[OT] GPS modules / OEM boards -- where to buy?

jds-pic · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 205

guys,
i've recently started a PIC-based APRS project and would like to purchase a small Motorola Oncore or similar GPS engine w/ NMEA output (4800/8/N/1). i'm not looking for a "personal GPS" a la the Garmin Etrex; instead, i need a board level GPS product, preferably with an on-board patch antenna. any leads?

thanks,
jds-pic

ps:
APRS =
http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprs.html
http://www.aprs.net/
http://www.findu.com/

Ttelmah · Guest

When I needed to do this on a product, I ended up building the GPS 'on board', using a chipset. However I have seen modules from companies like 'NavSync', that might do what you want. Garmin also offer 'board level' products to the OEM, which might well meet your requirements. 'MightyGPS', market a number of OEM modules (look for the 'UV40'). TDC, do the Leadtek, and Navman modules. Beware though, that with an internal GPS, your casing, and placement need to be very carefully designed if you are to get good signal coverage, and noise from the processor etc., can degrade the performance. It is often easier to use an external module with flying leads to the rest of the circuit, to get good performance.

Best Wishes

Guest · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:53 am

Hi,

I have had good luck with a module from Laipac. Chipset is from SiRF.

Regards

Gizz · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Nottingham UK

I have used the Trimble Lassen SQ with good effect

libor · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Hungary

I have successfully used the products of u-blox with PICs using their modules soldered on my PCB. They have chipset, modules, and complete boards also, so you can decide which level of integration you want to begin with. They have recently added super-sensitive modules and also dead-reckoning solutions to be used with gyros when no GPS coverage available to their product line, though I only used their TIM-LC low cost modules so far.

jds-pic · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 205

folks,
thanks for all of the input above.

i found a source of OEM modules and development boards, see
http://www.sparkfun.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cart=233269&cat=1&
specifically their GPS page
http://www.sparkfun.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cart=233269&cat=63&

ps
these guys also seem to have a lot of PIC development platforms/programmers, etc.

jds-pic

mcafzap · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Posts: 46 Location: Manchester, UK

FYI there is also www.falcom.de they also have GPS with GSM/GPRS engines too.

Something to watch if you're after the highest possible accuracy is that the first positions found (from a cold start) are not as accurate as those that come after. So for instance you need to reject the first 10 or so fixes. There used to be a pdf document on the uBlox website detailing this, so it may only apply to their devices.

Steve