Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Circuit Board creates location-aware mobile instruments.
Press Release Summary:
Offering global positioning accuracy to within 15 m, 2 x 2.5 in. GPS Wildcard incorporates 12-channel receiver that adds GPS functionality to any Mosaic controller or SBC. Application program can read current latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, course heading, time, and date of GPS Wildcard in question. Along with rechargeable backup battery, GPS Wildcard has software that reports position error estimates, GPS fix quality, and number of satellites in use for real-time diagnostics.
Original Press Release:
Tiny Board Adds GPS Functionality to Mobile Instruments
The newest member of Mosaic's Wildcard series will track your instument anywhere on the globe with a positional accuracy of less than 15 meters. This tiny 2" by 2.5" board connects to any of Mosaic's controllers and single board computers, adding GPS functionality to your instrument on top of data acquisition and instrument control. Your application program can read the current latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, course heading, time, and date. In addition, the GPS Wildcard software reports position error estimates, GPS fix quality, and the number of satellites in use to enable real-time diagnostics.
The key component of the GPS Wildcard is the GPS-15 subsystem manufactured by Garmin. It implements a 12-channel GPS receiver, and includes a rechargeable backup battery to maintain the contents of the subsystem's clock and memory for up to 21 days in the absence of external power. The 3.3 volt supply that runs the GPS receier can be shut down while not in use to conserve power. For good signal reception, the GPS subsystem includes a connection for a remote-mounted active antenna, also avalable from Mosaic.
Mosaic's device driver functions make it easy to access the GPS data. These functions automatically parse the GPS NMEA sentences, extract data fields, and store them in a data structure for your application program. Using the GPS Wildcard and its pre-coded software makes it easy to create unique location-aware mobile instruments.
Up to 8 mix-and-match Wildcards can be stacked onto Mosaic's controllers for a unique combination of specialized I/O. Other Wildcards include Ethernet, USB, octal 12-bit D/A and 16-bit A/D converters, signal conditioning, a 24-bit resolution analog data acquisition subsystem, compact flash card mass memory interface, fast buffered RS232/485 dual UART, high voltage/high current isolated I/O, and AC or DC solid state relays and more.
The GPS Wildcard is available now, priced $135 in 100s.
About Mosaic Industries, Inc.
In business since 1985, Mosaic Industries, Inc. manufactures embedded single board compuetrs, operator interfaces and modular I/O for numerous applications such as industrial control, automation of industrial processes, product development and/or product upgrades, data acquisition, and scientific instruments. For more information about Mosaic's products call 510/790-1255 or visit www.mosaic-industries.com
