What is the NEO-6M (u-blox 6) GPS Module The NEO-6M is one of the modules in the u-blox 6 family (sometimes called “Ublox 6M v3” in hobby / module manufacturer wording). It integrates a GPS receiver plus a small ceramic antenna, EEPROM for settings, and usually a backup battery for keeping data between power cycles. RobotShop USA +2 content.u-blox.com +2 It outputs standard GPS data (latitude, longitude, altitude, etc.) via serial (UART) in NMEA protocol (and also supports u-blox proprietary UBX protocol for more advanced configuration) content.u-blox.com +2 content.u-blox.com +2 . Key Specifications Here are the important specs that define how it performs: Spec Typical / Data Sheet Value Number of Channels 50 channels for GPS L1 (C/A code) content.u-blox.com Sensitivity Tracking & navigation sensitivity ~ −162 dBm; reacquisition around −160 dBm; cold start ~ −148 dBm. content.u-blox.com Time to First Fix (TTFF) Cold start ~ 27 seconds (varies depending on aiding, clear view of sky); Warm / Hot starts much shorter (~1 second in hot start) content.u-blox.com +1 Update Rate Default is 1 Hz; can be set up to 5 Hz content.u-blox.com +1 Position Accuracy (Horizontal) About 2.5 meters under good sky / conditions content.u-blox.com +1 Operating Voltage (Supply) Usually between 3 V and 5 V depending on the module breakout, though IO levels are often 3.3 V safe. wiki.sunfounder.cc +1 Current Draw Depends on state (tracking, warm start, etc.) — can be tens of mA (some specs say ~45-50 mA in active tracking) Mouser Electronics +1 Operating Temperature Typically – some wide range (for industrial / outdoor use) but usual hobby modules do fine in typical ambient temps. The chip is specified to handle lower and higher extremes. Mouser Electronics +1 Physical Size The core chip/module is small (e.g. ~16.6 × 12.3 mm for the bare module). The full module with antenna, breakout etc will be larger. Mouser Electronics +1 Features & Interfaces Protocols: It supports NMEA (standard GPS sentences, e.g. GGA, GLL, RMC, etc.) and the UBX protocol from u-blox for finer control (configurations, power modes, etc.). content.u-blox.com +1 EEPROM / Configuration Storage: You can configure things like baud rate, output sentences, update rate, sometimes power-save modes, etc., and store them so module keeps settings after power off. RobotShop USA +2 content.u-blox.com +2 Backup Battery: Many modules include a small rechargeable backup cell or capacitor so that ephemeris / satellite info / RTC (time) can be retained, enabling faster re-acquisition (“warm” or “hot” start) when power is re-applied. RobotShop USA +1 Antenna: Usually there’s a built-in ceramic (patch) antenna. Some modules also offer possibility of using external antenna (via u-fl or SMA), though performance depends heavily on antenna quality & placement. wiki.sunfounder.cc +2 content.u-blox.com +2 Strengths Good accuracy for many hobby / consumer applications (drones, robotics, GPS logging, mapping). Low cost, widely available. Configurable; many settings allow tailoring to power, speed, etc. Already integrates most needed functionality (antenna, EEPROM), so fewer extras needed. Decent sensitivity, works in reasonably challenging conditions. Limitations / Things to Watch Out For Time to First Fix for cold start can be long (~25-30 seconds) if no prior data and poor sky view. Signal Multipath / Obstruction: Built-in ceramic antenna is okay, but performances degrade with obstructions (urban canyons, indoors, etc.). External antenna helps. Power & Current: In continuous tracking mode it draws nontrivial current; if power consumption is critical, need to manage sleep modes or duty cycling. Update Rate Limit: Although can go up to 5 Hz, that's not very high compared to more specialized GPS/GLONASS/GNSS modules for high-speed applications. Temperature, environmental durability of modules (especially cheap ones) may be limited compared to industrial-grade ones. “Version 3” / Common Variants When people say “version 3” (v3) of a Ublox 6M module, they usually mean a particular PCB breakout variant. Differences can include: Whether the module is 3.3 V or 5 V tolerant. The presence / absence of external antenna connector. The size and shape of the breakout, mounting holes. Whether the backup battery is included. Default baud rates or default NMEA output settings. So when using a “v3” module, always check its input voltage, IO voltage, default baud rate, and verify the pinout. Practical Usage Tips For fast startup, keep power always or use the backup battery so that ephemeris / RTC are maintained. Place the module where it has as clear a sky view as possible, away from metal or RF noise sources. Use proper voltage level shifting if your microcontroller runs at a lower IO voltage. If using outdoors or in adverse conditions, you may consider adding an external high-gain antenna. Use configuration messages (UBX protocol) to reduce output sentences you don’t need (to reduce data load), set faster update if needed, maybe configure power-save modes.