User Guide: CANBus GNSS Master
Overview and installation
The CANBus GNSS Master is an accessory that allows to connect your simpleRTK2B, simpleRTK3B or simpleRTK4 board to a CAN Bus network and read/write messages.
With the current firmware you can use this plugin to transmit classic messages or you can also use it with NMEA2000 protocol.
The module has the following connections:
- XBee socket. This module is compatible with all our products with XBee sockets (simpleRTK2B, simpleRTK3B, simpleRTK4, …).
- microUSB connector. We use it to update its parameters or to load new firmware. Notice that this connection does not power the CANBus GNSS Master, you always need to plug it into a powered XBee socket.
- DB9 connector. You need to plug a cable to it. Connect the other end to your CANBus network.
- Terminal resistor jumper. Make sure to set the terminal resistor jumper like this if your CANbus network has already a terminal resistor (if not leave it in the default position):

- BOOT button. Use it to load firmware (see instructions below).
- LEDs. Blue LED shows if the CANBus GNSS Master board is powered on.
To install this device, simply plug it into a GNSS receiver with XBee socket and power the receiver.
In normal operation there is no need to use the microUSB connector on it (we use it only to configure it).
Make sure your GNSS receiver is configured to send data in NMEA format at the proper UART port at 115200bps.
Parameters
To configure your CANBus GNSS Master, you should set its parameters:
- Plug the CANBus GNSS Master board into your GNSS receiver XBee socket, power your GNSS receiver.
- Connect the microUSB cable to your CANBus GNSS Master and your PC, a flash drive will appear
- Fill the form below with your desired output
- Press the Generate parameter file
- Drag and drop the generated file on your CANBus GNSS Master flash drive.
Make sure the name is can_settings.toml - Wait 10 seconds and restart your CANBus GNSS Master device by pressing the XBEE RESET button on your receiver(not the BOOT button on your CANBus GNSS Master). If you have a simpleRTK2B Lite, unplug the USB cable and replug it.
You can also read previous generated files by pressing the Read parameter file button.
Make sure the following NMEA messages are enabled: GGA , RMC , VTG , ROT , HDT .
For NMEA2000, use 10Hz frequency.
If some messages are not available on your receiver the related CAN messages won't be sent.
| Enabled | ID (hex) | ID (dec) | Msg Name | Parameter(s) | Bytes | Scaling | Range | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0x31 | 49 | FIXSAT | FixType Satellites |
1 1 |
1 1 |
[0|256] [0|256] |
- # |
|
| 0x32 | 50 | LAT | Latitude | 8 | 0.0000001 | [-90|90] | deg | |
| 0x33 | 51 | LON | Longitude | 8 | 0.0000001 | [-180|180] | deg | |
| 0x34 | 52 | SOGALT | Ground_speed Altitude |
4 4 |
0.001 0.000001 |
[-1M|1M] [-1M|10M] |
m/s m |
|
| 0x35 | 53 | TIME | Year Month Day Hour Minute Second |
2 1 1 1 1 1 |
1 1 1 1 1 1 |
[0|2200] [0|12] [0|40] [0|30] [0|70] [0|70] |
year month day hour min sec |
|
| 0x36 | 54 | ACC2D | Accuracy2D | 8 | 0.001 | [0|100k] | m |
| Enabled | PGN | PGN Name | PGN Frequency | Fields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127250 | Vessel Heading | 10 Hz | SID Heading Reading Deviation Variation Reference |
|
| 127251 | Rate of Turn | 10 Hz | SID Rate |
|
| 129025 | Position, Rapid Update | 10 Hz | Latitude Longitude |
|
| 129026 | COG & SOG, Rapid Update | 4 Hz | SID COG Reference Course Over Ground Speed Over Ground |
|
| 129029 | GNSS Position Data | 10 Hz | SID Date Time Latitude Longitude Altitude Type of System Method Integrity Number of SVs HDOP PDOP Geoidal Separation |
Latest firmware and changelog
*** CANBus GNSS Master Changelog *** 2026-03-26 - FW V1.0.0 * First release
and
