Sonic Avionics GPS Module
This project highlights my work on the GPS module for Sonic Avionics, an open-source modular avionics platform built for student and experimental rocketry applications.
The module was designed as part of a broader avionics ecosystem focused on practical flight hardware, modularity, and accessibility. I worked on this project with an emphasis on creating a board that fits cleanly into a larger avionics stack while still meeting the performance and integration needs of a real flight system.
The GPS module is built around the u-blox NEO-M9N GNSS receiver and supports multiple constellations, high update rates, and an external antenna connection for reliable positioning performance. It also includes an RP2040 microcontroller, CAN FD interface, and a backup battery to improve startup behavior after power cycling.
One of the most interesting parts of the design process was balancing performance, manufacturability, and packaging constraints. The board went through several design decisions, including a shift from the MAX M10S to the NEO-M9N, use of a right-angle SMA connector for enclosure integration, and a move to a 4-layer PCB to support better RF behavior, grounding, and signal integrity.
The design also reflects the kind of engineering tradeoffs that come up often in avionics hardware. Component substitutions, layout refinement, USB access decisions, RF routing, ESD protection, and battery selection all had to be considered in a way that made sense for the final use case rather than just in isolation.
What I like most about this project is that it sits at the intersection of avionics, embedded systems, PCB layout, and real aerospace integration. It is a good example of the kind of hardware work I want to keep doing: practical, flight-oriented electronics that are designed not just to work on paper, but to fit into a larger system and support actual mission needs.
You can learn more about the overall project on the Sonic Avionics website and see the specific module page here: Sonic Avionics GPS Module.