Tyco A1029A/B Update...

LiquidKernel · 12-19-2006, 11:53 AM

I got a hold of Tyco and had them send me data sheets with sample schematics for the A1029A/B and A1030. Very straight forward setup, a cheap gyro (the one they recommend by Analog Devices is $40) just a pair of optocouplers for the odometer and reverse light signal.

They gave me the name of a company that retails them. The price lists the A1029A for $38 @ 100 units and the A1029B for aroudn $60 @ 50 units. I am going to see how much sample units cost.

My goal for the whole project is $100. I have tons of parts at home (including opto's, RS232 low-level converters), etc... so I just need the gyro and GPS receiver (and antenna).

This looks promising! I am sure many of you are in dire need of DR, just as much as I am.

LiquidKernel · 12-20-2006, 04:43 PM

Called the supplier again, they will call me back within a few days about the pricing for low quantity orders.

Will let you guys know.

LiquidKernel · 12-21-2006, 06:38 PM

Got a price quote of $299.15 for 5 units, that's $59 per unit!

The price is for the A1029B, which includes a PCB with header and antenna connector. This is literally a quarter the price of the Ublox module.

Now to see if I should shell out the $300 and start development... if anyone would want to get the remainig 4 from me, I'd like that

LiquidKernel · 12-28-2006, 03:43 PM

Ordered a single sample from the supplier. The Tyco A1029B is going to be here in a few days. BOOYAH. Time to start working.

tweeknockr · 01-29-2007, 01:19 PM

Liquid,

How were you able to get ahold of Tyco?! I've been trying with no luck to find the datasheets on these things... been getting transferred around all over the place... do you think you could hook me up?

Thanks

LiquidKernel · 01-29-2007, 05:45 PM

They have many suppliers. If you contact their GPS devision (http://www.tycoelectronics.com/gps/), they will help find the closest one to you. From that link you can ask Tyco about datasheets, etc.

htl · 01-29-2007, 10:12 PM

liquid,

did you order a sample unit from www.rell.com? how were you able to order less than the minimum of 16?

or did you order 5? if you have any units left over, i'd like to purchase one from you.

LiquidKernel · 01-30-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by htl

liquid,

did you order a sample unit from www.rell.com? how were you able to order less than the minimum of 16?

or did you order 5? if you have any units left over, i'd like to purchase one from you.

I was able to purchas a quantity below 16 by special request. Doubt they do it often. Guess I got lucky with the people I talked to. Waiting on a Mouser order for the rest of my parts.

tweeknockr · 01-30-2007, 12:59 PM

Liquid.... I PM'ed you re: datasheets... do you think you could email them to me?

htl · 01-31-2007, 10:43 PM

i compared the specs for the tyco A1029 and ublox TIM-LR dead reckoning gps modules and found a few differences:

the tyco A1029 does not come with internal SRAM that can be backed up with a backup battery. from my understanding, the backup battery on the A1029 only maintains the RTC and i believe that the position information is not stored for next use if the power is cut off from the module. however, if a command is sent before power is cut off, the position data will be stored in the on-board flash memory and will be available when power is restored. this may be a little difficult to manage since the com port may be tied up by other programs before a carpc goes into hibernate mode. i'm going by the assumption that power to the gps module will be lost when the car is shut off. if power is maintained, this will be a no issue.

the ublox contains internal SRAM that is backed up with a battery when power is lost. there is no need to send any commands to the module in regard to position data.

an alternative is to go with tyco's A1030 module which is programmable and contains the SRAM memory that is battery-backed. this seems to be a more comparable module to the ublox. i'm not sure what pricing info is for this module.

another difference is that the ublox tracks up to 16 satellites whereas the tyco tracks up to only 12. this isn't a big factor since 4 satellites are sufficient for gps positioning.

price is also another big difference... after contacting a retailer for the tyco A1029B, they changed their pricing as follows: 1-15 units @ $132/unit, 16-127 units @ $47.87/unit, and the price break continues for higher quantities (no more minimums). ublox is still sitting at $199.

i'm leaning towards a ublox at this point...

can anyone shed any more light on my findings?

scott_fx · 01-31-2007, 11:00 PM

liquid i just realized you started a new thread, if you are going to be held up by 'min orders' in the future let me know and i'll throw in. i'm pretty sure this is the route i'm going to go

LiquidKernel · 01-31-2007, 11:04 PM

That is correct, the A1029 does ot provide SRAM backup unlike the A1030. Using a serial port splitter application and small app to run the command on hibernate or shut down shouldn't be too difficult.

If anything, I am considering using a super simple Atmel MCU setup to talk to the receiver via UART and send the command right before power is cut (have to come up with a clever method of doing that though).

The number of satellites that can be tracked will rarely, if ever, make a difference. I have a SiRF3 receiver that can do 16, but it has never even gone past 10. There is no benefit to having a 16 channel receiver if there are only half that many satellites in the sky most of the time (from where you are). Plus, when you're using Dead Reckoning, a high # of satellites makes very little difference.

Looks like Richardson did change their pricing. If I am going to build a carrier board for them, and there will be enough demand, I'll pony up the cash for 16 units and then sell them at the same price I paid (plus the cost of my board). So they'll cost $47 to the end user.

Once my development is done, I'll let you guys know. I am looking for a quality and inexpensive gyro right now. Leaning towards the Analog Devices unit.. it's BGA layout is actually not that hard to make use of, since it can be reflowed in a home-made oven.

Thanks for the update on the pricing!

MobiTekLink · 02-18-2007, 05:15 PM

Hey liquid I had PM'd u regarding this ,,, I can buy some already made units from you. Im really interested in this since I live in NYC and driving here sux without it. What's the already made price per unit?! I just want something plug and play.

knubile · 02-19-2007, 08:46 AM

If you haven't already come across these guys, they have some good gyro devices. I think they sell just the chips too.

www.sparkfun.com

MobiTekLink · 02-19-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by knubile

If you haven't already come across these guys, they have some good gyro devices. I think they sell just the chips too.

www.sparkfun.com

Not sure what to do with this stuff,,, How do youput those things together?