NEO-6M GPS Module

Description

NEO-6M GPS Module

NEO-6M GPS Module is a high-performance, cost-effective solution for a wide range of GPS applications. Powered by the u-blox NEO-6M GPS chip, this module supports tracking up to 22 satellites on 50 channels, achieving exceptional sensitivity with a -161 dB tracking level, while consuming only 45mA of supply current.

This GPS module comes equipped with a built-in 25 x 25 x 4mm ceramic antenna, offering strong satellite search capabilities. With clear power and signal indicators, you can easily monitor its status. The module also features a backup battery that stores data in case of power loss, ensuring continuous operation. Its 3mm mounting holes allow easy installation, making it suitable for applications such as drones, robots, and other autonomous systems.

The NEO-6M GPS Module is ideal for drones, enabling features like position hold, autonomous flight, return-to-home, and waypoint navigation. It also works seamlessly with smart robots for automatic returning or heading to a set destination, turning your robot into a “smart” bot.

Key Features & Specifications

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Tracking Capability – Tracks up to 22 satellites with 50 channels, ensuring robust satellite reception

•  NEO-6M GPS Module High Sensitivity – Achieves a -161 dB tracking level, allowing reliable positioning in challenging conditions

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Built-In Antenna – Features a 25 x 25 x 4mm ceramic antenna for superior satellite signal reception

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Data Backup Battery – Ensures data is retained during power loss

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Easy Installation – 3mm mounting holes for quick assembly on various systems

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Module Size – 23mm x 30mm

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Antenna Size – 12mm x 12mm

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Default Baud Rate – 9600

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Output Interface – UART TTL interface for serial communication (TX, RX, VCC, GND)

•  NEO-6M GPS Module Compatible with – Ardupilot and other multirotor platforms (Note: Not compatible with APM 2.8 Flight Controller)

Applications

• Drones – Provides essential GPS functions such as position hold, autonomous flight, return-to-home, and waypoint navigation

• Robotics – Enables smart robots to automatically return to home or navigate to specified destinations

• Other Autonomous Systems – Ideal for applications requiring accurate GPS data for positioning and navigation

Package Includes

• 1 x NEO-6M GPS Module

Note

• The NEO-6M GPS Module is not compatible with the APM 2.8 Flight Controller.

  Table of Contents

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  🛰️ NEO-6M GPS Module — Overview

  The NEO-6M GPS Module is a high-performance, low-cost GPS receiver based on the u-blox NEO-6M chip. It provides accurate location data (latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, time, etc.) by connecting to multiple satellites, and it’s widely used in:

  • 🛩️ Drones (like Pixhawk, APM)

  • 🤖 Robotics navigation

  • 🚗 Vehicle tracking

  • 🧭 Geolocation systems

  • 🔭 Telemetry applications

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  🔧 Key Features

  Feature	Description
  📡 Chipset	u-blox NEO-6M GPS (GNSS Receiver)
  ⚡ Operating Voltage	3.3V to 5V
  🔌 Interface	UART (TX/RX pins for serial communication)
  📍 Position Accuracy	~2.5 meters
  🕒 Time to First Fix (TTFF)	Cold Start: ~27s, Warm Start: ~1s
  📦 Backup Battery	CR1220 for fast hot-start and storing settings
  🧭 Onboard EEPROM	Stores configuration data
  🧲 Antenna Type	Ceramic Passive Antenna (or external active antenna)
  🧭 Optional Module	Some versions have a built-in compass (e.g., HMC5883L or QMC5883L) for heading info

  ---

  ⚙️ Typical Specifications

  Parameter	Value
  Position Accuracy	< 2.5 meters
  Speed Accuracy	0.1 m/s
  Update Rate	1 Hz (default), configurable up to 5 Hz
  Channels	50-channel u-blox receiver
  Baud Rate	Default 9600 bps (can be changed)
  Antenna Connector	U.FL (for external active antennas)
  Dimensions	~25 mm × 35 mm (module size)

  ---

  🔌 Pin Configuration

  Pin	Function
  VCC	Power Supply (3.3V to 5V)
  GND	Ground
  TX	Transmit serial data (connect to RX of microcontroller)
  RX	Receive serial data (connect to TX of microcontroller)

  🔋 Battery Backup (VBAT): Powers the internal RTC and memory for faster GPS fix after power loss.

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  📦 What’s in the Module?

  • ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  NEO-6M GPS chip

  • ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Ceramic or patch antenna

  • ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Backup battery (CR1220)

  • ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module EEPROM memory

  • ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Voltage regulator (to allow 5V input)

  • ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Serial interface for microcontrollers

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  🛠️ Typical Applications

  Use Case	Description
  Drones (Pixhawk/APM)	GPS position + optional compass for navigation and return-to-home
  Arduino Projects	Real-time location tracking, route mapping
  Vehicle/Asset Tracking	Stores GPS coordinates for fleet monitoring
  Autonomous Robots	GPS guidance + waypoint following
  Geotagging	Adds location to captured images or data points

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  🧪 How to Connect to Arduino (Example)

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  CopyEdit

  NEO-6M Arduino
------- -------
VCC --> 5V
GND --> GND
TX --> D4 (software serial RX)
RX --> D3 (software serial TX)


  ✅ Use SoftwareSerial library
  ✅ Libraries: TinyGPS++, NeoGPS, or Adafruit_GPS for parsing GPS data

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  🗺️ What Data Can You Get?

  Data Type	Example
  Latitude	13.0827 N
  Longitude	80.2707 E
  Altitude	45 meters
  Speed	3.2 m/s
  UTC Time	12:42:15
  Satellites in View	8–12
  Fix Status	2D/3D Fix

  ---

  ✅ Why It’s Popular

  • 🔹 Affordable & easily available

  • 🔹 Compatible with Arduino, STM32, Raspberry Pi, Pixhawk, etc.

  • 🔹 Compact and lightweight

  • 🔹 Good accuracy for hobby and research-grade projects

    🛰️ NEO-6M GPS Module – In-Depth Description

    The NEO-6M GPS Module is a compact, high-precision Global Positioning System receiver powered by the u-blox NEO-6M chipset, designed to provide accurate geographic coordinates and time synchronization for a wide range of embedded applications.

    🚀 Optimized for Performance

    Equipped with a 50-channel receiver, the NEO-6M can simultaneously track multiple satellites (GPS, QZSS, SBAS) for fast and reliable positioning. It supports Cold Start (~27 seconds), Warm Start (~1 second), and Hot Start (~0.1 seconds), ensuring quick GPS fixes under various environmental conditions. The low power consumption (~45mA at 3.3V) makes it ideal for battery-powered drones and portable IoT devices.

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    🧭 Enhanced Navigation with Optional Compass

    Certain versions of this module come with an integrated digital compass (HMC5883L or QMC5883L), offering heading and orientation data alongside GPS coordinates — a must-have for applications such as autonomous drones, rovers, and boats.

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    ⚙️ Hardware Highlights

    •  NEO-6M GPS Module High-Sensitivity Ceramic Antenna: Capable of acquiring satellite signals indoors or in challenging environments.

    •  NEO-6M GPS Module U.FL Connector: Allows external active antennas for extended range or precision (especially useful in urban canyons or forests).

    •  NEO-6M GPS Module Backup Battery (CR1220): Retains satellite data, configuration settings, and RTC — enabling faster cold/hot starts even after power cycles.

    •  NEO-6M GPS Module Onboard EEPROM: Stores customized settings like baud rate or update frequency.

    •  NEO-6M GPS Module Voltage Regulator (3.3V LDO): Ensures compatibility with both 3.3V and 5V systems, such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32, and Pixhawk.

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    🔌 Connectivity & Communication

    Communicates over UART (TX/RX) using NMEA or u-blox UBX binary protocol, making it easy to interface with:

    • 📟 Microcontrollers (Arduino, STM32, ESP32, etc.)

    • 🧠 Flight Controllers (Pixhawk, APM, INAV, etc.)

    • 💻 Raspberry Pi / Linux systems

    • 📡 Telemetry systems (for GPS + heading info)

    Default baud rate: 9600 bps
    Supports baud rate configuration via u-center (u-blox software).

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    📈 Performance Specs

    Feature	Details
    Position Accuracy	≤2.5m CEP
    Velocity Accuracy	0.1 m/s
    Heading Accuracy (with compass)	0.5°–1°
    Update Rate	Default 1 Hz, configurable up to 5 Hz
    Max Altitude	18,000 meters
    Max Velocity	515 m/s
    Cold Start	27 sec
    Warm Start	1 sec
    Hot Start	<1 sec
    Tracking Sensitivity	-161 dBm
    Acquisition Sensitivity	-147 dBm

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    🔧 Module Dimensions

    Part	Size
    PCB Size	~25mm x 35mm
    Mounting Holes	Typically 3mm or M2.5-compatible
    Weight	~12–15 grams (with battery and antenna)

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    🔍 Ideal Use Cases

  • 1.  NEO-6M GPS Module Multirotor Drones / RC Planes

       • Provides GPS lock, return-to-home, waypoint navigation

    2.  NEO-6M GPS Module Autonomous Robots & Cars

       • Real-time navigation, route tracking, and localization

    3.  NEO-6M GPS Module Agricultural Mapping Systems

       • Used with telemetry radios to transmit GPS to GCS

    4.   NEO-6M GPS Module Asset & Vehicle Tracking

       • Perfect for GPS loggers or GSM/GPRS-based systems

    5.  NEO-6M GPS Module Marine or Boat Navigation

       • GPS location with heading data for autopilot systems

    6.  NEO-6M GPS Module Weather Balloons / HAB Projects

       • Operates accurately at high altitudes

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    🔋 Power Requirements

    •  NEO-6M GPS Module Operating Voltage: 3.3V to 5V

    •  NEO-6M GPS Module Logic Level: 3.3V TTL (safe for 5V microcontrollers)

    •  NEO-6M GPS Module Current Draw: 40–50mA average

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    🧑‍💻 Software Tools

    • u-center (by u-blox): For advanced configuration, satellite tracking, baud rate adjustments, and testing.

    • Libraries: TinyGPS++, NeoGPS, Adafruit_GPS for Arduino platforms.

    • Protocols Supported:

      • NMEA 0183 (standard GPS output)

      • UBX (binary, u-blox custom protocol for deeper control)

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    🎯 Why Choose the NEO-6M GPS Module?

    ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Affordable yet accurate
    ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Simple UART interface
    ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Excellent community support
    ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Widely compatible with autopilots and microcontrollers
    ✅ NEO-6M GPS Module  Reliable positioning even under poor signal conditions

    🔄 Communication Protocols (NMEA vs UBX)

  • The NEO-6M GPS module supports two main communication protocols:

    1. NMEA 0183 – Human-readable standard protocol:

       • Example sentences: $GPGGA, $GPRMC, $GPGSA, etc.

       • Default output: Location, time, speed, altitude, number of satellites, fix type

       • Used by default when connected to Arduino or Pixhawk

    2. UBX Binary Protocol – Compact, faster, and more powerful:

       • Used for configuration and high-precision tasks

       • Requires u-blox’s u-center software for configuration

       • Can enable/disable NMEA sentences to reduce data size

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    🧠 Smart Features & Configuration Options (via u-center)

    When connected to a PC via USB-UART adapter, the u-center software lets you:

    • 📡 NEO-6M GPS Module  Select which NMEA sentences to output

    • ⏱️ NEO-6M GPS Module  Change update rate (1Hz, 5Hz)

    • 📶 NEO-6M GPS Module NEO-6M GPS Module  Enable SBAS, WAAS corrections for better accuracy

    • ⚙️ NEO-6M GPS Module  Save configurations to EEPROM

    • 🛰️ NEO-6M GPS Module  View real-time satellite lock info (PRN, SNR, fix quality)

    🛠️ How to Connect to u-center:

    1. Use a USB-to-Serial converter (like FTDI or CP2102)

    2. Connect:

       • GPS TX → USB-RX

       • GPS RX → USB-TX

       • VCC → 3.3V or 5V

       • GND → GND

    3. Open u-center → select COM port → baud rate 9600 → click Connect

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    🔋 Backup Battery (CR1220 / CR2032)

    • Keeps RTC time and almanac/ephemeris data for faster TTFF (Time To First Fix)

    • Even when power is removed, next boot will take less time to fix satellites

    • Doesn’t power the GPS module – only preserves memory

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    🛩️ Use in Drones & Pixhawk Flight Controllers

    Pixhawk / APM Integration:

    • GPS Port usually includes:

      • TX, RX, 5V, GND

      • I2C/SCL/SDA (for compass if included)

    • Most NEO-6M modules are compatible with ArduPilot and INAV

    🔧 Setup in Mission Planner (ArduPilot):

    1. Connect GPS to Pixhawk’s GPS port

    2. Power on → open Mission Planner

    3. GPS status should appear (3D Fix, Satellites: 6+)

    4. Set GPS_AUTO_CONFIG = 1 (auto baud/config)

    5. Enable Compass 2 if using built-in compass

    📌 Tip: Always test for correct orientation of GPS arrow (North) for accurate heading.

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    🌐 Real-time Use with Arduino

    Here’s a basic Arduino setup using the TinyGPS++ library:

    🔌 Wiring

    GPS Pin	Arduino Uno
    VCC	5V
    GND	GND
    TX	D4 (SoftwareSerial RX)
    RX	D3 (SoftwareSerial TX)*

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    📦 Variants You May See

  • 

    Variant	Feature
    NEO-6M (bare module)	Only GPS, UART
    NEO-6M with compass	Adds HMC5883L/QMC5883L for heading
    NEO-M8N	Faster lock, GLONASS support, more accurate
    BN-880	Dual GPS + Compass with M8N chip (preferred for drones)

    v

    Why Choose Lofty AgroTech?

    When building or servicing agricultural drones in India, Lofty AgroTech stands out as a reliable and innovative partner. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of why we choose Lofty AgroTech:

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    1️⃣ DPIIT-Recognized Innovation

    • Lofty AgroTech is officially recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Govt. of India.
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    2️⃣ Tailored for Indian Farming Conditions

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    3️⃣ Complete Hardware Ecosystem

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    4️⃣ Plug-and-Play Convenience

    • Products like the NZ Mini GPS Module are pre-configured for Betaflight/Cleanflight, and hardware parts fit standard UAV systems perfectly.

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    5️⃣ Strong Local Support & Spare Parts

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    7️⃣ Proven Quality & Real-World Performance

    • Uses industrial-grade components like u‑blox GPS chips, carbon fiber, and rugged nylon.

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    8️⃣ Educator & Builder-Friendly

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    Feature	Why It Matters
    ✅ DPIIT-recognition	Official credibility and national support
    ✅ India-ready design	Handles dust, heat, and rugged farm terrain
    ✅ Full ecosystem of parts	One-stop for drone assembly & upgrading
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    ✅ Quick support & spares	Minimized downtime in remote locations
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    ✅ High-grade materials	Long-lasting and dependable in tough use
    ✅ User-friendly for all levels	Great for experts, educators, and first-timers

    .

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    At Lofty Agrotech, we believe in empowering innovation through education. As drone technology becomes a cornerstone of engineering, agriculture, and automation studies, we’re committed to supporting students, educators, and institutions with resources that go far beyond commercial transactions.

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    🎓 Designed for Academia & R&D

    We actively collaborate with:

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    🧰 Build Kits for Projects, Labs & Hackathons

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    📩 Contact us today via WhatsApp or email with your institution name, project scope, and component list. We’ll take it from there—professionally and promptly.

    ✅ Your Trusted FPV Partner in India

    At Lofty Agrotech, we’re not just another online drone store—we’re your go-to partner for everything FPV and drone-related. From high-performance gear to educational guidance, we’re here to help you build, fly, learn, and evolve with confidence.

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     Made for the Indian FPV Scene

    We understand the unique challenges Indian drone pilots and builders face:

    • Import restrictions and part availability

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    • Lack of after-sale guidance from foreign retailers

    That’s why we built Lofty Agrotech—to provide a local, reliable, and technically strong alternative that delivers both speed and trust.

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    🧠 One-Stop Drone Knowledge Hub

    We are more than sellers—we are curators, educators, and enthusiasts who live the drone lifestyle.

    • Frequent product launches & detailed guides

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    • 🛡️ We Fly What We Sell

      Every product listed has been tested, reviewed, or recommended by our team. We build our own drones, fly with the same gear, and know what works best for:

      • Freestyle FPV

      • Long-range drones

      • Survey drones for agriculture

      • Academic R&D projects

      🎯 Our credibility comes from hands-on experience, not marketing fluff.

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      ✅ In stock now. Limited quantities available. Ships within 24 hours.

    Explore more in our camera drone collection and find the right aerial companion.

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