GY-NEO-6M V2 Flight Controller GPS Module with EEPROM – Compatible with MWC & APM2.5 – Onboard Ceramic Antenna

SKU: FA2172
GPS Chipset

u-blox NEO-6M
Operating Voltage

3V – 5V DC
Default Baud Rate

9600 bps (configurable 4800 – 115200 bps)
Communication Interface

UART TTL (TX/RX)
Position Accuracy

<2.5 meters CEP
Tracking Sensitivity

-162 dBm (SuperSense technology)
Update Rate

Up to 5Hz

Description

The GY-NEO-6M V2 is a high-performance GPS module specifically designed for flight controllers, drones, UAVs, and other embedded navigation systems. Built around the industry-proven u-blox NEO-6M chipset, this module delivers reliable positioning data with fast satellite acquisition and stable signal tracking .

At the heart of this module is a 25mm × 25mm built-in ceramic patch antenna that provides excellent signal reception even in challenging environments . Unlike many GPS modules that require external antennas, the integrated ceramic antenna simplifies installation while maintaining superior signal strength. The onboard EEPROM stores configuration parameters, ensuring your custom settings are retained even after power loss .

The module features a rechargeable backup battery that keeps the real-time clock and ephemeris data alive, enabling hot starts with time-to-first-fix (TTFF) as low as 1 second . The bright LED signal indicator provides immediate visual feedback of GPS fix status — blinking confirms satellite lock .

Powered by a wide input voltage range of 3V to 5V DC, the GY-NEO-6M V2 is compatible with both 3.3V and 5V logic systems. Communication is handled via UART TTL at a default baud rate of 9600bps, making it plug-and-play compatible with Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, STM32, and popular flight controllers such as MWC (MultiWii) and APM 2.5 .

Whether you are building a drone that needs position-hold and return-to-home functionality, a vehicle tracking system, or an IoT-based location-aware device, the GY-NEO-6M V2 provides the accuracy, reliability, and ease of integration required for both hobbyist and professional applications.

Key Features

  • High-Performance u-blox NEO-6M Chipset – Reliable GPS engine with up to 5Hz position update rate and high sensitivity down to -162dBm tracking 

  • Built-in Ceramic Antenna – 25mm × 25mm active patch antenna eliminates need for external antennas 

  • Onboard EEPROM – Saves configuration parameters permanently; settings persist after power loss 

  • Rechargeable Backup Battery – MS621FE battery maintains RTC and ephemeris data for hot starts (1s TTFF) 

  • LED Signal Indicator – Real-time visual confirmation of GPS fix status 

  • Wide Voltage Compatibility – Operates from 3V to 5V DC with onboard voltage regulation 

  • UART TTL Interface – Simple 4-wire connection (VCC, GND, TX, RX) with default 9600 baud rate 

  • SBAS Support – Compatible with WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, and GAGAN for improved accuracy 

  • Compact Design – 25mm × 35mm module with 3mm mounting holes for easy integration 

  • Wide Operating Temperature – -40°C to +85°C suitable for outdoor and industrial applications 

Technical Specifications 

Specification Value
GPS Chipset u-blox NEO-6M 
Operating Voltage 3V – 5V DC 
Default Baud Rate 9600 bps (configurable 4800 – 115200 bps) 
Communication Interface UART TTL (TX/RX) 
Position Accuracy <2.5 meters CEP 
Tracking Sensitivity -162 dBm (SuperSense technology) 
Update Rate Up to 5Hz 
Module Dimensions 25mm × 35mm × (approx.) 
Antenna Size 25mm × 25mm × 4mm ceramic patch 
Mounting Holes 3mm diameter 
Operating Temperature -40°C to +85°C 
Cold Start Time <27 seconds (typical) 
Hot Start Time <1 second (typical) 

Pinout Description

Pin Function
VCC Power input (3V – 5V DC)
GND Ground connection
TX Serial data output (connect to RX of microcontroller)
RX Serial data input (connect to TX of microcontroller)

Typical Usage

  • Drone & UAV Navigation – Provides position data for GPS hold, waypoint navigation, return-to-home, and autonomous flight modes 

  • Flight Controller Integration – Directly compatible with MWC (MultiWii), APM 2.5, ArduPilot, and other open-source flight controllers 

  • Vehicle Tracking Systems – Real-time GPS tracking for cars, fleet management, and asset tracking 

  • IoT Location-Aware Devices – Add positioning capabilities to weather stations, environmental monitors, and remote sensors 

  • Robotics Navigation – Enable autonomous navigation for outdoor robots and rovers 

  • Outdoor Hiking & Marine Navigation – Handheld GPS devices for geographic surveys, boating, and hiking 

  • Data Logging – Record position, speed, and altitude data for analysis

Basic Wiring Example (Arduino)

GY-NEO-6M V2 Pin Arduino Connection
VCC 5V (or 3.3V on 3.3V boards)
GND GND
TX Pin 4 (or any RX pin)
RX Pin 3 (or any TX pin)

Note: The module requires a clear view of the sky for initial satellite acquisition. For ESP32 users, it is recommended to use hardware serial (UART1/UART2) rather than SoftwareSerial for reliable data reception .

Q: What is the difference between GY-NEO-6M V2 and other NEO-6M modules?

The GY-NEO-6M V2 features a larger 25mm × 25mm ceramic antenna for superior signal reception compared to smaller antenna variants. It also includes onboard EEPROM for configuration storage and a rechargeable backup battery for faster hot starts .

Q: Can I use this module with ESP32?

Yes. The module operates on 3.3V to 5V, so you can power it directly from the ESP32’s 3.3V or 5V pin. For best results, use the ESP32’s hardware serial ports (UART1 or UART2) rather than SoftwareSerial for reliable data reception .

Q: Why does the LED on my module keep blinking without stopping?

The LED indicator blinks when the module has acquired a GPS fix (satellite lock). A steady or non-blinking LED indicates no fix. Once you have a fix, the LED will blink at regular intervals . If you cannot get a fix, ensure the module has a clear view of the sky and allow 5-10 minutes for initial acquisition.

Q: What is the EEPROM used for?

The built-in EEPROM stores your configuration settings (such as baud rate, update rate, and NMEA message configuration). These settings are retained even after power loss, so you don’t need to reconfigure the module every time you power it on .

Q: How long does the backup battery last?

The MS621FE rechargeable battery maintains the RTC and ephemeris data for several weeks when the module is powered off. The battery recharges automatically when the module is powered on .

Q: Does this module support GLONASS?

The NEO-6M chipset supports GPS only (not GLONASS). However, with its high sensitivity (-162dBm) and support for SBAS (WAAS/EGNOS), it provides excellent accuracy for most applications . For GPS+GLONASS support, consider the NEO-M8N series.

Q: What is the maximum baud rate I can use?

The module can be configured for baud rates from 4800 bps to 115200 bps. The default setting is 9600 bps. You can change this using u-center software and save the configuration to EEPROM .

Q: How do I configure this module for ArduPilot or APM 2.5?

The module is pre-configured to work with APM 2.5 and ArduPilot out of the box. If you need to customize settings, use the u-center software (available from u-blox) with a USB-to-TTL adapter to connect the module to your PC .

Q: Is an external antenna required?

No. The GY-NEO-6M V2 includes a built-in 25mm × 25mm ceramic patch antenna that provides excellent signal reception for most applications. No external antenna is necessary .

Q: What is the power consumption of this module?

The module consumes approximately 67mA during active operation . For battery-powered applications, you can use the backup battery to maintain RTC data and reduce warm-up time when power is restored.

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