Author Topic: GPS for Graphing Calculators  (Read 4479 times)

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Offline KermMartian

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GPS for Graphing Calculators
« on: February 04, 2014, 03:49:39 pm »
Graphing calculators are nothing less than powerful pocket computers, capable of doing many of the same things as smartphones, desktops, and laptops. Given that they have reasonably fast processors, a display, memory, and ports to interface with the outside world, I set out to making graphing calculators capable of determining their location using standard GPS hardware. I started with the TI-84 Plus / Silver Edition series of graphing calculators, which have a 15MHz processor, a 96x64-pixel monochrome screen, rudimentary timers (as well as one 32KHz crystal timer), and perhaps most importantly, two ports to interface with the outside world. One is a USB OTG port, a mini-USB port capable of acting as either a host or device, and therefore capable of producing 5V for peripherals. The other is a "serial" I/O port with two bidirectional TTL-level data lines. For my project, I chose to use the USB port for power, and the I/O port to communicate with a TTL serial GPS module. I created both the hardware and software necessary to make the project a reality, then suffered through two weeks of trying to get a GPS fix amid the metal canyons of a major US city.

Along the way, the two major technical challenges I faced were building a serial library and powering the module from the calculator. Once I succeeded in building functioning hardware and software, and eventually got a video of the GPS device operating normally, I documented the project in the writeup, video, and pictures linked below. Enjoy, and I challenge you to try building this project as well!

More Information
GPS for graphing calculators documentation
Video of TI-84+SE receiving GPS data
GPS driver for TI-84+/SE



Cross-posted from this Cemetech topic

Offline Sorunome

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2014, 03:51:07 pm »
Wow, this is just insane, you've done some great job Kerm!
Now you only have to add some navigation software :P
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« Last Edit: February 04, 2014, 03:56:31 pm by Sorunome »

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2014, 03:55:19 pm »
Soon, we will be able to use our calculator to track down our lost phones :P

Nice job Kerm :D

Offline Juju

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2014, 04:34:11 pm »
I already worked with a GPS and parsed its raw data, so I know it's possible. The hardest thing must be to wire a serial-to-TTL converter so the calc gets the GPS's data via serial port, once you got that the raw data is rather easy to parse by the calc.

Anyway, great job Kerm ^_^

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Offline TIfanx1999

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2014, 09:17:16 pm »
Wow, I expected this to be a joke post. O.O That's pretty awesome Kerm! :D

Offline bb010g

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2014, 09:19:22 pm »
Is this going to be built in in the next Ultimate Calculator?
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Offline Joshuasm32

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2014, 10:32:27 pm »
I wonder if primitive navigation software could be loaded into the chip via Linux to generate B&W maps with the right screen size...
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Offline naib864

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Re: AW: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2014, 06:11:58 am »
This is very awesome!
Maybe the next thing is Wifi for calcs :D



Offline Sorunome

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2014, 09:27:23 am »
This is very awesome!
Maybe the next thing is Wifi for calcs :D
You'd just have to write the drivers, i mean, hooking up a wifi usb thingy is easy :P

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Offline naib864

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Re:
« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2014, 09:38:51 am »
I'll give you an award if you make your calc loading m.facebook.com :D (The version for old browsers hasn't got any JavaScript)



Offline timwessman

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2014, 10:33:09 am »
>Enjoy, and I challenge you to try building this project as well!

Challenge accepted! (nice work btw)





Mine can stream <1cm resolution survey grade GPS data at up to 60-120 readings a second from 3 separate devices, has up to two internal 1km range Bluetooth radios, runs off 4 external AA batteries, can be run over by a truck without damage, has a screen that withstood the impact from a .22cal hollowpoint without damage, and is waterproof for 30 minutes at a 3 meter depth.  :-)

Of course, it also retailed for ~1500$US.

http://www.amerisurv.com/PDF/TheAmericanSurveyor_Pepling-DC50_April2007.pdf

« Last Edit: February 05, 2014, 10:33:56 am by timwessman »
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Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2014, 11:45:42 am »
If TI themselves ever decided to make a TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition GPS add-on, they would probably charge $3000 for it no matter if it's good or not. :P

Nice btw Tim :D

Offline Hayleia

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2014, 11:49:48 am »
Maybe the next thing is Wifi for calcs :D
I think this has already been done for the Nspire with the Linux port.
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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2014, 11:52:25 am »
Maybe the next thing is Wifi for calcs :D
I think this has already been done for the Nspire with the Linux port.
Indeed. You could attach a wi-fi dongle with an USB adapter or something. I am betting this could be possible with gCn too, but I don't know if it would be hard to pull off.

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Re: GPS for Graphing Calculators
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2014, 01:20:37 pm »
And doesn't the official Nspire wireless adapter use wifi?