uBlox NEO-6Q / uBlox MAX-6Q

The uBLOX NEO-6Q/MAX-6Q are the sucessor to the uBLOX 5 module used in the Falcom FSA-03. They are 50 channel GPS in a 16 x 12.2 x 2.4mm (NEO) 9.7 x 10.1 x 2.4mm (MAX) package. They are rated up to 50,000 meters altitude in flight mode. They are an inexpensive module with good performance. The chip is shielded though normal precautions with regards to ESD should be observed. Data sheet is available here.

WARNING : uBLOX 6 Chips are rated at 3.3v so you can't just plug this into an Arduino board or a PC serial connection as these run at 5V. You can purchase a level convertor from Sparkfun http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8745 or use the breakout with the integral level convertor (see below).

The MAX-6 Chip and Sarantel antenna can be purchased from HAB Supplies.

Unlike the Falcom FSA03 these units are just supplied as a standalone surface mount chip without an antenna. To use it you will need to use a breakout board/design your own board.

There are Eagle breakout boards designed by Upu with assistance from Darkside available on Github :

NEO-6 :
https://github.com/Upuaut/Eagle-Libraries/tree/master/uBLOX%20NEO-6Q%20Breakout files :
uBlox_NEO-6Q_Breakout.brd - Board with Sarantel Antenna
uBlox_NEO-6Q_Breakout.sch

The board is designed to be use with the passive Sarantel quadrifilar helix antenna (Sarantel SR-1202). The chip does support active antennas but does not supply power to them.

MAX-6 :
https://github.com/Upuaut/Eagle-Libraries/tree/master/MAX6%20Breakout files :
max6_breakout.brd - Board with Sarantel Antenna
max6_breakout.sch
max6_breakout_1575AT43A40.brd - Board with Ceramic Chip Antenna
max6_breakout_1575AT43A40.sch
max6_breakout_lc.brd - As above but with 5v t0 3.3v Level Convertor on board.
max6_breakout_lc.sch

NOTE : These libaries are in Eagle 6.1 Format so won't work with Eagle 5.X.

HAB Supplies has these breakout boards for sale as is, or fully populated ready to go.

If you want to integrate the units into your own design both modules and antennas are in Ava.lbr.

All commands the same as the uBLOX5 documented by Jcoxon here : Falcom FSA03

uBLOX NEO-6 :

uBLOX MAX-6 :