news

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14.04.2006 - english translation available (old german version can be found here)
08.04.2006 - data cable linux driver available (ark3116 gpl driver)
03.04.2006 - first version

parts + costs:

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- PCB with Tyco1029 GPS module (i got mine from eb*y) -> 3 ?
- active 3.3V GPS antenna (also eb*y) -> ~10 ?
- Sony Erricson T610 mobile phone data cable (eb*y) -> ~1 ?

construction:

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1) use a small jigsaw to cut the gps part out of the main PCB
(desoldering works too, but be careful the module is glued onto the main pcb !)


2) remove the data cable housing, make sure to write down the cable to pin assignments!


3) construct a 3.3V voltage regulator.
I used a LM317 which i adjusted to output 3.3V (2 small resistors, see lm317 datasheet for details).
Add some piece of metal for cooling the regulator (i used some sheet metal from an on old ISA slot).
Without this the lm317 might get very hot and get damaged!
Connect the 5V cable from the data cable with the lm317 input, connect the lm317 output directly to the gps pcb.
Make sure to add two 100nF capacitors on the lm317 input & output !


4) connect everything:


5) now put everything in a small plastic box (i used "SP 2043 SW" from www.reichelt.de).
The whole pcb is small enough to be put inside an old matchbox (if you do not want to waste money for buying a plastic enclosure ;) )

6) you're done: a low cost usb gps which cam be connected directly to your pcs serial port :)


7) now install the data cable driver and start your favourite GPS application.
Use NMEA @4800baud as the protocol

Linux users: i wrote an experimental linux driver for the arkmicrochips usb2serial chipset used in my data cable.
you can find the driver here:
http://avr.auctionant.de/ark3116_linux_driver

thats it ;)

WARNING: use at your own risk !