OzzMaker BerryGPS-GSM [discontinued]

Add global GSM connectivity and GPS tracking to your Raspberry Pi project with a BerryGPS-GSM!

The two main components that make this board great are;

• uBlox CAM-M8 GPS module (Same GPS found on BerryGPS-IMU)
• uBlox SARA-U201 GSM for GSM connectivity, which has global coverage.

Both of these modules working together results in obtaining a GPS fix in secs, using Assisted GPS.

Typically, a GPS module can take a few minutes to get Time To First Fix(TTFF), or even longer if you are in built-up areas. This is because the Almanac needs to be downloaded from satellites before a GPS fix can be acquired and only a small portion of the Almanac is sent in each GPS update.

Assisted GPS speeds this up significantly by downloading ephemeris, almanac, accurate time and satellite status over the network, resulting in faster TTTF, in a few seconds. This is very similar to how to GPS works on a smartphone.

BerryGPS-GSM has been designed for the Raspberry Pi Zero, however it works with all versions of Raspberry Pi.

We have created a USB-to-USB PCB connector to be used with a Raspberry Pi Zero, which is designed to make your project more compact.

A Micro USB to USB A cable is also included for use when connecting to other variants of Raspberry Pi.

Hologram SIM included

The BerryGPS-GSM fully compatible with the Hologram Global IoT SIMs. Which makes for easy activation and allows the use of their powerful tools, like the Hologram Cloud and Python SDK. A hologram SIM is included in this purchase.

The Hologram SIM card is the perfect connectivity solution for global IoT applications. Their cellular network has coverage in over 196 countries and partnerships with 550+ carriers. Their offer flexible pricing with pay-as-you-go rates and monthly plans

GPS Features

BerryGPS-GSM uses the CAM-M8 from uBlox, which is an advanced high-quality GPS module.

3 concurrent GNSS: Concurrent reception of up to 3 GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou)

Embedded Antenna: Embedded, omnidirectional and wideband antenna

Super Cap: The SuperCap keeps the ephemeris data stored in the battery backup RAM for 2 hours. This allows for faster acquisitions when the module is power cycled.

Fix and PPS indicator: The onboard LED will flash once a second when a fix has been obtained. The PPS signal is also presented on an output pin.

Time Pulse Output (PPS): 0,25Hz - 10MHz (default 1Hz)

Protocols: NMEA, UBX binary, RTCM

Update Rate: Single GNSS - up to 18Hz, Dual GNSS up to 10Hz

GPS Access; Access to the GPS can be via the serial port or via USB

Connection for external antenna: BerryGPS-GSM v3 also includes a uFL connector for an external antenna, which can be used when BerryGPS-GMS v3 doesn't have clear access to the sky.

u-Center: A graphical interface to test and configure the GPS module on the BerryGPS-IMU

3G/2G Cellular Modem Features

The cellular modem on BerryGPS-GSM is the SARA-U201 modem from uBlox

Global 2G/3G coverage

• 2G Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• 3G Bands: 800, 850, 900, 1900, 2100

GSM Antenna

A quad band GSM antenna is included in this purchase.

Technical specifications

• Dimensions; 65 mm x 30 mm
• Weight = 13gm

GPS Module CAM-M8

• Low current consumption, <200uA when using Periodic mode.
• Receiver Type;
  72-channel u-blox M8 engine
  GPS/QZSS L1 C/A, GLONASS L10F,
  BeiDou B11, Galileo E1B/C
  SBAS L1 C/A: WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN
• 3.3v supply
• NMEA, UBX binary, RTCM
• UART 4800/9600/38400/115200/230400/460800 bps
• Max update rate 10 Hz
• Horizontal position accuracy <2.5m CEP
• Acquisition sensitivity -148dBm
• Tracking sensitivity -167dBm
• Hot start <1s
• Assisted start <3s
• Cold start <26s
• Orbit prediction
• 1PPS Sync
• Fix/PPS LED
• One external pin for wake up
• Embedded antenna
• Connector for external antenna
• SuperCap to help store ephemeris data.

Cellular Module SARA-U201

Global 2G/3G coverage;

• 2G Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• 3G Bands: 800, 850, 900, 1900, 2100
• u.FL Antenna Connector
• Nano SIM card holder
• USB serial
• Power LED
• Network LED

What is included

• 1 x BerryGPS-GSM
• 1 x Hologram SIM
• 1 x USB-to-USB PCB connector
• 1 x Micro USB to Right Angle USB A cable
• 1 x GSM quad band GSM antenna
• 4 x Standoff and screws
• 1 x Female header

External GPS Antenna and Raspberry Pi not included

Guides and Tutorials

• BerryGPS-GSM Overview
• Using GPS and Connecting via 3G/2G using PPP
• Connecting via 3G/2G using the Hologram CLI
• Real time GPS tracking on the Raspberry Pi
• Get a fix in seconds with Assisted GPS
• How to access the GPS through USB
• Control the GPIO using SMS from a mobile phone
• Using a button and the GPIO to send a SMS