[liamcottle]

This PR adds support for RAK12500 (u-blox ZOE-M8Q) and RAK12501 (Quectel L76K) on the RAK3401 1W boards.

We already have support for these GPS modules in RAK4631 builds, however these were not working on RAK3401.

There's a couple of other PRs looking to add support for GPS on RAK3401, but they're significantly more complex.

• feat: Reliable GPS on all RAK WisBlock GPS boards (RAK12500 ublox + RAK12501 Quectel) #2640
• Add RAK12501 L76K GPS support for RAK3401 #2927
• Fixes for GPS support on RAK boards #3051

For now, I'm opting for the most simplistic change to get these modules working.

Changes have been tested with both modules on RAK3401, and I've verified satellite lock on both repeater and companion firmwares.

Note: GPS modules need to be in Slot A on the RAK4631 and RAK3401 boards. Connecting them to Slot D will result in the user button thinking it's being long pressed, which on companion firmware results in the node booting into CLI Rescue Mode, and Bluetooth Companion connections will not work. For now, users should avoid using Slot D.

[netprince17]

I'm using a RAK3401 with no GPS module, I no longer have working LORA radio after this commit.

I rolled back to the commit before this, and it works again.

[liamcottle]

I'm using a RAK3401 with no GPS module, I no longer have working LORA radio after this commit.

I rolled back to the commit before this, and it works again.

Hey @netprince17 thanks for the report!

My mistake... I've pushed fix for this in #3275. It would be great if you can also confirm it's working on your side.

Cheers!

[netprince17]

#3275 seems to correct the issue, thanks!

[liamcottle]

#3275 seems to correct the issue, thanks!

Thanks for confirming! I've merged it in :)

[IoTThinks]

Yes, I have put a fix for GPS on RAK3401 too.

The fix is also having few lines.

I agree simplicity is best.

[hayden-t]

I can confirm RAK12501 working from CLI in slots A or D on RAK19007 Base Board (Booster Kit)
The only thing that tripped me up was that you have to run "gps on" to get a fix, despite "gps" by itself reporting its on, the report back from "gps" command is a bit ambiguous ("on, deactivated, no fix, 0 sats" even if module not installed)
Let me know if any other tests needed, thanks for this im running a nightly build.

[IoTThinks]

I now have both RAK 1W 5v and battery variant.

I will optimize power consumption for GPS on RAK 1W.

[hayden-t]

that would be awesome to have a setting to activate the gps, so the time will sync, and them power it off at a set or chosen interval, similar suggestions/code:
https://github.com/aXistem-dev/MeshCore/releases#release-sc-repeater-v1.17.1
#1752 (comment)

[IoTThinks]

@hayden-t I did exactly that for other boards.
RAK 1W needs special treatment as 1W board shares the power with GPS module.

For 5v variant, I will explore to cut off GPS power as 1W module may still have power.
For battery variant, I may need to find a workaround.

Gps off does not always cut off the GPS power.

[hayden-t]

does gps take power just being plugged in to board, before "gps on" command ?
are you saying potentially theres not enough power supply to run the gps and 1w at same time ?

[IoTThinks]

@hayden-t In old variant, gps and Rak 1W share the same power rail.
So if cut the power for GPS, Rak 1W will be cut the power too.

However, on my RAK1Ws (5v and battery), I can cut the power to GPS and Rak1w still runs fine.

Let me test more.

[hayden-t]

that is good news ! thanks for the investigations

[hayden-t]

How's it going ? I got mine down off the tower and did some tests, now that firmware 1.18 is out and supports gps.
i found with the gps module attached after boot the board is pulling about 44ma compared to about 16ma with it removed, sending command "gps on" to get a fix doesnt increase this, it seems just a software thing for location determination.

Ive looked over ther schematics, and apart from your most recent comments I would have thought it was not possible, due to the switched 3v3 line being shared by the PA boost, and apparently there being no software command to put this unit to sleep

Im hesitant to spend too much time investigating further for just duplication with your (@IoTThinks) efforts, and happy enough to just switch to rtc modules for time.

[IoTThinks]

@hayden-t Your best bet is to remove the GPS module.

My variant can keep time across reboot. So it can keep the adverts to be sent correctly.

While LoRa continues to work on my Rak 1W when GPS PowerSaving works, I will double check the impact of GPS off to TX power.
I will do this check after finishing the merge of my variant on top of MeshCore 1.18.

Be note that time is irrelevant to any repeaters' operations.
It is just to please human eyes.

[IoTThinks]

@hayden-t Which Rak 1w are you using?
Old version with jumper or battery variant or 5V variant?

[hayden-t]

newer battery version, thanks for prompt reply. i thought time was needed for something, cheers