Introduction: Ublox LEA 6h 02 GPS Module With Arduino and Python

By Harsh Gosar

Interfacing of GPS module using an Arduino UNO (or any other Arduino device) and calculating Latitude and Longitude to display on application window written in Python.

Step 1: Get a Ublox LEA 6h 02 GPS Module (or Any Module You Prefer), Read Datasheet Specifications and Make Module Ready to Connect to Arduino

  • Read the Ublox LEA 6 datasheet carefully and make sure your module is correct
  • Most of the modules operate at ~ 2.7 to 3.6v, so make sure you have the proper power source, I used Arduino 3.3v pin
  • All the modules support UART communication port, so we will be using it to interface with Arduino
  • Modules by default come with micro female sockets which I find hard to connect to Arduino hence I replaced it with 2.54mm jumper wire female socket(before replacing it make sure that you know which pin does what and make a pin diagram on paper or computer)
  • Now this module is ready to connect to Arduino

Step 2: Connect GPS Module With Arduino

  • Identify Tx (transmitter) and Rx (receiver) of GPS module and same on Arduino also (I used UNO so it got only 1 UART communication port, Tx on pin0 and Rx on pin1, more specifications on Arduino UNO )
  • Connect Tx and Rx of GPS module with Rx and Tx of Arduino
    • Tx of GPS(Green wire in my case) to => Rx of Arduino
    • Rx of GPS(Yellow wire in my case) to => Tx of Arduino
  • Connect 3.3v Adruino pin to GPS power in and couple up both the grounds
  • Caution: Make sure that you apply no more than 3.3v (max. 3.6v) to your GPS module and read instruction module carefully

Step 3: Upload Arduino Program to Read Serial(communication) Port

  • Install u-center software as given in above README.md file
  • Upload Arduino code to Arduino module
  • Connect GPS pins to Arduino
  • Open the Serial monitor on Arduino IDE and observe the output of GPS module, make sure it's printing worthful output
  • Disconnect the Arduino serial port by closing serial monitor and now open u-center software and select the serial port of Arduino
  • Observe response on the screen
    • It will take some time to give the valid response and depends on the signal's strength received by GPS module
    • Keep the GPS module in the open surrounding or near to the window

Step 4: Execute Python Code

  • Download and configure Python in your local machine
  • Download Python code to read GPS data via the serial communication port of your machine
  • Connect and power GPS with Arduino
  • Identify com port to which Arduino is connected
  • Run Python code
  • Enter com port details
  • Verify lat and long data