GA/TAS Pulse is an easy to build with standard component version that has all the capabilities of GA/TAS, except it only uses one Tranceiver (SX1262) instead of two. It will still send and receive all the protocols and when a specific protocol is received, it will prioritice listing to protocols it receives. With a build in charger and a battery lifetime of around 20Hours it is the ideal no worries comopanion Traffic Awareness system.

⚠️ The case and design are under constant refinement so it can be that the case is slightly different than shown in the pictures. However, the pins and schematic will always be correct.

This document provides step-by-step instructions to:

• Solder the necessary header pins onto the Pico.
• 3D print and assemble a protective case for the device.
• Flash the GA/TAS firmware onto a Raspberryco.
• Final soldering of charger, battery and switch

• Hardware:

Item	No Items	Link	Indicated Price
RP2350 W	1 If available, buy the version with the header peins already soldered if you feel inesure soldering this yourself.	TinyTronics Link	€9.25
40Pin header male	1 To solder on RP2350	TinyTronics Link	€0.40
Waveshare L76B GNSS Module	1 Includes a GPS antenna with wire	TinyTronics Link	€16.50
Waveshare SX1262 LoRa	1	TinyTronics Link	€15.00
TP4056 USB-C Li-ion Charger	1	TinyTronics Link	€2.50
186500 Battery 3350mAh	1	TinyTronics Link	€7.00
186500 Battery Holder	1	TinyTronics Link	€2.50
Small Switch	1	TinyTronics Link	€0.60
Eightwood 868MHz SMA Antenna SMA Male	1	Amazon.nl Link	€11.00
Heavy Duty 9CM Suction Cup Mount	1 Optional	Amazon.nl Link	€11.00
Terminal Block 3.81mm	1 Optionally you can directly solder	Aliexpress Link	10pcs €2.00
GPS Antenna	1 I am still looking for something better	Aliexpress.nl Link	€9.00
M2.5 bolt	8	Aliexpress.nl Link	€4.00

⚠️ If you still have an RP2040 with Wi-Fi laying around, feel free to use that. There is nothing on the RP2350 that is strictly required as of now. You can always swap the RP2040 with an RP2350 later if needed.

Assorted items you might already have, or a friend has:

• Micro-USB cable for connecting the Pico to your computer for flashing
• Heat shrink tubing, about 4mm diameter
• Soldering iron with a fine tip
• Lead-free solder
• Soldering stand and sponge or brass tip cleaner
• Wire cutters or snips
• Soldering jig (optional, for stability during soldering)
• Some small wires
• LEd (Yellow) + 220Ohm resistor , Optionally
• Antistatic foam (you can use the foam your components came in)
• 3D printer + about 30m of filament (85 grams) of PET-G or similar material that handles higher temperatures better, as this device is often found near a window in the sun.

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Use this document: Firmware Installation

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1. Visit the GA/TAS GitHub Repository.
2. Navigate to the enclosure/gatas directory to find the .stl files for the case design.
3. Download the necessary .stl files to your computer.

The design is created in OpenSCAD, and the filename of this project is gatas_pulse.scad. The file has some options if needed. If you have any good ideas, let me know!

1. Open your preferred 3D printing slicer software (e.g., Cura, PrusaSlicer, BambuStudio).

2. Import the downloaded .stl files into the slicer.

3. Configure the print settings:

   • Material: PLA or PET-G (PET-G is preferred for temperature stability)
   • Layer Height: 0.2 mm
   • Infill Density: 50%
   • Supports: Enable if the design has overhangs

Note: Ensure that your printer's build volume accommodates the size of the case.

1. Save the sliced file to your printer's SD card or send it directly to the printer if connected.
2. Start the printing process.
3. Once printing is complete, carefully remove the parts from the build plate.
4. Clean up the print if required.

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Soldering header pins onto the Raspberry Pico allows for secure connections to other components and ensures proper alignment within the protective case.

• Raspberry Pico
• 2 × 20-pin male header pins
• Soldering iron with a fine tip
• Lead-free solder
• Soldering stand and sponge or brass tip cleaner
• Wire cutters or snips
• Breadboard or soldering jig (optional)
• TP4056 Charger board

I don't have a breadboard, but my way of working is to cut the number of pins and solder one corner first, then validate if the pins are perfectly straight. If not, I straighten them out first. Make sure this work is done perfectly—the pins should be at a perfect 90-degree angle.

Note: If you have a breadboard, you can use it as a rig for perfectly straight solder work.

Once confirmed aligned, solder the rest of the pins.

• Ensure that each solder joint is shiny and has a volcano-like shape.
• Check for any solder bridges (unwanted connections between adjacent pins) and rework if necessary.

Use the small plastic with the 4 points as a support for the two terminal blocks.

• Ensure that each solder joint is shiny and has a volcano-like shape.

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1. Insert the GPS + 868MHz Chassis Panel Mount into the case.
2. Insert the toggle switch into the lid and tighten securely.
3. Carefully insert the charger into the clips.
4. Carefully assemble the Pico + GPS + SX1262 (in that order) on top of each other. Each module clearly shows the direction of the USB connector. Ensure they are stacked correctly.
5. Put the battery charger in place, but do not insert the battery yet.

Ensure both GPS and LoRaWAN module switches are set to ON.

Observe the schematic below carefully. It's designed so you can charge the battery while the device is on or off.

There are a few wires that need soldering, including the switch. Some wires might need to be extended. Ensure that each wire is soldered neatly and loosely to allow easy assembly and disassembly later. This also helps handle vibrations better.

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• Work slowly and double-check everything. I have never broken a device myself, even when I swapped a wire, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

• When storing the device for a long period, the battery should be charged to 60–80%. Ideally, it should never be stored with an empty battery.

• GA/TAS GitHub Repository: Access source code, documentation, and updates.

• Raspberry Pi Pico Documentation: Learn more about the Pico's features and capabilities.

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If you require further assistance or have specific questions about the GA/TAS PULSE firmware, soldering process, or case design, please refer to the project's GitHub repository or contact the maintainers directly.

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