simpleRTK3B Compass with blueboat

Third Party Products Hardware
1

Hi all,

I’m integrating the simpleRTK3B Compass into my BlueBoat platform and running into a strange GPS reception issue.

IMG_9693
IMG_96931920×1440 563 KB

IMG_9694
IMG_96941920×2560 473 KB

Setup

  • Hardware:
    • simpleRTK3B Compass board
    • Connected to ArduPilot via SERIAL1 (picture attached)
  • Software:
    • QGroundControl running on pc
    • GPS signal checked using UPrecise tool

Steps Taken

I followed the official ArduSimple guide:

Here are the parameters I changed:

COMPASS_ENABLE = 0
COMPASS_USE = 0
COMPASS_USE2 = 0
COMPASS_USE3 = 0
EK3_MAG_CAL = 5
EK3_SRC1_YAW = 2
GPS_AUTO_CONFIG = 0
GPS_AUTO_SWITCH = 0
GPS_RATE_MS = 100
GPS_TYPE = 5
SERIAL1_BAUD = 115
SERIAL1_PROTOCOL = 5

Issue

  • When using UPrecise, I can see the GPS receiving data and updating position consistently.
  • However, in QGroundControl, the GPS status is intermittent:
    • It sometimes shows GPS Count = 28, 3D Fix
    • But then suddenly drops to GPS Count = 0, No Fix for ~9 seconds or longer

Since UPrecise shows consistent GPS updates, but QGroundControl/ArduPilot intermittently loses GPS fix, I suspect either:

  • A parameter misconfiguration, or
  • A conflict with the original onboard GPS still being connected.

Any guidance on verifying the correct parameters or handling Simplertk3b compass GPS setups in ArduPilot would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Yan-Liang

2

Just wanted to provide an update and seek further advice.

Diagnostic Steps Taken

  1. simpleRTK3B connected to SERIAL1 while disconnected the original onboard GPS NEO-M9N from SERIAL5.
  • GPS does show up occasionally with GPS Count = 28, 3D Fix, HDOP ~0.5–0.6
  • But still frequently drops completely (GPS Count = 0, No Fix) for seconds which makes it too unstable for reliable use
  1. Tested simpleRTK3B on SERIAL5 as well:
  • Only connected VIN, GND, TX, RX (no I2C lines connected)
  • Configured ArduPilot parameters:
    SERIAL5_PROTOCOL = 5, SERIAL5_BAUD = 115
  • Unfortunately, no GPS signal received at all