MC8705 GPS mikrotik

IoT Modules MC/EM Series
1

Hi

I emailed through to my distributor, he contacted his supplier - who referred me to sierra wireless - who referred me to this forum. :slight_smile:

I have a mikrotik RB411 with a MC8705 card installed. My GPRS system is functioning correctly but I require some assistance with the unit to enable the GPS system.

I have purchased a GPS antenna which I will be connecting to the AUX port on the unit (I believe that is the correct connector). I am trying to find out what AT commands I can send to the unit to query the GPS system. Alternatively if anyone has had any experience with mikrotiks and the GPS unit, would they kindly share their configuration settings.

I need to run the GRPS / 3G system at the same time as the GPS unit.

Kind regards

Paul

2

Hi Paul,

Please try to get Extended AT Command Guide for MC8705 from your contacts for details.

For time being, please try “AT!GPSTRACK=1,255,100,1000,1” to initial the GPS.
The NMEA frame should comes and you can check the GPS location (if available) using AT cmd: “AT!GPSLOC?”

Thx.
L

3

Hi L

Thanks for replying so soon to my email. I tried the “AT!GPSTRACK=1,255,100,1000,1” and got an OK feedback from the unit. I also tried the LOC command but since I am still waiting for a proper antenna we only received a failed status.

[i]AT!GPSSTATUS?
Current time: 1980 01 12 5 04:12:11

1980 01 12 5 00:54:56 Last Fix Status = FAIL, FAILCODE = 9
1980 01 11 4 23:44:30 Fix Session Status = ACTIVE

No TTFF available

OK[/i]

As soon as I receive my anttena I will give you more feedback on my tests. I did apply for the AT Command Guide and we are waiting for the supplier to give us information.

One thing I did notice is that when you reboot the router, the GPS remains active. Is this correct, should it only shut-down with an “AT!GPSEND=0” meaning it will persist through hardware reboots, power on/off cycles? Alternatively I can add the command initialization string into the modem initialise string - if that sounds correct.

Kind regards

Paul

4

Further to my fiddling on the unit.

I managed to get a list of AT commands for the units but at the same time I can get the GSM modem into a confused state. What happens is that the unit seems to think (I believe) that a Session is still running.

I’ve tried to use the “!GPSCOLDSTART” and “GPSCLRASSIST” but they have not helped me in solving the issue. If I do a reboot of my Mikrotik, then restart the serial terminal, I still have the modem in an error state. However, if I power off the unit, wait a few seconds, then power it back on, my commands work again.

You can see the messages and feedback from the device below.

ANy help in understanding what I am doing wrong would be much appreciated. My GPS antenna did not arrive today and I am holding thumbs for tomorrow. I am just experimenting to see the kind of commands you can send to the device.

oh, by error state, I mean the device displays “ERROR” after valid AT-GPS commands.

Regards

Paul

[admin@MikroTik] /system> serial-terminal port=usb2 channel=3 ;

[Ctrl-A is the prefix key]

AT!GPSFIX=1,10,15
ERROR
AT!GPSSTATUS?
Current time: 1980 01 06 6 00:29:50

1980 01 06 6 00:29:03 Last Fix Status = FAIL, FAILCODE = 9
1980 01 06 6 00:05:43 Fix Session Status = ACTIVE

No TTFF available

OK
AT!GPSEND=0

OK
AT!GPSSTATUS?
Current time: 1980 01 06 6 00:30:02

1980 01 06 6 00:29:56 Last Fix Status = FAIL, FAILCODE = 9
1980 01 06 6 00:05:43 Fix Session Status = ACTIVE

No TTFF available

OK
AT!GPSFIX=1,15,10
ERROR
AT!GPSTRACK=1,255,100,1000,1
ERROR
AT!GPSSTATUS?
Current time: 1980 01 06 6 00:30:32

1980 01 06 6 00:29:56 Last Fix Status = FAIL, FAILCODE = 9
1980 01 06 6 00:05:43 Fix Session Status = ACTIVE

No TTFF available

OK

5

Hi

I have now got an AT commands document from Sierra Wireless for all the chipsets. I believe I am looking for the commands which support the MDM8200A chipset. I gathered that by reading the product specification sheet.

I’ve now got my GPS antenna but I am still not having much luck. Is there a way to confirm that the GPS module is enabled on the device? I can try the GPSFIX / GPSTRACK commands but when I do the GPSSATINFO command I see that there are no satelites.

I’ve since tried to enable the GPS by using the custom commands “CUSTOM=“GPSENABLE”,1” but that command returns ERROR - I may not understand the correct usage of the command. I have tried a few combinations.

Any more ideas would be helpful.

Paul.

6

Hi Paul,

Thx for update, from the log below, it means module with GPS enabled and trying to obtain fix.

This process may takes time (several minutes for first fix) and highly depends on the GPS antenna and the environment (sky condition).

So it is adviced to wait longer and test this in open area with proper GPS antenna.

MC8705 also support AGPS/SUPL and gpsOneXTRA to dramatically reduce the time for obtaining fix (reminded these two features use data connection so make sure you have an active data plan), kindly check these two features when you are waiting for the fix. :wink:

Hope it helps.
L

7

Hi L.

I’m still battling away with the unit. I am finding a lot of commands which are supposedly supported are returning an ERROR message when I run them. I eventually looked at the firmware of the device to see if it was running the latest versions.

The following is the result:
AT+GMR
T0_2_5_2AP R263 CNSZXL00000968 2010/11/12 15:23:46

OK

I believe that the T0_2_5_2AP is the actual version. Either way, the date is back in 2010. The AT command set I am using states the following is the minimum version:
MDM8200A MC8704
MC8705
(MC8704) T2_0_1_4
(MC8705) T1_0_1_1

I also attempted the GPS Xtra commands and got the following:
AT!GPSXTRASTATUS?
Xtra Time status = Unknown
Xtra Data status = GPS Subsys error
Validity Start = 1980 01 06 6 00:00:00
Validity End = 1980 01 06 6 00:00:00

OK

There is no mention of the “GPS Subsys error” in my documentation but it does concern me since I cannot get the device to link to the satellites.

I am currently using a passive GPS antenna:

taoglas.com/antennas/GPS_Ant … _Antennas/

The SGP.25c.

We did contact the local distributor but still after 4 days we are waiting on feedback on the firmware versions. Do you have a tool I can use to update the firmware on the device to see if it will help?

Kind regards

Paul.

8

Hi Again

It seems I am a little impatient, when you said 10 - 20 minutes to find satellites you weren’t joking. I have managed to get a location from the GPS now. I have also managed to get the Mikrotik to display its own evaluated version of the Satellite positions. Just incase someone else is reading this, the output strings of the GPS seem to be coming on Channel 2. I am using Channel 3 to manually talk commands and Channel 4 was configured for my PPP connection.

Anyway, I am still quite concerned with the error messages I receive with commands the device is supposed to support. Would you still be able to give me feedback on the Firmware versions.

Regards

Paul.

9

Hi Paul,

Good to know that fix is available now but longer time than usual, it’s all depends on sky condition and the GPS antenna…

The firmware running is very early one, please try to get an updated version from distributor.
Yes, T1_0_1_1 for MC8705 is the minimum version required.

I don’t have same module and FW, this message may means XTRA Data was disabled, try to check !GPSXTRADTAENABLE and enable it if it was disabled.

Hope this help.
L

10

Hi All,
I have also been strugling to get a reliable fix with the MC8705 and trying to use the Assisted modes but each one is returning an error;

The modem is configured and connected, I can ping the internet so I have data connectivity.

When running in standalone mode and a cold start it can take a long time to get first fix and I accept this is due to atmospheric and line of sight conditions, having to download the satellite data takes a long time if there are any interruptions as it has to restart.

When I try and enable either mode 2 or 3 for the fix command I get error 23;
AT!GPSFIX=2,15,10
ErrCode = 23

OK

If I query the command I get the available options;

simple_com /dev/ttyUSB3 AT!GPSFIX=?

AT!GPSFIX=?
!GPSFIX: ,,
: 1-Standalone, 2-MS-Based, 3-MS-Assisted
: 1-255 seconds
: 1-4294967280 meters

OK

So it should be able to do it.

Are there any settings that I need to change to enable the mode ?
Do I have to use the GPSLBS ?

I’m still learning about this device and want to get a reliable fix.

Thanks in advance for any help/feedback

Marc

11

Marc,
I’m having the same problem on a EM7355. Have you made anyprogress? Any info would be great!

I can’t see how that AT FIX command is returning an error either.

Thanks,
Jeff

12

I would take the silence for over a year to indicate he got it working.

What is the output of your AT!GPSSTATUS? command? I suspect a session is in progress when trying to issue the command to start a new one, but I could be wrong. We run our unit in continuous mode, not on demand.

13

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I know what you mean about it being a year. :slight_smile:

Here is some output from my AT session.

AT!GSTATUS?
!GSTATUS:
Current Time: 4639 Temperature: 27
Bootup Time: 0 Mode: ONLINE
System mode: WCDMA PS state: Attached
WCDMA band: WCDMA 1700
WCDMA channel: 1912
GMM (PS) state:REGISTERED NORMAL SERVICE
MM (CS) state: IDLE NORMAL SERVICE

WCDMA L1 state:L1M_PCH_SLEEP LAC: 9D60 (40291)
RRC state: DISCONNECTED Cell ID: 08FEC64F (150914633)
RxM RSSI C0: -74 RxD RSSI C0: -106
RxM RSSI C1: -106 RxD RSSI C1: -106

OK
AT+GMM
EM7355

OK

AT+GMR
SWI9X15C_01.08.16.03 r15408 carmd-fwbuild1 2013/05/23 01:33:27

OK

AT!GPSENABLE=1
ERROR

AT!ENTERCND=“A710”
OK

AT!GPSENABLE=1
!GPSENABLE: NOT IMPLEMENTED

OK

AT!GPSSTATUS?
Current time: 2013 11 07 3 17:53:21

2013 11 07 3 17:53:21 Last Fix Status = NONE
2013 11 07 3 17:53:21 Fix Session Status = NONE

No TTFF available

OK

AT!ENTERCND=“A710”
OK

AT!GPSSTATUS?
AT!GPSSTATUS?
Current time: 2013 11 07 3 17:54:29

2013 11 07 3 17:54:29 Last Fix Status = NONE
2013 11 07 3 17:54:29 Fix Session Status = NONE

No TTFF available

OK

AT!ENTERCND=“A710”
OK

AT!GPSFIX=1,15,10
ERROR

AT!GPSFIX=?
!GPSFIX: ,,
: 1: OPER_MODE_STANDALONE 2: OPER_MODE_MSB 3 :OPER_MODE_MSA 4:OPER_MODE_CELL_ID
: 1: LOW: Client requires low horizontal accuracy 2: MED: Client requires mediumhorizontal accuracy 3: HIGH: Client requires highhorizontal accuracy
: 1: TRUE 2: FALSE

OK

AT!GPSFIX=1,1,2
ErrCode = 2

OK

AT!GPSFIX=1,1,0
ERROR

AT!GPSFIX=1,1,1
ErrCode = 2

OK

AT!ENTERCND=“A710”
OK

AT!GPSFIX=1,1,1
ErrCode = 2

OK

AT!GPSTRACK=?
!GPSTRACK: !GPSTRACK: ,,
: 1: OPER_MODE_STANDALONE 2: OPER_MODE_MSB 3 :OPER_MODE_MSA 4:OPER_MODE_CELL_ID
: 1: LOW: Client requires low horizontal accuracy 2: MED: Client requires mediumhorizontal accuracy 3: HIGH: Client requires highhorizontal accuracy
: 1: TRUE 2: FALSE
<minInterval Units: Milliseconds Default: 1000 ms>

OK

AT!ENTERCND=“A710”
OK

AT!GPSTRACK=1,1,1,1000
ErrCode = 2

OK

AT!CUSTOM?
!CUSTOM:
PCSCDISABLE 0x03
NOROAM 0x01
GPSENABLE 0x01
RRCREL7CAPDIS 0x02
NMEAENABLE 0x01
GOBIIMEN 0x01
GPSREFLOC 0x01
USBSERIALENABLE 0x02

OK

Thanks for your time,
Jeff

14

I think the first thing to do is see if GPS is enabled;
at!custom?

!CUSTOM:

        PUKPRMPT            0x01

        MEPCODE             0x01

        ISVOICEN            0x02

        PRLREGION           0x01

        PCSCDISABLE         0x03

        GPSENABLE           0x01

OK

I have tried the oneXtra commands and I can get the assistance data that’s not a problem its getting the unit to use it that I can’t work out.

I have found some info out by looking at the settings for the GPSPOSMODE.

When I queried it stated that it had the bitmask of 0x01 which is standalone only.

I have now updated the bitmask to 0x79 which should give the following modes;

Bit 0: Standalone

Bit 3: CP MS-based (2G)

Bit 4: CP MS-assisted (2G)

Bit 5: CP UE-based (3G)

Bit 6: CP UE-assisted (3G)

I then performed a !RESET and tried the assisted fix command again;

simple_com /dev/ttyUSB3 AT!GPSFIX=3,180,50

AT!GPSFIX=3,180,50

OK

At least it accepted it this time. So the mask is what was causing the error 23 to be generated.

I have made sure that I have the correct SUPL server entered as well for tmobile;

I have also found that you cannot download the XTRA info when you are trying to do a fix. It fails with error 7. You have to be in a dormant state to download.

simple_com /dev/ttyUSB3 AT!GPSXTRAINITDNLD

AT!GPSXTRAINITDNLD

Xtra command sent successfully
OK

simple_com /dev/ttyUSB3 At!gpsxtrastatus?

At!gpsxtrastatus?
Xtra Time status = Unknown
Xtra Data status = Valid

Validity Start = 2013 11 06 2 21:00:00
Validity End   = 2013 11 13 2 21:00:00

OK

But still can’t get a mode 3 to work with the fix, it fails immediately;

simple_com /dev/ttyUSB3 AT!GPSFIX=3,180,50

AT!GPSFIX=3,180,50
OK

simple_com /dev/ttyUSB3 AT!GPSSTATUS?

AT!GPSSTATUS?

Current time: 1980 01 06 6 00:14:43

1980 01 06 6 00:14:42 Last Fix Status = FAIL, FAILCODE = 15
1980 01 06 6 00:14:42 Fix Session Status = FAIL, FAILCODE = 15

No TTFF available
OK

Mode 2 at least tries and then reverts to standalone;

simple_com /dev/ttyUSB3 AT!GPSFIX=2,180,50

AT!GPSFIX=2,180,50
OK

simple_com /dev/ttyUSB3 AT!GPSSTATUS?

AT!GPSSTATUS?

Current time: 1980 01 06 6 00:14:56

1980 01 06 6 00:14:42 Last Fix Status = FAIL, FAILCODE = 15
1980 01 06 6 00:14:54 Fix Session Status = ACTIVE

No TTFF available
OK

For your info the software version I am using is;

AT+GMR

T3_5_2_1AP R517 CNSZXD00000128 2012/02/07 13:03:25
OK

Kind Regards

Marc