psion 3a to serial gps
syrus666
Recently I bought a gps receiver, RS232 serial connect to my laptop.
Now I really would like to connect it to the serial port of my old
Psion.
To be perfectly honest, i have no idea how to start.
I read somewhere to use a nullmodem, but I think the cable that can
link the psion to the serial port of my laptop is the same.
Please kindly send me some help.
Thanks a lot, maybe this old psion will start his new life soon.
Set Square
syrus666 <syru...@gmail.com> wrote:
See my answer in alt.satellite.gps
--
Cheers,
Set Square
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is invalid.
JF Mezei
>
> I have a question concerning an old Psion 3a.
> Recently I bought a gps receiver, RS232 serial connect to my laptop.
> Now I really would like to connect it to the serial port of my old
> Psion.
> To be perfectly honest, i have no idea how to start.
Once you have the hadrware issue fixed, you then need software that
interfaces with your particular GPS unit. There is no standard for
uploading/downloading data between a computer and GPS unit. There is
the NMEA standard which allows "live" control (eg: your PSION gets
constant serial feed giving your location).
Mike Coon
But there is a good choice, including my own "GarmEdit" (only for Garmin
GPSs), also RealMaps etc, depending on what you want to do...
Mike.
--
If reply address = connectfee, add an r because it is free not fee.
Aidan Karley
> I read somewhere to use a nullmodem, but I think the cable that can
> link the psion to the serial port of my laptop is the same.
>
a special cable to connect to the contacts on the GPS (same cable can
also provide power to the GPS). That output to the same gender as the
Psion-to-PC cable, so I needed a gender-bender. I also needed a "null
modem" adaptor which swapped IIRC lines Tx and Rx while passing SG
through.
To reduce the contact count (and therefore the failure point
count), the Garmins only use 3 wires of the standard RS-232 set - Tx
for transmitted data; Rx for receiving data; and SG for signal ground.
A "null modem" adaptor that swaps those two lines in a 9-pin
D-type passthrough (one male side, one female side) format shouldn't
set you back more than a couple of quid. Similar for the male-to-male
(or female-to-female) gender-bender in 9-pin D type. The Garmin serial
cable will hurt - you won't get much change out of £20. Damned
proprietary standards.
--
Aidan Karley,
Aberdeen, Scotland,
Location: +57d10' , -02d09' (sub-tropical Aberdeen), 0.021233
Written at Mon, 21 Nov 2005 10:36 GMT
syrus666
wide enough to solve the problem, therefor following questions:
1. Psion has a PSIWIN Link cable, this end in a SUB D serial connector.
When you connect your psion to a desktop, or portable computer, you
need this cable, so assume that this cable works with this twisted
cable system (like crossed)?
2. What would happen, i mean, will I damage my psion or gps receiever
if I would connect them with this PSIWIN Link Cable?
3. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.
I really appreciate your advice.
Note: Today I connected the GPS first time to my portable via USB. This
is a Shit system, whit all respect, it took me long time to convince my
computer that it was not a serial device, and the cd of HAICOM, is not
really that great. Why no installation pack?
Anyway, I have connection in mappoint 2004, so I believe the device is
working.
If you have any adivice, or other nice tools to use with the gps,
please let me know. I work under WIN 2K
Thanks a lot.
CouldBeFlying
cable that has the bulged electronic pod in the middle of it). You also need
a null modem adapter and a serial GPS. Your done.
Richard
"syrus666" <syru...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132611140.6...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Aidan Karley
> 2. What would happen, i mean, will I damage my psion or gps receiever
> if I would connect them with this PSIWIN Link Cable?
>
The published specs for RS-232 (the commonest electrical for
simple, low speed serial communications) includes voltages of UP TO
24V. So any RS-232 conforming device should be able to handle incoming
voltages of up to that level, even if they only produce 3 or 6 V
themselves. Most RS-232 devices are pretty robust against mis-wiring.
Certainly they should be able to handle a missing null modem, because
this is a very common requirement that users misunderstand and fail to
supply (or equivalently, supply 2 of).
You've not told us (in this group at least) what make and model of
GPS you're using, nor where you are. Given that information, and that
there are enough people here familiar with your Psion, we should be able
to come up with a shopping list suitable to your location.
> Note: Today I connected the GPS first time to my portable via USB. This
> is a Shit system, whit all respect, it took me long time to convince my
> computer that it was not a serial device,
>
Sounds like you're using a USB-to-serial adaptor (which your
computer is, correctly, seeing as a serial device). Your computer then
has to see "through" the USB-to-serial adaptor to identify the GPS on the
other side. I could see this taking several re-boots, but I don't have
practical experience of it myself.
> and the cd of HAICOM, is not
> really that great. Why no installation pack?
>
I'm not sure if this is the GPS or the (purported) USB-to-serial
device? Anyway, it's not a Psion.
A lot of (most?) laptops these days have no serial ports built in,
which is a big loss because it is still a very important protocol,
particularly in industrial and laboratory equipment.
--
Aidan Karley,
Aberdeen, Scotland,
Location: +57d10' , -02d09' (sub-tropical Aberdeen), 0.021233
Written at Tue, 22 Nov 2005 03:35 GMT
syrus666
however, now I'm getting two different explanations.
One person tells me to use the psiwin-link cable and nullmodem,
another tells me to only use the nullmodem.
Maybe this will help.
As told before, I use a HAICOM 204E GPS RECEIVER.
(and I bought an extra cable, convertor USB to RS232)
This is the pin layout of the gps connector:
PS/2 Connector
Color Function CN1
Green TX 5
White RX 4
Red VCC 2
Black GND 1
Now, my psion provides direct a RS232 connection. (I think)
And th psiwin-link cable is just the transfer to a SUB D connector. (I
think)
If your can connect a computer (serial) via this cable direct to the
psion serial connector,
than i would say I can do the same with the gps receiver serial
connector. (of course after an adaptor from PS2 to SUB D)
Could somebody tell me more about this nullmodem? Is this a straight
adaptor, or crossed?
Current situation:
PSIOn RS232 -> PSIWIN-LINK CABLE -> COMPUTER RS232
IDEA???
PSION RS232 -> PSIWIN-LINK CABLE -> ADAPTOR -> GPS HAICOM RS232
And with this adaptor I mean, straight connetion.
CouldBeFlying
adapter and a garmin 60c GPS.... This works flawlessly.
Richard
"syrus666" <syru...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132667598.6...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
syrus666
This nullmodem is just a crossed serial cable, right?
And what software do you use? Can you share it?
Thanks a lot!
Mike Coon
> Now, my psion provides direct a RS232 connection. (I think)
No, unfortunately it doesn't. The later Psions have RS232 built in but not
the 3A. All the advice over 10+ years is that it would be a major project to
convert to anything similar to RS232, even with no handshaking like a GPS.
CouldBeFlying
> This nullmodem is just a crossed serial cable, right?
> And what software do you use? Can you share it?
>
to the psion. If you didn't use a null modem adapter your GPS will transmit
signals to your Psion's transmit pin instead of the Psion's receive pin.This
means both devices are trying to transmit and receive on the same pins. You
don't need to worry about the details of the null modem, just connect it to
you link cable and plug the other end into your GPS. I wrote my own GPS
software... Real Maps by (I believe) Kevin Millican (sorry if I have
misspelled his name) will work with GPS input. There are a few other
examples of GPS software for the 3a, however, not too many, unfortunately...
Richard
"syrus666" <syru...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132695752....@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi Richard,
>
> Thanks a lot!
>
syrus666
This is what I have:
Psion 3a (Rs232 connection possibility)
Psion 3 Link cable (to connect psion to serial port of computer)
Haicom GPS 204E Ps/2 serial connection
Haicom Ps/2 to USB convertor
As I understand correct.
I connect the 3 Link cable to my Psion.
I connect to the 3 Link cable the null modem
I connect the null modem to the serial connector (via adaptor PS/2 to
SUB D 9)
And this should work?
And please, where can I download that Real maps thing, any URL's,
because Psion websites are starting to be difficult to find.
Thanks for all your advices.
Set Square
syrus666 <syru...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Sorry guys, last time :-)
>
> This is what I have:
> Psion 3a (Rs232 connection possibility)
> Psion 3 Link cable (to connect psion to serial port of computer)
> Haicom GPS 204E Ps/2 serial connection
> Haicom Ps/2 to USB convertor
>
> As I understand correct.
> I connect the 3 Link cable to my Psion.
> I connect to the 3 Link cable the null modem
> I connect the null modem to the serial connector (via adaptor PS/2 to
> SUB D 9)
>
> And this should work?
>
Yes - see my post in the other NG. But you'll still have to sort out the
power for the GPS.
syrus666
Now I'm just looking for the VCC voltage to supply the gps.
Following website gives the details, unfortunatly no voltage.
Any suggestions? http://www.haicom.com.tw/gps204E.shtml
Set Square
syrus666 <syru...@gmail.com> wrote:
The spec says: Input voltage - 3.3V DC +/-100mV 3.8V ~ 12.0V
which I (rightly or wrongly!) interpret to mean that it can accept voltages
of anything between 3.8v and 12v, and regulates it to the required 3.3 +/-
0.1 volts.
It also says: Current consumption - 90 ~ 110mA
syrus666
cable to convert PS/2 to SUB D 9 connector.
I will keep you all informed, I expect the cables to be delivered next
monday.
Hopefully, if the convert cable (PS/2 to SUB D9) is original, it will
have the extra connection to connect the power supply for the GPS.
Mike Coon
> And please, where can I download that Real maps thing, any URL's,
> because Psion websites are starting to be difficult to find.
RealMaps is or was at http://www.kevin.millican.net/ There is also a
(vector based) mapping product for UK, France and Ireland (I think).
BTW there is a type of mouse which has a plug that fits the 3A 3Link pod; I
have used just the cable to make a connection without needed a null-modem
cable and perhaps 9-pin plugs.
Aidan Karley
> Hopefully, if the convert cable (PS/2 to SUB D9) is original, it will
>
change in form factor in there too (damn Garmin for getting people to
accept unusual connectors on their GPSs!). I can't tell you off-hand if
the PS2 connector is wired up in a "normal" manner, but I can tell you
that you've got *another* possible pitfall there to catch you and make
your life troublesome.
Well, *if* your cable is an original manufacture for the GPS,
then they should be able to get the pinout correct. Personally, by this
point I'd be looking through my box of parts for the appropriate
physical connectors and getting out my soldering iron ...
--
Aidan Karley,
Aberdeen, Scotland,
Location: +57d10' , -02d09' (sub-tropical Aberdeen), 0.021233