Hardware Versions

The Wireless Tracker has undergone hardware revisions since its initial release. Understanding the differences is critical for firmware compatibility.

Version Timeline

Version	Release	Key Change
V1.0	June 2023	Initial release
V1.1	Late 2023	Added dedicated GNSS LDO, GPIO3 control

V1.1 Changes

The V1.1 revision addressed power isolation issues that could cause GNSS failures during LoRa transmission.

What Changed

Feature	V1.0	V1.1
GNSS Power	Shared rail	Dedicated LDO
GNSS Control	Always on	GPIO3 (HIGH = enabled)
Power Isolation	Limited	Improved
Low Power Mode	Basic	Enhanced

Identifying Your Version

Physical Inspection

Look for the version marking on the PCB near the USB connector.

Programmatic Detection

// V1.1 detection - check if GPIO3 controls GNSS
#define GNSS_CTRL_PIN 3

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(115200);

    // For V1.1 hardware - enable GNSS power
    pinMode(GNSS_CTRL_PIN, OUTPUT);
    digitalWrite(GNSS_CTRL_PIN, HIGH);

    delay(1000);  // Allow GNSS to power up

    // Check for GNSS response...
}

Firmware Compatibility

Meshtastic 2.2.17 Beta and later auto-detect the hardware version.

For earlier versions, use the temporary firmware from Heltec:

device-install.bat -f firmware.factory.bin

Custom Firmware

Always include GNSS power initialization for V1.1 compatibility:

// Universal initialization - works on both V1.0 and V1.1
void initGNSS() {
    // V1.1: Enable GNSS power via GPIO3
    // V1.0: This has no effect (pin not connected to GNSS power)
    pinMode(3, OUTPUT);
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH);

    // Wait for GNSS module to initialize
    delay(100);

    // Continue with GNSS serial setup...
}

Technical Details

V1.1 Power Architecture

The V1.1 added a dedicated low-dropout regulator (LDO) for the UC6580 GNSS module:

Input: Vext rail (controlled by GPIO3)
Output: Clean 3.3V for GNSS
Benefit: Eliminates voltage drops during high-current LoRa TX

Power Consumption Improvements

Mode	V1.0	V1.1
Deep Sleep	~25 µA	~15 µA
GNSS Only	90 mA	89 mA
LoRa + GNSS	Unstable	89 + TX mA