Using the GPS PMOD

This file contains some tips on using the GPS PMOD.

Integrating the GPS PMOD Into Your Project

To make use of the GPS PMOD in your own project, follow these steps:

1. Download the latest version of Digilent's Vivado Library
2. Install the Digilent Board Support Files if you haven't already done so
3. Launch Vivado and create a new project
   • Don't add any sources
   • Be sure to select your board in the project creation wizard
4. Add the Digilent Vivado Library to the list of IP repositories used by the project
5. Create a new block design
6. Build a basic MicroBlaze design
   • You can use the instructions located here as a reference
   • You'll need to have the following blocks in your design:
     • MicroBlaze
     • MicroBlaze Debug Module
     • Clocking Wizard
     • Processor System Reset
     • AXI Interconnect
     • AXI Interrupt Controller
     • Concat
     • AXI Uartlite
     • PmodGPS_v1_1
   • Ensure the interrupt port of the GPS and UART blocks are connected to the Concat block
7. Run Generate Bitstream
8. When bitstream generation is complete, export the hardware
   • File > Export > Export Hardware
   • Ensure Include bitstream is selected
9. Launch SDK
   • File > Launch SDK
   • Accept the defaults
10. Create a new blank C application project
11. Create a new source file
12. Copy the contents of the example source code into the new file and save
13. Power on and program the board with the bitstream
14. Connect the SDK terminal to the board
    • Select one of the COM ports
    • Baud Rate: 9600
15. Launch the software on the board using SDK

The LED on the GPS PMOD will blink until it is able to obtain a position fix. Until that time, the software will only print the number of satellites to the terminal.

C & C++

Given that the GPS driver code is written in C, this may present a problem when you need to write the rest of your software in C++ (e.g. when WiFi is involved). The GPS driver code cannot be compiled using mb-g++. To explicitly build the GPS code using a C compiler, follow these steps:

These steps assume the GPS example code is located in a file called gps.c and that global variables and functions are declared in gps.h. (Example)

1. Add all the source files to your existing C++ project
2. Right click on gps.c in the Project Explorer and choose Properties
3. In the left pane, navigate to C/C++ Build > Settings
4. Change the contents of the Command field to mb-gcc
5. When including gps.h, wrap the #include as follows:

extern "C" {
    #include "gps.h"
}

Interrupts

You do not need to leverage interrupts to make use of the GPS PMOD. To poll the device for an update, use the following function:

// Poll PMOD for GPS Data
// GPS is an instance of PmodGPS
GPS_getData(&GPS);

Connectivity Issues

Do not think that you'll be able to use the GPS module inside a building. Based on personal experience, the antenna has a difficult time obtaining a position fix even when standing outside. Don't make this an integral part of your project/demo.