Table of Contents

• Introduction
  • Alternate Instructions
  • Looking for how to use this with Onocoy?
  • Hardware Components
  • Recommended Antennas
  • Basic Antennas for RTK, ROVER, Window Situations
  • Advanced Antennas for Base and Reciver Stations
• Step-by-Step Setup
  • 1. Assemble Your Workstation / Desktop / Laptop
  • 2. Connect Hardware Components
  • 3. Use Adapter Cables
  • 4. Employ the Enclosure Kit
  • 5. Choose the GNSS Receiver
  • 6. Flash the Firmware
• Alternatively, copy the firmware files to the extracted esptool.exe’s folder and run the following as an administrator
  • 7. Configuration
  • 7. Profit?
  • 8. Extras
• Additional Configuration For Unicorecomm UM980 and UM982 Devices
  • Unicorecomm UM980 and UM982 Configuration Script
  • Unicorecomm UM980 and UM982 Commands Reference Manuals
  • 9. Testing

Best Budget DIY GPS/GNSS Base Station using the UM980 and a ESP32

Introduction

The ESP32 is a versatile microcontroller renowned for its WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities. In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting up the your ESP32 development board with the Unicorecomm UM980 and various accessories. We’ll also cover flashing the ESP32 with the desired firmware.

Alternate Instructions

Want to use a linux distro or a raspberry pi?

Check out our guide on Setting up a NTRIP server on Linux

Looking for how to use this with Onocoy?

Check out our guide on DIY Onocoy Ntrip Server and Reference Station Setup

Hardware Components

Before we begin, let’s take a look at the hardware components you’ll need:

1. ESP32 Development Board: AITRIP 2 Sets ESP-WROOM-32 ESP32

2. Power Supply: CanaKit 3.5A Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply (USB-C)

3. Adapter Cables: (Choose one):

   • elechawk 9 PCS 1.25mm to Dupont 2.54mm Pitch Adapter Cables
   • PB1.25 to Dupont 2.54mm Connectors and Cables Kit Compatible with Molex PicoBlade 1.25mm Pitch Connectors 20cm Wires
   • 2Pcs 1.25mm to 2.54mm dupont cable 1pin female 2.54mm wire connector 1.25mm 2/3/4/5/6P wire harness 28AWG Length 20cm - Choose the 4P Option

4. Enclosure Kit: qBoxMini DIY IOT Enclosure Plus Kit (One SMA)

5. GNSS Receiver Board (Choose one):

   • UM980 RTK InCase PIN GNSS receiver board with USB C
     • Use discount code SIMEONSECURITY_GNSS for an additional 5% discount.
     • If you choose this option, you’ll need some male to male dupont wires .
   • Full Frequency Centimeter Level Low-power and High-precision UM980 Module RTK Differential Drone GPS Module GNSS Whole System

6. Firmware: ESP32-XBee Firmware

Recommended Antennas

Basic Antennas for RTK, ROVER, Window Situations

• Bingfu GPS Navigation Antenna - $9
  • Basic, simple, not the best, but it works.
• Bingfu GPS Navigation External Antenna - $24
  • Outdoor Rated, Cheap, Allows view of the Sky.
• SparkFun GNSS-RTK Accessory Kit - $85
  • This is only recommended for those who can not properly install the antennas below. It will underperform against the others.

Advanced Antennas for Base and Reciver Stations

• (Preferred) Beitian High Gain High Precision GPS/GNSS Antenna - $86
  • High Antenna Gain, High Precision, Builtin Anti-interference, IP67 Rated, High and Low Temp Ratings, UV Resistant Housing, Supports Most Bands..
• (Preferred) Calibrated Survey GNSS Tripleband + L-band antenna (IP67) - $230
  • Calibrated Quad-Band, Extremely High Precision, Anti-interference, Supports All Bands
• Multi-frequency High Precision Survey Antenna - $95
  • Strong Antenna Signal, High Precision, Builtin Anti-interference.
• GNSS Surveying Antenna and Precise Navigation Antenna - $180
  • High Antenna Gain, Extremely High Precision, IP67 Rated.
• HARXON CSX627A - $135
  • Calibrated Triple Band RTK Antenna, IP67, Supports All Bands
• L1/L2/L5 GPS, G1/G2/G3 GLONASS, B1/B2/B3 BDS, Galileo E1/E5/E6 38dB Antenna - $205
  • Supports Most Bands, IP67 Rated

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Assemble Your Workstation / Desktop / Laptop

Ensure you have a computer with a USB port and internet access. You’ll need this for downloading firmware and drivers.

2. Connect Hardware Components

• If applicable, plug the ESP32 into the breakout board.

• Connect the ESP32 development board to your computer using a Type-C...