Connecting antenna to GPS module

[joe_1]

Hi:

I want to connect the antenna to a GPS module, and I do not know how.
Here is an antenna: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8254
It has MCX connector.
All I want is to connect the antenna's two pins to the GPS module two pins. Do I cut the antenna cable to get rid of the MXC part? But this is probably a coaxial, so I am not sure how to solder it to the GPS pins.

I saw this expensive connector: https://www.pasternack.com/mcx-jack...44660-p.aspx?gclid=CLHu7-f667QCFdKd4AodJ18ADw

But, I still do not have any PCB board to hook to, and I am also not sure where are the two pins on it. Is the silver part one pin, and the golden part the other?
Thanks.

 

[cowboybob]

I have to ask: why do you want to connect the new antenna coaxial wires directly? What's wrong with using the connectors provided?

We could use a picture of the current GPS module's antenna connection.

 

[joe_1]

Hi cowboybob:
I still did not buy anything yet. I am in the planning phase.
I got GPS module: https://www.u-blox.com/en/gps-modules/pvt-modules/neo-7.html
It connects to the outside world via pins only.

Then I got the antenna: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8254
It connects to the outside world via MCX connector.

Right now I do not know how to hook this antenna to the GPS module.
How do I connect something with MCX connector to something that has pins.

Thanks.

 

[MikeMl]

You need an MCX female PCB mount as shown here.

Alternatively, cut off the MCX, strip the cable, and solder the ends to PC traces. Make sure that shield goes to ground.

 

[cowboybob]

Hi cowboybob:
I still did not buy anything yet. I am in the planning phase.
I got GPS module: https://www.u-blox.com/en/gps-modules/pvt-modules/neo-7.html
It connects to the outside world via pins only.

Then I got the antenna: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8254
It connects to the outside world via MCX connector.

Right now I do not know how to hook this antenna to the GPS module.
How do I connect something with MCX connector to something that has pins.

Thanks.

joe_1,

I couldn't help but notice that the GPS device you intend to buy is an SM (Surface Mount) GPS engine chip. Are you sure this is the GPS module you wish to solder the antenna leads to?

Ordinarily, a chip of this sort would be mounted on a PCB before use, to facilitate the connection you mention and the others required to make this chip functional.

 

[joe_1]

Hi:

I want to use this one "eventually", because it has not been released yet. It will be in few weeks.

Now, the issue of surface mount:
They have two types of GPS:
1- Standalone: This is just the GPS chip which is surface mount as shown here:
https://www.u-blox.com/en/gps-chips/stand-alone-gps-chips.html

2- Module: This is the GPS chip (which is surface mount) plus the PCB, all in one unit as shown here:
https://www.u-blox.com/en/gps-modules.html
If you look carefully you will see the GPS chip already soldered on top of a PCB which has easily accessible pins.

 

[cowboybob]

I think you're mistaking the μblox 7 module, in this case, for a "ready to use" device. It is not. You still have to mount the "module" on a PCB with traces, in order to connect the unit to the other components to make the module useful.

Your link https://www.u-blox.com/en/gps-modules/pvt-modules/neo-7.html has a Harware Integration Maual link:

https://www.electro-tech-online.com...dwareIntegrationManual_28GPSG7-HW-1100629.pdf

that you should read carefully.

Look in Section 5 (product handling). Even though its called a "module", it is still treated as an SMD, thus requiring amother PCB (with additional components and very strict construction/soldering techniques) in order to arrive at a functional GPS device.

 

[joe_1]

I will investigate this issue, and send them email. I do not want to see surprises like this.
As I said I am still in the planning phase, and did not order anything yet.
Thank you very much.

 

[kubeek]

Right now I do not know how to hook this antenna to the GPS module.
How do I connect something with MCX connector to something that has pins.

In ideal world you would have a microstrip line (or other controlled impedance transmission line) on a PCB that goes from the solder pins of the chip to an antenna connector.
However when I used a similar GPS chip, i simply had a ~20mm long trace on a standard 1.5mm pcb with ground plane underneath going to a SMA connector and it worked just fine.