Connecting GPS-module to Arduino

This is a simple Instructable for the people who'd like to know how to connect and use their GPS module with an Arduino.

I am using an Arduino Duemilanove and an EM-406A GPS module.
NOTE: The breadboard is not necessary but makes the job a lot easier.

Step 1 Customizing the GPS

Firstly, we need to make the GPS useable in our custom environment.

Cut the connecting plug of the furthest side of the GPS' connection wires.
Now it is your choice to extend them with longer wires, make sure to connect them thoroughly.

Remove the plastic off the ends of the wires.

See the images below.

Comments

[cattwood]

Thanks this was really helpful (to know that it is possible to hook the EM406A directly to the Arduino) but the pin references are confusing, if you hook it up as described above your Arduino will shut down. This happend to me, luckily nothing blew but it just goes to show how important it is to check the specifications PDF before hooking +5 V --- so the +5v goes on pin 2 of the Gps VCC in the spec,( The grey wire is pin 1 of the GPS which as described does not need to be connected. so if looking at the EM406a GPS as described about the pins are (from top to bottom ), Grey wire = Pin 1 - GND, Pin 2, VCC (ie +5 from the Arduino), Pin 3 RX, Pin 4 TX,

[Alti]

Hi - Thanks for replying. Yeah everything is connected OK. Something very odd going on, anyway I now get the 'Started' message in the serial monitor, but that's it. It never budges beyond that!

Similar to the issue here http://www(dot)sparkfun(dot)com/tutorials/173#
whereby it just sits 'waiting for lock' even though I know it has a lock and works fine. Very strange.

Also the driver that I used can also be used with the above GPS module to get it working in Autoroute or whatever s/f needs a usb GPS unit, just add a cable to it.

[Alti]

Hi - I merely get strings of 'ðððððððððøðððððð' using your code.

I have the same setup as you.

My Module is OK as when I use the driver for this GPS module (Google BU-353 and USGlobalSat ) and connect via a USB cable to a windows box, all is well, I can read NMEA sentences in hyper-terminal. Bur for the life of me I cannot get this GPS module to work with an Arduino,

I took my GPS unit out of a USGlobalSat USB device, which is just an Em-406a in plastic attached to a USB cable and comes with a driver, so it works fine with Microsoft Autoroute for instance...but following your instructions, I cannot get anything but the above garbage..! Any one else get this working..? Thanks.

[louwhopley]

Hi. Are you sure you are connecting the correct wires to correct pins and it's directly from the device? Not through some other chips first. I.e. the wires coming from the Em-406a connected directly to Arduino.

I use this instructable for myself every time I start a new GPS project (since I forget how to do this stuff) So these instructions works if you follow them correctly.