[acabtp]

I wanted to be able to turn my integrated GPS unit on and off without a switch. Since the Mini already has the ability to turn a Bluetooth radio on and off (even if you didn't order it with Bluetooth), I tapped into that signal... but, you can't power USB devices from it, because it is a low powered 3.3v bus.

So I developed the Team MRB Power Isolator Module, a small circuit board which turns on a 5v supply when the 3.3v circuit is operational. With this installed, you can efficiently enable or disable power to an installed device by using the WLSS software or Fn+2 to turn on or off the Bluetooth radio. When Bluetooth is on, the device attached to the Power Isolator Module is on, when Bluetooth is off, the device is off. You can use the PIM to control power to any USB device you manage to fit inside the Mini's case... hub, radio, flash storage, whatever. When you turn the device on or off, the system detects it as having been plugged in or unplugged the same any external USB device would be.

For me, I now turn my GPS receiver off to save power when I am not using it... Here's a demonstration video
[youtube:226bpci2]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxSmOAu5BGk[/youtube:226bpci2]

One of the prototypes installed in my Mini


It works by sitting in between a 5v supply and the device you want to control the power for. It also connects to the 3.3v power bus from the Bluetooth adapter and a ground.

I have the prototype installed in my Mini, and we're expecting the production models to be in within 4 - 6 weeks. They will be very small and pretty cheap. You can get more information on the device at the Team MRB Power Isolator Module Page. Please let me know if you have any questions, some specs and the pricing are not yet finalized, but I will be happy to answer what I can.

Tom Beauchamp

[onefish2]

Tom, you are really doing some amazing things with the Mini 9. Like I said before in another post keep the mods coming!

[strider_mt2k]

This is an extremely cool way to leverage the Mini 9's internal hardware to support modifications.

Kudos sir!

[RabidRat]

Is there any way this could be non-permanent, or is the only possible route to solder leads from your PCB to the motherboard?

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by RabidRat

Is there any way this could be non-permanent, or is the only possible route to solder leads from your PCB to the motherboard?

there's no easy way to do it without soldering to the motherboard.

[strider_mt2k]

I for one am signed up.

[DPN]

Will I still be able to use Bluetooth, or is it an either/or situation?

I have BT installed, but I also want to integrate GPS...

Thanks,

DPN

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by DPN

Will I still be able to use Bluetooth, or is it an either/or situation?

The Bluetooth still works just fine with this modification.

[chaz_ahhh]

This GPS mod looks brilliant, and i for sure am going to get it installed.

Just wondering tho, if i get the Vodafone version with the 3G and extra pci-e slot installed, would i still be able to install this mod somehow?

Since the USB data lines won't be available, where could i connect them to?

is there any way of internally connecting them to an external USB slot? which of course would make it unavilable externally?

not sure how exposed thoese ports internally are?

Chaz

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by chaz_ahhh

Just wondering tho, if i get the Vodafone version with the 3G and extra pci-e slot installed... the USB data lines won't be available, where could i connect them to?

You could tap into the USB port on the SSD's PCI-e slot instead. The SSD does not use the USB connection on there.