Parallax VPN1513 User manual

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Copyright © Parallax Inc. VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module (#28506) v1.1 6/9/2011 Page 1 of 5
VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module (#28506)
The VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module provides a fully open source and customizable GPS Receiver solution
for your microcontroller projects. The VPN1513 uses a SiRF Star III chipset capable of tracking up to 20
satellites. The module supports both “raw” output mode for raw NMEA 0183 strings and the default
“smart” mode for specific user-selected data through a serial interface.
The VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module also features a Propeller co-processor for easy interface with any
BASIC Stamp 2 module. The Propeller is also fully reprogrammable and includes access to all 32 IO pins,
allowing the GPS Receiver Module to be easily transformed into a standalone device.
Features
Track up to 20 satellites
Fast satellite acquisition time
High tracking sensitivity (-159 dBm)
Navigation update rate of once per second (1 Hz)
Position accuracy of +/- 10 meters; 2D RMS +/- 5 meters
Velocity accuracy of +/- 0.1 meters per second
Maximum altitude of 18,000 meters
Propeller co-processor allows for easy transition to a
standalone device
Onboard LED for satellite acquisition feedback
9 ft. external antenna w/ MCX connector included
Battery-backed SRAM & RTC
Open source design
Key Specifications
Power requirements: 5 VDC @ 80 mA
Communication: Asynchronous serial, 9600 bps
Operating temperature: -22 to +185 °F (-30 to +85 °C)
Dimensions: 1.85 x 1.80 x 0.35 in (4.7 x 4.57 x 0.90 cm)
Application Ideas
Robotic navigation & positioning
Geocaching
Guidance systems
Automotive navigation
Fleet management

Copyright © Parallax Inc. VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module (#28506) v1.1 6/9/2011 Page 2 of 5
Packing List
(1) VPN 1513 GPS Receiver Module PCB
(1) External GPS Antenna
Resources and Downloads
Check for the latest version of this document, firmware, example programs, and product schematic from
the VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module product page. Go to www.parallax.com and search 28506.
Product Details
The VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module provides a powerful off-the-shelf GPS solution for microcontroller
projects. The onboard Propeller microcontroller co-processor allows for easy interface to all BASIC Stamp
modules and with access to all 32 (fully reprogrammable) Propeller IO pins, provides an easy port to a
standalone device.
Mode Selection
By default, users receive GPS data utilizing a serial interface through a Propeller co-processor (also
known as “Smart” mode). Users may also choose to receive raw NMEA0183 strings utilizing the /RAW
pin. Details on both modes are included in the table below.
Mode Details
SMART Selected by default. User retrieves GPS information by sending ASCII commands to the
module.
RAW Selected by pulling the /RAW pin LOW. When low, the module outputs raw NMEA0183
strings.
Indicator LED
Satellite acquisition with this module is fast: ~47 seconds for a cold start, ~38 seconds for a warm start,
and ~1 second for a hot start. The VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module has an onboard red indicator LED for
easy visual feedback of satellite acquisition.
Status Details
Blinking No satellites acquired, searching
Solid Satellite fix, transmitting data
Pin Definitions and Ratings
Pin Name Type Function
1 GND G Ground: 0 V
2 Vdd P Supply Voltage: 5 VDC
3 SIO IO Serial communication to/from the module
4 /RAW I Mode selection. Active low, pulled high by default.
Pin Type: P = Power, G = Ground, I = Input, O = Output

Copyright © Parallax Inc. VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module (#28506) v1.1 6/9/2011 Page 3 of 5
Module Schematic

Copyright © Parallax Inc. VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module (#28506) v1.1 6/9/2011 Page 4 of 5
Connection Diagrams
For use with the BASIC Stamp 2, example code available as a download from the VPN1513 GPS Receiver
Module product page.
Command Set
By default, the VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module runs in “Smart Mode,” where the user can send serial
messages to the GPS Module and have data returned to a microcontroller through the Propeller
microcontroller co-processor. (These values are identical to the #28146 Parallax GPS Receiver Module.)
Command Constant Description Returned
Bytes Variables*
0x00 GetInfo GPS Receiver Module Version 2 Hardware, Firmware
0x01 GetValid Check validity of data string 1 0 = Not Valid, 1 = Valid
0x02 GetSats Number of acquired satellites (20 max) 1 Satellites
0x03 GetTime Time (UTC/Greenwich Mean Time) 3 Hours, Minutes, Seconds
0x04 GetDate Date (UTC/Greenwich Mean Time 3 Month, Day, Year
0x05 GetLat Latitude 5
Degrees, Minutes,
Fractional Minutes (Word),
Direction (0 = N, 1 = S)
0x06 GetLong Longitude 5 Degrees, Minutes,
Fractional Minutes (Word),
Direction (0 = E, 1 = W)
0x07 GetAltitude
Altitude above mean-sea level (in
tenths of meters), 6553.5 m max 2 Altitude (Word)
0x08 GetSpeed
Speed (in tenths of knots), 999.9 knots
max 2 Speed (Word)
0x09 GetHead
Heading/Direction of travel (in tenths of
degrees) 2 Heading (Word)
0x0A GetAltExt
Extended altitude mode. Altitude
above mean-sea-level (in meters),
18000m (variable size of 65535) max. 2 Altitude (Word)
* Variables are 1 byte unless otherwise noted

Copyright © Parallax Inc. VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module (#28506) v1.1 6/9/2011 Page 5 of 5
BASIC Stamp®Example Code
The VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module is compatible with the GPSDemoV1.1.bs2 code written by Joe Grand
for the Parallax GPS Receiver Module (#28146), by changing the baud rate to 9600. This modified code
can be downloaded from the VPN1513 GPS Receiver Module’s product page, visit www.parallax.com and
search “28506”.
This program also uses the Debug Terminal, which is built into the BASIC Stamp Editor software. The
software is a free download from www.parallax.com/basicstampsoftware.
Revision History
Version 1.1: Added Module Schematic and external antenna information.

1. Product Information
Product Name: VPN1513
Product Description:
VPN1513 is a compact, high performance, and low power consumption GPS engine board. It uses SiRF
Star III chipset which can track up to 20 satellites at a time and perform fast TTFF in weak signal
environments. VPN1513 is suitable for the following applications:
‧ Automotive navigation ‧ Personal positioning ‧ Fleet management ‧ Mobile phone
navigation ‧ Marine navigation
Product Features: SiRF star III high performance GPS Chipset Very high sensitivity (Tracking
Sensitivity: -159 dBm)Extremely fast TTFF (Time To First Fix) at low signal level Two serial ports
4Mb flash Built-in LNA Compact size (15.9mm * 13.1 mm * 2.2mm) suitable for space-sensitive
application One size component, easy to mount on another PCB board Support NMEA 0183 and
SiRF binary protocol
Product Specifications
GPS Receiver
Chipset SiRF GSC3e/LP
Frequency L1, 1575.42 MHz
Code C/A Code
Protocol NMEA 0183 v2.2
Default:GGA,GSA,GSV,RMC
Support:VTG,GLL,ZDA) SiRF binary and
NMEA Command
Available Baud Rate 4,800 to 57,600 bps adjustable
Channels 20
Flash 4Mbit
Sensitivity Tracking:-159dBm
Cold Start 42 seconds, average
Warm Start 38 seconds, average
Hot Start 1 second, average
Reacquisition 0.1 second, average

Accuracy Position: 10 meters, 2D RMS 5 meters, 2D
RMS, WAAS enabled Velocity: 0.1 m/s Time:
1us synchronized to GPS time
Maximum Altitude ＜18,000 meter
Maximum Velocity ＜515 meter/second
Maximum Acceleration ＜4G
Update Rate 1 Hz
DGPS WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS
Datum WGS-84
Interface
I/O Pins 2 serial ports
Physical Characteristic
Type 36-pin stamp holes
Dimensions 15.9 mm * 13.1 mm * 2.2 mm ±0.2mm
DC Characteristics
Power Supply 3.3Vdc ± 5%
Backup Voltage 2.0 ~ 3.6Vdc ± 10%
Power Consumption Acquisition: 42mA Tracking: 25mA
Environmental Range
Humidity Range 5% to 95% non-condensing
Operation Temperature -30℃ to 85℃
Storage Temperature -40℃ to 125℃
2. Technical Information
Block Diagram

Module Pin Assignment: Application Circuit
Pin NO. Pin Name Remark
1. RF IN Connect to External Active Antenna. While external antenna is used.
2. GND Ground.
3. GND Ground.
4. GND Ground.
5. VBAT This is the battery backup input that powers the SRAM and RTC, The
battery voltage should be between 2.0v and 5.0v.
6. GND Ground.
7. BOOTSEL Set this pin to high for programming flash.
8. GND Ground.
9. GND Ground.
10. GND Ground.
11. VCC This is the main DC supply for a 3.3V +- 5% DC input power module board.
12. GND Ground.
13. RESET This input is low active.
14. GND Ground.
15. GND Ground.
16. ECLK Pull-up via 4.7K to 10K.
17. GND Ground.
18. GPIO User can use this I/O pin for special function.For example, on/off LED.
19. GND Ground.
20. TIMEMARK One pulse per second.

21. GND Ground.
22. GND Ground.
23. GND Ground.
24. GND Ground.
25. TIMESYNC Pull-down via 4.7K to 10K.
26. GND Ground.
27. WAKE_UP Pull-down via 4.7K to 10K.
28. GND Ground.
29. GND Ground.
30. TXA This is the main transmits channel for outputting navigation and
measurement data to user’s navigation software or user written
software.Output TTL level, 0V ~ 2.85V.
31. RXA This is the main receive channel for receiving software commands to the
engine board from SiRFdemo software or from user written software.
32. RXB Unused, not connect.
33. GND Ground.
34. TXB Unused, not connect.
35. GND Ground.
36. GND Ground.

GPS Active Antenna Specification (Recommendation)
Frequency: 1575.42 + 2MHz Axial Ratio: 3 dB Typical output Impedance: 50ΩPolarization: RHCP
Amplifier Gain: 18~22dB Typical Output VSWR: 2.0 Max. Noise Figure: 2.0 dB Max Antenna Input
Voltage: 2.85V (Typ.)
Dimensions
接地10K
电阻

Recommended Layout PAD

Tolerance : ±0.1mm
VPN1513 Version 1.0
VPN1513 Application guideline
Application Circuit
1.
GPS_3V3
R7
10K

RXA
TXA
R1 4.7K~10K
Recommend RESET Circuit
GPS_3V3
ACTIVE LOW RESET INPUT
R3 270R RESET

The Specifications are subject to be changed without notice. Copyright © 2007, GlobalSat Technology. Page 9 of 27
2.
GPS POWER
VIN GPS_3V3 L1
Layout Rule
Do not routing the other signal or power trace under the engine board .
* RF:
This pin receives signal of GPS analog via external active antenna .It has to be a controlled impedance
trace at 50ohm. Do not have RF traces closed the other signal path and routing it on the top layer.Keep the
RF traces as short as possible.
* Antenna:
Keep the active antenna on the top of your system and confirm the antenna radiation pattern 、axial ratio、
power gain、noise figure、VSWR are correct when you Setup the antenna in you case.
GPS Passive (or Active )Antenna Specification(Recommendation)
Frequency: 1575.42±2 MHz
Axial Ratio: 3 dB Typical
output Impedance: 50Ω
Polarization: RHCP
Output VSWR: 1.5 Max.
Active option Low Noise Amplifier:
Amplifier Gain :18~22dB Typical
Output VSWR: 2.0 Max.
Noise Figure: 2.0 dB Max.
Antenna Input Voltage : 2.85V(Typ.)
Definition of Pin assignment
VCC
This is the main DC supply for a 3.3V ± 5% DC input power module board.
GND

GND provides the ground for digital part.
RXA
This is the main receive channel for receiving software commands to the engine board from
SiRFdemo software or from user written software.
RXB
For user’s application (not currently used).
TXA
This is the main transmits channel for outputting navigation and measurement data to user’s navigation
software or user written software. Output TTL level, 0V ~ 2.85V
TXB
For user’s application (not currently used).
RF_IN
This pin receives signal of GPS analog via external active antenna .It has to be a has to be a controlled
impedance at 50 ohm .Do not have RF traces closed the other signal path and routing it on the top
layer.Keep the RF traces as short as possible.
VBAT
This is the battery backup input that powers the SRAM and RTC when main power is removed. Typical
current draw is 15uA. Without an external backup battery, the module/engine board will execute a cold
star after every turn on. To achieve the faster start-up offered by a hot or warm start, a battery backup
must be connected. The battery voltage should be between 2.0v and 5.0v.
GPIO User can use this I/O pin for special function. (For example, on/off LED)
RESET You must have reset circuit that has Min. 200msec reset time. This Module do not have internal
Power On Reset circuit.
ECLK
Pull-up (4.7K ~ 10.0K).
TIMESYNC
Pull-down (4.7K ~ 10.0K).
Wake Up
This pin is not available now. Pull-down (4.7K ~ 10.0K).

BOOTSEL
Set this pin to high for programming flash.
VPN1513 Demo Kit Test Description
Test Board Connection VPN1513 Demo Kit:
Demo Kit JP1 (Male) Connection Test Board J5 (Female)
Definition of Pin assignment
JP1:

Pin Signal Name Pin Signal Name
1 NC 2 VCC
3 NC 4 VCC
5 NC 6 NC
7 NC 8 NC
9 NC 10 NC
11 TXA 12 RXA
13 NC 14 TXB
15 RXB 16 GND
17 NC 18 GND
19 NC 20 NC
JP2
Pin Signal Name Pin Signal Name
1 nWakeup 2 NC
3 TIMESYNC 4 NC
5 TIMEMARK 6 NC
7 GPIO 8 NC
9 ECLK 10 NC
11 RESET 12 NC
13 BOOTSEL 14 NC
15 NC 16 NC
17 NC 18 NC
19 NC 20 NC
JP3: VBAT
Test Software GPSinfo:
1Select COM Port & Baud Rate
2Press Start GPS

SOFTWARE COMMAND
NMEA Output Command
GGA-Global Positioning System Fixed Data Table B-2 contains the values for the
following example:
$GPGGA,161229.487,3723.2475,N,12158.3416,W,1,07,1.0,9.0,M,,,,0000*18
Table B-2 GGA Data Format
Name Example Units Description
Message ID $GPGGA GGA protocol header
UTC Time 161229.487 hhmmss.sss
Latitude 3723.2475 ddmm.mmmm
N/S Indicator N N=north or S=south
Longitude 12158.3416 dddmm.mmmm
E/W Indicator W E=east or W=west
Position Fix Indicator 1 See Table B-3
Satellites Used 07 Range 0 to 12
HDOP 1.0 Horizontal Dilution of Precision
MSL Altitude1 9.0 meters
Units M meters
Geoid Separation1 meters
Units M meters
Age of Diff. Corr. second Null fields when DGPS is not used
Diff. Ref. Station ID 0000
Checksum *18
<CR><LF> End of message termination
Table B-3 Position Fix Indicator
SiRF Technology Inc. does not support geoid corrections. Values are WGS84 ellipsoid heights.

Value Description
0 Fix not available or invalid
1 GPS SPS Mode, fix valid
2 Differential GPS, SPS Mode , fix valid
3 GPS PPS Mode, fix valid
GLL-Geographic Position-Latitude/Longitude Table B-4 contains the values for the following example:
$GPGLL,3723.2475,N,12158.3416,W,161229.487,A*2C
Table B-4 GLL Data Format
Name Example Units Description
Message ID $GPGLL GLL protocol header
Latitude 3723.2475 ddmm.mmmm
N/S Indicator n N=north or S=south
Longitude 12158.3416 dddmm.mmmm
E/W Indicator W E=east or W=west
UTC Position 161229.487 hhmmss.sss
Status A A=data valid or V=data not valid
Checksum *2C
<CR><LF> End of message termination
GSA-GNSS DOP and Active Satellites Table B-5 contains the values for the following example:
$GPGSA,A,3,07,02,26,27,09,04,15,,,,,,1.8,1.0,1.5*33 Table B-5 GSA Data Format
Name Example Units Description
Message ID $GPGSA GSA protocol header
Mode1 A See Table B-6
Mode2 3 See Table B-7
Satellite Used1 07 Sv on Channel 1
Satellite Used1 02 Sv on Channel 2
…..
Satellite Used1 Sv on Channel 12
PDOP 1.8 Position dilution of Precision
HDOP 1.0 Horizontal dilution of Precision
VDOP 1.5 Vertical dilution of Precision
Checksum *33
<CR><LF> End of message termination
1. Satellite used in solution. TableB-6Mode1
Value Description
M Manual-forced to operate in 2D or 3D mode
A 2Dautomatic-allowed to automatically switch 2D/3D
TableB-7Mode2
Value Description
1 Fix Not Available
2 2D
3 3D

GSV-GNSS Satellites in ViewTable B-8 contains the values for the following example:
$GPGSV,2,1,07,07,79,048,42,02,51,062,43,26,36,256,42,27,27,138,42*71
$GPGSV,2,2,07,09,23,313,42,04,19,159,41,15,12,041,42*41
Table B-8 GSV Data Format
Name Example Description
Message ID $GPGSV GSV protocol header
Number of Messages1 2 Range 1 to 3
Message Number1 1 Range 1 to 3
Satellites in View 07
Satellite ID 07 Channel 1(Range 1 to 32)
Elevation 79 degrees Channel 1(Maximum90)
Azimuth 048 degrees Channel 1(True, Range 0 to 359)
SNR(C/No) 42 dBHz Range 0 to 99,null when not tracking
……. …….
Satellite ID 27 Channel 4 (Range 1 to 32)
Elevation 27 Degrees Channel 4(Maximum90)
Azimuth 138 Degrees Channel 4(True, Range 0 to 359)
SNR(C/No) 42 dBHz Range 0 to 99,null when not tracking
Checksum *71
<CR><LF> End of message termination
Depending on the number of satellites tracked multiple messages of GSV data may be required.
RMC-Recommended Minimum Specific GNSS Data Table B-10 contains the values for the
following example: $GPRMC,161229.487,A,3723.2475,N,12158.3416,W,0.13,309.62,120598,,*10
Table B-10 RMC Data Format
Name Example Units Description
Message ID $GPRMC RMC protocol header
UTC Time 161229.487 hhmmss.sss
Status A A=data valid or V=data not valid
Latitude 3723.2475 ddmm.mmmm
N/S Indicator N N=north or S=south
Longitude 12158.3416 dddmm.mmmm
E/W Indicator W E=east or W=west
Speed Over Ground 0.13 knots
Course Over Ground 309.62 degrees True
Date 120598 ddmmyy
Magnetic Variation2 degrees E=east or W=west
Checksum *10
<CR><LF> End of message termination
SiRF Technology Inc. does not support magnetic declination. All “course over ground” data are geodetic
WGS48 directions.