Why you probably shouldn't fly your drone on April 6th (GPS rollover explained)

sar104 · Feb 23, 2019

Thoraldus said:
I'd go with a 'probably not' vs a 'definitive no' given your qualifier.

Fair enough - if you are concerned that DJI is using GPS chipsets designed in the 90s then I can't argue with that.

Thoraldus · Feb 23, 2019

sar104 said:
Fair enough - if you are concerned that DJI is using GPS chipsets designed in the 90s then I can't argue with that.

After 5 years working on the F/A-18 Hornet FCS I've learned to assume nothing.

sar104 · Feb 23, 2019

Thoraldus said:
After 5 years working on the F/A-18 Hornet FCS I've learned to assume nothing.

Agreed - and your "probably" is correct, of course, but, realistically - what are the chances that DJI is using 20-year old GPS chipsets? Were dual GPS/GLONASS chipsets even made back then?

jcw7268 · Feb 23, 2019

I guess all commercial and non commercial aircraft will also be grounded also since they use GPS.

Thoraldus · Feb 23, 2019

sar104 said:
Agreed - and your "probably" is correct, of course, but, realistically - what are the chances that DJI is using 20-year old GPS chipsets? Were dual GPS/GLONASS chipsets even made back then?

Pretty slim.

OzPepito · Feb 23, 2019

I wonder if the number of satellites acquired number shown at the top of the DJI Go app includes GLONASS satellites or GPS only ?

Bmwiam · Feb 23, 2019

Thoraldus said:
Talked with DJI support online and the CSR knew about the issue but had no information from engineering. He's pushing the query up the chain of command. I will not fly my birds on the 6th or the 7th until I get to read whether anyone's bird flew away. ;-)

Lol is it really that serious? The drones have several redundancy features and I doubt that losing its GPS signal would be enough to make it “flyaway.” Just land it if there’s a problem.

sar104 · Feb 23, 2019

OzPepito said:
I wonder if the number of satellites acquired number shown at the top of the DJI Go app includes GLONASS satellites or GPS only ?

It's the GNSS total, so the sum of GPS and GLONASS. The log files also split them out by type.

dangerousdavekincaid · Feb 23, 2019

Maybe we should get the Antenna's turned back on. I believe there was one in Texas, Canada or Washington, and Denver?? Three point triangulation. Can not remember what it was called then, it was something other than GPS?

FrankIII · Feb 23, 2019

sar104 said:
I don't understand all this concern about flyaways. The effect of the rollover (week code reset), even if the GPS chip isn't current enough to cope with it, would be to cause errors in the GPS date. It won't affect positional accuracy at all. And, in any case, all the DJI equipment is far too new to have affected GPS chips.

I concur.
This reminds me of the 2000 scare. LOL

Quad808 · Feb 23, 2019

While all of the "snowflakes" won't be flying that day, I will be flying as fast as I can and as far away as I can, just because...

In fact, I won't even wait to gain enough satellites. I will just run outside, start it up and full throttle baby! Fast and far away. Wahoooo!

dangerousdavekincaid · Feb 23, 2019

Well for me I will be celebrating my 71st. Birthday, April 6th...

Meta4 · Feb 23, 2019

dangerousdavekincaid said:
Maybe we should get the Antenna's turned back on. I believe there was one in Texas, Canada or Washington, and Denver?? Three point triangulation. Can not remember what it was called then, it was something other than GPS?

You are probably referring to LORAN which would require a dedicated LORAN receiver to work.
Since this rumoured issue is a non-issue, there's no need to consider it.

OzPepito · Feb 23, 2019

sar104 said:
It's the GNSS total, so the sum of GPS and GLONASS. The log files also split them out by type.

Thanks mate.

dangerousdavekincaid · Feb 23, 2019

Meta4 said:
You are probably referring to LORAN which would require a dedicated LORAN receiver to work.
Since this rumoured issue is a non-issue, there's no need to consider it.

Yup!! That was it. Guess I am getting old with memory loss... I had a Loran map recorder on our boat that you had and had to wait until you would get a lock on the three sites. And your positioning was really good, with in 25 feet, ha ha....

PWIdmayer · Feb 23, 2019

Heres to you dangerousdavekincaid - happy birthday and GPS doom day. LOL just kidding folks. I am neither an alarmist or sensationalist. But seriously... happy bday on April 6th - I am an April baby too, But no where near 71 ...

mlee · Feb 23, 2019

Thanks for the heads up. My bet now is that will be the day I decide to fly and will forget all about this post. LOL

CaptKit · Feb 23, 2019

In 1999 I was sailing from Panama to Costa RICO when all gps went out for 3 days. I kept asking ships going to Panama, that I pasted, if they had a fix. We all assumed they were moving some satellites. The tides (think winds on your drone) are 12-16 foot in half circle directions. I kept a dead reckoning chart and was on my course 2 nm ahead of where I thought I was 3 days later. Best not to fly if you want your drone to come home.

dangerousdavekincaid · Feb 23, 2019

PWIdmayer said:
Heres to you dangerousdavekincaid - happy birthday and GPS doom day. LOL just kidding folks. I am neither an alarmist or sensationalist. But seriously... happy bday on April 6th - I am an April baby too, But no where near 71 ...

Well time fly's when your having fun.... Thanks....