Upgrading a CF-18

I’m in the process of upgrading my CF-18 “early” mk1 Digitizer, and based on some Google search results, this appears like the place to be! I have seen a number of other posts on this forum, including "Adding Aftermarket GPS and other MODs for the CF-18" and "CF-18 Post It Note," but I think the mods and upgrades I have in mind take a slightly different course from what I've seen posted already.

Those existing threads do raise a few questions, though. How closely are the various Toughbook models related? For example, in the "Aftermarket" thread, the "BlueTooth Mod" link is actually for a CF-29, and two of the three GPS links also focus on the CF-29. So, as I attempt to sort through, I'm uncertain what might relate to the CF-18 and what doesn't.

Now, to the upgrades. So far, I've already added a 1GB RAM module and have a SSD awaiting installation. Other upgrades, though, are obviously a bit more involved, which is what had me searching in the first place. I would like to upgrade to the following:
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 802.11b/g/n
- Bluetooth 2.1
- GPS
- Internal USB Hub
- I would like to keep at least 1 PCMCIA slot free for other uses


The Options--

Gigabit Ethernet: I think this will end up taking over the MiniPCI slot. The existing wires from the Ethernet port look like they might reach, but I would likely need to rework the connector to accommodate one of the following models:
- Crommell MP-541D ( link 1) ( link 2) ( link 3)
- Axiomtek AX92200G
- Aaeon
- Interworld
- Global American

802.11b/g/n: I might be willing to give up one of the two PCMCIA slots for a device designed to work with external antennas. I hesitate a bit here because N hasn't yet been finalized.
- Ubiquiti Networks SR71C (PCMCIA): Allows connection of two external antennas. I think the CF-18 Main (black) and Auxiliary (white) WiFi antenna cables will be too short to reach, but this is probably one of the easier problems to remedy. I think the PCMCIA door should still be able to latch closed.

Internal USB Hub: The "Squid" USB hub might be adapted to internal use, though power would need to be hooked up, too. There is also a self-powered "Spyder" version. I am unclear on the necessary CF-18 mk1 pinout details for hooking up a USB device. Earlier, AndyD667 had floated the possibility of creating an adapter board for the CF-18's CN16 connector, but I haven't found any recent postings on that topic.
- USBGEAR Squid
- USBGEAR Spyder (self-powered)

BlueTooth 2.1: Would it be best to take apart the case and create a connection to the CF-18's internal BlueTooth antenna?
- Cirago BTA-6210 USB 2.0 Micro Class 1
- Cirago BTA-3210 USB 2.0 Micro Class 2

GPS: If at all possible, I would like to avoid an antenna protrusion. If I get the internal USB hub connected, I expect it would be simpler to hack down a USB GPS receiver to work internally than to attempt to establish a serial connection (unless, perhaps, that CN16 adapter board is produced).

Any thoughts, suggestions, or words of wisdom?


Thank you,
Matthew

 

Matthew,

Welcome to the forum. Yes... You have hit on THE place for all things Toughbook.
Now... AS for what you want to do... Yes... Most likely, depending on your skill level, you should be able to do whatever you would like to do. It all depends on how well you can read a schematic and how well you can solder and then, of course, how much courage you have tearing into your Toughbook! Most of what you talk about has already been done.

Are you on fiber optic? Is that why you want the gigabit Ethernet? I would think just a faster card would work well enough but then I don't know why you want to install it. I think giving up the internal wifi and moving it to a PCMCIA card slot if just creating more work for you. If anything... Use that for the gigabit.... But then either way you go... You will have a hard time finding something that is thin and short enough to fit inside the card slot and STILL be able to close the port cover.

The BT and GPS is the easy part but locating the antenna can be tricky. Jim Gray has some new stuff coming out for GPS... Hopefully this week. I'll keep everyone posted. An internal USB port doesn't do you a whole lot of good if you have no space to mount anything. If you haven't opened up your CF-18 yet... You'll see what I mean. The CF-28 has a ton of space... The CF-18 has just enough room for the BT and GPS... Maybe something else the size of a book of matches too.

There are a few regulars around here that have links in their siggys as well as the stickies that will show you where to download drivers, manuals, etc.

Keep us posted as to your progress and whatever help you may need. We're a pretty handy bunch...

EDIT - Just saw the "Squid USB" thingy... Uh... No... I don't think you'll have the room. And if you could squeeze it in... You'd have no space to hook anything up to it. You'll need to micro-miniature that!

Again... You'll see when you crack it open.

Read, read, READ... There is a lot of great info on the CF-18 in the threads around here... Go back for 6-7 pages and look for the CF-18 in the thread title...

 

Different people has dif..brain and dif..approach. Its up to you what you want to do with your unit as long as you know what you are doing. The posted discussion that you have read already are of those example. And if you have come up with a better solution and modification, you are most welcome here to share to others. Thats the forum is all about sharing good and bad ideas and come up a better one. Good luck.


ohlip

 

Thank you for the feedback. I have a few items in follow-up.

802.11n
One of the things that intrigued me about the Ubiquiti SR71C 802.11 PCMCIA card was that, from the pictures I've seen, the card does not appear to have any protrusions. There are just two connectors for the antennas, so I was thinking the card profile would work permit the PCMCIA door to be closed. Does anyone see any indications that this might not be the case? I would definitely concur that it is difficult to find a PCMCIA card that with a profile that allows the PCMCIA door to latch closed.

Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
I know the Billionton PCMCIA Bluetooth card is a favored card on this forum; however, it appears there are at least a couple different Billionton PCMCIA Bluetooth cards out there. I have taken the CF-18 apart, but if space will be tight, I could give up the other PCMCIA slot for the Bluetooth adapter.
* Billionton Bluetooth 1.0 w/Pull-out antenna: The only PCMCIA Bluetooth card listed on Billionton's website, this card does not appear to have any "bumps" on the end. Only support for Bluetooth 1.0 is listed, though, and I haven't come across any vendors selling this product.
* Billionton Bluetooth 2.0 w/Bump: Based on availability, this appears to actually be Billionton's current version.
* Zoom Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR w/Bump: It appears this is just a rebrand of the above Billionton card?
* AKE PC138 Bluetooth 2.0 w/Pull-out Antenna (plus USB 2.0 port): Has anyone tried this combo card? I haven't been able to find a manufacturer's website, but it looks like it must be out of China.

Is the Billionton card often referenced on this forum the one without the bump at the end? Or can that card with with the bump be made to fit inside the CF-18 PCMCIA door?

For the cards with the pull-out antenna, will the reception inside the CF-18 shell (with the PCMCIA door closed) be adequate, or should the CF-18's internal antenna be connected to the PCMCIA card's antenna?


Thank you,
Matthew

 

I would still be interested in learning if the PCMCIA bluetooth adapters with the bump can be made to fit inside the CF-18's PCMCIA slot with the door latched closed. I have seen that the Billionton bluetooth adapters are frequently mentioned on this forum, but those mentions seem to be in relation to other Toughbook models (e.g. CF-28). For example, knowing that something fits in a CF-28's hidden PCMCIA slot doesn't help me in trying to determine whether or not that same card will fit in a CF-18's PCMCIA slot with the door latched closed, as I don't have a way to compare the available space on the two models.

Or, has anyone tried the AKE model yet?

I appreciate the assistance.


Thank you,
Matthew

 

The one with the bump-out won't fit in the CF-18 with the cover closed.

 

I've got the AKE PC138 Bluetooth 2.0 in my CF-18 (and CF-27). Works great as long as you leave the door open. With the door closed the reception is not that good. Something like 50 centimeters. Just enough for a bluetooth mouse. Cool thing about this card that its bluetooth 2.0. So it works with bluetooth stereo headsets. The extra USB port on the card saves my precious rubber USB covers too...lol.. )

My project is to connect the antenna to the internal antenna of the CF-18. I'm trying to find a male Hirose U.FL pigtail, so I can use the internal bluetooth wire.

 

The AKE cards may work for a while but I think they are pretty much junk. I bought 15 or so of them early on... Both the Dual USB and the BT + USB... The BT is terrible and over half the cards I bought had the USB drop off and fail to work. This was mostly on the Dual USB cards however.

If you want a quality card... Keep your eyes peeled for the Billionton flush fit cards. They are out of production but come up on ebay every now and then.

 

Yup, youre right. Mechanically its not the best design. I just bended the card to give it a tight fit into the pcmcia bay, so it will stay there when I pull out my usb stick... )

Till now I did not encounter any electronic problems. I have it for four months now and its pumping music to a bluetooth speaker for about three hours a day. Doesn't even get very hot. I got four of them from an Honk Kong seller and till now they still work okay.. If its for hobby, I think its a nice and cheap solution.

 

No, this should fit just fine with the door closed. However, with the antenna attached, it will of course NOT fit. One of the things this forum was trying to do early on was to provide the most use out of our toughbooks, with the least "carry-on's" as possible. The mods we have been doing and discussing for years now always integrated a single grab-and-go laptop. Where the most peripheral you would need would hopefully only be power. All GPS mods, bluetooth mods, wifi mods, WWAN mods were all designed and researched to fit INSIDE the unit itself. Of course, if you don't care having to carry "extra" stuff with you, then your options just opened up ten-fold.

For the above stated reasons; for the earlier models that did not have an integrated factory option; for the cost efficiency; and to be able to close the door while in use. Believe me, alot of cards were tried and tested. This one won out time and again.

The one we reference is the one with the pull-out antenna. The bump cards WILL NOT fit with the door closed. Unfortunately, it is a discontinued card as I understand it, but you do see them often on EBAY so check there carefully.

In my CF28, in the hidden slot (meaning always closed because it was underneath the HDD), I was able to connect with my keyboard/mouse from over 30' away. Now understand, in the 28, in the hidden slot, you COULD NOT open any door, nor could you EXTEND the antenna. I was impressed to say the least.

Hope all this helps you out. Again, as Rick said... READ READ READ. As you have already noticed, just because a thread says "blah blah blah 29" doesn't mean is exclusive to that model number. We do cross talk between models alot, and for that, we appologize. Do your best to follow, and spend some due diligence to read on the category of what your interested in, paying little attention to the model referenced. ie: For a GPS mod, read ALL the threads pertaining to adding after-market GPS, regardless of model number. Once you start doing that, you will see what I mean and be able to follow fairly quickly.

Hope this helps,

Paul