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GPS
& PowerControl MkIII
Block
diagram of GPS module
Get a GPS
module
Dash pcb &
Powercontrol MkIII
Block diagram of Dash pcb
LED backlight
Windows
Configuration Application
Have a look at my youtube
videos
Introduction
GPS
When I started installing my car PC system I
got a "smart" power supply and thought that it was the perfect
solution. No bumps in speakers as it had remote output, control of PC on-off and
supervision of battery state. But it did not work that way. I still got bumps in
speaker, there was no way of controlling when the LCD panel should be on or not,
shutdown time was not sufficient etc.
So when I wanted to interface a GPS module with
dead-reckoning I decided to make my own logic for controlling camera, LCD panel,
power amplifier, pc on-off and USB power DC/DC converters. I also wanted more
inputs to make it work as factory installed. So I put hw inputs for ignition,
central lock, on-off and rearview buttons so that it could be used in a car
without the IBus communication that gives all that info in my car. So this was
the start of the GPS
& PowerControl MkIII
module,
and as you can tell it has been 3 versions of it so far.
Dash pcb
Then I installed an LCD panel in the dash, and
realized that I needed access to the buttons I cut away. The LCD panel forgot
that it should use VGA input after using it with camera without PC on which was
a major problem. I also wanted to control the door mechanism, and a "CD in
slot" detection so that I would not accidently break the system or a CD by
closing the door at the wrong time. It was also a bit difficult to reach the
"DVD open" inside, so I wanted to control that too.
After discussing this on the mp3car forum with
some friends I've made there I realized that I also wanted to convert my LCD
panel for LED backlight and control the brightness. And that the best way of
controlling the door motor was to make my own motor drive circuit, rather than
just simulate sensor inputs for existing electronics. This became the Dash
pcb, and the LED backlight pcb. Also three versions down the road :-)
Last modified 16 October 08
GPS
& PowerControl MkIII
120x75x43 mm.
1) A GPS with dead reckoning
The connection to IBus will reduce wiring to a minimum, but you will be able to
use it in other cars. Just draw the extra wires. The DR feature will give you
more stable and accurate position (5m), even close to high buildings or in tunnels.
2) IBus interface
To be used as a car2PC interface in your BMW. This will make it possible to
use your steering wheel buttons for volume control etc.
3) Power Control
This is what I mean with that:
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The LCD panel is turned on
after startup is complete without embarrassing start up screens. Timing is
configurable with windows application and stored persistently. |
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Control of rear view camera,
again with IBus without extra wires. You can also turn on the camera with
side-view mirror selector. If you don't have IBus there is a camera-on
input. |
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When you unlock your car with
remote key, system will start to boot to save boot time. Without IBus this
require a wire to your central lock. |
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Indication of PC state.
Booting/running/shutting down. With IBus on LED's already in your
Bordmonitor. Without IBus you can install you own LED's. |
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When driving the car, the PC
is always on. (unless you press on-off button for 2s. Then PC is shutdown regardless)
A press of a button will give instant visual. With IBus you
will off cause choose the power on button on your Bordmonitor. When you
enter the car it will remember if it was on or off when you left it. |
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Configurable timeout if you
run the PC with ignition off. |
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Remote control of Poweramp. No
more bumps in your speakers. |
You will get source code so that
you can modify the code if you want. You just need a dev kit at 69$ from Silabs.
Block
diagram of the GPS module
Get a GPS
module from
me
There are 5 configurations on
this system if there are parts of the functionality you do not need.
| PC
with IBus and GPS (full system) |
PC
with IBus without GPS |
PC
without IBus but GPS |
PC
without IBus without GPS |
Only
GPS |
|
€250 |
€125 |
€240 |
€116 |
€202 |
P&p not included.
Paypal fees or alike is on the buyer.
Gyro only is 32€ and GPS is 76€ if you've got them already. (included
in prices above)
Pcb only is 33€.
Simple magnetic antenna with
amplifier is included for an extra 10$. See picture above.
Email b_o_swing at hotmail.com.
Last modified 20 January 10
Dash
pcb & PowerControl MkIII
1) LED backlight driver
This unit can control the LED backlight
of your LCD panel from PC input, or dash instrument light. Brightness as well as
max current is configurable
2) Door motor driver
This unit can control a 150mA DC motor for door mechanism. It will detect if
there is a CD in the slot and it will be controlled by single eject button. When
door is open it will eject the CD if there is one in the drive etc.
3) IBus gateway
I have installed the LCD panel and this pcb in a BMW bordmonitor. The
bordmonitor has a lot of buttons, but unfortunately they get disabled when
ignition is off. For this reason I have an analogue switch so that I can send a
fake "ignition on" message to bordmonitor only when I want to enable
the buttons.
4) LCD panel button simulator
I do only want to use the removed LCD panel buttons occasionally, but I do
need that possibility. Manually as well as automatically from PC. With a DA
converter on the pcb I can output a DC voltage that will simulate standard
resistor chain buttons.
5) Power control logic as the
GPS module
6) LED indication
This unit has two LED outputs that signals PC state. Booting, shutting down,
on with LCD panel off etc.
Last modified 20 January 10
LED
Backligth pcb
It is the pcb's with the holes in
them.
Block
diagram of the dash pcb
I will have to add the dash pcb to
this drawing.
The CPU is a C8051F006.
Windows
Application
With this application you can test
and configure your installation. Two units maximum, when one works as a slave so
that you do not have to draw a lot of cables from front to boot.
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