service and demonstration board for ml8088s navigation...

Service and demonstration

Board for ML8088s navigation module

Saint-Petersburg

2012 year

Service board ML8088s and NMEA viewer software

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Glossary Common information ...................................................................................................................... 3 LED indicators, connectors and buttons layout ............................................................................... 6 GONASS/GPS NMEA viewer software ......................................................................................... 6

Service board quick start manual..................................................................................................... 7 Software launch. .............................................................................................................................. 8 Restart .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Module NMEA port speed setting ................................................................................................... 9 1PPS ................................................................................................................................................ 9

Satellites ........................................................................................................................................ 10 NMEA MESSAGES MENU ......................................................................................................... 11 Route .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Parameters ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Control command send .................................................................................................................. 12 Misc. .............................................................................................................................................. 13 Message log writing activation ...................................................................................................... 14

Receiver data pins description ....................................................................................................... 14 Practical service board application ................................................................................................ 16


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Common information

The current document is intended for the users starting development multichannel

GLONASS/GPS/GALILEO module ML8088s and contains the general description of the

Service board with the specified module.

The multi-GNSS GLONASS/GPS/GALILEO module ML8088s (further under the text – the

receiver or the module) is intended for calculation of current coordinates and speed of object in

real time in an standalone mode, generation a 1PPS time synchronization pulse and an exchange

the information with external equipment via serial ports RS232 or via USB. The principle of the

receiver working is based on parallel reception and processing by 32 channels of signals received

from navigation satellites GLONASS in frequency range L1 (Pt-code), GPS on frequency L1

(C/A a code) and GALILEO on frequency E1.

The receiver module ML8088s build with a state of the art chip STA8088F made by

STMicroelectronics, entering into family so-called «systems on a crystal» STA8088.

The receiver has high sensitivity, small power consumption and small time of cold start.

An external view of navigating receiver ML8088s illustrated on the pict.1

Pict.1. ML8088s in view.

The receiver has two capture channels and 32 channels for correlation processing of satellite

signals that allows to carry out simultaneous capture of satellite signals of different constellations

such as GLONASS, GPS and GALLILEO as well.

The receiver is able to apply specially prepared information stored in memory of the module

(Almanacs, Ephemeris) that allows to reduce time of cold start to primary capture of satellite

signals, and also that essentially it is more important, to make cold start in the conditions of weak

signals from GNSS satellites. This mentioned special information can be prepared as external

sources (and it is transferred to the receiver on communication channels), and by received itself.

Reception of any additional information from external sources in the latter case isn't required.

The position key mark (label of the first hardware pin-out) represents a black point on the sticker

label and is located in the left top corner of a label, near to logo НАВИА.

The receiver has the built in jammer barrier that allows it to work in hard environment

conditions.

Management of receiver work is carried out by means of special GNSS NMEA commands.

An exterior of a Service board illustrated on pict. 2.


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Pict.2. An external view of the Service board.

The service board is intended for development of work with the navigation receiver ML8088s.

The board allows to connect the receiver to the PC computer for studying of the information sent

by the receiver at work. Also the board allows to make a configuration of the receiver, and also

to write the new firmware in the built-in FLASH-memory of the receiver.


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Technical characteristics

Parameter Value

Navigation receiver module ML8088s

External Antenna type Active or Passive

Antenna connector type SMA

Connecion interface type to the PC Computer USB

Type of used USB driver FT2232D

USB connector type

USB-B F

Quantity of COM-port emulation on the PC 2

Main direction of COM 1

NMEA messages

Main direction of COM 2

Debug messages, Programming of

module

Indication of USB-data exchange Yes, by LEDs

SRAM power supply battery 3V, CR1220 or CR1632

1PPS signal LED indicator

GNSS status signal LED indicator

module power switch button Yes

Module hardware reset button /RES Yes

Working mode/programming switch Yes

Power supply to the board indicator Yes, LED

Power supply to the module indicator Yes, LED

Outline dimension mm 94х66х18 – w/o connectors

113х66х18 – with connectors

Weight grams 41


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LED indicators, connectors and buttons layout

Pict.3. Service board connector, buttons and LED indicators layout

GONASS/GPS NMEA viewer software

The Service board is intended for development of work with the navigation receiver ML8088s.

The board allows to connect the receiver to the PC computer for studying of the information sent

by the receiver at work. Also the board allows to make configuration of the receiver, and also to

upgrade internal firmware by programming the built in flash-memory of the receiver.

connector

USB

Work/programming

switch

Module power

on/off button

Battery on/off

switch

Module power

indictor

Power

indicator of

USB

COM2 data

transmission

indicator

1PPS signal

indicator

Hardware

Reset

button

Antenna

connector

COM2 data

reception

indicator

COM1 data

reception

indicator

COM1 data

transmission

indicator

GNSS status

indicator

Module

connector

Module signal

switcher


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Рис.4. Main manue window of the NMEA viewer softwareS.

For program normally work please install “.NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile” (or its full

version: “.NET Framework 4.0). This software can be downloaded from company Microsoft site

www.microsoft.com, also the certain links to this software located in NAVIA web site.

Also for work with a Service board it is necessary to install on the computer a certain USB-COM

virtual driver written FTDI. Corresponding driver it is possible to find on a firm site to the

address http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm where it is necessary to choose a

corresponding file under an operating system established on the computer of the user.

Service board quick start manual

To start work with a Service board it is necessary to carry out connection of necessary cables.

The switch power switch button of the receiver (the button with fixing) VCC ON should be is

switched ON (the button is pressed).

The switch of operating mode Prog-Work should be set in position Work (both switches to the

left).

Connect the active/passive antenna to the connector with “Antenna” label on the PCB.

In case of work with application where a reserve battery power to the receiver’s memory used, it

is necessary to install the battery in the holder designated by inscription “Battery” (on some

service boards the battery is already soldered without any holders used). In the holder it is

necessary to install only lithium batteries of standard size CR1220. 3В, it is necessary to install

battery in right polarity position: big contact with “+” symbol up.

USB cable should be connected to socket USB. The others end of a cable connect to the PC

computer.

Indicators LED-USB and LED-PWR should be light ON.

http://www.microsoft.com/


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Software launch.

Before you start to work please open setting/Communication setting menu and set

Serial Port name and Port speed used to communication between PC Computer and module (port

«NMEA» of module). Often the NMEA port has highest number then debug/programming port.

The Service board supplied with the module speed setting 115200 bits a second, however it can

be changed by request of the user.

After pressing of button "Start" from any menu, the program reads and analyzes the entrance

data, displaying a number of parameters:

Numbers of visible Satellites;

Signal to noise ratio for each visible satellites;

Numbers of satellites used in “decision-making” (market with color: green — GLONASS, red

— GPS);

Current coordinates, speed, a course and height;

The factors of accuracy dilution (PDOP, HDOP, VDOP);

A mark of the decision success «Data valid» with green and red (invalid color)

In a status line current options of a serial port (its number and speed) are specified.

All control management is spread at several menu "bookmarks".

Restart

With this bookmark it is possible to carry out "Hot", "Warm" and "Cold" restart of the module.

For "Cold" restart it is possible to specify obviously data sets which will be cleared at restart.


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Besides above, it is possible to carry out module engine Reset and Restart.

Attention! Button "Restart" it is possible to press only after sending the “suspend” command to

am module i.e. a command $PSTMGPSSUSPEND (see the description how to enter commands

and the description of NMEA interface). Otherwise «module lock» is observed. To leave from

«module lock» it is possible always having pressed a key of hardware reset «RESET» located on

Service board.

Pict.5 A control window of different modue RESTARTS.

Value «TTF» (Time To Fix) indicating time left after pressed cold start button to the moment of

coordinates reception from the module.

Module NMEA port speed setting

Pict.6 Module NMEA port speed setting window.

By using this menu you could change a factory NMEA port speed setting of the receiver module.

Do not mix a meaning of this menu with Communication setting menu that related to the PC

Computer part and not to the module! To activate changes please then press hardware reset

button on the PCB!

1PPS


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Pict.7 A control window of 1PPS management.

Using this menu it is possible to set 1PPS delay and duration. To activate setting please press

then hardware reset button!

Satellites

Pitc.8 A control manu for constellations management.

Using this menu it is possible to specify, what constellation of the satellites are used for decision-

making. For activation of options it is required to give a command "SET". To activate changes

please then press a hardware reset button on the Service board.


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NMEA MESSAGES MENU

Pict.9 A control menu of NMEA messages set management

To switch on/off certain NMEA message set the appropriate switches above and then press “set”

button. A hardware reset possible will be need to affect changes.

Route

Pict.10. a deviation of position display window

Using this menu tab it is possible to see graphic representation of the position distortion.

Indications are displayed in the form of a set of points. The first point is always put in the

beginning of coordinates. Red color allocates last true point transferred by the device. The

parameter "Scale" sets distance from the center in meters. Button "Reset" clears the buffer of

points then the first true point is put in the beginning of coordinates. The button «From a file»

allows to load and display the data from a file with a set of coordinates in format NMEA. After

loading of the data current coordinates aren't deduced from a file before pressing button "Reset".


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Parameters

Pict.1 Window of the configuration parameters read/set

On the current menu tab it is possible to request and set the value of the parameter chosen by the

user manually. Conformity of numbers of parameters see in a file «ST FIRMWARE

CONFIGURATION.pdf». Value of parameter is underlined in hex format (two symbols each

byte) for the whole values or in decimal for other formats.

The button «Reset of options» gives on the module a command for return of all options to the

factory default.

Control command send

Using NMEA command send menu it is possible to control the receiver module or get additional

information from the module. Before sending a command press “stop” button to stop NMEA

accusation from the receiver and change software mode to command transmission. Press then


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“control” on underline menu and choose “command”

Enter command to the command line like showed above and press “send” Then close menu and

press “start” to obtain an NMEA reception again and see affect of change.

Misc.

Pic.12 Firmware version display window

Using this tab menu you can see the firmware version (press “Query”).


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Message log writing activation

To activate this function press “setting” then “Communication” (when do it during software

work, please before press “STOP”) and then set a certain switch on the menu: see below:

Important!!!, after recording of log it is strongly necessary do not forget to switch log recording

“off”. A hard disc of PC computer overbooking can happen if forgot it!

Receiver data pins description

Signal means type Pin nuber Pin name

POWER ANALOG GND Power 20, 22 RF GND

POWER DIGITAL GND Power 6, 17 GND

Antenna IN Analog 21 IN_RF

POWER +3,3V Power 13 V_IN

VBAT POWER Power 12 V_RTC

UART1 output (NMEA) In/Out 4 TX1

UART1 input (NMEA) In/Out 5 RX1

UART0 output In/Out 2 TX0

UART0 input In/Out 1 RX0

USB D+ In/Out 15 USB_DP


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USB D- In/Out 16 USB_DM

1PPS output In/Out 3 PPS

GNSS status output In/Out 8 GNSS status

Hardware reset In 18

/RST

Not connected --- 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, 19 NC


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Practical service board application

Using of a service board for the receiver ML8088s it is possible to master ways of application of

the last in the device of the user.

The basic features of realization of the given demonstration payment are a disconnected food of

the receiver from tire USB and possibility of connection of the battery at any time, usually

unrealizable in the final device. At the same time, these possibilities allow the user to evaluate

some restrictions on the time diagrams of signals imposed by the receiver.

The switchboard (blue array of mini-switches) of signals of receiver ML8088s allows to

disconnect separately single or several signals from a service board. It allows to check up

receiver ML8088s in the device of the user without its soldering in a PCB that allows to begin

works on integration of the receiver into a product of the user at an early stage of works.

Possibility of connection/disconnection battery allows the user to evaluate at any time the

features of reserve battery power and, naturally, to consider in the working out these features.

Below please look to the methodic how to work with or without reserve battery are:

- If battery not used or switched off:

1. Switch Prog-Work in position Work.

2. connect cable USB to a socket.

3. Light-emitting diode Led-USB should be light-ON.

4. If switch PWR ON has been switched off – please switch ON.

5. Light-emitting diode LED-PWR should be light ON.

6. Light-emitting diode PPS should start to blink.

- In case of battery must be used (switched ON):

1. Set the battery in the holder (if it is not established or isn't soldered in).

2. Set switch Battery in position ON.

3. Switch Prog-Work is translated in position Work.

4. connect cable USB to a socket.

5. Light-emitting diode Led-USB should be light-ON.

6. We press button PWR ON.

7. Light-emitting diode LED-PWR should be light-ON.

8. press button RESET. – this is very important for the power 1th time is ON!!!

9. Light-emitting diode PPS should start to blink

service and demonstration board for ml8088s navigation...

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