[maemo-developers] [maemo-developers] Re: Some questions about MaemoMapper (or installing software in general)

[From: Sebastian Spaeth]

Carl Worth wrote:
> So a first question I have is what it would take to be able to plug a
> USB GPS device into the n770. Obviously there's a cable issue at least
> as both devices have the "little" USB connectors on both ends. I can
> probably work that out if the hardware/software will allow this
> connection to work, (since I'm too lazy/cheap to go chase down and
> purchase a bluetooth GPS).
> 
> Did I see correctly in the wiki that if I enable r-d mode that I can
> use the n770's USB as a host USB connection?

Hi, I'm just a regular user, so I might be wrong :-)

a) bluetooth GPS seem to just work. So this might still be your easiest 
option (see below)

b) Besides the cable issue, the 770 USB host mode doesn't supply the 
necessary 5V power. So you'll need either a powered USB hub or build 
yourself a "Voltage injector" cable/device anyway. Search the maemo wiki 
and/or blogs for instructions how to do this.

c) I don't see why USB GPS devices shouldn't work. Personally, I connect 
a Garmin with serial port through a Serial/USB adapter then through a 
voltage injector to the 770. Pointing maemo mapper to /dev/ttyUSB0 (or 
something) works then. (cat'ing /dev/ttyUSB0 just spits out the NMEA 
lines). It works, but's it's a horrible lot of cables and battery packs 
hanging around and console fiddling until I get it to that point.

Good luck,
Spaetz