ELEKTOR FORUMS

When I use IQ_CHAT oir IQ_MONITOR to change the settings for the module and then try saving the settings to flash it usually fails to save the changes, especially if Output set to NMEA.

How do I make the module save the settings?

Hello,

I have noticed that several people get a little bit confused about programming the serial port. First of all it's a good idea to write down which settings are programmed in your GPS-module. When IQ-monitor starts, it opens the serialport in it's (pretty odd) configuration 9600 Baud, 8 databits, ODD parity, 1 stop bit.

Let's suppose you have programmed your GPS-module with the settings 4800,8,N,1. Input protocol is "TSIP" (NEVER change this, since you won't be able to reprogram the GPS-module afterwards). When you start IQ-monitor it opens the serial port with 9600,8,O,1. when you try to reprogram the serial port to change the output protocol to 9600,8,N,1 with NMEA as output protocol it will fail. This is due to the fact that IQ-monitor will tell the GPS-module to reprogram, but does so "talking" 9600,8,O,1 and the GPS-module only understands 4800,8,N,1. So first we need the PC-software to change the settings for the serial port to 4800,8,N,1. the only way to do this is to let iQ-monitor program the settings 4800,8,N,1 into the GPS. After sending the appropriate commands iQ-monitor will change the com-settings to 4800,8,N,1. Now you can control and program the GPS-module with iQ-monitor, because now both talk with the same settings on the serial port.

I hope this clarifies the programming of the serial interface. If not, let us know.

Best regards,
Paul Goossens
LAB Elektor-electronics