Getting GPS fix with nRF9160-DK and Thingy:91

Question

Hello guys. Here with me I have both nRF9160-DK, hardware version 0.8.3 and Thingy:91 boards. I am on the nRF Connect SDK tag 1.2.0 and have nrf9160 SiP modem firmware updated to 1.1.1 version. When trying only gps example that I found under samples/nrf9160/gps I was unable to get any GPS fix even when using external antenna ( TW4020 from Talysman): Scanning [-] [1;1H[2JTracking: 0 Using: 0 Unhealthy: 0
Seconds since last fix 1742

Scanning [\] [1;1H[2JTracking: 0 Using: 0 Unhealthy: 0
Seconds since last fix 1743 I know there is some issue with the iBasis SIM roaming cards and local carriers (I am located in France, by the way) that does not allow entering PSM mode. Is this issue occuring in GPS-only example as well? To the best of my understanding, LTE is not active in GPS example. I don't see any switch on 0.8.3 version of nRF9160-DK board for a selection between on-board/external GPS antenna, am I missing it? Do I need to do something more in addition to connecting external GPS antenna to appropriate connector? I even tried with some Orange SIM card thinking it is a local card but this card is, to the best of my understanding, registered as a roaming card under other carrier (Bouygues): 
 Where would be the right place to ask for appropriate SIM cards? Finally, I was happy to watch your webinar about SDK v1.2 and new exciting GPS solutions (SUPL, A-GPS...). Would that things make our GPS connection easier or we would still need to resolve the issues with local carriers (entering PSM mode...)? Thanks for your time and efforts. Sincerely, Bojan.

bojan · Accepted Answer

Hello, Karl Ylvisaker . 
 We are prototyping with Thingy:91. 
 I tried with Thingy:91 on-board antenna and GNSS/GPS mode and was able to get the fix in about 110 seconds by putting the Thingy outside my window. The accuracy of the location is quite satisfying. With external antennas, SUPL, A-GPS and the things you announced in your latest webinar about SDK v1.2 , I guess this will be a success story! 
 This about external active antenna and Thingy:91 is quite important information. You are obviously internally aware of that weakness but there is no will from your side to spread that info to the community in a clear way. By reading your posts (e.g. this one ), I first though all I need is adapter cable and external antenna. Then, in the meantime, after hours of error and trial, I realized I need a Bias tee as well because the antenna is active. I ordered the Bias tee and now it seems that there is some issue with Thingy:91 and active external GPS antennas. Quite frustrating! 
 We started with our product development almost two months ago and at that point I convinced the team to go with Nordic solution based on my prior Nordic experiences (mainly around nRF52 BLE modules). During the past 2 months, we spent 90% of the time in setting up the environment and we still feel the pain! There is a nRF52840 module on the Thingy board but it mainly serves as nRF9160 controller and debugger. It is quite difficult to keep that debugging feature inside nRF52840 and add some BLE services on the top of that. I still desperately wait for your feedback on that topic (this thread ). 
 
 nRF9160-DK boards with some hardware faults (0.8.3 and older) are still on the market. I contacted Mouser, as you suggested, to find out why did they send me the old version and they simply said they are selling from their stocks in a FIFO manner. It is not their fault, they are just selling what you provided them. 
 I start feeling bad and guilty because I convinced people to go that way. Let me be clear here, I don't have any doubt you are working hard in the background to provide us a high quality development environment. Neither I have doubt your products are great (even the best on the market)! But my managers are not technical people, they just see we are eating time and budget at the moment. 
 More useful examples, more stable development environment with easy debugging possibilities, more responsive technical support, spreading the info in a clear way... all that is needed if you want to keep your image on the market! 
 Until the day I begin feeling proud and managers start tapping my shoulders on the corridors, I am sending you my best regards! Let's all grow together! 
 Cheers! 
 Bojan.

Getting GPS fix with nRF9160-DK and Thingy:91

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