Enabling GPS external antenna on thingy91

[engineerN]

Hi,

I am using Thingy91 v1.6.0.

SDK : v2.2.0

I want to use an external antenna for GPS. The antenna I am using is: robu.in/.../

I connected the external antenna to the UFL connector labelled GPS on thingy91 board.

In the sample gnss, I modified below configuration:

"CONFIG_MODEM_ANTENNA=y

CONFIG_MODEM_ANTENNA_GNSS_ONBOARD=n

CONFIG_MODEM_ANTENNA_GNSS_EXTERNAL=y

CONFIG_MODEM_ANTENNA_AT_COEX0="AT%XCOEX0"

"

Now, when I build the code and flash to thingy91, I am not able to see any improvement in GPS receiving.

So, are above configurations correct or am I missing something?

How should I confirm if the antenna was switched to external sucessfully ?

Regards,

engineerN

[Simonr]

Hi again

In what environment exactly are you testing with the Thingy:91 and external antenna? If you're sitting inside a building it is likely to not work no matter what antenna you're using. I'd recommend going outside where you're somewhat out in the open to make sure you're able to connect to the network at all. 

Do you have some details on what exactly is "not working" with these configs?

Best regards,

Simon

[pax93]

Thanks Simonr  My colleague will share more in details soon.

Meanwhile, can you help us understand how to figure out if external antenna is being used or not after making config change? Is there an indication on board or any way to know if it's using internal or external antenna?

[engineerN]

Hi Simon,

I am testing it both internally and externally under open sky.
What I am assuming is with an external antenna the coverage area for GPS should increase a bit or the time should decrease to track the satellites and get a GPS fix. 
Is this understanding correct?