF13
INT
UART TX
RPD10
TX
UART RX
RPD15
RX
I2C Clock
RPA14
SCL
I2C Data
RPA15
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

GNSS MAX 2 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Curiosity PIC32MZ EF front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF as your development board.

Curiosity PIC32MZ EF front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Board mapper by product7 hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
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Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.

2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.

3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for GNSS MAX 2 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • gnssmax2_generic_read - This function reads a desired number of data bytes by using UART or I2C serial interface.

  • gnssmax2_parse_gga - This function parses the GGA data from the read response buffer.

  • gnssmax2_reset_device - This function resets the device by toggling the RST pin.

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief GNSS MAX 2 Click Example.
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates the use of GNSS MAX 2 Click by reading and displaying
 * the GNSS coordinates.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the driver and logger.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Reads the received data, parses the NMEA GGA info from it, and once it receives 
 * the position fix it will start displaying the coordinates on the USB UART.
 *
 * ## Additional Function
 * - static void gnssmax2_clear_app_buf ( void )
 * - static void gnssmax2_log_app_buf ( void )
 * - static err_t gnssmax2_process ( gnssmax2_t *ctx )
 * - static void gnssmax2_parser_application ( uint8_t *rsp )
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "gnssmax2.h"

// Application buffer size
#define APP_BUFFER_SIZE             500
#define PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE         200

static gnssmax2_t gnssmax2;
static log_t logger;

static uint8_t app_buf[ APP_BUFFER_SIZE + 1 ] = { 0 };
static int32_t app_buf_len = 0;
static uint8_t i2c_data_ready = 0;

/**
 * @brief GNSS MAX 2 clearing application buffer.
 * @details This function clears memory of application buffer and reset its length.
 * @note None.
 */
static void gnssmax2_clear_app_buf ( void );

/**
 * @brief GNSS MAX 2 log application buffer.
 * @details This function logs data from application buffer to USB UART.
 * @note None.
 */
static void gnssmax2_log_app_buf ( void );

/**
 * @brief GNSS MAX 2 data reading function.
 * @details This function reads data from device and concatenates data to application buffer. 
 * @param[in] ctx : Click context object.
 * See #gnssmax2_t object definition for detailed explanation.
 * @return @li @c  0 - Read some data.
 *         @li @c -1 - Nothing is read.
 * See #err_t definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 */
static err_t gnssmax2_process ( gnssmax2_t *ctx );

/**
 * @brief GNSS MAX 2 parser application.
 * @details This function logs GNSS data on the USB UART.
 * @param[in] rsp Response buffer.
 * @return None.
 * @note None.
 */
static void gnssmax2_parser_application ( uint8_t *rsp );

void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    gnssmax2_cfg_t gnssmax2_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.
    gnssmax2_cfg_setup( &gnssmax2_cfg );
    GNSSMAX2_MAP_MIKROBUS( gnssmax2_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( GNSSMAX2_OK != gnssmax2_init( &gnssmax2, &gnssmax2_cfg ) ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    if ( GNSSMAX2_OK == gnssmax2_process( &gnssmax2 ) ) 
    {
        gnssmax2_parser_application( app_buf );
    }
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

static void gnssmax2_clear_app_buf ( void ) 
{
    memset( app_buf, 0, app_buf_len );
    app_buf_len = 0;
}

static void gnssmax2_log_app_buf ( void )
{
    for ( int32_t buf_cnt = 0; buf_cnt < app_buf_len; buf_cnt++ )
    {
        log_printf( &logger, "%c", app_buf[ buf_cnt ] );
    }
}

static err_t gnssmax2_process ( gnssmax2_t *ctx ) 
{
    uint8_t rx_buf[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
    int32_t overflow_bytes = 0;
    int32_t rx_cnt = 0;
    int32_t rx_size = 0;
    
    if ( ( GNSSMAX2_DRV_SEL_I2C == ctx->drv_sel ) && ( !i2c_data_ready ) )
    {
        uint16_t pps_wait_log_cnt = 0;
        while ( !gnssmax2_get_pps_pin ( ctx ) )
        {
            if ( ++pps_wait_log_cnt > 5000 )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Waiting for the position fix (PPS signal)...\r\n\n" );
                pps_wait_log_cnt = 0;
            }
            Delay_ms ( 1 );
        }
        i2c_data_ready = 1;
        Delay_ms ( 200 );
    }
    rx_size = gnssmax2_generic_read( ctx, rx_buf, PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );
    if ( ( rx_size > 0 ) && ( rx_size <= APP_BUFFER_SIZE ) ) 
    {
        if ( ( app_buf_len + rx_size ) > APP_BUFFER_SIZE ) 
        {
            overflow_bytes = ( app_buf_len + rx_size ) - APP_BUFFER_SIZE;
            app_buf_len = APP_BUFFER_SIZE - rx_size;
            memmove ( app_buf, &app_buf[ overflow_bytes ], app_buf_len );
            memset ( &app_buf[ app_buf_len ], 0, overflow_bytes );
        }
        for ( rx_cnt = 0; rx_cnt < rx_size; rx_cnt++ ) 
        {
            if ( rx_buf[ rx_cnt ] && ( GNSSMAX2_DUMMY != rx_buf[ rx_cnt ] ) ) 
            {
                app_buf[ app_buf_len++ ] = rx_buf[ rx_cnt ];
            }
        }
        return GNSSMAX2_OK;
    }
    return GNSSMAX2_ERROR;
}

static void gnssmax2_parser_application ( uint8_t *rsp )
{
    uint8_t element_buf[ 200 ] = { 0 };
    if ( GNSSMAX2_OK == gnssmax2_parse_gga( rsp, GNSSMAX2_GGA_LATITUDE, element_buf ) )
    {
        static uint8_t wait_for_fix_cnt = 0;
        if ( strlen( element_buf ) > 0 )
        {
            log_printf( &logger, "\r\n Latitude: %.2s degrees, %s minutes\r\n", element_buf, &element_buf[ 2 ] );
            memset( element_buf, 0, sizeof( element_buf ) );
            gnssmax2_parse_gga( rsp, GNSSMAX2_GGA_LONGITUDE, element_buf );
            log_printf( &logger, " Longitude: %.3s degrees, %s minutes\r\n", element_buf, &element_buf[ 3 ] );
            memset( element_buf, 0, sizeof( element_buf ) );
            gnssmax2_parse_gga( rsp, GNSSMAX2_GGA_ALTITUDE, element_buf );
            log_printf( &logger, " Altitude: %s m\r\n", element_buf );
            wait_for_fix_cnt = 0;
        }
        else
        {
            if ( wait_for_fix_cnt % 5 == 0 )
            {
                log_printf( &logger, " Waiting for the position fix...\r\n\n" );
                wait_for_fix_cnt = 0;
            }
            wait_for_fix_cnt++;
        }
        gnssmax2_clear_app_buf(  );
        i2c_data_ready = 0;
    }
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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