USB GPS data acquisition

[erdc]

I have the Microsoft USB GSP receiver that I can successfully grab the data of latitude/longitude of my position by just using Microsoft's hyper terminal. Is there a way I could interface this unit to a picaxe and capture the data?

If so, how?

 

[andrewpro]

Is it possible? Yes. Is it practical? Nope. Not by a long shot.

You would need to open the device up, basically re-engineer it's communications sub-systems, and patch into that some how.

Theres a chip out there that will act as a USB master, and may possibly allow you to interface it. I dont remember what it's called..it's a touch expensive though in the full development form.

You could, with less trouble and probably less cost, get a GPS module from somewhere like sparkfun electronics <A href='http://www.sparkfun.com' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a> and directly interface to that. Much easier that way.

--Andy P

 

[hax]

A cheap way to get a serial GPS module is to hack one out of a Palm III attachment. Google palm III hack or similar. You can get them on ebay for US$30 or so. I have done this with three or four modules. They work great with a picaxe. They take a while to lock on compared to the newer ones. (about 5 min)

 

[hippy]

There's also the GPS001 ( LS-40EB-3V GPS Module ) form Rev-Ed.

 

[parts-man73]

There's a GPS module on EBAY that I've been eyeing for a little while... sooner or later I'm going to buy it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/OEM-NMEA-GPS-Module-Quick-Shipping-Via-Priority-Mail_W0QQitemZ7627173226QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4661QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's very inexpensive($17.50 + $5 shipping in the USA) . and looks perfect for interfacing to a Picaxe. Transmits at 4800,8,n,1 rs232 levels. But all in all, looks pretty easy to hook up. And it's small. Needs an antenna, must be purchased seperately (another $10 + $5 shipping USA).

Looks like they only ship to USA though.

 

[erdc]

Here is a link to a free software that is a USB Driver for Atmel AVR Microcontrollers. Maybe I just would need to use that chip instead? <A href='http://www.obdev.at/products/avrusb/index.html' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>

And here is an example using an USB interface to controll 8 bits of parallel output. <A href='http://www.obdev.at/products/avrusb/powerswitch.html' Target=_Blank>External Web Link</a>

Edited by - erdc on 07/06/2006 15:37:31

 

[hippy]

That's a very clever firmware-only implementation of a USB slave ( it might even be portable to a PICmicro ), but unfortunately it is a USB slave not a USB master which is what you need to talk to a device such as a USB GPS receiver.

 

[Matthewriley]

Sorry - misunderstood, so I have retracted my post!

Edited by - matthewriley on 07/06/2006 20:16:36