Adding Aftermarket Internal GPS to the CF-30

Ok folks! Its been a year since I am doing this mod into the cf-30. The cf-30 OEM Gps still not good as to what we are expected. Its only a bit better than CF-18 and CF-29 oem gps. The physical apearance of the antena mount for me is not so good but for its function to capture a signal is fine as it is at the top of LCD and it is also uses an active antena. My concerned is about the way its mounted coz it has a huge bulky head on the corner on which from what I have seen from other user into day to day basis the way they move from place to another is an issue. The bulky mount(OEM antena) is one of the coz into LID damaged or crack into LCD.


I came up into a solution on which is more durable and cost effective compare to a price from panasonic supplier.

I uses an antena with a size of 10mm X 10mm X 6mm only on which is perfect together with the wi-fi antena. This antena is imune,Lol to any interference beside her. It is mounted into the top of LCD. Stealth designed. Most of my buyer locally ask me a question when they've seen my unit for the first time and ask me, "where is the Gps antena" They expected that the antena is on the corner with bulky head as far as they know and what they know. And then, ask me again. "Is it on the right plastic piece on the palmrest?"


Here is the picture for your refence. The gps module will be a diferent story. Still my favorite is the EM408 engine as it can fixed signal instantly and has a builtin cmos battery backup. I've tested a lot of GPS module from 16 Channel up to 66Channel engine and still nothing can beat up this engine. Also to say this module can run many GPS navigational program compare to other engine that has 9600 or 5600 baudrate by default on which most of the manufacturer has no firmware to change it. Like for example; the Microsft Streets and trips only use 4800baudrate.



ohlip

For the module installation, to follow:

 

Nice!
The gps antenna and wifi don't interfere with each others' signals?

I wonder.....can this be done to 29?

 

I have a feeling this is going to be a very long thread since more members are now picking up CF-30. Good job Teo

 

Yes! The signal strenght between the two has no changes based on my comparisson to the other unit I have that haven't yet mod. Yes! of course it will be proven if we do have the right testing equiptment.
The satelite signal aquisition is as the same with CF-29 I have on which on cf-29 is a bit away into wi-fi antena for around 2-3inches.

The gps antena that I used according to its data sheet said so that it will not interfere any signal within. This is also mostly use on a tight location like on smartphone and etc.

It will be posible on CF-29 but the plastic cover on the cf-29 wi-fi is a bit of short to accomudate the GPS antena. As I have said it be posible but need to replace the plastic cover into a wider one.


ohlip

 

Awesome!

That's what I was thinking; with such an excellent solution on the 30, I just knew that you had tried it on a 29!
Thanks!

Jedi's already have great reps, but here's one more for ya.

 

Ok! This time is the GPS module installation using the EM408 engine. when you open up the unit into the keyboard access panel you will see that the bluetooth and the gps module has one metal bracket. But usually if your unit has no gps option the bracket is there. What I have done was I've cut it out this bracket leaving only for bluetooth. So that I can have decent space for GPS module. For those who are not familiar with the EM408. this is the engine with builtin patch antena into the top. To make fit into the slot. I had pull it out this patch antena by just twisting it back in forth till it loose. Need to cut an excess metal plate on the base to make it aperfect square. This module also is a plugin module. It means you don't need any elect'nics component to add in. Just provide an interface cable between the mbo. and into the module itself. I will post a picture of this cable later to give you an idea what I am talking about. Now! Make sure on the surface where you place the receiver is isolated by placing a wider tape. enough to cover the base buttom of the receiver to prevent short circuit on the mbo.

Here is the picture of what I am saying. All the component I have used will be posted on a later date. For the meantime, enjoy seing this mod and If you are smart enough you will have an idea how to do it by yourself. Most of the time if I don't have enough schem. or instruction by something that I am interested to. Only by just looking on the picture carefully i will know where to start and how it will be done.

A complete photo will be follow soon.

ohlip

 

Teo... Props to you for posting this. While I'll help people... When I was making my living doing this, as you do to some degree I thought, this kind of thing fell under being "proprietary" information.

You know some schmuck is going to take this info without giving anything back to our forum and it will be all over ebay... With them claiming to be the inventory... But I guess most of those type sellers are so lazy and have no idea how stuff works... So they buy "that kit" (that I can't stand) and put the GPS in. Then they still claim to be the 2nd coming....

Props man... Good stuff... I do mine VERY similar to yours with slight variations on antenna mounting...

Awesome post! Rep to you!

 

IN an attempt to find a smaller antenna for my 29, to squeeze into the wifi cover, I found this

Comments, thoughts, suggestions?????

(I didn't want to jack the thread, but thought this was the best place to post it.....)

 

Rick! nice to see you back! Its been a long time, man!

Anyway, I posted this mod only just because I'm doing it for a bit of time and I consider this time will be the right moment. Your right! It is supposed to be my trade secret but i've still left a few bullet just incase. I am pretty sure only me & you knows it. Just like the TS issue. I've only share those technique how to repair it only to a people that I've TRUST.

And yes! Ebay now is flooded of CF-29 with builtin GPS and other type of setup. When you read their detail you will be suprised that its like they are the source of everything but as far as I know and I am pretty sure it all came from here only. Only on this forum site. I am now on the watch for TS issue and so far so good.

From time to time when I started my listing to inform them the issue of the touchscreen. I've received an e-mail at least five a day from seller and buyer asking how to fixed it and those buyer who bought it and within a period of days or week, the TS failed and when they contacted the seller. You know what they said! Its WARRANTED but sold AS-IS. What the heck!

Here is one example of the mail I've received;
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear ohlipcon,

Hello im looking for a laptop like this for my husband Im limited to 650.00 . I like the gps and wifi setup also I purched a 29 last year for him your right touch screen quit 2 weeks later I was furious and seller would not help I rebooted it its locked under the sellers old password . I want to get him something like this . I lost 450.00 on last laptop feel like I tossed money in the trash . Thanks Jen

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Btw, for those who has a bit of idea to accomplish this mod. I am warning you that I am not responsible to whatever damage into your unit. Do it at your own risk. I said that is just becaused if you are not carefull enough it may burn some area of the pcb or blown a few surfacemount fuses.

ohlip

 

interestingfellow, look for the antena that has atleast 20 or above db gain.


ohlip

 

No reason for a GPS to interfere with any other antenna. GPS is a passive radio receiver, it doesn't transmit any thing. As to the wifi interfering with the GPS reception I'm not sure, but Mnem will know. The only interference I have ever personally seen affect GPS performance is from the really big radars that are used at airports for air traffic control.
CAP

 

for additional info; The beauty of this mod on CF-30 is that you don't need to crack the buttom case as works will be done/accomplish above from the keyboard slot panel up to LCD lid only. In any case If you want your setup be bridge to pass thru connector for external option of the antena like on the boat ot car. There are two option either you unscrew the passthru connector but Is bit tricky on pulling out and reinstalling it into position or for more easy way but i bit of work. This time you need to crack the buttom case to easily access to passthru connector for an easy installation.

As I said, its your choice.

ohlip

 

I've just finished to set up my CF-18 MK4 with the same way. Just need to cover up the ceramic antenna. Thank you for the inspiration Ohlip.

pictures below.

 

I am kinda wondering why you would not put it where most CF18/19 are...would of been a lot easier.

 

Thats what I'm talking about! Good job man!

Maybe you can cover it like this with JB weld, it will be tough enough but make sure when applying a weld not be in the ceramic antena.

ohlip

 

I couldn't find where to buy the cover alone. I saw few OEM GPS kit on ebay but it is way too expensive.
I used CF-19 media board ($16 ebay), PCIe uBlox 5 GPS engine ($8 ebay), ceramic antenna from old GPS (Magellean Roadmate 1200) and wifi antenna cable from old HP laptop.

It took me 2-3 hours to install the GPS in my CF-18.

 

Isn't that just nipply!

Well done!

mnem
*Scribbles notes for his own el-cheapo build*

 

Hi Mil3,

I am in process of finishing our Sirf 4 GPS kits for CF-18, CF-19, etc.. and I can send a brand new (our brand) GPS cover that is actually a little bigger then the original CF-18 so you may even squeeze in a bluetooth device in there

I don't intend to sell the covers separately but I like to help out a fellow member in need when I can... nice job on sourcing the parts by the way.

Give me your address and will send one for free.

 

If you don't want to have a bump out case on the corner. Maybe it will fit on the side cover of the LCD. Something like this too.


ohlip

 

At first, I meant to do that. That's the easy path for the antenna cable.
But I wasn't sure about positioning the ceramic antenna sideways. Will it see all the satellites? And if yes, will I get quick fix?

 

Thank you Techtuff, I gave up on this cover. I'm happy with my setup for now.
I found a way to make one from Electric Snow Blower handle cover.

See pics...

 

If Teo puts one there then its going to see all the satellites for sure... . BTW good idea

 

Lol..Can you still use your electric snow blower?

Mine on my CF-18 came from the craftsman cover tool box,



ohlip

 

The oem antena is position the same way and the beauty of this setup( on plastic side covering ) is that this can see the sky much more open than the buttom corner. On the buttom corner, let say it sees the sky in a helical position for around 300geg. out of 360deg. on laptop mode while when it is on the plastic side of the LCD. It sees the sky around 330deg. An advantage of 30deg.


ohlip

 

The CF-18 had it mounted that way... It was "okay" at best.

The best way is to either use the stock mounting method or Teo's way... If you can find the antenna!

 

Have you got a diagram of how the EM408 cable is attached to the ribbon cable? And which connector on the mother board that it connects to?

Thanks.

 

to ohlip
Hello,
I just want to upgrade internal GPS to modern version such as ublox neo-6
Could You please share the scheme of genuine ribbon cable?

Subscribe to this question

 

What model do you need the information for?.........................................................
Here is the info for a CF19.

 

Many Thanks!
I have CF-30, but think it must be the same for CF-19

 

to Dikiy; Be informed that pinout of CF-19 GPS is a reverse on CF-30 Toughbook. FYI, So! you decided to install the Ublox neo 6 on CF-30. Your on the right place, man! I am using this module for over a year now on all of my Toughbook mod. Here is an example picture of the module with interface cable for CF-30 Toughbook.

As you can see on the bridge connection between the flat cable ribbon and the round cable has black thing on it. It is a thin layer of hardened epoxy to make sure it will not snap due to vibration or anything. Toughbook constructed and proven for its reliability. So, we must always consider that when we mod the unit. It also give peace on mind for those who bought my unit or the end user and also to myself.


ohlip

 

I use hot glue instead of epoxy... I wanted to make sure it was totally non-conductive. Then I wrap the end in Kapton tape, usually while the glue is cooling. With hot glue I can squirt a small blob in between the soldered wires while holding it up to the light to make sure that none of the wires are touching when the hot glue cools. The good thing about the hot glue is that it cools and is ready to use in seconds instead of minutes or hours. It achieves the same thing though... No broken connections due to vibration.

BTW... You WILL need a 10X headset or a large desktop magnifier to be able to solder the ends of the ribbon cable... That and a very fine tip soldering iron. Before soldering I will normally tin the ends of the wire with a little extra silver based solder... Then I just have to solder that to the bared ends of the ribbon cable.

 

I was going to do this mod for my cf30, but ended up with the OEM Leadtek. Anyway I went to Mouser and bought a breakout board for the FPC. Solder the GPS engine connector wires to the PCB and slide the FPC into the connector on the breakout board. Costs a little more but you won't need to try to solder wires to that tiny FPC.

FPC--flexible printed circuit cable or ribbon cable
GPS--Global positioning satellite
OEM--original equipment manufacturer
PCB---printed circuit board

Here is a random photo of a breakout board.

 

Can you give a part number of the breakout board you bought from Mouser? I tried a search on "breakout board fpc", and got a mess.

Thanks.

Jon

 

I will see if I can find the part number..
It is .5mm pitch 12 pin

Here is a 60 pin one.
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/lcd-ext-breakout-of-05mm-fpc-p-200.html

Here is a 12 pin one, but it doesn't list the pitch..You could email them for the info.
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/xadow-breakout-p-1519.html?cPath=44_46

 

Shawn... I may be recalling a different one... But isn't the CF-30 a 10 pin? I haven't built one in a while.

Also... Do they supply the ribbon cable with the breakout board?

 

The cable is not included..Mouser does not seem to sell the completed assembly..You need to solder the connector to the pcb if you buy the parts from them.
cf30 is 12 pin also...schematic..

 

Yeah... I was ordering my ribbon cables via Digikey... I have several 50 pin and 20 pin but no 12 pin... I was cutting up the 20 pin cables to fit but that is a pain... I'd rather just biuy the breakout boards. That seems WAY easier. Thanks for the tip!

 

Thank You very much, but I'm not sure that I understood everything right
So, there are some types of GPS module with Ublox-6 chipset.
first type has 4pin (as on Your picture): Rx, TX, Gnd and Vcc
another type has a same 4 pins but also there are two additional pins: Boot and PPS



Just have two questions:
- Could You please share exact connection diagram for Ublox and CF-30?
- Does it make sense to use a more expensive LEA-6 instead of NEO-6?

 

Shawn... I ordered 5 of the 12 pin breakouts to experiment with.... Thanks for the info!

 

The question remains unclear
Thanks in advance.

 

I don't own a Ublox. I never worked with one of those so I can't help with it. Does Ublox have a web page?

 

I would like our newer members to understand these GPS mods have taken years to prefect. We have 2 of the top GPS mod "guys" on this forum. They have spent a lot of time and money on these mods and they all have there own trade secrets so please understand if some of your questions may go unanswered. In the past ebay sellers had "stolen" our GPS setups and have sold against us . These sellers give no suport and the buyers end up here for help. Many times these sellers make these "Kits" with cheaper parts that don't even come close to "our kits". I do hope you all understand.
Thank you

 

Shawn the Sleuth, :thumbsup:
u-center GNSS evaluation software for Windows 8.0.

Teo pointed me at this when it was version 6. (couple years ago)

This is evaluation software. It doesn't care what brand of gps is in use as long as the com port and baud rate are set. Adds a driver for USB as I re-call. Will link to google earth if wireless is available. Windows and Android Versions.

Read the warnings about factory re-set and switching modes. "Some GPS units will break if you attempt to write to them" OR WORDS TO THAT EFFECT. Paraphrase from several authors and NOT U-Blox specific. O.K. I looked one up:

Light reading from NMEA data. (Facetious)

I got a little windy here ...this post just kept getting bigger. And....Shawn is a great researcher...I was not being facetious on that line.

Last but not least https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNSS_applications ...Definition of GNSS.....'cause I forgot what it meant.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

Yes, I was short of time when I suggested the web page..I was going to search for a direct link....
Thanks Jeff...

 

I have 8.0 running under .wine on Mint 15. Crashed twice...no biggie. 7.02 was fine.

 

Ok, I understand
May I purchase U-blox 6 solution from somebody in this forum?
Otherwise I will try do this by myself. I did not see the message with CF-30 GPS port diagramm, but now it became clear
Special Thanks for Shawn

 

Only just joined this site today but have been thinking about upgrades for my CF30 some time when I found this post--- and it's just what the doctor ordered~!

Had previously been using my TB with Verizon wireless broadband Jetpack to navigate around horrendous LA traffic jams on my home commute. My simple setup, where the hardware ran on battery for the duration of commute while using Cal-Trans Quick Map to magically show road and freeway conditions--- amazing how that actually works--- got me home quicker on most days and avoided long delays. Bad weather would completely throw major wrenches into the works and road closures and long delays where the result--- 2.5 PLUS hours to get home some days.

So now I hope to avoid traffic hairballs, and weather problems, by actually seeing my locations on another map, in real time, to better plot my homeward course. Lo-n-behold--- GPS coupled with TB seems to be the answer~!

And no--- I don't own a smart phone with the same GPS/traffic-conditions/mapping capability and anyway, their screens are way too small for me. Am also looking for off-road/TOPO GPS mapping to give same result; real time location on the fly.

Excited as new 'toy' possibility comes into view I am searching for USER'S with hands-on experience with these custom TB positioning devices and, if any, advice on what they really do and what they don't.

Also have a handheld Garmin GPS which will do something similar to my goal but I want all-in-one portability package, in large-screen format, for treks, bug-outs, or other on-trail/off-road capability. Anyone's comments would be greatly appreciated and DO feel free to shoot my ideas down in flames if so inclined.

Kindest regards

 

As I said, the pin layout on the cf-19 is a reverse on CF-30. Try to look on the schem. that Shawn posted. It start from 1-12 so, in CF-30 Toughbook it will be 12-1. Like for example. On CF-19, pin 2 is Gps in therefore on CF-30 Gps in will be pin 11.

Just buy the 4 pin Ublox so that it is more easy for you. To answer your second question about LEA-6. Its up to you. Anyway, they are both using the same chipset.

To further answer your question about the connection. I recommend to read the sticky thread with the tittle "adding aftermarket internal GPS to the CF-29". They are all with the same theory. If you are smart enough, you will know what I mean.

ohlip

 

After Shawn suggested the breakout boards.... I bought a few of THESE... After spending a little while figuring out the pinouts... I hooked one up. They work great AND include 2 12 pin ribbon cables... One short and one medium length. I ordered 5 of them.

It is time to switch from the EM-408 GPS modules as they are just too big to go under the keyboard in the stock location AND fit the break out board in there too. There is just no room. So I figured I would swap my setups... I'll go with the Ublox 6M and the Taoglass antennas. I just ordered the antennas from Digikey... And made a best offer on 5 GPS engines...

 

I'm glad they will work.....I will have to get a few of the 12 pin to keep in stock for future projects.

Those 6M's look interesting...Maybe I'll put one of those and the mini Taoglas antenna I already bought in my cf74....or upgrade the cf30 from the Leadtek..........