Adding Aftermarket Internal GPS to the CF-29

I tried different antena on the original location and the result was not promising. Also when you are on navigation there comes a time that you have to type on the keyboard and the signal strenght drop down significantly coz you cover up the antena location by your hand.


BTW,How's the performance of your setup. Does it work very well?



ohlip

 

I am a little disappointed by the performance of the active antenna in the stock location. Long time to lock and low signal strengths. When I move the antenna out of the laptop, I get 9-10 birds with decent signal. I think I will start looking into the Sarantel mounted on the top of the LCD. Anyone have a spare RIM antenna setup they want to sell?

fstik

 

Update on the GPS install.

I made a replacement bump out for the active antenna from half inch polycarbonate. Hollowed out a pocket big enough for the antenna to have a clear view, and then secured it with two larger screws and sealed/glued it in place with RTV silicone. I get 8 birds inside and 10-11 outside, good enough for me. I installed iGuidance and it ROCKS!!!

I am overall happy with the install now. The bump out isn't production worthy, but I think it blends well and should stand up to any abuse I would encounter with the toughbook. Still looking to create a pc board with connectors to get away from the flat ribbon to wire interface and utilize the usb on cn18. Need to practice a little more with the cad software.

fstik

 

It appears more than serviceable to me; good job!

mnem
Kudos? I can't... too many carbs...

 

Fst.... Is that a free cut polycarbonate or you mould it yourself? Its nice and its like a factory made. Can you elaborate, I mean can you specify the whole thing and the materials you used its interesting.



ohlip

 

Hi Ohlip,

Thanks for the compliments (you too, mnementh). It is free cut polycarbonate. I basically removed the stock cover, measured for the width and started grinding with a Dremel (hand held grinder.) I used a belt sander to rough up the surface and also to round off the edges of the piece to blend with the top edge of the laptop case. Drilled some pilot holes with a drill press and the used the Dremel to grind out for the pocket for the antenna. Because the Polycarbonate was originally clear, it was easy to see how deep I could go, as well as where to drill the holes to attach it to the original holes in the side of the laptop. I then painted the polycarbonate with some flat black plastic spraypaint. Final installation consisted of placing the antenna in the pocket, then filling each side with RTV silicone, then applying the silicone to the flat surfaces of the laptop case where the bump out would be sitting. Set the bump out in place and installed the screws. I figured that the silicone would help hold the bump out in place and also create a waterproof seal.

You could probably use just about any type of plastic, since most plastics at that thickness would be fairly strong. I chose the polycarbonate because it is fairly transparent to RF (we used it for applications inside an MRI coil) and I happened to have a chunk of it. I don't see any loss of signal strength with the antenna in or out of the bump out.

fstik

 

VERY nice! I'm impressed! Good thinking. Which antenna did you use?

 

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


Same one that you recommended earlier in this thread. Very happy with the results! Thanks.

 

Very good! It did work well for me.... Now... to dig out that polycarbonate!

 

I have a quick question for those of you who have modded in the EM-408 into the CF-29...

The schematics show that CN18 on the 29 puts out 5V while the CF-28 puts out 3.3V. The EM-408 is designed for 3.3V. Are you guys just hooking it up to the 5V anyway? I haven't sen talk of a limiting resistor being used to control the current going to the GPS engine.

 

TB -

Ohlip was working on this project some time ago & asked for my ideas on this point; I suggested a low-dropout 3.3V regulator such as the one shown here:

http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM3940.html

They are available in either a TO-220 (Looks like a transistor) package that can provide approx 750ma with no heat sink, or TO-263 surface-mount package (much smaller) that gets its heat sink from the copper ground plane it's soldered to. Available from DigiKey (Of course) for +/- $2 depending on package. I would recommend placing a .5A - 1A microfuse (based on max current draw of the intended load) on the input leg & some small filter caps across the input & output to ground as shown in the trial schematic. Don't worry too much about getting the values exact; as long as you're around .5uf - 1uf on the input leg & between 33 - 100 uf on the output, you'll be fine.

He responded later to say his project was a success; hope that helps.

mnem
Well... deregulation is an unqualified... failure.

 

Hey! whats going on, man! I am trying to find this thread for about 15 minutes and I can't find it. I even got to page 25 to look on this. Wuh..
When did this thread to come up?

BTW, Mnem... is correct, it can be use or not to use as based on my experiment. I used this first coz I don't want my toughbook turn to an 8lbs magnesium alloy alone. I came up of eliminating the regulator coz I found out that using the pin enable/disable of em408 this 5Vdc drop down to 3.3Vdc at load and it maintain its current.

For those in need of those regulator I still have 4pcs. just the regulator, no capacitor. I ordered this from digikey 3 months ago and now its on the closet.


ohlip

 

Hey there Oh -

Naaah - I've been about, just mostly lurking. It looks like TB is getting around to experimenting with this project for himself, so I decided to peek in & offer what I knew on the subject.

Keep the shiny side up y'all,

mnem
'tis crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy & snide.

 

Ohlip... I decided to sticky it. There are so many questions about it... It needs to be on top!

 

Oh! its great, I thought Mnen... the one. so how's the mod... on your 29?


ohlip

 

It works pretty well... I have it on ebay now. It's not as strong as the Sarantel antenna but works well and gets a fix every time. I used an active patch style antenna in the stock location since I had a sled for it from another 29. The antenna was a tight squeeze but fit with a little trimming on the inside. I tidied up all the connections and it fired right up! I found the antenna on USGlobalsat.com for $20... I bought 3 of them.

 

Oh! man, you did it again. Why Canadian are so cheap in terms of buying and the American don't care whatever the price it may be as long as they want the item. Is this comment allowed here?



ohlip

 

Sure it is allowed... But I don't get the point.

I just fabbed up another CF-29 for ebay. This time I had a WWAN ready 29. The antenna install was very easy to do... A little different than the CF-28 but similar. The reception is FANTASTIC. As good or better than the 28! I was having a problem getting the GPS to work. I even rebuilt the ribbon cable and re-soldered all the leads. I finally found that the center conductor of the MMCX connector had been pushed over to the side and was shorting out! I replaced the MMCX connector and now the GPS flies! The antenna mount is MUCH sturdier than in the CF-28. There is much more "meat" around the antenna cover and base. It would take a huge hit on the antenna for anything to happen to it. It's in there to stay!

Also... There was no need to take off the patch antenna from the EM-408. There was plenty of room for the battery to slide in.

 

I mean ebay buyer between Canadian and American.


With regards to Em408, when you install the engine to the sled. You need to take it out the patch antena coz of its thickness you can not slide the sled into its place. About the antena installation at the top of the LCD, make sure to fully seled it again. I know you knew that.


ohlip

 

If you have a WWAN antenna, can you use the lead from the antenna to the sled for the Sarantel antenna, or do you need to use a more compatible coax? Is the connector on the sled an MMCX connector as well?

Thanks,

fstik

 

Ohlip... I don't use the sled. There is no need to. I just use industrial double-sided tape to adhere it to the magnesium case. That is what the manufacturer recommends. I just take the sled apart. There is no need for it since you can't use a WWAN with the EM-408 installed anyway.

fstick... Didn't we talk about this before in another thread? I would think that you could use the little cable that goes to the WWAN Antenna. You could probably also use the passthrough to go to an external GPS antenna too if you wanted though the Sarantel geo-helix is so good... I doubt you would need an external GPS antenna.

Just my too scents....

 

Now that I'm a bit more comfortable (and edumacated!) about my CF-29L, I'm thinking of putting my Holux GPSlim236 into it with a Sarantel antenna.

Holux GPSlim236: http://www.semsons.com/hogpwigpsres.html

Disassembled, the Holux GPSlim236 board is definately small enough like the EM-408 to fit into the WWAN slot or sandwich it somewhere else inside to leave the WWAN slot open. +5Vdc supply, communication via Bluetooth. It's a wired serial interface but I'm unable to find a cable except for the official USB cable that has a serial-USB in-line adapter in the cable.

The GPS has a MMCX connector for an external active antenna, so that would mean I can use the Sarantel S-type or the new M-type antennas. The solder points are relatively simple enough to put a miniature coax cable onto them.

And if I'm able to put the Sarantel antenna on the right side of the LCD, then I can still have a WWAN antenna on the left if I wanted to... ?

 

I think you are making it more complicated while you can purchase the engine(em408) with the same amount or probably less than the holux 213.

And the thing is: this one already established and proven that it works 100%.





ohlip

 

Well, I already have two Holux GPSlim236 modules.. so... it's not really cheaper.

 

You gonna try to use that Holux GPSlim236 for gps?

 

Yes! it is posible, as a matter of fact I've done that to CF-28 and M34 with 700mhz cpu. The problem on cf-29 is the voltage supply line is always "on" even if the pc is off.



Ohlip

 

Hmmmm... Ohlip.... Really? The EM-408 is getting power even though the laptop is turned off? We need to find a switched source then!

 

I think he might be talking about USB power since it is not the em408 but the holux one.

Is there anyway you could use the original switch for the wireless sled? I have never seen the piece in front on a wireless model but i know there are a few lights and i thought a switch to shut it off.

What is on the piece on the left side (same place as the power button but on the other side)


-James

 

If I want to add GPS and use the Sarantel antenna what parts would i need for the corner wwan cap? I know I would need the cap but there are a lot of parts on the breakdown and I don't know if I would utilize them or not need them. My TB did not come with wwan so I have nothing there but a cap. I know I would have to open the lid up and run a cable down to the em408 but I am unsure of exactly what is needed for the corner cap.

Thanks for the help,

James

 

ZippyMan, I'm in the same position you are. Right now I'm more gung-ho on trying to get a Telus (EVDO Rev A in Canada) card into the CF-29 though. And because it never existed (unless I want a slow 1xRTT card for $500) ... I'm still figuring out what parts I need if I can even do it.

 

well i want to do the gps without a wwan sled since mine didn't come with it. i was under the impression that you could not do wwan and gps at the same time if you added aftermarket gps, Maybe I am wrong.

I would love a wwan card probably more than gps but I don't wanna spend an extra $60 bucks a month for the contract and be stuck with it for 2yrs knowing how the phone companys lock you in.

As of right now I jump on wifi spots when i need the net as i am doing right now.

-James

 

Use the PCMCIA slot for wwan. There a lot on ebay a cheap one (GSM) and unlock. I recommend the gsm rather than CDMA.


teo

 

Anyone know what corner pieces I would need to install the antenna on the lcd. I am holding off ordering from heartland so i can order my corner cap and whatever else is needed along with a few port covers. I want to make sure I get my money's worth in shipping.

 

According to Zero...I believe it's the CF-WEW29002


Ohlip

 

I mean just the cap on the corner of the LCD. My toughbook did not come with a wwan antenna so to put the antenna up there i have to get the corner rubber LCD mount with the little hole for the antenna.

On the breakdown there are a lot of parts in that section and I am not sure if i need just the cap or any of the brackets etc.


ohlip you did the mod and you said it took you half of the day just for the mounting of the antenna.


-James

 

That is the first time, but for the following unit. Its a piece of cake. I am just very carefull to the first unit this include the line from cn(18) I mean selecting the line on the cable ribbon to use for gps and then stripping and soldering after that wiring to the lcd, dremmeling for the antena mount. Thats why it cost almost a half day.


ohlip

 

Did the cf-29 you used for the dremmeling already have the EVDO antenna on the lcd or did you get another cap?

I want to put the GPS antenna on the LCD like you did but i need to know what I need to do it since my cf-29 does not have the EVDO antenna on the LCD at all.


If anyone can help please let me know. I want to order parts from heartland but I am unsure of what I need for the GPS antenna mount on the LCD.


-James

 

I attempted to do this when I had my CF-29... I figured I'd just buy the right rubber grommet, the antenna, the antenna tube and whatnot, and I did... from heartland. I wanted to put internal EDGE into it at the time... and I have to say: I failed BIG TIME lol, I later found out that I only ordered like half the parts and that I needed like $300 more worth of parts that I didn't want to spend... so I said forget it and I just delt with the antenna sticking out on my Sony GC-89 EDGE card... o well... when I ordered my CF-30, I MADE SURE it either had EVDO built in or (and this i wanted more) WWAN ready... which I ended up getting and I put a REVa sprint card into it... I understand that you wanna use this for GPS and all, but good luck

 

Well damn after hearing that I guess it is just not a good idea. I figured I would only need a few parts to add it in there. I do not need the sled or any type of EVDO card so i figured that it would be a lot cheaper. Well i guess i will hold off until i know for sure what i need. It will be hard to know as I have never had TB with an evdo card so I am unsure what the EVDO bump out looks like on the inside besides the breakdown image.


Thanks for giving me the heads up. Maybe i will just use a bluetooth gps unit on the dash until I can afford a CF-30 and make sure I get one with everything I want already in it


-James

 

CF-30 is where it's at man!!! make sure you don't limit yourself and PLEASE DO NOT settle for something less that everything you want in a laptop, because Panasonic makes EVERYTHING in their Toughbooks, you just gotta wait for one to come by!

 

Zip, I have the factory GPS on my 29 which uses a small bump out on the cover (just over the battery) for the antenna; and it works just fine.

I think TB uses the same or similiar for his after market rigs. Why not use something similiar and save tons of money and have your internal GPS?

 

Ya that was another choice I just wanted to use the antenna on top of the LCD to get better reception but I guess it is going to be more work then it is worth.


Ya I will wait for the cf-30 that best fits what I want when I am ready. I have had my toughbook only a couple of weeks and I will never use a different craptop.


-James

 

Bahhhhh. That just about pops my bubble for built-in EVDO in my CF-29... and that the $500 quote that I got from Panasonic doesn't sound THAT bad anymore...

 

It really isnt a lot of work. Even if you dont have the LCD antenna already, you should still have a hole in the LCD lid for it. All you are doing for the GPS antenna is dremelling out that hole a bit to make it slide in better. But with the new Sarantel's out there that are smaller, you may not even need to do that. Then when the antenna is in place, all you would need is the corner cover (may need some dremelling also to widen the hole). You won't need anything else. I had the antenna installed on mine, and when I removed that to install the GPS antenna there, the only piece I used was the corner cover. Now, stringing the GPS antenna cable down through the lid and into the 29 case takes some work; as does connecting the EM408 to the 29, but with patience, it was not that hard. Oh, and ohlip helped ALOT by supplying me with the soldering/cable to interface the 408 with the 29. He's a great guy.

 

What about the brackets that are inside behind the cover?

 

For me, I had to shave those down a bit to stop the antenna inside from putting pressure on the LCD. But it was an easy shave.

 

May I ask how much these Sarantel antennas cost? And on the website they seem like a manufacturer who doesn't deal in singles or low quantity... ?

 

If i was to order a Sarantel antenna from JG and have them make the cable for me what length do you think i would need to go from the em408 to the wwan cap on the lcd? I read through the whole cf-29 gps thread and didn't see any mention of it. I see you guys installing them but nothing about cable length. I know the EM408 has a mmcx connector and i would need to have the Sarantel antenna made with that connector.

I still think I want to do the mount on the LCD but how does the usglobalstat active antenna in the factory gps location work? Does it get a good enough signal ?

If I was to put it in the stock location should I get the cover from the sled models and not use the cap that comes on the non wwan models?


-James

 

Ok! here are the breakdown and detail instruction of the materials that you needed for the installation of aftermarket gps.

1) option A:sarantel active s antena with at least 28-30" in lenght(RG178) to make it safe and an MMCX type B(male) connector at the other end for em408.

Option B:sarantel active s antena by using the existing cable of EVDO antena, just soldered in the sarantel antena at the other end and let the other end as-is, connected to the passtrough connector. another lenght of cable RG178(pref..) about 14" inch with MCCx type B(male) at the other end for em408 and at the other end, you can soldered it in on the passtrough connector.Or you can also use the existing cable that came from the passtrough connecotor that goes to the sled by just cutting the other end of it and connect a new MMCX connector for em408(applicable for those unit with builtin WWAN).Assuming you know what you are doin.

2) corner piece(bump out) with topcover and piece of metal attached to the lid: by dremmeling (use your common sense)with according to the size of sarantel to fit it in and a portion of sealant to seal it again

3) make your interface cable ready from cn(18) of cf-29 to em408 ( go back to page 2 and read all the detail), use a double sided industrial tape( you can purchase that to a hardware store)at the back of em408 and then place it under the palm rest area(battery compartment or look for the best place according to your plan.

All of these has already been done by myself.

For those who reside in US, it is more easy for you to acquire all those compoment through globalsat and JG.

For Canadian, as I am. The em408 and MMCX type B connector are available to this link: http://www.mobilegpsonline.com/mgps...id=365&zenid=cc07577767dcfe4864911392785ef88a Tell him(datung) "Teo" refer you, probably he can charge you more, hah.. hah


You can now have an aftermarket gps for cf-29 of less then $150 this include s&h cost but you have to do it by yourself if you want to save a bet. Or send it to me all of the materials and I will do it for you. But that is another story.$$

Zip..., no need to remove or anything else on the plastic covering near the battery cover if you use em408 and sarantel antena without sled. It means as-is.

If you have some more Q? as I always said. Just ask, free of charge for now.

Ohlip