Python-NEO-6M-GPS-Raspberry-Pi

Python script for the NEO-6M GPS module on the Raspberry Pi

1. Connecting Schema

2. Install the Dependencies

• pip installed.

sudo apt-get install python-pip

• you will need pynmea2.

sudo pip install pynmea2

• You need the GPS software

sudo apt-get install gpsd gpsd-clients python-gps minicom

3. Configurate the services

• Serial port modify cmdline.txt:

sudo nano /boot/cmdline.txt

and replace all with the following lines:

dwc_otg.lpm_enable=0 console=tty1 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootfstype=ext4 elevator=deadline fsck.repair=yes rootwait quiet splash plymouth.ignore-serial-consoles

• Change startup settings:

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

and at the end of the file add the following lines:

dtparam=spi=on
dtoverlay=pi3-disable-bt
core_freq=250
enable_uart=1
force_turbo=1
init_uart_baud=9600

• reboot the system:

sudo reboot now

• Configure the module for the 9600 rate:

stty -F /dev/ttyAMA0 9600

• Connect AMA0 to the GPS Software First kill the process and add the device to gpsd tool

sudo killall gpsd
sudo nano /etc/default/gpsd

Edit the file /etc/default/gpsd and add your serial port in DEVICES, like

DEVICES="/dev/ttyAMA0"

• Restart the Software

sudo systemctl enable gpsd.socket
sudo systemctl start gpsd.socket 
sudo cgps -s

4. Run the Example

These instructions will get you a quick start with the script and please check before if you have the dependencies installed. Also connect the raspberry like the obove schemata.

• Look if the terminal output of the sensor works

cat /dev/ttyAMA0

or use:

cgps -s

• Run the script

cd Python-NEO-6M-GPS-Raspberry-Pi
sudo python Neo6mGPS.py

The above examples can take up too 10-20min to find a GPS signal for the first time. After this the gps module will be able to find the gps signal a lot faster. That mean please leave the script or the cat command running for a coupe of minutes.

5. Example source code

import serial
import pynmea2

def parseGPS(data):
    if data.find(b'GGA') > 0:
        msg = pynmea2.parse(data.decode())
        print("Timestamp: {} -- Lat: {} {} -- Lon: {} {} -- Altitude: {} {}".format(msg.timestamp, msg.lat, msg.lat_dir, msg.lon, msg.lon_dir, msg.altitude, msg.altitude_units))

serialPort = serial.Serial("/dev/ttyAMA0", 9600, timeout=0.5)

while True:
    try:
        data = serialPort.readline()
        if data:
            parseGPS(data)
    except Exception as e:
        print("Error:", e)

https://sparklers-the-makers.github.io/blog/robotics/use-neo-6m-module-with-raspberry-pi/