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Adafruit Ultimate GPS with USB - 66 channel w/10 Hz updates
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$62.75
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The Adafruit Ultimate GPS with USB brings plug-and-play GPS and GLONASS positioning to any computer, laptop, or embedded Linux device via a built-in CP2104 U...
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The Adafruit Ultimate GPS with USB brings plug-and-play GPS and GLONASS positioning to any computer, laptop, or embedded Linux device via a built-in CP2104 USB-to-Serial converter. Simply connect a Micro USB cable and start receiving location data at 9600 baud — no microcontroller required.
Built around the MTK3333 chipset with PA1616D module, it tracks up to 33 satellites on 99 channels with -165 dBm sensitivity and delivers up to 10 Hz position updates. On-board indicator LEDs show fix status, power, and UART activity at a glance.
Key Features
- Plug-and-Play USB – Built-in CP2104 USB-to-Serial converter with Micro USB B connector
- GPS + GLONASS Support – Dual constellation tracking for improved coverage and faster fixes
- 99-Channel Receiver – Tracks up to 33 satellites with -165 dBm sensitivity
- 10 Hz Updates – Up to 10 position updates per second
- Low Power – Approximately 29 mA current draw during navigation
- PPS on Ring Indicator – Pulse-Per-Second signal output on the RI serial control pin
- Dual Antenna Support – Internal ceramic patch antenna plus u.FL connector for external active antenna (auto-switching)
- Built-in Datalogging – Internal FLASH logging via LOCUS
- RTC Battery Backup – Footprint for CR1220 coin cell for warm starts and timekeeping
- Status LEDs – Red fix LED, yellow RX/TX activity LEDs
- USB Breakout Pads – 4-pin USB breakout for direct soldering to a USB host
- Mounting Holes – Two holes for secure mounting
Ideal For
- Adding GPS to computers, laptops, and Raspberry Pi
- GPS datalogging on embedded Linux systems
- Location-aware desktop or Python applications
- NTP time synchronisation using PPS
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit Ultimate GPS with USB (fully assembled and tested)
- 1× CR1220 coin cell holder (battery not included)
Note: The updated PA1616D module is slightly taller (4 mm) than the original and has modified antenna query commands. Check the datasheet for details. CR1220 coin cell battery required separately for RTC backup.
Resources
- CircuitPython GPS Parsing Guide – Example code using pyserial for Python 3
- PA1616D Module Datasheet (PDF)
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- baud
- Baud is the signalling rate of a serial connection, often used as the speed setting for UART communication. Matching the baud rate matters because both connected devices must use the same setting for readable data.
- breakout
- A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.
- GLONASS
- Russia’s satellite navigation system. A receiver that can also use GLONASS has more satellites to choose from, which can improve positioning reliability when the sky view is partly blocked.
- GPS
- The US satellite navigation system used by GNSS receivers to calculate position and time. Support for GPS is important because it is widely available and often used together with other constellations for more reliable positioning.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- RTC
- A Real-Time Clock keeps track of time even when the main processor is asleep or powered down, usually with a small backup battery. It matters for data logging and tracking projects that need accurate timestamps.
- RX
- RX means receive, usually showing data being received by the board. An RX indicator LED can help with troubleshooting USB or serial communication.
- TX
- TX means transmit, usually showing data being sent from the board. A TX indicator LED can help you see when the board is communicating or uploading code.
- u.FL
- u.FL is a tiny snap-on antenna connector often used on compact wireless boards. A board with u.FL usually needs an external antenna, which matters if the product will be inside an enclosure or needs better antenna placement.
- UART
- UART is a simple asynchronous serial interface that sends data over separate transmit and receive wires, usually labelled TX and RX, with both ends set to the same baud rate. It is a common way for microcontrollers and other serial devices to exchange data.
- USB host
- A USB host is the side of a USB connection that controls attached devices, like a computer talking to a keyboard or flash drive. This matters because most microcontroller boards are normally USB devices, so adding USB host support lets them use common USB peripherals.
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Datasheet
Datasheet · 1.5 MB · Click any page to view full size
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