SparkFun GPS Breakout (ZOE-M8Q and SAM-M8Q) Hookup Guide

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Contributors: Elias The Sparkiest

Hardware Assembly

U.FL Connector

If necessary, attach an external GNSS antenna to the U.FL connector. If you need tips on plugging in the U.FL connector, then check out our U.FL tutorial. Of course, if you're using the SAM-M8Q then you don't need an antenna since it already has one.

ZOE-M8Q with a GNSS Antenna attached
RedBoard Qwiic and the ZOE-M8Q with attached Adhesive Antenna

Serial Interface

You will need to access the serial interface of the GNSS receiver, to utilize the u-blox u-center software. The compact variant of the SAM-M8Q includes a USB-to-serial adapter and USB connector, which will allow you to connect the board directly to a computer. However for the other boards, you will need to solder male headers to the pass-through-hole (PTH) pins. This will allow you attach a serial-to-USB adapter to the GNSS receiver, to connect the board to a computer.

Accessing the serial interface of the ZOE-M8Q with a serial-to-USB adapter
Accessing the serial interface of the SAM-M8Q with a serial-to-USB adapter

I2C Interface

For the example below, I used a Qwiic capable RedBoard and associated USB cable. With that and a Qwiic cable, the assembly is very simple. Plug a Qwiic cable between the RedBoard and the GNSS board.

SAM-M8Q Connected to an Arduino
RedBoard Qwiic and the SAM-M8Q

ZOE-M8Q connected to an Arduino and GNSS Antenna
RedBoard Qwiic and the ZOE-M8Q with attached Adhesive Antenna