Availability of Drivers Windows 10 x64 & ARM64 too

[Corsair-63]

It would be nice that would be available drivers for the connection of a computer running windows 10 either x64 either ARM64 (Surface Pro X ver 2019 & 2020), these last are growing in the tablet area and really very useful on board.

[peterantypas]

What interfaces do these have that would be suitable? How do they connect to other boat systems today?

[peterantypas]

Thanks. It looks like the female header needs to be flush with the enclosure for them to be snug. I'm going to order some of these and go through a fitting exercise. I will probably move all the outputs to the south side of the enclosure to de-clutter the north side. Adding the pin header is trivial, the issue in my case is I can't have parts protruding from the PCB on both sides as it will make assembly impossible.

I don't think I'll be able to fit them inside without some serious layout challenges either. Plus, I would have large metal switches at close proximity to the antenna.

[peterantypas]

Looking at the two samples of these modules I got, they obviously don't have the same module in them (only one displays an FCC ID). What is a "current" version of the core module (the one soldered onto the breakout as pictured above) that I may want to integrate into the breakout box directly? I'll have to redesign that PCB for RF now, but it may in fact be the right thing to do.

[peterantypas]

Here is what I got from the FCC for ID 2AL3B-ESP-M:

ESP32-ExternalPhotos.pdf
ESP32-InternalPhotos.pdf

Is this module "current"? Can it be easily obtained and configured with stock firmware? I'm not familiar with this platform at all, as you may have guessed ;)

The breakout doesn't seem to add much value outside of an LDO and two buttons (presumably for reset/boot mode?)

[marcelrv]

Yes, these are the 'bare modules'. These would be good if you really redesign the board to make place for it and a pcb antenna.

However mostly folks would buy the ones with pins
like this https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32816065152.html

Dunno if you ever watched this guy, but he has a great overview of current modules.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnoZYlyebBc

[astuder]

I usually buy them from BangGood. The version with the FCC number came from there.
https://www.banggood.com/DT-06-Wireless-WiFi-Serial-Port-Transparent-Transmission-Module-TTL-To-WiFi-With-bluetooth-HC-06-Interface-ESP-M2-p-1141047.html

Last summer I bought a bag of them from what I think is DOIT's official store on AliExpress. That's the version without FCC number.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32813585141.html

Note that the images on the two websites show mirrored modules. I'm pretty certain that I received different versions from BangGood over the years.

The benefit of using these over a generic ESP module is, that the end-user doesn't have to worry about programming them. Though I heard from people that bought them off Ebay with mixed results, i.e. non-working modules. I suspect those weren't programmed with the correct WiFi UART bridge firmware.

[Corsair-63]

Most of the times as per your message:

The pinouts of HC-06/05 BT, HC-08 BLE and DT-06 WiFi modules are compatible, though sometimes mirrored. Only the center 4 pins (VCC, GND, TX, RX) are needed.

and now depends of the interface you want to do, if you send to a multiplexer, just with a 4 core cables, if you want to connect straight away to a computer with a NMEA>Com port (USB) converted like Digital Yacht one with the cables in the unit and the USB to the PC.

and of course the transceiver unit had to send the data in a NMEA known format as RS232 either RS422, most easy is RS232 and sometimes compatible.

[peterantypas]

I got samples of these modules, and here is what I think makes the most sense:

This layout moves all outputs (USB + RF) to the bottom. The meandering trace antenna would be partially exposed.

[peterantypas]

Three reasons:

• There are 3 large metal objects inside which will be milimeters from the antenna no matter how it's oriented
• There must be no PCB ground plane anywhere near a meandering trace antenna
• These modules are often supplied inverted in a random / unpredictable way, thus requiring "upside down" mounting

[peterantypas]

An alternative might be to simply have a female expansion header exposed at the bottom and let the end user wire / plug whatever system they want. This would make it completely external but also offer the most flexibility.

Fully encasing a wireless module requires design from scratch. You can't just plop an antenna into an existing design and just hope it works. It almost never does.

[PVHL]

Just want to say hi. I've been noticing the activity since I checked this out a while back and it didn't look active. Where do I look for current status, roadmap? Not sure what you're currently aiming at, open design or finished product. Am very much hoping to be able to have AIS tx/rx for my Canadian boat from an open source. My background is in electronics (mostly fixing and from a while back) and programming, among other things (like music and ministry). Cheers.

[marcelrv]

An alternative might be to simply have a female expansion header exposed at the bottom and let the end user wire / plug whatever system they want. This would make it completely external but also offer the most flexibility.

Yes, that would indeed work

[peterantypas]

@PVHL My goal is to enable individuals with good technical skills to build their own AIS transponder for their boats. That said, what constitutes "building your own" transmitter is open to a lot of interpretation, and that's exactly where I plan to operate. You could build the system on your own, or I can sell you a kit that you still have to finish yourself. I don't know exactly how long it will take me to get there, but I'm hoping to be up and running before the next boating season starts. Main challenge right now is supply chain and the fact that I just bought a condo so I need to pack and move.