I need to build a circuit that includes a GS407 GPS receiver with a breakout board (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10496). I will be using this on a PC with a DB9 RS232 interface. It seems the GPS receiver does TTL, which I'm not yet familiar with.

Can I simply use the GS407 w/breakout board, and connect it to a RS232 shifter (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/449) and then connect a 3.3vdc power supply to Vcc and GND on the shifter and the GPS, and then connect GND and TX and RX to pins 2, 3 and 5 from the shifter to the pins of the DB9? Will that allow me to see the GPS output using a terminal program?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

From the internetz:
"With the FTDI 3.3 V serial - usb adapter, and a terminal program on a PC, all you have to do is connect the grounds and TX (GPS) to RX (FTDI) to see the messages output by the GPS. The baud rate must be correct, but even if it isn't, you will see nonsense characters on the terminal window."

The FTDI 3.3 volt Serial to USB adapter cable: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/TTL-232R-3V3-WE/768-1016-ND/1836394

So the block diagram looks like this:
GS407-->breakout board-->FTDI 3.3 volt Serial to USB cable-->PC

 

From the internetz:
"With the FTDI 3.3 V serial - usb adapter, and a terminal program on a PC, all you have to do is connect the grounds and TX (GPS) to RX (FTDI) to see the messages output by the GPS. The baud rate must be correct, but even if it isn't, you will see nonsense characters on the terminal window."

The FTDI 3.3 volt Serial to USB adapter cable: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/TTL-232R-3V3-WE/768-1016-ND/1836394

So the block diagram looks like this:
GS407-->breakout board-->FTDI 3.3 volt Serial to USB cable-->PC

Sorry if I didn't make it clear in my original post, but I have to use a 9pin serial (rs232) in this case. USB is not an option.

 

Can I simply use the GS407 w/breakout board, and connect it to a RS232 shifter (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/449) and then connect a 3.3vdc power supply to Vcc and GND on the shifter and the GPS,


and then connect GND and TX and RX to pins 2, 3 and 5 from the shifter to the pins of the DB9? Will that allow me to see the GPS output using a terminal program?

Thanks in advance for any help

This should work. The GS407 is 3.3 volt. The shifter is 2.8 to 5 volt, those are the examples they put in the description, so 3.3 volt should work too.

The comments on the shifter are interesting.

 

This should work. The GS407 is 3.3 volt. The shifter is 2.8 to 5 volt, those are the examples they put in the description, so 3.3 volt should work too.

The comments on the shifter are interesting.

Thanks. Yes, I read through some of the comments and will heed those when I attempt this. Placing the order now for the parts.

Thanks again.