SparkFun Forums

[LooseTooth]

The LED is on. I'm using a Maxim level converter into a USB/serial converter. Nothing in Hyperterminal or the Venus GUI. I've tried switching RX/TX.

I don't get anything, not even gibberish.

Any ideas?

[LooseTooth]

Got it working with the little Sparkfun USB/serial thingamabob. Sometimes certain USB/serial converters don't work with certain software serial streams. It is what it is I guess.

[tronic]

Are you using a USB/SERIAL converter chip such as the FTDI? If so, the FTDI chip expects TTL levels on it's serial port, not RS232 levels. If I understand you correctly, you have the following setup:

VENUS GPS RX/TX -> MAXIM LEVEL CONVERTER -> SERIAL TO USB CHIP

If this is your setup, it will not work. What you want is this:

VENUS GPS RX/TX -> SERIAL TO USB CHIP

[LooseTooth]

Hmm? Venus datasheet says it has a 3.3V LVTTL UART. PG 4:

http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/GPS/ ... S_v051.pdf

[LooseTooth]

Well it works through my maxim chip too. I think I just didn't hit 'connect' on the SkyTraq GUI. Not sure why I didn't see anything on hyperterm - must have been too late at night...