GPS-22 
 
 
  GPS Receiver Module 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
User’s  Guide 
FirstGPS V1.0  Jun 28, 2003
Positioning Accuracy: 
 3m CEP (50%) or <5m CEP ((90%)  
Low Power:  
17mA typical -- tracking at 3.3 Volts, full power 
 
 
 
 
 
GPS-22 Operating Manual                   
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 
 
1. Introduction   ………………………………………………………………………….…………   3 
  3 
1.1 Overview  ……………………………………………………………………………………….
1.2 Features ……………………………………………………………………………….……….    3 
1.3 FirstGPS Architecture Highlights ……………………………………………………………   3 
1.4 Application  ……………………………………………………………………………………..   3 
1.3 Technology specifications ………………………………………………………………….…   3 
 
 
  5 
2. Operational Characteristic ………………………………………………………………. 
  5 
2.1 Initialization  …………………………………………………………………………………… 
2.2 Navigation  ……………………………………………………………………………………..    5 
 
 
3. Hardware Interface   …….…………………………………………………………………….   6 
  6 
     3.1 Physical Characters  ………………………………………………………………………… 
  6 
     3.2 Pin Definition  ………………………………………………………………………………… 
 
 
4. Software Interface ……………..…………………………………………………….……….
  8 
4.1 NMEA Transmitted Message  ……………………………………………………….……….    8 
4.2 RTCM Received Data  ………………..…………………………………………………….. 11 
4.3 Syntax Setting ………………………………………………………………………………… 11 
4.4 Default Setting Details  ………………………………………………………………………… 14 
4.5 Application Information  ……………………………………………………………………… 15 
 
 
5. Earth Datums  …………………………………………………………………………………..  16 
5.1 Earth Datums   …………………………………………………………………………………  16 
 
 
6. Ordering Information  ………………………………………………………………………. 16 
6.1 Products Options  ……………………………………………………………………..………  16 
6.2 Accessories  ……………………………………………………………………..…………….. 16 
 
 
7. Warranty  …………………………………………………………………………..…………….. 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                    Specifications subject to change without prior notice 
2
 
GPS-22 Operating Manual                   
1. Introduction 
 
1.1   Overview 
The GPS-22 GPS Receiver is a GPS receiver featuring the revolutionary FirstGPS™  architecture. This 
complete enabled GPS receiver module provides high position and speed accuracy performances as well 
as high sensitivity and tracking capabilities in urban canyon conditions. The solution enables small form 
factor package. The GPS-22 delivers major advancements in GPS performances, accuracy, integration, 
computing power and flexibility. It is designed to simplify the embedded system integration process. 
 
This positioning application meets strict needs such as car navigation, mapping, surveying, agriculture and 
so on. Only clear view of sky and certain power supply are necessary to the unit. GPS-22 communicates 
with other electronic utilities via compatible dual-channel through TTL and saves critical satellite data in 
built–in  memory  backup.   With  low  power  consumption,  the  GPS-22  tracks up  to  8  satellites  at  a  time, 
re-acquires satellite signals in 100 ms and updates position data every second.  
 
1.2   Features 
The GPS-22 provides a host of features that make it easy for integration and use. 
 
1.  Position accuracy in < 3m CEP (50%) or <5m CEP ((90%) without SA (horizontal) 
2.  Ultra low power: 17mA typical -- tracking at 3.3 Volts, full power 
3.  High sensitivity: to -143 dBm tracking, superior urban canyon performances 
4.  Small form factor and low cost solution 
5.  Ready-to-plug solution. Easily integrated into existing systems 
6.  On-board RAM for GPS navigation data 
7.  PPS output (User may have different interval setting from 1 second to 1 minute. 
8.  Differential capability utilizes real-time RTCM corrections producing < 1 meter position accuracy. 
9.  FLASH based program memory: New setting is stored permanently. 
 
1.3  FirstGPS Architecture Highlights 
1.3.1 Industry Leading GPS Performance 
    core 
-  Builds on high performance FirstGPSTM
-  Satellite signal tracking engine to perform GPS acquisition and tracking functions without CPU 
intervention 
-  High sensitivity: to -143 dBm tracking, superior urban canyon performances 
-  Position accuracy: < 3m CEP (50%) without SA (horizontal) 
-  Warm Start is under 42 seconds (90%) 
-  Hot Start is under 10 seconds (90%) 
 
1.3.2 Low Power 
-  Ultra low power integrated circuit design, optimized RF and DSP architectures 
-  Further power saving thanks to 4 different power down mode 
 
1.4  Application 
1.  Car Navigation 
2.  Mapping 
3.  Surveying 
4.  Agriculture 
5.  Palmtop, Laptop, PDA 
6.  Location Based Services enabled devices 
7.  Asset management/tracking 
8.  Handheld receivers 
 
1.5  Technology specifications 
1.5.1 Physical Dimension 
 
1.  Size:  31.59(W) x 26.59(D) x 11.20(H) (mm) 
         1.24”(W) x 1.05”(D) x 0.44”(H) 
2.  Weight:  25 g 
 Remark: FirstGPS™ is the trademark from Trimble
                                                    Specifications subject to change without prior notice 
3
 
GPS-22 Operating Manual                   
ANT 
ANT 
Input voltage: +3.0 ~ 3.65 VDC. 
1.5.2 Environmental Characteristics 
1)  Operating temperature: -40oC to +85oC (internal temperature) 
2)  Storage temperature: -55oC to +100oC 
 
1.5.3 Electrical Characteristics 
1) 
2)  HFL antenna connector: Active or patch (3.0V antenna is recommended). 
 
1.5.4 Functional Block Diagram 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.5.5 Performance 
1)  Tracks up to 8 satellites. 
2)  Update rate: 1 second. 
3)  Acquisition time: 
DOWN -
DOWN -
CONVERTER
CONVERTER
BASEBAND
BASEBAND
PROCESSOR
PROCESSOR
BP 
BP 
FILTER
FILTER
BP 
BP 
FILTER 
FILTER 
MCLKI
MCLKI
SCLK
SCLK
Q LPF
Q LPF
I LPF
I LPF
RF+
RF+
RF -
RF -
RF
RF
GPS
GPS
Active Antenna
Active Antenna
TCXO
TCXO
LNA 
LNA 
I
I
Q
Q
 
Reacquisition 
Hot start 
Warm start 
Cold start 
 
 
 
 
4)  Position accuracy: 
                 0.1 sec. (90%) 
   10   sec. (90%) 
 
   42   sec. (90%) 
 
 
 120   sec. (90%) 
PVT
PVT
BOARD 
BOARD 
INTERFACE
INTERFACE
XE1610  - OEMPVT 
 
APPLICATION 
APPLICATION 
-  
RX 
RX 
TX 
TX 
API 
API 
FirstGPS 
FirstGPS 
SOFTWARE 
SOFTWARE 
RTOS 
RTOS 
Non DGPS (Differential GPS) 
             Position  
Velocity  
Time  
 
     DGPS (Differential GPS) 
<3m CEP (50%) or <5 m CEP (90%) 
0.1    meters/second. 
1       microsecond synchronized GPS time 
Position  
Velocity  
<1 m, typical 
0.05   meters/second, typical 
 
5) Dynamic Conditions:  
  Altitude      
Velocity  
 Acceleration 
Jerk        
    18,000  meters(60,000 feet) max 
         515  meters/second (1000 knots) max 
             4 G, max 
           20  meters/second³, max 
 
1.5.6 Interfaces 
1)  Dual communication channel through TTL, with user selectable baud rate (2400, 4800-Default, 9600, 
19200, 38400, 57600, 115200). 
2)  NMEA 0183 Version 2.1 ASCII output (GGA, GLL, GSV, GSA, RMC, VTG, ZDA). 
3)  Real-time Differential Correction input (RTCM SC-104 message types 1, 2 and 9). 
 
 
                                                    Specifications subject to change without prior notice 
4
 
GPS-22 Operating Manual                   
2. Operational characteristics 
 
2.1 Initialization 
 
As  soon  as  the  initial  self-test  is  complete,  the  GPS-22  begins  the  process  of  satellite  acquisition  and 
tracking  automatically.  Under  normal  circumstances,  it  takes  approximately  120  seconds  to  achieve  a 
position fix, 42 seconds if ephemeris data is known. After a position fix has been calculated, information 
about valid position, velocity and time is transmitted over the output channel. 
The GPS-22 utilizes initial data, such as last stored position, date, time and satellite orbital data, to achieve 
maximum acquisition performance.  If significant inaccuracy exists in the initial data, or the orbital data is 
obsolete, it may take more time to achieve a navigation solution. The FirstGPS™ architecture provides 
superior performance. However, acquisition performance can be improved as the host system initializes the 
GPS-22 in the following situation: 
 
 
1.  Moving further than 1,500 kilometers. 
2.  Failure of Data storage due to the inactive memory power back up. 
 
2.2 Navigation 
 
After  the  acquisition  process  is  complete,  the  GPS-22  sends  valid  navigation  information  over  output 
channels. These data include: 
 
1)  Latitude/longitude/altitude 
2)  Velocity 
3)  Date/time 
4)  Error estimates 
5)  Satellite and receiver status 
 
The  GPS-22  sets  the  default  of  auto-searching  for  real-time  differential  corrections  in  RTCM  SC-104 
standard  format,  with  the  message  types  1,  2,  or  9.  It  accomplishes  the  satellite  data  to  generate  a 
differential (DGPS) solution.  The host system, at its option, may also command the GPS-22 to output a 
position whenever a differential solution is available.  
 
 
                                                    Specifications subject to change without prior notice 
5
 
GPS-22 Operating Manual                   
3. Hardware interface 
 
3.1  Physical Characters 
 
1.  Size:  31.59(W) x 26.59(D) x 11.20(H) (mm) 
         1.24”(W) x 1.05”(D) x 0.44”(H) 
 
2.  Weight:  25 g 
 
3.1.1 Details Drawing 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2 Pin Definition 
 
PIN 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
NAME 
GND 
ON/OFF 
VCC 
USPED 
RXA 
VRTCBK 
TXA 
PPS 
GND 
RESETN 
ALMRDY 
STY1 
TYPE 
 
I 
 
I 
I 
 
O 
O 
 
 
 
I 
 
STY0 
 
OSCSTOPN 
 
 
 
 
DESCRIPTION 
Power and Signal Ground 
ON / Off command line 
3.0 to 3.6 Volts DC Input Power Supply 
9600/4800 Bd UART Speed 
Serial Receive Data, Port A, GPS NMEA Data 
Back-up supply for the RTC 
Serial Transmit Data, Port A, GPS NMEA Data 
One Pulse Per Second timing output 
Power and Signal Ground 
Manual Reset, Active low 
1(high): almanac valid; 0 (low): almanac not valid 
Blinking  function,  when  position  fix,  output  “low”.  When 
tracking, output the interval signal “high/low”. 
N.C. 
For customer specific version 
N.C. 
Stand-by active “low” 
13 
14 
15 
16 
 
 
1)  All I/Os on the Data Interface are related to VCC (3 to 3.6 Volts) and GND levels. 
                                                    Specifications subject to change without prior notice 
6
GPS-22 Operating Manual                   
2)  ON/OFF: control the GPS engine “ON” or “OFF”. If this pin is pulled “HIGH” whenever a reset  
condition occurs or if it is turned “HIGH” during operating, the GPS engine is turned “ON”. If this pin is 
pulled “LOW” whenever a reset condition occurs, the GPS engine is not started. If this pin is turned 
“LOW” when in operating, the GPS engine is turned “OFF”. When ON/OFF is “LOW”, the on/off state can 
be superseded with the PXEMaRT manufacturer specific NMEA sentence on RXA, as defined below. 
 
3)  RXA and TXA: The Serial NMEA data port (RXA and TXA) is an asynchronous serial port (UART). 
 
4)  USPED: USPED “HIGH”: 9600 Baud rate, 8 bit data, no parity check, 1 stop bit and no flow control. 
USPED “LOW”: 4800 Baud rate, 8 bit data, no parity check, 1 stop bit and no flow control . 
This setting can be modified with the PXEMaPT manufacturer specific NMEA sentence defined later. 
 
5)  PPS: This is Pulse Per Second highly accurate timing signal generated by the on-board GPS base  
band processor at 83ms duration. After a reset condition, the default setting for this port is inactive. This 
setting can be modified with the PXEMaPS manufacturer specific NMEA sentence defined below. 
 
6)  RESETN: The receiver has 2 reset conditions: first, on power-on, thanks to an on-board Power On Reset  
circuitry; and second an external reset when the RESETN pin is “LOW”. 
 
7)  VCC: Main power supply.  
 
8)  VRTCBK: This is the back-up supply for the on-board real time clock.  
 
9)  ALMRDY: When in active mode, this indicates the on-board almanac status. Upon start up and 
whenever the almanac data are tested invalid or not up-to-date, the output level is “low”. If tested valid or 
up-to-date, the output level is “high” 
 
10)  STANDBYIN: This input sets the receiver in stand-by mode when its level is “low”. Otherwise, the 
receiver is either in active or power save mode. See below under operating modes for details. 
 
3.3 Operating Modes 
 
Mode 
Description 
VCC pin  On\Off Pin Standby 
Receiver is running, doing 
acquisition, tracking, position fixes 
GPS receiver functions are turned 
OFF, MCU in idle mode, MCU clock 
is running, RTC is running 
GPS receiver functions are turned 
OFF, MCU clock is stopped, RTC is 
running on the Back-up supply 
GPS receiver functions are turned 
OFF, MCU clock is stopped, RTC is 
running on the Back-up supply 
Powered  High 
Powered 
No power
Low (or thru
NMEA 
command) 
low 
No power
low 
 pin 
High 
High 
low 
low 
Active 
Mode 
Power 
Save 
Mode 
Stand-
by 
Mode 
Power 
Down 
Mode 
Current 
 cons. Type.
17mA 
2.2mA 
300gA 
1gA 
                                                    Specifications subject to change without prior notice 
7
 
 
 
GPS-22 Operating Manual                   
4. Software Interface 
 
The GPS-22 interface protocol is based on the National Marine Electronics Association's NMEA 0183 ASC
Ⅱinterface specification, which is defined in NMEA 0183, Version 2.1 and the Radio Technical Commission 
for Maritime Services (RTCM Recommended Standards For Differential Navstar GPS Service, Version 2.1, 
RTCM Special Committee No.104).  
 
4.1 NMEA Transmitted Messages 
 
The GPS-22 outputs data in NMEA-0183 format as defined by the National Marine Electronics Association 
(NMEA), Standard. 
 
The default communication parameters for NMEA output are 9600/4800 baud, 8 data bits, stop bit, and no 
parity. 
 
Table 4-1 NMEA-0183 Output Messages 
NMEA Record  Description 
GPGGA 
GPGLL 
GPGSA 
GPGSV 
GPRMC 
GPVTG 
GPZDA 
Global positioning system fixed data 
Geographic position- latitude/longitude 
GNSS DOP and active satellites 
GNSS satellites in view 
Recommended minimum specific GNSS data 
Course over ground and ground speed 
Date & Time 
 
 
4.1.1  Global Positioning System Fix Data (GGA) 
 
$GPGGA,161229.487,3723.2475,N,12158.3416,W,1,07,1.0,9.0,M, , , ,0000*18 
     Table 4-2 GGA Data Format 
Name 
Message ID  
UTC Time 
Latitude 
N/S Indicator 
Longitude 
E/W Indicator 
Position Fix Indicator 
Satellites Used  
HDOP 
MSL Altitude  
Units 
Geoid Separation 
Units 
Age of Diff. Corr.  
Diff. Ref. Station ID 
Checksum 
  
Example 
$GPGGA
161229.487
3723.2475
12158.3416
N 
W 
1 
07 
1.0 
9.0 
M 
 
M 
 
0000 
*18 
 
 
         Table 4-3 Position Fix Indicator 
Units 
Description 
GGA protocol header 
Hhmmss.sss 
Ddmm.mmmm 
N=north or S=south 
dddmm.mmmm 
E=east or W=west 
See Table 5-3 
Range 0 to 12 
Horizontal Dilution of Precision 
 
 
 
 
Meters 
Meters 
Meters 
Meters 
second  Null fields when DGPS is not used 
 
 
End of message termination 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Value 
0 
1 
2 
3 
0 Fix not available or invalid 
GPS SPS Mode, fix valid 
Differential GPS, SPS Mode, fix valid 
GPS PPS Mode, fix valid 
Description 
 
4.1.2 Geographic Position with Latitude/Longitude (GLL) 
 
Table 4-4 contains the values for the following example: 
                                                    Specifications subject to change without prior notice 
8