Orbit Nano X Quickstart Guide

Setting Up with Ardupilot Firmware

Connection

1. Connect the Orbit Nano X to one of the available serial ports on the flight controller (e.g., SERIAL3/TELEM1, SERIAL4/GPS2, etc.)
2. Ensure proper pin connections:
   • TX (GPS) → RX (Flight Controller)
   • RX (GPS) → TX (Flight Controller)
   • SDA (Compass) → SDA (I2C)
   • SCL (Compass) → SCL (I2C)
   • VCC → 5V
   • GND → GND

Power and Configuration

1. Power the flight controller and connect it to Mission Planner
2. Navigate to Config/Tuning > Full Parameter List
3. Set the following parameters (example using SERIAL3 port):
   • SERIAL3_PROTOCOL: Set to 5 (GPS)
   • SERIAL3_BAUD: Set to 38 (38400 baud) or 115 (115200 baud)
   • GPS_TYPE: Set to 1 (AUTO) or 2 (u-blox)
   • GPS_AUTO_CONFIG: Set to 1 (Enable)
   • COMPASS_TYPEMASK: Ensure external compass is enabled
   • COMPASS_ORIENT: Set to 0 (None) or adjust based on mounting orientation

RTK Configuration

1. For RTK operation, configure RTCM correction input:
   • Set GPS_INJECT_TO: Set to 1 (First GPS)
   • Configure telemetry port for RTCM data if using network RTK
2. Alternatively, connect to RTK base station via telemetry radio or network

Completing Setup

1. Click Write Params in Mission Planner after modifying the parameters
2. Reboot the flight controller to activate the serial GPS
3. Verify proper connection by checking the LEDs:
   • Green LED should be solid ON (power status)
   • Blue PPS LED should be solid ON after powering up and start blinking at 1Hz once the GNSS gets a 3D fix
   • Orange LED indicates RTK status (blinking when receiving corrections, solid when RTK fixed)
4. In Mission Planner, check the Flight Data screen to confirm GPS lock and RTK status

Setting Up with PX4 Firmware

Firmware and Connection

1. Load the PX4 firmware onto the autopilot
2. Connect the Orbit Nano X to one of the available serial ports on the flight controller (e.g., TELEM2, GPS2, etc.)
3. Ensure proper pin connections:
   • TX (GPS) → RX (Flight Controller)
   • RX (GPS) → TX (Flight Controller)
   • SDA (Compass) → SDA (I2C)
   • SCL (Compass) → SCL (I2C)
   • VCC → 5V
   • GND → GND

Configuration

1. Connect the flight controller to QGroundControl
2. Navigate to Vehicle Setup > Parameters
3. Set the following parameters (example using TELEM2 port):
   • SER_TEL2_BAUD: Set to 38400 or 115200
   • GPS_1_CONFIG: Set to the appropriate serial port number (e.g., 102 for TELEM2)
   • GPS_1_PROTOCOL: Set to 1 (u-blox) or 0 (Auto-Detect)

RTK Configuration

1. For RTK operation via MAVLink:
   • Set GPS_1_GNSS: Configure GNSS systems as needed
   • Configure RTK correction data stream through telemetry or network
2. QGroundControl will automatically forward RTCM corrections if connected to RTK service

Completing Setup

1. Reboot the flight controller to apply the changes
2. The Orbit Nano X will automatically configure and start working once connected
3. Verify the connection by checking that:
   • Green LED is solid ON (power status)
   • Blue PPS LED indicator is blinking at 1Hz once a GNSS fix is obtained
   • Orange LED shows RTK status (blinking with corrections, solid with RTK fixed)
   • GPS status in QGroundControl shows position fix and RTK status
   • Satellite count is displayed in the main flight view
   • Compass calibration can be performed successfully