Description

🌍 Raspberry Pi GPS Module – L80‑39 USB GPS Module with PPS

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module featuring the L80‑39 chipset and USB‑CP2102 bridge is ideal for makers, hobbyists, and professionals seeking a reliable GPS solution. This module offers plug‑and‑play USB connectivity, high‑accuracy tracking, and precise time synchronization—all wrapped in a compact, weather-ready design.

---

🔧Core Features of the Raspberry Pi GPS Module

📡 High‑Performance L80‑39 GPS Chipset

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module leverages the Quectel L80‑39 GPS chipset, a powerful GNSS receiver that significantly enhances satellite tracking and positioning. Here’s what sets it apart:

---

🔍 66 Acquisition Channels & 22 Tracking Channels

• What it means:

  • Acquisition channels are used to search for satellites. With 66 available, the L80‑39 can scan a wide range of satellites quickly.

  • Tracking channels (22 in number) continuously receive signals from satellites that have already been located.

• Benefits:

  • Fast lock-on times: even in challenging locations (e.g., under trees or near buildings), the module locks onto signals swiftly—typically in seconds leeselectronic.com+12es.co.th+12iduino.co.in+12dragino.com+7loftyagrotech.com+7electromaker.io+7leeselectronic.com+2pollin.de+2loftyagrotech.com+2leeselectronic.com+4download.mikroe.com+4elecomes.com+4.

  • Robust signal reliability: simultaneous tracking of multiple satellites enhances positional accuracy and reduces dropouts .

---

⏱️ Improved Time-to-First-Fix (TTFF)

• Thanks to the chipset’s high channel count, combined with EASY™ AGPS, it achieves a cold start TTFF in under 15 seconds even with weak signals media.digikey.com+7top-electronics.com+7dfrobot.com+7.

• In contrast, modules with fewer channels can take 30–35 seconds or more for their first satellite lock es.co.th+1dragino.com+1.

---

🛰️ Superior Sensitivity

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Capture sensitivity: -148 dBm – excellent for detecting weak satellite signals.

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Tracking sensitivity: -165 dBm – ensures consistent signal lock and performance es.co.th+10top-electronics.com+10dfrobot.com+10.

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Real-world impact: Enables the module to perform reliably in signal-challenged environments (e.g., indoors, urban valleys), supporting both acquisition and tracking.

---

🔄 Advanced AGPS & Antenna Switching

• EASY™ AGPS support uses ephemeris data to speed up satellite acquisition without needing external memory twen.rs-online.com+10top-electronics.com+10dfrobot.com+10.

• Automatic antenna switching between the internal patch antenna and an external active one—ensuring connectivity without interruption leeselectronic.com+7top-electronics.com+7elecomes.com+7.

---

✅ Why This Matters to You

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Faster positioning: Ideal for mobile, wearable, mapping, and drone applications that require quick location updates.

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Resilient tracking: Maintains signal lock even in tough environments, ensuring consistent performance.

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Plug-and-play convenience: Easily integrates with Raspberry Pi setups, providing advanced GPS capabilities without hardware complications.

🔄 USB + TTL Support with CP2102 Bridge

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module includes an integrated CP2102 USB‑to‑UART converter, enabling seamless connectivity via USB or GPIO, ensuring reliable and flexible communication.

---

📌What is the CP2102?

The CP2102 is a full-featured, USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps) compliant bridge controller that converts USB signals to TTL-level UART, housed in a compact 5 × 5 mm chip with minimal external components needed instructables.com+10cdn.sparkfun.com+10modulshop.hu+10cdn.sparkfun.com+3silabs.com+3utmel.com+3.

Key benefits include:

• Integrated USB transceiver and clock—no extra external parts required mouser.com+3silabs.com+3cdn.sparkfun.com+3.

• On-chip voltage regulator (3.3 V)—ideal for powering low-voltage devices silabs.com+1cdn.sparkfun.com+1.

• Virtual COM port drivers are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing the module to appear as a standard serial port botland.store+15silabs.com+15mouser.com+15.

---

📡Stable High-Speed Communication

The CP2102 bridge ensures reliable, baud rates from 300 bps up to 1 Mbps, with robust 576-byte receive and 640-byte transmit buffers, reducing data loss during high‑speed transfers forums.raspberrypi.com+10silabs.com+10mouser.com+10.

---

🌐Plug-and-Play USB Setup

With the CP2102 onboard, the Raspberry Pi GPS Module offers true plug-and-play USB use:

1. Just connect via USB—no soldering or jumper wires needed.

2. Your computer detects the module as a virtual COM port.

3. Launch any terminal or GPS software—you’re drilling down into real-time NMEA data instantly.

This simplifies deployment on any Raspberry Pi model (A, B, Zero, 2, 3, 4, or 5).

---

🔌Optional Direct UART / GPIO Usage

Prefer to connect directly to GPIO?

• The module provides traditional UART pins (TX, RX) compatible with 3.3 V logic.

• Ideal for advanced users who want to bypass USB and directly interface with Raspberry Pi’s GPIO serial pins.

The CP2102 supports RS‑232-level control signals (RTS/CTS/DTR) as well components101.com+1mouser.com+1mouser.com+4silabs.com+4modulshop.hu+4.

---

🎯 Why It Matters for Raspberry Pi Users

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Saves time & soldering: USB port connection means immediate use.

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Cross-platform compatibility: Windows, Linux, macOS—drivers are available out of the box mouser.com+9store.roboticsbd.com+9hotmcu.com+9.

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-High-speed transfer: Ideal for real-time GPS data logging and navigation.

• Program up to 1 Mbps baud rate, handling fast-paced GPS traffic with ease.

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module-Dual connection flexibility: Use USB for convenience or GPIO for embedded integration.

---

✅ The built-in CP2102 USB-to-UART bridge enhances the Raspberry Pi GPS Module, offering:

• Reliable virtual COM connectivity

• High-speed and buffered data transfer

• Plug-and-play setup via USB, and optional GPIO access

• Compatibility across major platforms with standard serial drivers login.pcbpower.com+14silabs.com+14cdn.sparkfun.com+14

This versatile interface supports both USB convenience and direct embedded connectivity, making it perfect for hobbyist and professional Raspberry Pi projects alike.

---

🕒Precision Timing with PPS & AGPS

⏱️ PPS (Pulse‑Per‑Second) Output

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module is equipped with a PPS (Pulse‑Per‑Second) output, delivering a precise timing pulse every second, making it indispensable for high-accuracy time synchronization applications.

---

📡What is PPS?

A Pulse‑Per‑Second (PPS) signal is a sharply-defined electrical pulse with sub-microsecond precision that repeats exactly once per second—commonly used to synchronize clocks in computing systems and precision instruments github.com+3leeselectronic.com+3reddit.com+3reddit.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12gpsd.gitlab.io+12.

---

⚙️PPS & NTP/Chrony Synchronization

• The PPS output on this Raspberry Pi GPS Module feeds directly into the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO or serial port, providing an ultra-precise timing signal.

• When combined with NTP/Chrony and a GPS daemon (e.g., gpsd), this module can elevate your Raspberry Pi into a Stratum-1 NTP server, achieving microsecond-level accuracy en.wikipedia.org+7austinsnerdythings.com+7blog.networkprofile.org+7.

• Guides such as “Microsecond accurate NTP with a Raspberry Pi and PPS GPS” demonstrate how users achieved microsecond synchronization using a similar setup youtube.com+3austinsnerdythings.com+3blog.networkprofile.org+3.

---

🛠️Why PPS Matters for Precision

---

📌Example Use Case

Austin’s guide on “Microsecond accurate NTP with a Raspberry Pi GPS Module” illustrates a practical setup:

1. Connect the GPS module’s PPS line to a GPIO pin.

2. Configure gpsd and chrony to use the PPS input.

3. Within minutes, systems synced to the Pi achieved microsecond-level timing github.com+12austinsnerdythings.com+12austinsnerdythings.com+12.

⚡ EASY™ AGPS Assistance

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module employs EASY™ AGPS (Embedded Assist System)—a sophisticated technique that drastically speeds up satellite lock times without needing external memory or data connections.

---

🚀What is EASY™ AGPS?

EASY™ is Qualcomm’s lightweight Assisted GPS (AGPS) solution embedded within the Quectel L80‑39 module. Unlike traditional AGPS that requires network connectivity to download ephemeris and almanac from satellites, EASY™ stores up to three days of assistance data (GPS time, orbital elements, last known position) directly in the module’s internal memory gps-pie.com+3download.mikroe.com+3wiki.52pi.com+3wiki.52pi.com.

---

⚛️How EASY™ Accelerates Time-to-First-Fix (TTFF)

• Cold Start (no prior data, up to 15 s)
  With no recent fix, EASY™ loads its stored data to skip lengthy satellite searches, achieving a TTFF of under 15 seconds even at low signal strength (−130 dBm) es.co.th+2docs.rs-online.com+2wiki.52pi.com+2gps-pie.com+2download.mikroe.com+2docs.rs-online.com+2.

• Warm Start (recently powered, ~5 s)
  If the module retains valid data and RTC (real-time clock) info, it typically achieves satellite lock in 5 seconds download.mikroe.com.

• Hot Start (<1 s)
  After minimal downtime (<3 hours), EASY™ enables lightning-fast re-acquisition in under 1 second docs.rs-online.com+7download.mikroe.com+7gps-pie.com+7wiki.52pi.com.

In contrast, modules without EASY™ may take ~35 s, 30 s, and 1 s for cold, warm, and hot starts respectively docs.rs-online.com+3download.mikroe.com+3gps-pie.com+3.

---

🔧Technical Details Behind EASY™

1. Embedded Flash Storage
   The module stores up to three days of ephemeris and almanac internally, reducing dependency on live downloads .

2. AGPS Cache Updating
   While tracking, EASY™ continually refreshes its cache with new satellite data, enhancing future cold/warm starts forum.arduino.cc+5download.mikroe.com+5wiki.52pi.com+5.

3. Integrated RTC Support
   A low-power backup domain maintains time data between power cycles, enabling fast warm/hot starts forum.arduino.cc.

---

⚡Why it Matters for Your Project

• Efficient cold starts make it ideal for mobile and intermittent-use scenarios like field measurements or wildlife tracking.

• No supplementary hardware—AGPS is built-in, so there’s no need for SIM cards, external memories, or internet access.

• Reliable indoors/outdoors performance—EASY™ maintains fast fixes even in low-signal areas by leveraging persisted orbital predictions.

---

🛠️User Experience Example

In practical applications, users report:

• A sub-15 s satellite lock even after full power loss,

• 5 s reacquisition after short device sleep,

• Nearly instantaneous (<1 s) fixes when frequently cycling the GPS.

This makes the module highly dependable for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and embedded-system projects where startup speed and minimal wait times are crucial.

---

🌡️Technical Specifications at a Glance

---

🛠️Why Choose This Raspberry Pi GPS Module?

🌐 Plug-and-Play USB Convenience

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module incorporates a built-in CP2102 USB-to‑UART bridge to deliver a seamless and hassle-free experience—no soldering, no wiring, just plug it in and go.

---

🔌Seamless USB Integration with CP2102

Silicon Labs’ CP2102 chip is a highly integrated USB 2.0 full-speed bridge that converts USB signals into reliable TTL-level UART, using only minimal external components cdn.sparkfun.com+9silabs.com+9community.silabs.com+9. It appears to your system as a standard virtual COM port, enabling immediate compatibility with Raspberry Pi GPS Module, Windows, macOS, and Linux—without any manual driver installation required .

---

📈High-Speed, Buffered Data Transmission

With support for baud rates from 300 bps up to 1 Mbps, the CP2102 ensures high-speed GPS data transfer. It also features 576-byte receive and 640-byte transmit buffers, helping prevent data loss during peak data transmission evelta.com. This buffering is essential for consistent NMEA stream handling in GPS applications.

---

🖥️True Plug-and-Play Experience

1. Plug the GPS module into any USB port—on Raspberry Pi GPS Module (all models), laptops, or desktops.

2. The system instantly detects it as a COM or /dev/tty port, typically /dev/ttyACM0 or /dev/ttyUSB0 on Linux gpswebshop.com+1raspberrypi.stackexchange.com+1forums.raspberrypi.comraspberrypi.stackexchange.com.

3. Run standard GPS software like gpsd, cgps, or mapping tools directly—no additional setup needed.

This plug-and-play feature makes the Raspberry Pi GPS Module accessible even to beginners.

---

📟Dual USB and UART Connection Options

Prefer a direct GPIO connection?

• Raspberry Pi GPS Module TTL UART TX and RX pins, so you can connect directly to any Raspberry Pi GPIO serial interface.

• Meanwhile, the CP2102 handles RTS/CTS hardware handshake when needed and includes an on-chip 3.3 V regulator—simplifying voltage compatibility and circuit design area-51.blog+1raspberrypi.stackexchange.com+1ariat-tech.com+5silabs.com+5ic-components.com+5.

---

🌐Cross-Platform Support and Ease

• Drivers are included or already present in Windows, macOS, and Linux, thanks to Silicon Labs’ VCP implementation cdn.sparkfun.com.

• After plugging in, you can start location tracking or deploy GPS-powered applications instantaneously—ideal for developers, students, and hobbyists.

---

By integrating a CP2102 USB-to-UART bridge, the Raspberry Pi GPS Module delivers effortless installation, robust data handling, and flexible connection options—ideal for both seasoned builders and newcomers.

---

⚡ Rapid and Accurate Positioning

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module delivers exceptional positioning performance thanks to its high-quality L80‑39 chipset with 66 acquisition and 22 tracking channels, combined with built-in EASY™ AGPS support. Here’s a technical deep dive:

---

📶 66 Acquisition + 22 Tracking Channels

• What it does:

  • The 66 acquisition channels enable simultaneous scanning of multiple satellite signals, while the 22 tracking channels maintain a steady lock on specific satellites.

• Why it matters:

  • With more satellite data processed at once, the module achieves faster satellite fix times and better position stability—especially useful in obstructed environments.

  • As stated by DFRobot, this design “improves its satellite connection speed” and ensures consistent tracking from multiple satellites loftyagrotech.comraspberrypi.stackexchange.com+6dfrobot.com+6loftyagrotech.com+6soselectronic.com.

---

⏱️ EASY™ AGPS for Lightning-Fast Cold Start

• EASY™ AGPS stores ephemeris and almanac data internally—no need for external memory or data connection.

• According to DFRobot, using EASY™, cold start time is reduced to under 15 seconds, compared to over 35 seconds without AGPS, even at -130 dBm signal strength dfrobot.com.

---

🌐 Sustained Accuracy for Real-World Performance

• Ideal for navigation, mapping, and mobile IoT projects, the combo of 66/22-channel tracking and AGPS ensures both speed and consistency.

• Once satellites are acquired, the tracking system provides uninterrupted, accurate positioning crucial for moving platforms or drone applications.

---

✅ Technical Advantages Summary

---

🧩 Why It Matters for You

• For navigation and mapping, quick and accurate location fixes mean more responsive and reliable applications.

• For mobile IoT, this module offers dependable positioning even in obstructed signal environments like cities or forests.

• A powerful combination that delivers on both speed of fix and ongoing precision, making the Raspberry Pi GPS Module ideal for advanced and mission-critical use cases.

🎯 Accurate Time Sync with PPS

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module features a dedicated PPS (Pulse‑Per‑Second) output, designed to deliver ultra‑precise one‑pulse‑per‑second timing—crucial for applications requiring tight synchronization, such as building Stratum‑1 NTP servers or precision timekeeping systems.

---

⏱️ High-Precision PPS Signal

The PPS line produces an electrical pulse precisely aligned with the top of each second. This signal boasts sub‑microsecond to nanosecond-level accuracy, as modern GNSS receivers output timing pulses with remarkable temporal fidelity raspberrypi.stackexchange.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15austinsnerdythings.com+15.

---

🕒Enabling Stratum‑1 NTP Time Servers

When used with software like NTP or Chrony, the PPS signal transforms a Raspberry Pi GPS Module into a Stratum‑1 time server. This setup directly references atomic clocks aboard GPS satellites, offering time accuracy well within microseconds github.com+3blog.networkprofile.org+3blog.thelifeofkenneth.com+3.

• NetworkProfile.org documents an NTP server achieving 100 ns accuracy, even operating offline blog.networkprofile.org.

• Austin’s Nerdy Things guide outlines achieving 1 µs precision, ideal for homes or labs kloppenborg.net+15austinsnerdythings.com+15austinsnerdythings.com+15.

---

⚙️Real‑World Implementation Details

1. Hardware Connection: Connect the module’s PPS pin to a Raspberry Pi GPIO input (commonly GPIO18).

2. Software Setup: Install and configure gpsd alongside Chrony or NTPd:

   • Ensure PPS is enabled in config files.

   • The daemon uses the PPS pulse to discipline the system clock.

3. Precision Achieved:

   • Microsecond accuracy is routine; sub-microsecond sync is attainable after proper calibration ntpsec.org+2raspberrypi.stackexchange.com+2blog.thelifeofkenneth.com+2danielhankewycz.com+3blog.networkprofile.org+3reddit.com+3github.comaustinsnerdythings.com+1austinsnerdythings.com+1.

   • Some setups even demonstrate nanosecond-level reliability on later-generation Pi boards jpaul.me.

---

🧠Community and Project Evidence

• Raspberry Pi Forums detail successful Stratum‑1 configurations using GPS PPS signals danielhankewycz.com+15forums.raspberrypi.com+15austinsnerdythings.com+15.

• GitHub and Reddit communities highlight Chrony’s superior sync speed and reliability over standard NTP austinsnerdythings.com+9reddit.com+9blog.networkprofile.org+9.

• A standalone PPS‑Client daemon on Raspberry Pi achieves <2 µs average system clock alignment, demonstrating consistent sub-microsecond performance github.com.

---

🌐Why This is Vital for High‑Precision Timekeeping

---

🔍Technical Precision Summary

• Pulse Fidelity: PPS signals align within nanoseconds of true UTC, far outperforming NMEA messages danielhankewycz.com+11en.wikipedia.org+11austinsnerdythings.com+11.

• System Integration: Works seamlessly with Raspberry Pi, using GPIO inputs and standard daemons.

• Time Accuracy: Achievable synchronization precision of 1 µs or better, with some setups reliably hitting sub‑µs sync github.com+7reddit.com+7reddit.com+7austinsnerdythings.com+1github.com+1.

---

The dedicated PPS output on the Raspberry Pi GPS Module is fundamental for creating highly accurate, stand-alone Stratum‑1 NTP servers, ensuring system clocks stay synchronized to GPS atomic time with exceptional precision—even without internet access.

🚀 Flexible Antenna Options

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module (L80‑39) offers both an integrated patch antenna for reliable outdoor use and a SMA connector for external active antennas, enabling versatile placement and consistent signal reception across diverse environments.

---

🌞Integrated Patch Antenna for Outdoor Use

• The L80‑39 GPS chipset includes a built-in patch antenna measuring 15 mm × 15 mm × 4 mm, paired with an LNA (low-noise amplifier) to ensure high sensitivity (~–165 dBm tracking) and magnetude spot-on signal acquisition outdoors dfrobot.com+15top-electronics.com+15media.digikey.com+15.

• Professionally engineered with circular polarization to optimize reception and reject multipath interference.

• Ideal for hobbyists and field deployments: stick it on your Pi case or outdoor device and get solid signal reception without extra setup.

---

🏠External Active Antenna with SMA Connector

• For indoor usage—like inside metal enclosures, vehicles, or shielded environments—the module supports external active antennas via a standard SMA connector, offering improved receptiondfrobot.com.

• Automatic antenna switching via an SPDT switch seamlessly selects between internal and external antennas without impacting tracking continuityforums.raspberrypi.com+4top-electronics.com+4at-com.com+4.

• The module detects external antenna presence and power-drives it (via EX_ANT pin), providing short-circuit protection and fault detection reported via NMEA messagesdownload.mikroe.com.

---

🔄Continuous Signal, No Interruptions

• The module maintains uninterrupted satellite tracking during antenna transitions—whether plugging in or unplugging the external antenna—ensuring smooth and reliable signal maintenance.

• Users don’t need to reinitialize or reboot; signal continuity is automatic and immediate, thanks to the L80‑39 chipset’s antenna detection and switching logic.

---

🔍Why This Matters

---

⚙️Developer-Friendly Integration

• No code modification needed: automatic switching and antenna status reporting via NMEA sentences (use $PGTOP or similar)top-electronics.com+5sa.rsdelivers.com+5dfrobot.com+5at-com.com+3dfrobot.com+3m.alibaba.com+3sa.rsdelivers.com+9learn.adafruit.com+9arduitronics.com+9.

• Built-in LNA and SPDT-based switch minimize external component integration.

• Short-circuit and open-circuit antenna detection offer robust protection and diagnostics for industrial/fleet systems.

---

📦What’s in the Box?

• 1 × Raspberry Pi GPS Module with L80‑39 chipset and USB‑CP2102 connector

• 1 × Micro‑USB data cable

• 10 × Dupont jumper wires (1 × 8-pin header)

---

🔗Ideal Use Cases

• GPS location tracking on Raspberry Pi (all major models)

• Time synchronization for NTP servers, loggers, or automation

• DIY navigation, geocaching, or mapping systems

• Sensor fusion and robotics with GPS/IMU use

• Educational projects focused on location and timing

---

✅ Summary

The Raspberry Pi GPS Module offers solid USB compatibility, fast signal acquisition, precise timing via PPS, and flexible antenna setups. It’s a reliable, easy-to-use GPS solution for Pi-based projects that require accuracy and ease of installation.