Why RYS8830 Might Be the GPS Module Your Project Needs
Introduction
I’m working on a GPS-based watch to get accurate time ⌚, so I needed a tiny GPS module that’s both affordable and easy to use. Luckily, I found the RYS8830 from Reyax — a Chinese company that designs and manufactures GNSS modules, along with LoRa, Bluetooth, and cellular (4G/LTE) modules for IoT (Internet of Things) applications.
The RYS8830 is available locally for me, which is a big plus. It’s incredibly small — just 11 × 11 × 2.2 mm — and has very low current consumption (idle current: 3.7 mA, sleep current: 0.26 mA), making it a perfect fit for my project. So I thought this module might be a good fit for your future project too.
Key Features of the RYS8830 (Powered by SONY CXD5605AGF Engine)
- Small SMD form factor (11 x 11 mm)
- Ultralow power consumption
- Enhanced GNSS filter and low noise amplifier (LNA)
- Embedded antenna for simplified integration
These features make it ideal for compact, battery-powered projects like wearables and IoT sensors.
Personally, working with GPS feels like dealing with alien technology 👽. Once you understand the magic behind it, it genuinely gives you goosebumps!
Just think about it: you’re getting the exact time from your GPS receiver by communicating with multiple GNSS satellites 🛰️ flying over 20,000 km above the Earth 🌍. Mind-blowing, right?
Maybe I’ll write a blog about GNSS sometime in the future. Stay tuned!
What This Blog Covers
In this blog, I’m introducing the tiny GPS module RYS8830, and showing how we can communicate with it to gather useful information like:
- Time
- Date
- Position
- Speed
- Altitude
Let’s explore how to bring precise satellite timing to your next DIY project!
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Pin out
Technical Specifications
🔌 Power Supply Voltage
| Item | Min. | Typical | Max. | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.71 | 1.8 | 1.89 | V | VDD |
| Power Supply Voltage (VDD_LDO_IN) | 0.9 | 1.8 | 1.95 | V | VDD_LDO_IN |
🌐 GNSS Current consumption in different modes
| Item | Min. | Typical | Max. | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idle Current | 3.7 | mA | (1) | ||
| Satellite Acquisition Current | 16 | 19 | mA | (1)(3) | |
| Satellite Tracking Current | 9 | 13 | mA | (1)(3) | |
| Idle Current | 3.3 | mA | (2)(4) | ||
| Satellite Acquisition Current | 11.5 | mA | (2)(3)(4) | ||
| Satellite Tracking Current | 8.2 | mA | (2)(3)(4) | ||
| Sleep0 Mode Current | 0.5 | mA | (2)(4) | ||
| Sleep1 Mode Current | 0.26 | mA | (2)(4) | ||
| Sleep2 Mode Current | 0.26 | mA | (2)(4) | ||
| Satellite Tracking Avg Current | 2.6 | 8.2 | mA | (2)(3)(4) |
📡 Interface & Communication
| Item | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| I2C Slave | – | – | Clock: 400kHz |
| Address Length | 7 bits | ||
| Slave Address | 0x24 | ||
| Default Baud Rate(UART) | 115200 | bps | Format: 8, N, 1 |
💻 Digital Levels
| Item | Min | Typical | Max | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input Level High (VIH) | 0.7×VDD | VDD+0.3 | V | ||
| Input Level Low (VIL) | -0.3 | 0.3×VDD | V | ||
| Output Level High (VOH) | 0.8×VDD | VDD | V | @2mA | |
| Output Level Low (VOL) | 0 | 0.2×VDD | V | @2mA |
📦 Memory & RF
| Item | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Size | 8 | M-bit | |
| GNSS Center Frequencies | 1561.098 / 1575.42 / 1602.5625 | MHz | BeiDou / GPS / GLONASS |
🛰️ GNSS Performance
| Item | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigation Update Rate | 1 | Hz | |
| Accuracy | 1 | M | Signal strength: -130 dBm |
| Cold Start | 35 | Sec. | Signal strength: -130 dBm |
| Hot Start | 1 | Sec. | |
| Tracking Sensitivity | -161 | dBm | |
| Hot Start Sensitivity | -160 | dBm | |
| Cold Start Sensitivity | -147 | dBm | |
| Altitude Limit | – | M | No limit |
| Velocity Limit | – | 600 | M/s |
🌡️ Environment & Physical
| Item | Min | Typical | Max | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Temp | -40 | 25 | +85 | ˚C | |
| Dimensions | 11mm × 11mm × 2.2mm | ||||
| Weight | 0.43 | g |
(1) VDD_LDO_IN = 1.8V. (2) VDD_LDO_IN = 0.92V. (3) The typical value is field test. (4) Use buck regulator.
Advantages Over Other Modules
- Lower power usage compared to competitors
- Faster cold and hot start times
- Better signal acquisition in challenging environments
Typical Applications
- IoT devices
- Wearables
- Asset tracking
- Drones and robotics