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Hardware done !

We are proud to announce you that the final version of the hardware has been finished and is fully working. It is based on the same hardware as the first prototype and work flawlessly.

The following main hardware is used:

  • EM408 SirfIII 20 Channels GPS Module from USGlobalSat. (You can buy it from Sparkfun or directly from USGlobalSat)
  • Microchip PIC18F25J10 clocked at 20Mhz. (Available here)

All other parts are standard (with the exception of the dock connector which you can buy from Ridax).

As told in the last post, the overall system seek the following:

Mode Current
GPS Not activated 5 mA
GPS in satellites lockup mode 85 mA
GPS in tracking mode 75 mA

As we can see, when the GPS module is disabled, it doesn’t seek any current (5 mA is really nothing…). We haven’t done any battery life test now but it should not decrease a lot the iPhone / iPod autonomy.

We provide the full schematic and the PCB used to built the xGPS module.

We are proposing to sell these GPS module for the iPhone / iPod touch if there are many demands. If you are interested, feel free to contact us here: http://www.xwaves.net/?inc=contact.

We are now focusing our work on the software side of the project to be able to use the GPS without any Internet connection.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 at 5:55 pm and is filed under Hardware Developement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

7 Responses to “Hardware done !”

  1. dave Says:
    June 12th, 2008 at 3:59 am

    excellent job!!!, but where i can get the xgps software for google maps???

  2. Mathieu Says:
    June 12th, 2008 at 10:07 am

    It is being released. It should be out in one or two days.

  3. Andrea Says:
    June 12th, 2008 at 10:40 am

    How much in that gps system?

  4. xGPS Says:
    July 9th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    [...] es un software para usar con este GPS, que nos permite navegar por el mapa con conexión a internet o descargarnos una parte del mapa [...]

  5. awdark Says:
    August 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    In need of navigation I googled touch GPS and found this and I am impressed about the publicized schematics and the progress of this project!

    Would there be any way I can use this if I already have a powered GPS device (bluetooth with serial out) on a Jailbroken Touch with 2.0.2? I saw the price breakdown and you guys are selling it at a very nice price but I still have my GPS from my pocket pc days.

    Is the microcontroller necessary with 1.1.1+ firmwares? And will I need a RS232 level converter?

    :) thank you.

  6. Mathieu Says:
    August 25th, 2008 at 11:40 am

    Your GPS really need a serial wired connection because the iPhone doesn’t any support for bluetooth serial profile. If it has you surely need a level converter to accept and send TTL 3.3 V level from / to the iPhone. The microcontroller is not necessary but it means that you will send your position to the iPhone even if it is not used. It can make certain trouble. Just try.

  7. awdark Says:
    August 26th, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    Thanks for the info, I shall look into getting those parts for level conversion and probably a few extra connectors.

    Good luck on the software! The features sound promising

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