Add PointPerfect support for non L-Band RTK products

[j-w-bullfrog]

Subject of the issue

PointPerfect for RTK Express Plus Support

https://docs.sparkfun.com/SparkFun_RTK_Firmware/configure_pointperfect/

Your workbench

Dev 3.5 with express working as a ntrip server via rtk to go. Right now I can only use PP in u-center on my pc when testing. The chip does support l1 & l2 and I have been using both for months

[nseidle]

This overlaps a bit with issue #461 but yours is more succinct. I updated the issue title, please review and see if you agree.

Are you asking to obtain PointPerfect corrections over WiFi? It's possible. But we'll have to figure out how to charge the monthly fee. Or are you intending on using your own custom token?

[j-w-bullfrog]

No, actually for L band products. I have my own developer keys for PP, but I have to use u-center to configure it. Using U-center with the GPS-16481 I do get the rtk led to light but I'm fighting getting convergence on both it and the express +. Steve Brown, from ublox has given me sone data to monitor on spartn to try to see why there is a convergence problem.

[nseidle]

I am very confused. From your first post:

PointPerfect for RTK Express Plus Support

But then you say:

No, actually for L band products.

Can you describe what your ultimate goal is?

[j-w-bullfrog]

I have the express plus set up and receiving L band correction by setting the config in U-Center. They have a json file that works with u-center to get PP data into the module via SPARTN on UART1. The Facet has PP menus available; https://docs.sparkfun.com/SparkFun_RTK_Firmware/configure_pointperfect/ but only for facet. Those options are not available for express +.

All of my recent requests are to get (aka u-box debug data) the sparkfun to work as a initial evaluation project for ztr mowers. And be able to do it without my laptop attached via usb cable, but log the required data to the sd card.

[nseidle]

I think you may be confused (or perhaps I am). The corrections you are receiving via u-center come from PointPerfect via IP (the internet) not via L-Band (over a satellite). Our L-Band products have an extra receiver built into them (the NEO-D9S) that receive the L-Band signal, and pass the encrypted data on to the ZED that then decrypts them. No connection to the internet needed but you have to pay for the L-Band subscription.

PointPerfect offers L-Band based corrections, or IP based corrections, or both for a monthly fee (different for each level).

I believe what you are asking for (and please, help me out here) is the ability to get an RTK Express connected to PointPerfect via IP (WiFi most likely) so that the ZED can get RTK without RTCM from a base station.

So, are you looking to get RTK corrections over L-Band or will you mower have a WiFi connection to the internet to obtain the correction via the internet?

We have a cellular enabled product on the roadmap (far future) as well for (mostly commercial) mowers that cannot rely on a house-hold WiFi connection being available.

[j-w-bullfrog]

Actually we are planning on aftermarket autonomy on existing gas powered zero turn mowers. This came about because my biz partner has to mow the little 9 hole course he plays on in nowhere Kansas. We have also been talking about the need for remote diagnostics on the mower since we can't count on where or how the system is being used. We would like to avoid rtk base stations and getting the data to the mower. We are trying out PP to see if we can still cut with the reduced accuracy that comes with it compared to our ktk base I have setup. I'll ask Steve about if I'm getting the data vai L band, or wifi. They just started offering dev licences with 40 hrs free. Will post more when I find out.

[j-w-bullfrog]

Here's the story. It is coming via wifi to the module when connected via u-center. However, u-center has a bug in it and it may say that its working when it isn't. So, if it fails to converge, or drops it, it's uncenter. Stop the mqtt client, that may fix it. If not close ucenter and restart. That said we are going to pursue PP via cellular (probably- depends how well it works) since that gives us correction, and remote system diagnostics. Close this or modify as you see fit.

[nseidle]

Got it. I'm going to leave open since I think it would be a valuable feature to allow non RTK Facet L-Band users to get PointPerfect corrections over WiFi (which is cellular if you're using a cell phone to connect to the device).

[j-w-bullfrog]

Actually U-Blox is talking sara 5 or cat 1 for our application since we want to be bale to do remote diagnostics and PP.

[j-w-bullfrog]

Any idea when this may be coming out?

[nseidle]

We are out of RAM on this particular line of products, which limits adding this feature at this time. But we plan to add this type of connectivity to upcoming products.