Need parts for designing GPS cape for Beaglebone Black

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1

HI!
I want to design my own GPS cape board for BB Black. But I dont know complete parts lists . Can anyone help me.
Thanks

2

I’ll work on one with you. shouldn’t be that hard. just need a serial port to talk to the chip/module or even i2c with some modules. how about basing a cape off of this:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11058 and to start as a first cut just build the cape with a dip socket for this to plug into wired out to pins for 3v3, gnd, rxd/txd switchable between uart1 & uart2 pins, & i2c to the i2c pins. that takes care of the gps you asked about. now, if you added places to plug in sensors like used on the weather cape, a rtc, and a 9 axis motion sensor ic you’d have a board that could really be fun to play with! let me know if you’d like to build some boards. I can also help with artwork in eagle.

Eric

3

Thanks for the reply. As you said, I am trying to make cape board that exactly fits on BeagleB Black with 2 pin headers placed at the same location. I am using Telit Ge864 modem as used by the ExploitSys. I hope yoy must have seen their board. It will be much helpful if I am able to get the components list, and schematic will also be wonder.

4

Thanks for the reply. As you said, I am trying to make GPS cape that is compatible with BB Black. I am using Telit Ge864 GPS receiver. It will be very helpful if I am able to get parts or at least an idea on what components to incorporate to getting started. I am working on Eagle.

Thanks again

5

If you want a components list and schematic for the ExploitSys cape. you should probably contact exploitsys. getting a datasheet for the GE864 module you’ve decided upon should take you far as well. If what you’re trying to do is copy an existing design it will likely be more cost effective to simply buy the boards already built from whoever is building them.

Eric

6

Hi Eric !

I meant to make as designed by the ExploitSys which is what I was asked to. I am already through. I have referred telit’s hardware user guide manual which proved very helpful. I have completed some of the part and now I have doubt whether I need level translator for BBB and my GPS cape board for uart interfacing. The voltage range for GE864 is 2.8v to 3.0 v max. I have used one for stepping down 3.3 v to 2.8 v (TXD pin ) for BBB to GPS board. I am not sure whether I should use one more translator for RXD as far as BBB can handle 2.8 v from GPS. What if I want to use RTS and CTS signals? Can U help?
Sorry for the late reply. The link did not worked for some time.
Thanks

7

Sounds like what you really want is not simply a gps cape but a cape
that implements the GE864 GSM module that happens to do both GPS and
GSM cellular. Hopefully you have the GE864-GPS variant as the other
versions do not include GPS functionality. Personally I wouldn't use
this module as you will likely have some difficulty soldering it to
your board without paying good money for an assembly house to fab
assembled boards for you. The module is a BGA package and looks to be
a somewhat troublesome to use. Ultimately what do you want this cape
to do? If all you want/need is GPS I'd highly recommend using a
different solution. If you need cellular connectivity AND gps I might
still recommend using 2 seperate modules for a cape, each with it's
own connector. doing so will mean not having to build hundreds or
thousands of boards to keep costs sane. You or I are NOT going to be
able to build this cape for less than the 130 euros that Exploitsys is
asking for the cape, especially when the module alone is 45-50 euros
plus the other parts for the BOM on that board. If you want that
board, buy one from Exploitsys.... It'll be your best deal.

as for using RTS & CTS signals on a cape compatible with the beagle
bone black your pretty much SOL if you want everything else on the
board to still work as the pins that can be muxed to provide those
functions appear to already be in use on the beagle bone black for
other functions such as video.

as for a translator for rxd The conservative approach in me says use
one but on the other hand it may just be enough for the Beagle ARM SOC
to see it as a high level. still with all the level translation and
difficulties of using that module I'd look for another solution or
just buy a cape from exploitsys.

Eric