Want to build GPS system. Tell me if the hardware I've got is a good start

Skipjacks · 12-05-2004, 05:51 PM

I want to put a PC based GPS system in my car. The wiring, install, etc...is all stuff I'm comfortable with. What I don't know is anything about GPS hardware.

The only thing I've got now is an older notebook computer. It's a Win98 based system (that could run Win2000 if it's needed for software).

What I don't know is if it's Version 1.0 USB ports will be sufficient to run a GPS antenna.

Will a GPS antenna run on a version 1 USB port? Or do you need 2.0 USB's?

That being said, are there any website or writeups on this site to help me design this sort of thing?

When I'm done it's going to be a fully integrated touch screen PC based GPS system dash mounted in a 1997 BMW M3. It will look like it came out of the factory this way by the time I'm done. I haven't worked up a plan for how to do that yet, but I won't let it be finished until it's both completely functional and stock looking. Anyone know of good resources to help in this matter?

Thanks

raymondaecom · 12-05-2004, 08:22 PM

USB 1 is good enough!

0l33l · 12-05-2004, 08:37 PM

USB 1 is pleanty for GPS.

meetmandeep · 12-05-2004, 08:43 PM

This site, by far, is the biggest resource i've found online. It has abundance of information; also check out some completed projects. Use the

and be surprised with already existing discussions.

Skipjacks · 12-05-2004, 08:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by raymondaecom

USB 1 is good enough!

Awesome!

Question 2...

With a touchscreen LCD how does the "touch" part hook up to the computer. I'm assuming that there's a seperate cable other than the monitor cable that allows the screen to input information to the computer. How does that hookup?

Question 3...

If I set up the programming right, can I run the whole computer from the screen? More to the point, will I need another kind of pointing device or keyboard? A pointing device might work out okay if I need one. But a keyboard would put a kybosh on the whole opperation because it would kill the ease of use I'm looking for. I'm hoping to be able to install software that allows me to type in anything I might need right from the screen with a video keyboard.

The short version of that question is that I want to be able to run the thing from the screen. Touch the GPS software icon to open the program. Touch the screen to input whatever information I might need to. Touch the screen to do everything involved with the GPS system. (I understand I'd need a keyboard and mouse and what not to update the sofeware. But that's fine. The notebook computer will be accessable when I need to do upgrades like that)

Thanks for help so far!

I'm sure I'm going to need alot more as time goes on. But it should be alot of fun doing this. I figure I can't lose. I assume it'll cost me about $500 in parts. (since I have the computer) And if I can't make it work I can just sell the parts and get pretty much all of my money back. So the only real risk is alot of time and energy.

bosstone74 · 12-05-2004, 08:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Skipjacks

Awesome!

Question 2...

With a touchscreen LCD how does the "touch" part hook up to the computer. I'm assuming that there's a seperate cable other than the monitor cable that allows the screen to input information to the computer. How does that hookup?

Question 3...

If I set up the programming right, can I run the whole computer from the screen? More to the point, will I need another kind of pointing device or keyboard? A pointing device might work out okay if I need one. But a keyboard would put a kybosh on the whole opperation because it would kill the ease of use I'm looking for. I'm hoping to be able to install software that allows me to type in anything I might need right from the screen with a video keyboard.

The short version of that question is that I want to be able to run the thing from the screen. Touch the GPS software icon to open the program. Touch the screen to input whatever information I might need to. Touch the screen to do everything involved with the GPS system. (I understand I'd need a keyboard and mouse and what not to update the sofeware. But that's fine. The notebook computer will be accessable when I need to do upgrades like that)

Thanks for help so far!

I'm sure I'm going to need alot more as time goes on. But it should be alot of fun doing this. I figure I can't lose. I assume it'll cost me about $500 in parts. (since I have the computer) And if I can't make it work I can just sell the parts and get pretty much all of my money back. So the only real risk is alot of time and energy.

Question 2
Depends on the screen for the touch screen, either usb or serial. New ones are going to usb, older ones are serial.

Question 3
Yes you could do it from one screen, however, most keep a mouse/keyboard just in case something goes a bit crazy...which happens with computers.

MatrixPC · 12-05-2004, 08:59 PM

[question 1]
If the computer already have a USB port, just buy one of those USB GPS device on fleeebay with software and you are set to go.

[question 2]
TS LCD (like the Lilliput) will have 2 separate connectors one for VGA and the other for USB. Again USB 1 is good for both GPS and TS.

[question 3]
You can basically control everything with the TS, but I found that I use the mouse (thumb mouse) more than the TS.
Keyboard, mouse are always helpfull but not 100% needed.
IR remote control will help a bunch.

Skipjacks · 12-05-2004, 09:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MatrixPC

[question 1]
If the computer already have a USB port, just buy one of those USB GPS device on fleeebay with software and you are set to go.

[question 2]
TS LCD (like the Lilliput) will have 2 separate connectors one for VGA and the other for USB. Again USB 1 is good for both GPS and TS.

[question 3]
You can basically control everything with the TS, but I found that I use the mouse (thumb mouse) more than the TS.
Keyboard, mouse are always helpfull but not 100% needed.
IR remote control will help a bunch.

Well like I said. I'm using a notebook comptuer that I dont' intend on stripping down for this project. The plan is to keep it fully intact and just hidden away somewhere. (Haven't figured out where yet.) So if need be I'd be able to open it up and interface with it as I would any normal computer.

Having a small trackball mouse mounted just below the screen might be workable. Can't see why that'd be too tough. Might certainly be worth the effort for when I'd need a quick fix of something on the screen.

How about that part about having a keyboard on the screen so I can type a destination for route calulation in or something right on the screen? Is that easy enough? Is there shareware for stuff like that?

Back to the USB hoookup for the touchscreen. Do the newer touchscreens run on USB 1 as well? If not I'd need to find an older one.

One added question....how do most people who design this stuff turn the system on? I thought I could just run a long wire to the power button on the computer, but then I just took it apart and found out that the power button is part of the printed ciruit on the mother board. Can't really remove it and relote it off the board. Thoughts? On that same subject, how do you shut the system down? I know Windows doesn't like to just be turned off without properly shutting down. What happens when you turn the car off? I'd assume the system loses all it's power and goes dead, which is liable to make Windows run Scandisk the next time it turns back on. Do you have to go through any kind of shutdown sequence? Is there a way around this?

By the way, in case I've not made a point of saying this yet, this board is really awesome. You're all very friendly and helpful and have already answered my biggest questions about this project. Specifially all the questions that had me wondering if I could actually do this or not. I really appreciate all the help you've given me thusfar.