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Orbit Nano X9 Quickstart Guide

Setting Up with Ardupilot Firmware

Connection

  1. Connect the Orbit Nano X9 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)
    • COMPASS_TYPEMASK: Ensure external compass is enabled
    • COMPASS_ORIENT: Set to 0 (None) or adjust based on mounting orientation

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 blue PPS LED - it should be solid ON after powering up and start blinking at 1Hz once the GNSS gets a 3D fix
  4. In Mission Planner, check the Flight Data screen to confirm GPS lock and satellite count

Setting Up with PX4 Firmware

Firmware and Connection

  1. Load the PX4 firmware onto the autopilot
  2. Connect the Orbit Nano X9 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)

Completing Setup

  1. Reboot the flight controller to apply the changes
  2. The Orbit Nano X9 will automatically configure and start working once connected
  3. Verify the connection by checking that:
    • The blue PPS LED indicator is blinking at 1Hz once a GNSS fix is obtained
    • GPS status in QGroundControl shows a valid position fix
    • Satellite count is displayed in the main flight view
    • Compass calibration can be performed successfully