CF-28 GPS Problems & Solutions Thread

The CN55 stamping is off to the upper right side of the connector and has holes going through it for circuit board connections. Perhaps we only see 7 due to 6,7, and 8 being tied together and 9 and 10 being tied together. Just a thought.

 

No.... You are correct.. There are 7 pins... On each side (It looks like)... I'm not sure how the 10 conductor splits up inside the connector.

 

What do you guys think about soldering wires to the Tx and Rx of the IR connection and then stealing 3.3V from somewhere else to power the GPS engine.

I was thinking about doing this. I'd take apart a laptop and solder the two wires. Then put it back together making sure the leads are brought out to the battery tray. Then I could find the 3.3V by the connections for the plug-ins.

Any thoughts?

 

I realize I'm walking late into the conversation and there's probably some key concept I'm not understanding, but why don't you just tie into the serial data lines for the GPS and/or RIM modules on the option card? Are you doing this on computers w/o the option board, and if so do you not think you could just connect the serial data directly to where the option board connects to the motherboard?

 

Well... I'm thinking the IR for two reasons...
1. They are going to be much easier to solder.
2. The Tx & Rx are clearly marked on the schematic.

It may not work but it's worth a shot... I'll try to do it today but I have 4 CF-28s to work on. Three of them are easy but the 4th will be a bear... Then I need to start working on the next "Ultimate Toughbook"...

 

well! for me,I'm gonna rid out of this ird and replace it by a bluetooth module and maybe for the secret PCMCIA slot its gonna be GPS PCMCIA card and wired the antena all the way to lid where the rim antena is located. I found one card on ebay for PCMCIA slot and there is a probation for extended antena on it.

 

Hmmm... I think that is too large and won't fit. It's a very close fit inside in the bay. By the time you reverse engineer it to work... You might as well work with us to find a connection for a brand new GPS engine.

(Just my two centavos)

 

I've stocked up my fridge with Jolt, Rockstar, and beer... so tomorrow night will be a long one.

It'd be nice to get the GPS figured out, but I gotta sell this other toughbook soon for some cash for my trans project, so GPS won't be in that one...

But I still have my nice 800 that will get ripped apart and modified.

 

Which one are you selling? The 600Mhz?

 

Yup. I'm buying an 800MHz board from gravitar tomorrow, so it'll make it that much more liked... plus the 800MHz board will support more ram.

It won't score the money your toughbooks fetch, but it'll be the money I need to buy that overdrive setup I want.

 

The dell true mobile and some hp bluetooth module are good enough on the location of the ird and also considering the same cable to be use as i have to modify the connector on the mdule so that i don' have anything to do on the Mbo.

 

So you are going to connect a proprietary dell hp bluetooth module to the connector on the CF-28 mobo that expects to see an infrared device? Interesting but how will the BIOS know or the OS know that it is a bluetooth and not an IR? Is the bluetooth module a serial device? I thought they were either USB or PCI devices. If you get it to work you are a real good magician.

 

I may as well jump into the middle of this thread for my first post, since I need to get a good GPS system for my 28. This laptop has served me well in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, but my job here in Djibouti requires me to travel around the countryside much more, so the GPS is now necessary, just like the membrane keyboard I just installed (the dust here is worse than in Kabul).

I've followed a lot of what this thread has brought up, but I need to start from ground zero. One of my main concerns is enviromental conditions, so I want to have as much mounted internally as possible. Some of the posts here seem to say the original internal GPS isn't really very good. If this is right, what options do I have? Acquisition time isn't important to me here (the roads are sometimes little more than donkey trails), but accuracy is required for the equipment siting work I do. I need to get something that is WAAS enabled, but I don't know which ones can do this.

Any suggestions as to where I should start would be appreciated, as well as any sources for hardware. This site seems to be the best on this matter than any others I've visited. Thanks in advance.

Grognard

 

bluetooth over serial? think about that.. 19.2Kbps or whatever would severely limit your enjoyment of your bluetooth devices Hopefully he was just talknig about MOUNTING the BT radio there! I think the only add-on device you could have good results with through a serial connection is GPS.

 

Grognard... Welcome to the forum. Yes... We are in the process of figuring out the internal connections for GPS. We are figuring out which connections will work. I'm sure when we get it figured out we'll be surprised that it took us so long. We just don't want to fry anything.

If you need GPS you should probably get a USB type GPS... They are the easiest to use without having to do anything to your laptop. They are also dust and water proof.

 

I don't think that WAAS will help you in your location. It's only accurate in places in North America (Canada, United states), and limited coverage in Mexico and Alaska. Some far northern regions of Canada aren't technically covered.

South America can get some slight coverage, but it won't do a whole lot of good because it has a different reference.

Europe offers EGNOS, and Japan has MSAS.

I might as well offer up a good link of reading material...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_Area_Augmentation_System

Edit; Also, for now a USB setup will be best, because any internal mods we do will require soldering and ripping apart the whole laptop.

I personally recommend this one; http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-62-bu-353-w.aspx

It was accurate for a 2300 mile drive, accurate on an airplane (With a window seat), and now my brother will use it as a location finder in his new job as a repo guy.

 

Its like you are installing bluetooth device in a PCMCIA slot. It will all recognize by an OS if you installed it correctly. All interface ports on the mbo. are optional for a device as long as you connect it properly and correctly. Like IRD its function is to collect signal and transmit signal to a device same as bluetooth but on a diff. frequency.The mbo. is only a host. Like for example do you think on a provided interface like CN19 if i am not mistaken with a rim on it that all of its connectors are connected? no, same as that. diff devices diff. logic but you have to analize and give it a try.




Note: anybody here have an schematic diag. of sb300 or rim connection on cf-28 coz on that detail diag you can find the right pin for gps. Not the diag of cn19. After figuring out the pin connection, followed along the way to cn19 and mark down the pin no.

 

ohlip... The RIM manual is posted on one of the pages around here... You'll have to look for it. I thought the same thing. It gives some info... But not enough for the whole picture.

 

Thats the basis when i figure it out on my cf-m34 and it works fine. My only problem here is the right cable coz i just temporarily soldered on a tiny pin and it is so delicate to damage the pin. Its great, but somehow the problem continue to permanently attached to the mbo. moving out and cannot tested it outside coz of these.


The distance between pin i think is not even 1mm so i had grinded the the tip of the soldering iron so that i can attached the wires on it. If somebody know where to get the flat cable ribbon with 30 conductor for cf-m34 interface. will you pls give me info. thanks

 

OK. This is what I've gotten so far. On the daughterboard which houses either the GPS or RIM modules, the connector that I have found the most logical information on is CN103 which technically connects to the RIM module but if you set the dip switches for RIM it will work for all daughterboards. The required pins are as follows.

PIN = ACTION
21=RX
20=TX
19=GROUND-IT INITIATES THE LINE READINESS
18=CHASSIS GROUND
16=GROUND-TO ENABLE UART CONTROL BY COMPUTER
10=POWER SWITCH CONTROL FROM FRONT OF LAPTOP
9=CHASSIS GROUND-NOT REQUIRED BUT IS ANOTHER GROUND OPTION
7/8=POSSIBLE SOURCES OF VOLTAGE FOR MODULE(NOT VERIFIED)

ALL OTHER PINS ARE NOT APPLICABLE

 

It might be not a good topic but i have to ask this question

Have You tried using other GPS antenas? Like this (very expensive, aprox 150$) geo-helix:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130174221488&_trksid=p3984.cWAT.m240.lVI
?
Or some home-made??


I don't have internal gps, I use one on usb (sirf star III), but I think about putting it into my CF28 (soldering to usb port).

 

We are buying our stuff from the same place he is... jimdgray.com... The antennas go for $32 each and the GPS engines go for $64 I think... It getting it all hooked up that is the issue.

 

I didn't get a whole lot done last night. I got home later than I expected to, and after getting half way through swapping the 800MHz board, I had to swap it back.

If I could find a 50 pin data cable, we'd be in some business. I do like the infrared port idea, but we still have to rob power from another source, which makes it tricky.

Is there anything else besides GPS that uses the CN18 connector? (Popular option boards that bring all 50 wires to it, etc)

 

what? nothing wrong with the board i hope!

 

Naw, I'm sure the board is fine, so no worries.

My biggest problem was stopping to visit two people on the way home from your place, and not getting home til after 1am... so not as much time as I shoulda had this morning.

That goes along with the reasons I avoided hanging out with women for a year, just because they stir up huge distractions.

 

I am reffering to cn18 of cf-28 not cn19, sorry about the mistake and i need the full picture not a portion of rim or sb300 connection to cf-28.

 

All- Thanks for the good info/advice about my GPS situation. At least I don't have to worry about WAAS/EGNOS in my area.

I was all set to go with the external USB receiver when I saw on eBay a complete internal GPS set up for sale. Would the internal set up be worth buying, with the intention of installing an external antenna? From what I read on this forum, the antenna is the worst part of the original set up. How complicated would installing an external antenna be? I'm not worried about the mechanical or electronic installation, just about getting the right components without breaking my budget. My main concern is still ruggedness and working in bad environmental conditions.

Any suggestions on which way would be best to go?

 

If money is no object.... Buy it as you can always buy the other one later. If money IS an object... SCRAP IT! I wouldn't go out of myu way to buy a CF-28 with GPS now... The stock system is terrible. An aftermarket antenna has been tried and doesn't really help the situation... Your mileage may vary... Try it ....

If speed and accuracy is what you need... I'd stiill go with a USB or BT type until we figure out how to add GPS to the 28...

 

Sounds like you've "been there, done that". OK, USB is the way I'll go. Since my 28 only has USB 1.0, are the available USB GPSs back compatible from 2.0?

 

I have run several different type USB GPS recievers from 1.1 USB ports with no problem.

I would think that the money you would spend for the Panasonic GPS... You could buy a USB GPS for every room in the house plus both cars!

 

Ok! Guys, Find below:


At CN(A); toughbook cf-28

Pin no. 23 - first serial asynchronous output known as TX1
Pin no. 24 - first serial asynchronous input known as RX1
Pin no. 27 - second serial asynchromous output- TX2
Pin no. 28 - second serial asynchronous input - RX2



I've got no spare module right now coz i already used it to my cf-m34 temporarily soldered to a tiny pin at the mbo. and i don't want to resolder again. So i ask you guys to give this pin a try. The ground for groundings are clearly specified on the schematic and look for 3.3-5Vpower supply its there " Look " stop and .......

Good Luck

Anybody here an extra gps module, i need one . Much better if it is EM-408. I'm run out of budget, If any body need a cf-28 PIII 800mhz barebone, I've got 2 for sale, just PM me if your interested.

 

Okee dokee. New to the forum. Just picked up my "new" CF-28 Model
CF-28PTJPVQM. From what I gathered so far, Internal GPS, Modem, LAN, 800Mhz touchscreen. Had to retire the -27. At any rate, having a few issues and have been scouring this board for a few days.

1. GPS. Oy, what a PIA. Changed to multiple configs- some make the touchpad stupid, some don't. Regardless, GPS isn't found by W2K anywhere. Can't find a CF-28 Driver anywhere. (Do I need one??) Checked multiple sites like suggested on here. No luck so far. Ran multiple GPS applications, and they can't find it either. Don't really plan to use it like a tom-tom, so mediocre performance is just fine for what I'll be using it for.

2. Unkown PCI device keeps coming up in Hardware. Dunno what it belongs to. Modem works, Cisco Aironet works. It isn't, however, the GPS. All other functions seem to be 100%. Any clues?

3. Although a tad off-topic, should I just heave the Cisco Aironet and slide one of those Ziocom cards in? $69.00 brandy new +$8 s/h to my door. The Aironet doesn't really seem to be that spectacular of device anyway....

4. Awesome Forum!! Nice to see good old fashion electronic hacks are still alive and well! Thanks in advance, guys.

--73

 

There is no real driver for the GPS, but there is a "filter", which grabs all of the goofy panasonic GPS signals and makes them into NMEA. I'll let you know now... I think that stock GPS setup blows. I've tried, I've fought, and in the end, I hit the stock engine with a hammer once I removed it from the daughterboard.

The unknown device might be the hotkey device... Go to the link in my signature, and look in 'P'. Should be a hotkey manager in there.

For your third question; what kind of wireless do you plan on using? If it's 802.11, I'd ditch that cisco card, and get a nice Mini-PCI atheros based card.

 

ok after doing numerous google is your friend searches i found a website that talks about other internal gps mods. here are the links:
http://toughbook.wikispaces.com/message/view/home/355670

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rockwell-Jupite...1534746QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL071230088a12117
Hope this will help out for i really want an internal gps mod
Todd

 

That's the module that the other guy uses, and I don't like those at all. Low sensitivity, low channel, etc... Basically it was the best technology out there in 2001, but I want something a bit more modern.

That's why we use the GlobalSat module in our GPS setups. They make some good stuff using SirfIII chipsets.

 

Ok. Where could I find the "filter", then?

Did more research on the PCI error, I should probably post in a different thread....

Thanks!

 

I'll see if I can dig it up tomorrow for you. I've got one of those party things to go to and kill brain cells at.

I'll even make a note so I don't forget when I'm hungover.

Edit; Had a few minutes to spend before running out the door.

Check the link in my sig, and look in the GPS section. It's there now.

 

Hey! Mod.. you really hammer it down that gps crap?

 

Modly, Thanks for the quickness!! BTW, what lurks the in the cadzilla? 472 in that thing?

 

I'll bet that's not the only thing he's hammering down right about now!

 

Answers to all questions;

500ci Cadillac engine, with custom fuel injection

Yup, I hammer down the info, the bad parts, and the alcohol.

 

ahhhh.....gobs of torque and no qudrajunk to waste hours tuning....... NICE!
The patch seemed to stop the phantom mouse. played with all the IRQ's and GPS comes up now as COM 3. Still can't get it from loading intellimouse- oh well. As far as WiFi, figured any standard 802.11 b/g is fine for me.

 

In the Device Manager, change the COM port to 7. Fixes all mice issues.

If you're looking for a good wireless card for cheap, check this guy out; http://stores.ebay.com/Oldegg-Wireless-Depot

He has great prices, ships fast, and in my many orders with him, he hasn't screwed me yet. Grab a pigtail from him at the same time, and he'll probably discount the shipping. He also has some antennas too. If you watch his auctions close, you can probably get a wireless card, pigtail, internal antennas, small external antenna and shipping for under $30.