Hi there from the UK
I'm looking to find out a bit more information about GPS and bluetooth modules, myself and a friend have given ourself a project to give a go that would need these two bits of kit in order to work properly.
I would be really grateful if you could help me in answering these questions!
1. What is the maximum range bluetooth can be away from another device it is connected with and have a decent amount of signal? (Is this dependant on the size of a bluetooth receiver/sender?)
2. Can GPS send information via bluetooth to another device?
3. To create a small device say the same size as a watch strap or one of these smart wristbands like the Fitbit flex, what bits of hardware would we need to look at to get something like that working, e.g. what kind of battery would we need, what boards etc (We'd like to be able to fit into the product some LED lights, vibration motor, GPS and bluetooth)
We'd love to be able to make a prototype so we can start some coding for our iOS and Android apps and see if our idea can come to life
HOPEFULLY I've given enough information for you to be able to help me, if not let me know what information you would need to know and I'll try my best to answer
Thanks,
Jack
GPS & Bluetooth question :)
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- adafruit_support_rick
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Re: GPS & Bluetooth question :)
Most Bluetooth devices are Class 2, with a range on the order of 10 meters.jackcrane wrote:1. What is the maximum range bluetooth can be away from another device it is connected with and have a decent amount of signal? (Is this dependant on the size of a bluetooth receiver/sender?)
The EZ-Link Bluetooth module can relay GPS data to a computer or Android device. It can't connect to an iOS device.jackcrane wrote:2. Can GPS send information via bluetooth to another device?
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1588
To simply do the GPS thing, you don't even need a microcontroller - you can attach the GPS directly to the EZ-Link. To add the other features, you will need a microcontroller of some sort. A good place to start would be the Flora, which is one of our wearable microcontrollers. It's designed to be used with battery power, and has enough I/O and horsepower to do what you're talking about.jackcrane wrote:3. To create a small device say the same size as a watch strap or one of these smart wristbands like the Fitbit flex, what bits of hardware would we need to look at to get something like that working, e.g. what kind of battery would we need, what boards etc (We'd like to be able to fit into the product some LED lights, vibration motor, GPS and bluetooth)
http://www.adafruit.com/products/659
Depending on how fancy you want to get, you might also consider the smaller Gemma wearable microcontroller. It has fewer I/O pins and less memory, but it may be sufficient.
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1222
For batteries, have a look at out LiPo selection.
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1059
We have a GPS module designed to go with the Flora and Gemma
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1059
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Re: GPS & Bluetooth question :)
Thank you so much for replying!
Is there nothing at all that supports iOS?
What if you had something like this...
GPS and bluetooth device -> Device which takes in data and compiles it into a readable format for iOS -> iOS device?
Is there any type of device which would be able to transmit further than 10 meters that we are currently not aware of? Or would the next best thing be to have a sim card type device which could transmit over a further distance?
We are looking for something that would be able to transmit up to roughly 15-20 meters, or is this a bit optimistic?
Is there nothing at all that supports iOS?
What if you had something like this...
GPS and bluetooth device -> Device which takes in data and compiles it into a readable format for iOS -> iOS device?
Is there any type of device which would be able to transmit further than 10 meters that we are currently not aware of? Or would the next best thing be to have a sim card type device which could transmit over a further distance?
We are looking for something that would be able to transmit up to roughly 15-20 meters, or is this a bit optimistic?
- adafruit_support_rick
- Posts: 35092
- Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:42 am
Re: GPS & Bluetooth question :)
There's nothing as simple as bluetooth in the 20 meter range. With clear line-of-sight, you might get 15-20 meters out of bluetooth, hard to say without trying it.
The EZ-Key supports iOS, but that is a keyboard emulator. You would be transferring your GPS output as keystrokes. If that works for you, then you should be OK with an EZ-Key.
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1535
The next thing up in transmit range would be an XBee. You'd need some sort of intermediate gizmo on the receiving end to go between an XBee and iOS.
http://www.adafruit.com/category/29
The EZ-Key supports iOS, but that is a keyboard emulator. You would be transferring your GPS output as keystrokes. If that works for you, then you should be OK with an EZ-Key.
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1535
The next thing up in transmit range would be an XBee. You'd need some sort of intermediate gizmo on the receiving end to go between an XBee and iOS.
http://www.adafruit.com/category/29
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Re: GPS & Bluetooth question :)
And what would the transmit range of an XBee ? Is GPS addable to this?
So would it be in the XBee case... - XBee -> Tech that receives data -> iOS?
Sorry if these are really pathetic questions, literally have 0 knowledge in this area of module devices etc
So would it be in the XBee case... - XBee -> Tech that receives data -> iOS?
Sorry if these are really pathetic questions, literally have 0 knowledge in this area of module devices etc
- adafruit_support_rick
- Posts: 35092
- Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:42 am
Re: GPS & Bluetooth question :)
XBees will go like a mile.
They will transfer serial data transparently, just like bluetooth, so you would just attach the GPS to the RX and TX of an XBee.
I don't know how to interface an XBee to a phone. Maybe there's a good way to attach a serial device, but I don't know. However, you could use the EZ-Key as a bridge between the receiving XBee and the phone. The EZ-Key would make the XBee look like a keyboard to the phone.
They will transfer serial data transparently, just like bluetooth, so you would just attach the GPS to the RX and TX of an XBee.
I don't know how to interface an XBee to a phone. Maybe there's a good way to attach a serial device, but I don't know. However, you could use the EZ-Key as a bridge between the receiving XBee and the phone. The EZ-Key would make the XBee look like a keyboard to the phone.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.