Nickolai Belakovski
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Source of GPS problems potentially located

8/28/2011

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Picture
I was showing my flight computer to one of my roommates, and as typical when I talk about my project and I have my flight computer handy, I like to point out the tiny tiny inductor we had to solder onto the PCB for the GPS. Today, however, I tried to point out the inductor, and noticed it was missing!

I could have easily knocked it off accidentally as I was struggling to connect the short antenna connector through the styrofoam wall to the flight computer. Knocking this out prevents power from getting to the antenna, and hence the GPS would have trouble seeing satellites! The problem seems to be the issue, but I won't know for sure until I fix the connection and test some more.

Full picture of the flight computer with the inductor after the break.

UPDATE: I connected the joint where the inductor used to be with straight solder, and we're now back up and running, successfully receiving a GPS lock. I think losing the inductor may have actually improved reception!

Picture
This is a photo of the flight computer from the beginning of August. The inductor, which is on the board, is circled in red. To give you a sense of scale here, the grey chip with the white label right next to the inductor is the size of a penny. The inductor is about the size of Lincoln's eye on that penny!!!


UPDATE: GPS is working again, after a quick solder:
Picture
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    Name: Nickolai Belakovski
    Current Location: New York, NY
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