Skip to main content

Add Location Data on Uplink Packet

1. Modules with built-in GPS functionality

  • CB module, i.e., the BG95-NGFF module.
  • FB module, i.e., the NRF9151-NGFF module.

2. GPS Feature Description

  • For BG95-M2 module

Multi-constellation support: GPS / GLONASS / BDS / Galileo / QZSS.

Integrated Communication and Positioning: A single module handles both LTE-M/NB-IoT data reporting and GNSS location data collection.

Ideal for Low-Power IoT: The combination of LTE-M/NB-IoT and GNSS is suitable for battery-powered devices or scenarios requiring periodic data reporting.

Compatible with Base Station Positioning: The BG95 series also supports QuecLocator base station positioning, which serves as a supplementary positioning method when GNSS is unavailable.

  • For NRF9151-NGFF module

Supported satellite systems: GPS L1 C/A, QZSS L1 C/A.

Operating modes: Single positioning, fixed-interval positioning, continuous tracking.

Low-power capabilities: Supports continuous tracking with duty cycle control, suitable for battery-powered devices.

Time synchronization: Supports 1PPS output, suitable for UTC synchronization at the second level.

Note: Since the FE series is designed for indoor use, it does not come with a GPS antenna by default.

3. Command Configuration

By default, the GPS feature is turned off; users must enable GPS location services themselves.

3.1 For BG95-M2 Module

3.1.1 Set GNSS open time

Extend the time to turn on GNSS. The automatic GPS location time is extended when the node is activated.

  • The default configuration is: AT+GNSST=60, which means the total positioning duration is 60 seconds.

AT Command: AT+GNSST

Example: AT+GNSST=30 // Set the GPS positioning time to 30 seconds

Downlink command: 0x10

Format: Command Code (0x10) followed by 2 bytes.

Example: Downlink Payload: 10 00 1E// AT+GNSST=30

3.1.2 Turn on/off GPS

The default configuration is: AT+GPS=0, which means that the GPS feature is disabled by default and must be enabled by the user.

AT Command: AT+GPS

Ex1: AT+GPS=0 // Turn off GPS

Ex2: AT+GPS=1 // Turn on GPS

Downlink command: 0x11

Format: Command Code (0x11) followed by 1 byte.

Example: Downlink Payload: 11 01// AT+GPS=1

3.1.3 Set GPS positioning interval

Feature: Set GPS positioning interval (unit: hour).

When GPS is enabled, the node automatically locates and uplinks each time it passes GTDC time after activation.

The default configuration is: AT+GTDC=24, which means that, by default, the GPS function is activated once every 24 hours.

AT Command: AT+GTDC

Example: AT+GTDC=24 // Set the GPS positioning interval to 24h.

Downlink command: 0x12

Format: Command Code (0x12) followed by 3 bytes.

Example: 24 hours: 24(D)=0x18(H)

Downlink Payload: 12 00 00 18// AT+GTDC=24

3.2 For NRF9151-NGFF module

3.2.1 Set GNSS open time

Extend the time to turn on GNSS. The automatic GPS location time is extended when the node is activated.

  • The default configuration is: AT+GTIME=60, which means the total positioning duration is 60 seconds.

AT Command: AT+GTIME

Example: AT+GTIME=30 // Set the GPS positioning time to 30 seconds

Downlink command: 0x10

Format: Command Code (0x10) followed by 2 bytes.

Example: Downlink Payload: 10 00 1E// AT+GTIME=30

3.2.2 Turn on/off GPS

The default configuration is: AT+QGPS=0, which means that the GPS feature is disabled by default and must be enabled by the user.

AT Command: AT+QGPS

Ex1: AT+GPS=0 // Turn off GPS

Ex2: AT+QGPS=1 // Turn on GPS

Downlink command: 0x11

Format: Command Code (0x11) followed by 1 byte.

Example: Downlink Payload: 11 01// AT+QGPS=1

3.2.3 Set GPS positioning interval

Feature: Set GPS positioning interval (unit: hour).

When GPS is enabled, the node automatically locates and uplinks each time it passes QGTDC time after activation.

The default configuration is: AT+QGTDC=24, which means that, by default, the GPS function is activated once every 24 hours.

AT Command: AT+QGTDC

Example: AT+QGTDC=24 // Set the GPS positioning interval to 24h.

Downlink command: 0x12

Format: Command Code (0x12) followed by 3 bytes.

Example: 24 hours: 24(D)=0x18(H)

Downlink Payload: 12 00 00 18// AT+QGTDC=24

4. GPS Power Consumption

When the GPS function is enabled, the power consumption associated with GPS positioning is added to the overall baseline power consumption.

NOTE:

The power consumption figures below are based on the default positioning duration of 60 seconds.

4.1 For BG91-M2 module

Note: Because the BG95-M2 module needs to execute internal commands to enable the GPS function when it is activated, the total time required for positioning will be slightly longer than the configured time.

  • Average Current: 72.08 mA
  • Measurement Duration: 73.301 s
  • Maximum Current: 209.138 mA
  • Total Power: 1.468 mAh

BG95-M2 GPS power.png

4.2 For NRF9151-NGFF module

  • Average Current: 51.3344 mA
  • Measurement Duration: 60.308 s
  • Maximum Current: 64.2469 mA
  • Total Power: 0.86 mAh

NRF9151 GPS POWER.png