Adding Aftermarket Internal GPS to the CF-29

So folks, there is a new cf-29 faq created from super mnementh.

on my cf-29mk5 wasnt a internal gps, but i need it.
i bought an 54 channel gpsmouse with usb, i did not know at this time, that there are enough serial ports inside the toughbook ( i.e. near the keyboard-connector).
I read many pages in this forum, but found no hint to integrat an gps-mouse in the computer.
i opened the machine and there are some open connectors.
In the site modly.org i found the schematic from the greatfull ohlip of connector cn18.
I used the usb- and power-pins with an flatcable from an defective tft-display, for my luck an 40pin.
Left from the handle is, if u dismantel this an hole. I dont know for what, but i used the hole, to put a mini switch with a cable soldered on it, to switch on and off the gps-mouse (50mA) over the USB-Power.
In the closed-cover from the hole i cut an window for the switch.
The innerside of the hole was filled with hot-glue from the pistol, so no water can float the laptop trough this hole.
The flatcable is cuted beside the pins i need, the soldering is easy now. Its fixed with big balls of glue and a tape around.
Gps-Mouse found her home in the little plastic-thing without her plastic-clothes, where in original the Gps is located. It was a little cutt-modification on the plastic till the GPS slips in. Be carefull not to destroy the gumlipps!
There only on problem. Half of the antenna is now behind the magnesium so it detect only 2 instead 8 satelites outer there.
Any reasons?


Here are the pictures:

 

54 Channel? You sure about that? If so... Now I'm jealous and I'll have to get one

But... I must say GOOD WORK! You got an aftermarket GPS setup to operate (even if it only has 2 sats).

The reason you aren't picking up much signal though is because the magnesium blocks it, just like a hot chick's friends at the bar. (They both see what you are trying to do and shut it down )

That is why we have all gone with external antennas on our 28's.

But so far, I must say you are doing a great job!

 

You have the right idea but the wrong hardware. You need a smaller antenna so it will fit all the way in the end of the black plastic trim. I ran into a similar situation stuffing a big GPS antenna into the bumpout of the CF-28... 2 satellites and that is all.


You need a small GPS antenna! Good work though... Another person not afraid to brick a laptop... You gotta love it!

 

Nice write-up! I don't have a cf-29, but enjoyed the post and the pics. Probably one of the more audacious mods posted since the old days of exploring the RIM card on the 28. Soldering to the ribbon cable must have been difficult.

Good job!!

 

@modly look i.e. at ebay# 170210250926 or try it on google
ur funny!(...drunken? )

@toughbook My apologize: i did'nt know, which dimension the antenna of the mouse has till i had it in my hands and opened. I hoped the mouse is sensitive enough, but the half area of the antenna is behind the metal.


did anyone switched the antenna from a mouse to an external?

 

Thanks for ur positives and hints.

I solved the antenna-problem:
unsoldered the shield and the antenna from the gps-mouse and connected with a short piece of RG174-cable together, so it fit better into the sidecover.
Now at the moment i have Indoor 4 and outdoor 8 satellites! I reside in forest....

In the shielded case of my hilux, the toughbook on the seat i got during i drive from the cloudy sky 9 to 12 satellites, more are not visible with my software...

Here are the pics:
(take a look at the 3V-backup-battery)








(don't look so close)

 

I'm very impressed!! It looks like we are getting somewhere. Do you guys think the same gps engine your fittig into the cf-28 would work? I don't much like the external antenna though. It seems if you could get the parts for the factory gps cheap it might help with fitting a antenna in the larger plastic housing.

i remember tb saying it was cheaper to get the kit than the parts but if you only need the plastic housing. How muh could that cost??

 

I think the plastic housing is pretty much the same. The hefty prices were mainly for the stock GPS antenna and engine. The prices for the other stuff is all over the place. Yes... I plan on using the same EM-408 to to install in the 29. My original thoughts were to unsolder the patch antenna that comes with the 408... But you will need an active antena to get through the plastic housing. I found one that works on the bump-out in the 28 (FINALLY!) I can't remember the model number off hand but I bought it off of usglobalsat.

Good stuff here onirakkiss... Keep up the good work!

 

This is an add-on to my first post in this thread.
To prevent of an run-down of the accu, i built in an switch on the left frontside. But if someone forget to manually switch off the GPS, if the notebook is switched off, there is regardless 5V voltage on the GPS. To avoid this, i connect the line from the switch now not with cn18, but with the power of an external USB-port.

Pics:

 

Ok! guys, for the head up, I managed to work the EM408 to CF-29 toughbook on a first stage. Unfortunately it is connected temporarity outside the notebook. The data is streaming but i don't have yet complete materials to verify its reliability like for example, I don't have yet the sarantel antena. I will publish all the pinout and diagram after I complete the whole thing. For initial report, here is the picture for your reference.

 

I like the second picture... the first one is too messy...:tongue:

Good job... It will be interesting to see what it does with the Sarantel antenna...

 

Ohlip... It's funny that you mentioned this today. I just got in a 29 for my GPS testbed. I planned on just unsoldering the antenna that comes with the EM-408 and using some thin coax to connect it to the main module. Then I can slide it over into the stock position. I'll report on my progress when I can.

Can you post a quick pinout... I already know pretty much where they need to go but I'd like to cross-reference it with yours.

Thanks,

Rick

EDIT - This is the GPS antenna that I used on another application in the CF-28. I snugged it into the stock GPS "hump" after dremeling a little more room on the inside. It IS an active GPS antenna so it gave me pretty good results. Not quite as good as the Sarantel... But then nothing on the civilian market will! Here's the link...

http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-250-at-65-portable-active-mmcx.aspx

There are two screws on the bottom of the case and the RG-174 is, of course, easy to splice.

 

The first one is for testing the engine temporairly if it works or not the wiring I created. I even used the drop down regulator that I ask to you(Mnem...) before and it works too. I pulled out the regulator, connect the engine directly to 5Vdc and it works even more with the help of enable/disable function of the engine to drop down the voltage to 3.3Vdc

ohlip

 

I tried 3 type of patch antena to the original location the small one big one but its not to good. I only got 7 satellite, 4 fix but anyway its indoor. Tried again with extension cable about 2 meters and place outside the windows, in sec. its full on winfast nav and only one is not fix.

Now! I have to cancel one of my cf-29 on ebay to retrofit with em408. Sucks, ebay still charge me for listing fee.



ohlip

 

Antennas are the largest downfall to us

They are either great, but exposed, or well protected and obtain signal like my grandmother receives reality.

However, I did mean to tell you when you got back, we gotta send out a GPS hump to regist1. He works for a plastic molding company and could probably make us some modified humps.

I'm wondering if we could make a hump that lets us fit the sarantel vertically inside of it...

 

I am thinking about if the bump out is a bet wide or can be extended out to place a regular patch antena. It will gonna be much better coz I observed that when I take it out the antena and place on a palm rest area it has big dif...ce.


Anyway, I already order a sarantel antena from JG. Hope it will be here before the weekend so that I can confirm to you all guys if is a big success or not



ohlip

 

I have had very good luck with the JG antenna and mounting it to the stock RIM location on the 29. Very little cutting, and, unlike the 28, you don't need to cut the seam of the unit thus keeping the integrity of the lid. All you do is slick a little bigger hole than is already there and the JG slides right down in. The existing hole is rectangular, and is very easy to enlarge just enough to slide the JG body in and lay it flat. It's almost as if the design of the JG, a little smaller, is made for this kind of hole. I will try to take some shots this week to show you what I mean. Anyway, once that was done, I then enlarged the hole on the plug with a Forstner bit to fit the outer cover of the JG, and slid the plug over the cover. Epoxied that up to maintain water seal, installed the plug, inserted the JG from the rear (hahahaha he said rear) and now just need to secure it down with some hot glue or tape and it will be GTG. I have already tested it's durability several times (on purpose) and it is VERY forgiving. I think anything short of dropping it right on the antenna, at an angle, will survive. Now I just need a new antenna and the 408 mod working, and I will be happy (yes, I said new antenna; no, my testing didn't break it; it was my dumb arse cable run that got pinched in the hinge and spliced the line). So hey, if anyone wants just the JG antenna, with a slightly used, hardly-notice-the-break-in-the-line cable, send me a PM and we can work out a price.

 

Doobi, Mail sent, it work perfectly. Thanks again for the materials.


ohlip

 

Heh! That's the same amplified antenna I used with my Magellan RoadMate 760 so I could stash it above the sunvisor instead of in the dash! It worked great for almost a year until I upgraded to my current Garmin Nuvi 200W!

The Roadmate was a lot more accurate with the active antenna... but that SirfStarIII based Garmin gets lock SO much faster... and of course, I was d@mned if I was gonna pay Magellan $100 for the map update when I got the whole Garmin with 2008 Maps for $169.00 from Buy.com, plus it's widescreen with photo viewer & builtin 6 hour battery, so easily pocketable.

mnem<~~~ Where am I?*

 

I'm thinking... If you want to go that route... That we should mold one similar to the CF-30. That way we could still have it on top of the LCD but it would be covered. Now... Here's the issue.

I had a long series of emails back and forth with Jim Gray. I had installed the Sarantel antenna inside a "protector" ... Basically like what you are talking about doing. You have to have the Sarantel antenna laser tuned IF you install it INSIDE something. This is no problem... All you need to do is to order a minimum of 10,000 antennas for them to do this.

I feel that the LCD mount is best. Right now I have a customer whose GPS drops out while he is typing as his hand covers the antenna!

Anyway... Bedtime for Bonzo...

'Night!

Uh... Yeah...

 

Good morning!

is there an compendium about the possible antennas for the toughbooks?
I'm working on a solution for dvb-t and umts-antenna...but the timeline is too short : on may,19th my toughbook and my girlfriend will be in new zealand for one year (did anyone know a navigation software for this country working on a laptop?).

@ohlip: looks good! how did u power off and on the gps?

 

onirakkiss, I hope you enjoy New Zealand. I was there for a month, and it was not long enough. I only had time to explore a small number of things, and never left the North Island. I'll see if I can find some software, but in the mean time, look for stuff that includes Australia. That is your best bet.

Toughbook, I like the idea of the LCD mount. I'm wondering though, if the tuning is 100% necessary or not. They have those embedding sleeves, which maybe we can figure out what kind of material it is, and make our housing from that in the same thickness.

Just an idea though.

 

fftopic: only my girl and the toughbook are then in NZ. i must be here in germany as background and she is walking as backpacker

 

Oh, you should really go down there with her! It is an adventure waiting to happen

Just don't let her meet my ex-girlfriend. She might try to steal her away from you

 

snip
Just don't let her meet my ex-girlfriend. She might try to steal her away from you [/QUOTE]

Mod,
Is that the tattooed lady tht I sent you the picture of?

 

Just to confirmed that em408 really works on cf-29 couple with sarantel active S antena. Here are the pictures of the latest and final setup That i have done to my unit Panasonic CF-29 toughbook. For your reference: The sarantel antena is located where the bump antena of evdo. It takes me almost half a day for antena installation only.

 

Sarantel antena is the best antena that really works as of to date. I used the existing cable of evdo antena pass thru to the docking connector and then to gps engine.


Secondly, the gps engine(EM408) is connected to the serial port and i used the enble/disable function lead of the em408 to control the system. It means its off when computer is also off.



ohlip

 

ohlip... Do you have a schematic... What pins on CF-18 did you attach to?

 

Sorry, guys! Its a bet late, I've just gone into bed very late last night. My desktop are failling coz of its power supply problem.


Ok! for the benefit of a riding public here on the toughbook forum. First and foremost I wanna thank "Doobi" for giving me an spare OEM gps engine with sled on CF-29 for free, right! for free, that all you know it cost about $400.00. This sled with gps attached lead me to identify the exact pin out directly to the CN(18) of cf-29 and as I promised to him he will be the first to know before I publish on the forum.

TB...I am not really good in english coz this is not my mother tougue and I will ask you a favor if you could post a tutorial for the installation procedure of EM408 to Panasonic CF-29 after you have proven that this pin out really works, it works for me no doubt and as a matter of fact my unit now is on ebay for auction coz again I'm run out of budget. Can I have your words? Pls.





Here are the combination pin out: For those without a sled or Daughterboard.



EM408 gps engine------------------------------- CN(18)CF-29
1 (enable/disable)------------------------------Pin 29(RFSW#)
2 (ground)-------------------------------------pin 33,35,37(either of them)
3 (GPS Rx)-------------------------------------pin 38(Tx)
4 (GPS Tx)-------------------------------------pin 39(Rx)
5 (Vcc)----------------------------------------pin 30,31,32(either of them)
NOTE: -----------------------------------------pin 40 must be short to ground in order to show up the gps on the bios and make sure you enable or auto it.


After the installation it create com port but its tricky to set up the port as MODLY said change the com port but sometimes it works on the first port assignment.

It takes me two months for this but not everyday only when theres spare time. Right now I am working on the sled again to identify the exact pin out for the sled so that we have two choices. For those without sled and for those with sled.



Hope it will help us all. I hate those guys after getting what they need and then gone forever even if they have something to share.


Good Luck




Ohlip

 

In addition, It is not necessarily to have a 40c flat cable ribbon if you don't have as long as with the same pitch. I only used 16c flat cable just to reach out the pin29 and slide the cable at the far end of the CN(18). On that, only six conductor are going to use, cut all the other to prevent from short circuit problem.

If you have some Q? just ask, free of charged.

I also worked on my newly acquired cf-m34 1.0g to retrofit with em408 and it work too. The only setback again is the antena coz on m34 the lid is so thin you really need to fabricate the base for sarantel antena


ohlip

 

Ohlip,

I will be building one later this week... Hopefully. I was looking at 2 different pins for Tx & Rx but will use the ones you show.

Yes... I'll create a tutorial after/while I do mine so we can post it. I'll start a thread with your post first and then the tutorial.

Good work!

BTW... I plan on using a different antenna combination and perhaps a different GPS engine in later models. The pinouts should be the same though. I will be doing mine without using the sled. (I think)

Again... Good job!

 

Just for clarification the pin out that I posted is for those without sled That means it connected directly to CN(18) of panasonicf CF-29 toughbook. Using 16c flat ribbon cable. It doesn't matter if you have 40c flat ribbon cable.



ohlip

 

Good info... I have a ton of different ribbon cables... But not all have the same width on the individual connectors. I DO have a few 40 pin cables to fit this though.

I'll post back when I have tried this.

BTW... Ohlip... Did you solder in any protection for the circuitry or are you relying on the mobo for that?

 

No need, all connections are straight from the motherboard to em408 but of course we do need a bridge(reffered to solder) between flat ribbon cable and the insulated conductor to gps engine.

Ok! here is a little bet instruction on cable preparation of flat ribbon cable and into the insulated conductor. First strip the cable about 10mm in lenght no matter what kind of method are you using, mine i used soldering iron with very clean tip. After stripping divide the conductors into two group, one even number and other odd number. Identify the conductor that you are going to use. Apply a tape(I used masking tape) on both side of odd and even no. conductor as you can see on the picture. Then soldered each cable conductor with your extension cable for your project. After that, cut an exact tape fold it equally and apply to the center between odd and even no. facing the adhesive at opposite side. Man! i don't know how to explain it properly. Just Look on the pictures to visualize what I am trying to explain.

 

A good method to segment the flatcable.
Looks better then mine variant (because i think i need less time for this ;-) ). But be carefull, not to use a tape, which is hygroscopic....

And where can i get such an sarantel-antenna (and an datasheet), possibly in europe, ready for the toughbook (now i have one year, till i can build-in this part)?

On yesterday we tested my variant of build in-GPS-mouse with Garmin-Mobile-PC and an imported Garmin-Europe-Map in my Hilux while driving; works really good. I give u an response, if my girlfriend had tested in New Zealand the Open NZ Maps with GMPC.

Hopefully is my toughbook watching for her (prevent her from bad ex-girls, like moodlys girl)....

 

Sarantel active antena as I beleive is being manufacture in UK, it is imposible that this stuff is available here in north america while not in europe. Try to look mybe its scattered ( is that the right words?) in your place.



ohlip

 

Hacked and packed again; this time using the sled of panasonic cf-29 toughbook. Now! we have two choices for those with SLED and for those without. This picture was taken inside my living area not outside. Here is for your reference. Complete detail will be coming soon to a theater near you.

 

Great job oh! Rep to you!

I've updated the CF-29 FAQ apprpriately; now we ALL want to see your connections on the SLED module, OF COURSE...

mnem
Where are YOU?

 

Very busy, man. Thinking whats wrong with my auction style coz my item didn't sell while "toughbook"(Rick) has a great success.

Ok! One more time.



Ohlip

Whats wrong with those people or maybe something wrong with me.,

 

To complete the aftermarket option on cf-29, this time with sled. Pls. find the attached file for your reference.

Ok! and here it is:


aftermarket gps engine(em408) for those with sled on Panasonic cf-29



EM408-------------------------------- CN(3) of SLED or daughter board(12c hirose connector)


1 (enable/disable)-------------------Pin 10
2 (ground)--------------------------pin 6
3 (Rx)------------------------------pin 3(Tx)
4 (Tx)------------------------------pin 4(Rx)
5 (Vcc)-----------------------------pin 9
Note: -------------------pin 2 must short to ground in order to show up the gps on the bios.


Patch antena must taken out in order to install the engine permanently.

Good luck.




Ohlip

 

Well, allrighty then!

Please - some pix of your completed sled?

mnem
Oh dren! I've forgotten how to smegging curse using frakking NORMAL curse words!

 

Does anyone have a part number for the ribbon cable that inserts in CN18, and does Heartland sell just the cable? I have a couple of flat ribbon cables, but the pitch of the wires is too large to keep from shorting the connector contacts together. I mounted my gps engine, and shortened the cable for the antenna and inserted it into the cover above the battery. Just need to get the cable and do the wiring and I should be good to go (Hopefully). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Robert

 

Try to look on junk eletronic equipment like the old printer. You need 0.5mm pitch cable. I think digikey has a flat cable available with different pitch.

Placing the antena on the side plastic above the battery compartment gives me a not good signal but of course if you have some idea that can be fix. We are happy to know and you are most welcome to share with us.

ohlip

 

Thanks for the advice Ohlip. I am am Biomed and have been looking inside equipment all morning without luck. .

The pitch size was what I needed. I was able to find a 4" 40 pin cable on Eprey for about $12.00. Hope to have it next week and finish the install.

I had been thinking about making a pcb (from one of the prototype houses) with the 40 pin flat cable connector on one end and the 5 pin connector for the GPS engine on the other. I think it would simplify things greatly.

I would like to thank all of you who did the leg work on getting the 408 module running in the toughbook. Looks like about a two hour job (no Sarantel antenna) if you have all of the parts, and around $100.00 versus $400.00 for the kit.

 

I would sure be interested in an easy to setup kit, to install internal GPS into the CF-29's for under 200 dollars.

 

The part number for the ribbon cable that runs from CN18 to the sled is part number DFUP1325YA and is available seperately... I think it runs $18 plus shipping. But a regular 40 pin cable will work fine.

Ohlip.. .No longer the roaring success on ebay. I've had to relist a few several times here recently. But then nobody else is tearing it up either. Seems that $4/gal gas is finally having an impact! I have been selling a few on the side which has been keeping me afloat but things are WAY slow!

I need to get back to my CF-29s and modding in GPS! I played around with one of the EM-408 modules to remove the antenna. I was thinking about using it as the antenna... Just slide it over a little. Though I think it may be a little too big for that. I'll let you guys know when I finally get around to it.

I doubt there will be a reliable kit that can EASILY be installed for under $200. There is just too much stuff to mod for someone to put out a kit without wanting something for the labor of doing it! You should be able to do it yourself for under $200 but then there is a lot of hair pulling involved!

 

I finally got Ohlip's mod installed with the JG antenna and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed!!! I used the CN18 option, and with the sled out, there is plenty of room for the EM408 without having to remove the antenna. I just have it all taped in right now, will glue it down after testing for a couple of weeks to ensure it's stability. So far, it's been 5 days and it is running like a champ! I get 7-9 sats, consistant high twenties, to low 30's signal strength, and drive almost 200 miles a day with it running and never losing sats. The stock system would get me 7-9 sats, signal strength of high 30's to low 40's, but the signal would pulse up and down, and would frequently cause S&T's to lose connection. Also with the stock setup, S&T would run up to 18 seconds behind, or drop out completely, at freeway speeds; but with Ohlip's setup, I see only up to 3 second lag, and no drops. Hope this helps others decide.

 

Doobi.. glad you initially installed the engine and the antena. I say, just use a double sided tape with 1mm thick to mount the em408 beneath the palmrest area and its good enough. I have one trying to pull it off to change a location and its really tough like playing a tug of war.


TB... Your right! now are getting slow, the buyer are thinking twice. Luckily I've got modded the unit only a gps atleast I've got 40% net of the total purchased.


I am waiting to make the stuation be good or profitable before I list it down again. This time my 1.3ghz



ohlip

 

Just finished the 408 gps install on my CF-29. I am using the active patch antenna that Toughbook mentioned in an earlier post. My question is, would there be any benefit to removing the stock patch antenna from the gps and installing it in the bump out with the active patch antenna? I think I will try this tomorrow unless someone chimes in beforehand. Might have to bite the bullet and get a Sarantel...

The install wasn't too difficult, the toughest part was separating and soldering the wires on the ribbon cable. I am still tossing around the idea of a pcb that would interface between the cable from cn18 and the gps, and eliminate the cutting and soldering. Also considering making a place on the pcb for what looks like another usb port on cn18. I think it would make for a quick and easy bluetooth upgrade. Thoughts?

fstik

 

I MUST work on the GPS in the 29 this week. I've been busy with other stuff and haven't gotten around to it.