I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the ones you get in smartphones. The build volumes will be initially a batch of 100 and later perhaps thousands, but not more than that. What would be the currently recommended GPS module or chip, and a solid state gyro component? There is a lot of stuff on the market... One requirement is reasonably low power - milliamps rather than 10s of milliamps. I have no idea if that is possible. Ideally the two items can be obtained for under $20-30. Any pointers would be much appreciated.
What is the cheapest way to get a GPS + solid state gyro?
Started by ●April 29, 2012
Reply by ●April 29, 20122012-04-29
On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:02:37 +0100, Peter wrote:> I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not > waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the > ones you get in smartphones. > > The build volumes will be initially a batch of 100 and later perhaps > thousands, but not more than that. > > What would be the currently recommended GPS module or chip, and a solid > state gyro component? > > There is a lot of stuff on the market... > > One requirement is reasonably low power - milliamps rather than 10s of > milliamps. I have no idea if that is possible. > > Ideally the two items can be obtained for under $20-30. > > Any pointers would be much appreciated.I'd start by checking DigiKey and Mouser for the gyro chips, and maybe Circuit Cellar ads for GPS modules (as well as DigiKey). There's not a lot of GPS augmentation that you can do with a gyro and no accelerometer -- what are you trying to do? -- Tim Wescott Control system and signal processing consulting www.wescottdesign.com
Reply by ●April 29, 20122012-04-29
On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:02:37 +0100, Peter <nospam@nospam9876.com> wrote:>I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not >waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the >ones you get in smartphones.Most of the chips are already three axis, so don't get high hopes of finding cheap solutions for two axis, when the rest of the world made three axis parts cheap for you already.
Reply by ●April 29, 20122012-04-29
In article <apsqp7lbsvqv9jrrleaoqpgurqg900t0e8@4ax.com>, nospam@nospam9876.com says...> > I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not > waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the > ones you get in smartphones. > > The build volumes will be initially a batch of 100 and later perhaps > thousands, but not more than that. > > What would be the currently recommended GPS module or chip, and a > solid state gyro component? > > There is a lot of stuff on the market... > > One requirement is reasonably low power - milliamps rather than 10s of > milliamps. I have no idea if that is possible.I have not yet found a GPS solution that can give 1HZ updates and draw less than about 20mA. There are some that can go into a low-power sleep mode and wake up on command to give a fix. However, when awake, they still draw 20 to 30mA. To get the overall power down, you need a fairly low duty cycle.> > Ideally the two items can be obtained for under $20-30.The low end for GPS chips that I've used is about $30 qty 1.> > Any pointers would be much appreciated.Mark Borgerson
Reply by ●April 29, 20122012-04-29
On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:24:36 -0700, the renowned Mark Borgerson <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote:>In article <apsqp7lbsvqv9jrrleaoqpgurqg900t0e8@4ax.com>, >nospam@nospam9876.com says... >> >> I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not >> waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the >> ones you get in smartphones. >> >> The build volumes will be initially a batch of 100 and later perhaps >> thousands, but not more than that. >> >> What would be the currently recommended GPS module or chip, and a >> solid state gyro component? >> >> There is a lot of stuff on the market... >> >> One requirement is reasonably low power - milliamps rather than 10s of >> milliamps. I have no idea if that is possible. >I have not yet found a GPS solution that can give 1HZ updates and draw >less than about 20mA. There are some that can go into a low-power sleep >mode and wake up on command to give a fix. However, when awake, they >still draw 20 to 30mA. To get the overall power down, you need a fairly >low duty cycle. >> >> Ideally the two items can be obtained for under $20-30. > >The low end for GPS chips that I've used is about $30 qty 1.GPS module + chip antenna should be around $17 quantity one. Cost of gyros and translational accelerometers depends a lot on their performance, from a few dollars up to serious dollars/euros for military grade stuff.>> Any pointers would be much appreciated. > >Mark BorgersonBest regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
Reply by ●April 30, 20122012-04-30
In article <o4qrp75kv8eck7givabd41ucvlq808nr27@4ax.com>, speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat says...> > On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:24:36 -0700, the renowned Mark Borgerson > <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote: > > >In article <apsqp7lbsvqv9jrrleaoqpgurqg900t0e8@4ax.com>, > >nospam@nospam9876.com says... > >> > >> I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not > >> waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the > >> ones you get in smartphones. > >> > >> The build volumes will be initially a batch of 100 and later perhaps > >> thousands, but not more than that. > >> > >> What would be the currently recommended GPS module or chip, and a > >> solid state gyro component? > >> > >> There is a lot of stuff on the market... > >> > >> One requirement is reasonably low power - milliamps rather than 10s of > >> milliamps. I have no idea if that is possible. > >I have not yet found a GPS solution that can give 1HZ updates and draw > >less than about 20mA. There are some that can go into a low-power sleep > >mode and wake up on command to give a fix. However, when awake, they > >still draw 20 to 30mA. To get the overall power down, you need a fairly > >low duty cycle. > >> > >> Ideally the two items can be obtained for under $20-30. > > > >The low end for GPS chips that I've used is about $30 qty 1. > > GPS module + chip antenna should be around $17 quantity one.Which module would that be? A few years ago I used a now-discontinued Delorme module that was about $35 qty 1. I couldn't find anything in stock at DigiKey in the $17 price range.> > Cost of gyros and translational accelerometers depends a lot on their > performance, from a few dollars up to serious dollars/euros for > military grade stuff. > > >> Any pointers would be much appreciated. > >Mark Borgerson
Reply by ●April 30, 20122012-04-30
On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:40:45 -0700, the renowned Mark Borgerson <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote:>In article <o4qrp75kv8eck7givabd41ucvlq808nr27@4ax.com>, >speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat says... >> >> On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:24:36 -0700, the renowned Mark Borgerson >> <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote: >> >> >In article <apsqp7lbsvqv9jrrleaoqpgurqg900t0e8@4ax.com>, >> >nospam@nospam9876.com says... >> >> >> >> I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not >> >> waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the >> >> ones you get in smartphones. >> >> >> >> The build volumes will be initially a batch of 100 and later perhaps >> >> thousands, but not more than that. >> >> >> >> What would be the currently recommended GPS module or chip, and a >> >> solid state gyro component? >> >> >> >> There is a lot of stuff on the market... >> >> >> >> One requirement is reasonably low power - milliamps rather than 10s of >> >> milliamps. I have no idea if that is possible. >> >I have not yet found a GPS solution that can give 1HZ updates and draw >> >less than about 20mA. There are some that can go into a low-power sleep >> >mode and wake up on command to give a fix. However, when awake, they >> >still draw 20 to 30mA. To get the overall power down, you need a fairly >> >low duty cycle. >> >> >> >> Ideally the two items can be obtained for under $20-30. >> > >> >The low end for GPS chips that I've used is about $30 qty 1. >> >> GPS module + chip antenna should be around $17 quantity one. > >Which module would that be? A few years ago I used a now-discontinued >Delorme module that was about $35 qty 1. I couldn't find anything in >stock at DigiKey in the $17 price range.GlobalSat or U-blox modules with SiRF III etc. are around $15 shipped. Eg. http://www.dealextreme.com/p/eb-365-gps-engine-board-module-with-sirf-star-iii-chipset-80045?item=4>> Cost of gyros and translational accelerometers depends a lot on their >> performance, from a few dollars up to serious dollars/euros for >> military grade stuff. >> >> >> Any pointers would be much appreciated. >> > >Mark Borgerson > >Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
Reply by ●April 30, 20122012-04-30
On 4/29/2012 6:32 PM, Spehro Pefhany wrote:> On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:24:36 -0700, the renowned Mark Borgerson > <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote: > >> In article<apsqp7lbsvqv9jrrleaoqpgurqg900t0e8@4ax.com>, >> nospam@nospam9876.com says... >>> >>> I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not >>> waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the >>> ones you get in smartphones. >>> >>> The build volumes will be initially a batch of 100 and later perhaps >>> thousands, but not more than that. >>> >>> What would be the currently recommended GPS module or chip, and a >>> solid state gyro component? >>> >>> There is a lot of stuff on the market... >>> >>> One requirement is reasonably low power - milliamps rather than 10s of >>> milliamps. I have no idea if that is possible. >> I have not yet found a GPS solution that can give 1HZ updates and draw >> less than about 20mA. There are some that can go into a low-power sleep >> mode and wake up on command to give a fix. However, when awake, they >> still draw 20 to 30mA. To get the overall power down, you need a fairly >> low duty cycle. >>> >>> Ideally the two items can be obtained for under $20-30. >> >> The low end for GPS chips that I've used is about $30 qty 1. > > GPS module + chip antenna should be around $17 quantity one. > > Cost of gyros and translational accelerometers depends a lot on their > performance, from a few dollars up to serious dollars/euros for > military grade stuff. > >>> Any pointers would be much appreciated. >> >> Mark Borgerson > > > Best regards, > Spehro PefhanyThe GPSs in cars (built in units) have accelerometers. It makes the user experience better since it can sense a turn before differential waypoints can sense it. I don't think they have to be very good to do that task. They can also do dead reckoning fairly well, but I've never been out of GPS contact for more than a few miles. There is a usenet group on gps.> sci.geo.satellite-nav
Reply by ●April 30, 20122012-04-30
On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:30:43 -0700, the renowned miso <miso@sushi.com> wrote:> >The GPSs in cars (built in units) have accelerometers. It makes the user >experience better since it can sense a turn before differential >waypoints can sense it. I don't think they have to be very good to do >that task.I noticed when driving a new car in Europe that the nav system managed to track fairly well through long tunnels. Makes sense that they would stick an accelerometer and/or gyros in there for when the GNSS satellite signal is not available- tunnels and urban driving between tall buildings. Even a lousy MEMS gyro won't drift that many degrees in a few minutes.>They can also do dead reckoning fairly well, but I've never been out of >GPS contact for more than a few miles. > >There is a usenet group on gps. >> sci.geo.satellite-nav >Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
Reply by ●April 30, 20122012-04-30
In article <bo3sp7dfd9qhdsrac7d3fp31bpn7pfrorb@4ax.com>, speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat says...> > On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:40:45 -0700, the renowned Mark Borgerson > <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote: > > >In article <o4qrp75kv8eck7givabd41ucvlq808nr27@4ax.com>, > >speffSNIP@interlogDOTyou.knowwhat says... > >> > >> On Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:24:36 -0700, the renowned Mark Borgerson > >> <mborgerson@comcast.net> wrote: > >> > >> >In article <apsqp7lbsvqv9jrrleaoqpgurqg900t0e8@4ax.com>, > >> >nospam@nospam9876.com says... > >> >> > >> >> I am looking at a project which requires a simple GPS receiver (not > >> >> waas/egnos) and a low grade solid state gyro (not a "level") like the > >> >> ones you get in smartphones. > >> >> > >> >> The build volumes will be initially a batch of 100 and later perhaps > >> >> thousands, but not more than that. > >> >> > >> >> What would be the currently recommended GPS module or chip, and a > >> >> solid state gyro component? > >> >> > >> >> There is a lot of stuff on the market... > >> >> > >> >> One requirement is reasonably low power - milliamps rather than 10s of > >> >> milliamps. I have no idea if that is possible. > >> >I have not yet found a GPS solution that can give 1HZ updates and draw > >> >less than about 20mA. There are some that can go into a low-power sleep > >> >mode and wake up on command to give a fix. However, when awake, they > >> >still draw 20 to 30mA. To get the overall power down, you need a fairly > >> >low duty cycle. > >> >> > >> >> Ideally the two items can be obtained for under $20-30. > >> > > >> >The low end for GPS chips that I've used is about $30 qty 1. > >> > >> GPS module + chip antenna should be around $17 quantity one. > > > >Which module would that be? A few years ago I used a now-discontinued > >Delorme module that was about $35 qty 1. I couldn't find anything in > >stock at DigiKey in the $17 price range. > > GlobalSat or U-blox modules with SiRF III etc. are around $15 shipped. > > Eg. > http://www.dealextreme.com/p/eb-365-gps-engine-board-module-with-sirf-star-iii-chipset-80045?item=4 > >Thanks for the lead. I used U-Blox modules about 6 years ago in an autonomous flight controller when they were one of the few manufacturers offering 5Hz update rates at reasonble prices (about $100 then). I haven't tried the Gloalsat modules before. Definitely worth investigating for a project that's been on the back burner for a while.> >> Cost of gyros and translational accelerometers depends a lot on their > >> performance, from a few dollars up to serious dollars/euros for > >> military grade stuff. > >> > >> >> Any pointers would be much appreciated. > >> > > >Mark Borgerson > > > > >Mark Borgerson
