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== Software ==
This page has notes on GPS receivers that I am interested in.
I own a few of them and list a few others for comparison purposes.


=== Visualization ===
I list both receivers integrated into systems like the Garmin eMap handheld and modules such as the Trimble Lassen SQ.


[http://www.opendx.org/ OpenDX]
You can get the bare modules or you can use modules that have been built up into GPS hockey pucks. (Some people call them GPS mice.) For example, you can get a Garmin 25 module and wire it directly to the low voltage serial port on a PIC processor or you can get a Garmin GPS-18 hockey puck and plug it into a USB port.  


[http://vis5d.sourceforge.net/ Vis5D+]
For hobbyists probably the best place to get the bare modules is [http://www.SparkFun.com/ Spark Fun Electronics], they have a bunch of other modules that I don't list here yet.


=== GIS ===
I got the modules I have currently on eBay.


The '''FreeGIS''' site http://www.freegis.org/ has the largest collection
Since I originally wrote this page I have obtained an Emtac BT-338 from Tigerdirect for about $50 and a [[Wintec WBT-100]], $95 from Semson. Both of these have bluetooth. The Wintec has WAAS, a compass, bluetooth, and USB.
of freely available GIS/CGPS software. But the collection is not inclusive
because policy prohibits them from listing free but protected commercial software.


[http://www.gisuser.com GISuser] has a collection of free tools.
[http://semson.com/ Semson] and
[http://GPSCity.com/ GPScity] are my favorite places to shop for GPS gear. GPScity has RAM mounts.


So for example, [http://trimble.com Trimble]'s free mission planning program is not available there.
I have gotten interesting out-of-date stuff like Trimble development boards on eBay.


From email: Since 1997, I have implemented sets of Java, Web & Wireless GIS
== Related pages ==
tools. Most of them are free to use. If you are interested, please
visit http://www.jshape.com for more information. -- Shiuh-Lin Lee


[http://www.ERmapper.com/ ERmapper]
[[GPS Protocols]]<br>
[http://www.mapwindow.com/ MapWindow GIS]
[[Magnavox GPS reference station]]
JUMP<br>
Thuban<br>
Quantum GIS QGIS<br>


[http://www.gvsig.gva.es gvSIG] is a tool oriented to manage geographic information. It is characterized by a user-friendly interface, with quick access to the most common raster and vector formats. In the same view it includes local as well as remote data through a WMS or WFS source.
=== Garmin ===


Forestry GIS ([http://www.digitalgrove.net/fgis.htm fGIS™]) is a compact but  robust  shapefile editing program, digitizer and GIS data query tool for Windows®
[http://www.garmin.com/ Garmin] [http://www.garmin.com/oem/ OEM information]<br>
 
=== Mobile GIS Software ===
BBBike<br>
ESRI [[ArcPad]]<br>
[http://gimodig.fgi.fi/index.php GiMoDig] <br>
GPSDrive<br>
Hoko<br>
 
[http://www.mobilegeographics.com/ Mobile Geographics] mapping and navigation for PDAs
(This site is PalmOS oriented)
 
== GPS ==
 
http://gpsinformation.net/ Reviews and information
 
[http://www.fs.fed.us/database/gps/mtdc/gps2000/gps_comparison.htm US Forest Service paper comparing GPS receivers] summer 2000
 
[http://home1.gte.net/clseng/DGPS_index.htm Build your own DGPS beacon receiver] It might be a bit more cost effective to get a WAAS based receiver these days,
but here you can learn what goes into a beacon receiver.
 
=== Transferring data into a GPS ===
 
Any platform
 
Garnix


http://www.gpsbabel.org/
I think the 62SC uses the STM 32 channel Cartesio GPS chip set. Same as the DeLorme PN-40 and PN-60.
 
==== Windows ====
 
Howto [http://www.ucalgary.ca/~clarko/garminmaps/tutorial/]
 
ArcMap extension for Garmin [http://www.mxgeo.com/index.htm mxgeo] (does not work on my computer) ($50 shareware)
 
==== Linux ====
 
[http://gpsd.berlios.de/ gpsd] data collector
 
http://www.ncc.up.pt/gpsman/wGPSMan.html
 
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gpstrans
 
=== Data formats and protocols ===
 
==== RINEX = Receiver Independent Exchange Format ====
 
[http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/gps/rinex/default.htm RINEX 1] [http://gps.wva.net/html.common/rinex.html#rinex:_the_receiver_independent_exchange_format_version_2.10 RINEX 2]
 
Using RINEX to do differential postprocessing on your GIS data.
 
# Collect raw data [http://artico.lma.fi.upm.es/numerico/miembros/antonio/async/ using Garmin equipment]
# [http://www.helenav.nl/rinex.htm Conversion of Raw Observation Data and Navigation Message Data to RINEX] See [http://www.unavco.org/facility/software/teqc/teqc.html TEQC software] and [http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/iessg/gringo/ GRINGO software]
# Download [http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/CORS/Data.html CORS data]
# Postprocess; using [http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/iessg/gringo/READMEP4.HTM P4] (companion to Gringo)
 
[ftp://ftp.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk/pub/ajb/jeeps/ JEEPS] is a library that you are supposed
to be able to use to build Garmin and post-processing applications. I don't think
this means DGPS post-processing though...
 
[http://www.prairie.mb.ca/ Prairie] has an intersting collection of information on using Garmin and [http://www.prairie.mb.ca/usp_rhino.htm Rhino] products for DGPS. Rhino is a product of
[http://www.uspositioning.com US Positioning].
 
"Proven Success With Rhino" (and therefore probably with RINEX conversion software?)
 
eTrex, eTrex Summit,
eTrex Vista, eTrex Legend,
GPS 12, GPS II +, GPS III, GPS III +,
GPS V,
GPS 16, GPS 16A,
GPS 17N,
GPS MAP 76, GPS MAP 76S,
GPS MAP 176, GPS MAP 176C
 
==== NMEA ====
 
NMEA = National Maritime Electronics Association
 
[http://www.nmea.org/ NMEA] [http://www.nmea.org/pub/0183/index.html 0183 standard] is the ASCII format for (among many other things) GPS spatial data. You have to pay $250 to get a copy of the 0183 standard, these people don't know about the Internet and open standards yet. (The NMEA 2000 standard is $3800, ha ha ha.) If you are designing a new device and you have the bucks, you have to pony up. If all you want to do is grab data from your handheld and process it, the manufacturer manuals from both Garmin and
Trimble are good. (Probably others too, these are just the ones I have read.)
 
==== RTCM ====
 
RTCM = Radio and Telephony Communications Maritime or something like that.
 
[http://www.rtcm.org RTCM] is another standards body in the business of selling
information that really probably should be distributed for free. The publication set
on differential GPS is $100. NTRIP which is the standard for distribution of the data
over IP networks (via HTTP) is $50.
 
==== TSIP and TAIP ====
 
These are the proprietary Trimble protocols. TSIP is binary and TAIP is ASCII.
I have not tried TAIP yet. The [[Lassen SQ]] really wants to be in TSIP mode though you can switch it to NMEA 0183/RTCM. (I should say, Trimble's software wants it to be in TSIP mode.)
 
The protocol is documented in the back of the Lassen manuals. It is supported by third party software such as ESRI [[ArcPad]].
 
=== Selected GPS Hardware ===
 
My interest is in learning how to do as much as possible for the least cost.
I have a Garmin eMap and a Garmin GPS 25 LVC module,
and Trimble Ace II and Trimble Lassen SQ modules.
I recently got a [[Magnavox GPS reference station]].
 
==== Garmin ====
 
[http://www.garmin.com/ Garmin] [http://www.garmin.com/oem/ OEM information]<br>


{| BORDER=1
{| BORDER=1
! Model !! Accuracy !! Channels !! Price !! Comments
! Model !! Accuracy !! Channels !! Price !! Comments
|-
|-
| eMap   || 15m/2m || 12 || $200 or so || Handheld, accepts RTCM for DGPS. Apparently a bad choice for Rinex software
| [[Garmin 62SC]] || 10m/3m WAAS || 32? || $300-500 || Handheld, USB but no serial or antenna ports. (8/12)
|-
| [[eTrex Vista]] || 10m/3m WAAS || 12 || $200-300 || Handheld, USB but no serial (so no RTCM) or antenna ports. Just got an HcX. (9/07)
|-
| [[eMap]] || 15m/2m RTCM || 12 || $60 or so on Ebay || Handheld, accepts RTCM for DGPS. Apparently a bad choice for Rinex software DISCONTINUED
|-
| [[Garmin GLO]] || 3 meter ||  ??? || $99 || bluetooth module
|-
|-
| GPS 10 || 15m/3m WAAS || 12 || $250 || bluetooth module
| GPS 10 || 15m/3m WAAS || 12 || $250 || bluetooth module
|-
|-
| GPS 15 || 15m || 12 || || bare module
| [[GPS 12]] || 15m/3m RTCM || 12 || $ || 1999 Handheld, accepts RTCM, no maps
|-
|-
| GPS 16 LVS, 16 HVS, 16A <br> 3.3-6V / 6-40V / 8-40 V || 15m / <3m WAAS / 3-5 USCG RTCM || 12 channel || || 2 serial ports, deck mount
| GPS 15 || 15m || 12 || about $50 || bare module, several models. Tiny successor to GPS-25
|-
| GPS 16 LVS (3.3-6V), <br>16 HVS (6-40V),<br> 16 A (8-40V) || 15m / <3m WAAS / 3-5 USCG RTCM || 12 channel || || 2 serial ports, deck mount
|-
|-
| GPS 17 ||      ||    || $200      || basically the same as a GPS 16 but in a white, pole mount case
| GPS 17 ||      ||    || $200      || basically the same as a GPS 16 but in a white, pole mount case
Line 152: Line 51:
| GPS 18 || 15m / 3m WAAS || 12 || $130 || CMOS serial or RS232 or USB hockey puck
| GPS 18 || 15m / 3m WAAS || 12 || $130 || CMOS serial or RS232 or USB hockey puck
|-
|-
| GPS 25-LVC (3.6-6V), -LVS(3.6-6V RS232), -HVS(6-40V RS232) || 15m / 5m DGPS || ? || || bare module; capable of raw data output (pseudorange and phase)
| [[GPS 25-LVC]] (3.6-6V),<br> -LVS (3.6-6V RS232),<br> -HVS (6-40V RS232) || 15m / 5m DGPS || ? || || bare module; capable of raw data output (pseudorange and phase)
[http://www.garmin.com/products/gps25/spec.html]
[http://www.garmin.com/products/gps25/spec.html] DISCONTINUED
|-
|-
| GPS 35 / 36 || 15m / 5m DGPS || ? ||  || 35 = mouse style, 36 = pole mount
| GPS 35 / 36 || 15m / 5m DGPS || ? ||  || 35 = mouse style, 36 = pole mount
|}
|}


The GPS 17 is designed for marine applications but is often pressed into service in backpack style data collectors.  
The GPS 17 is designed for marine applications but is sometimes pressed into service in backpack style data collectors.


==== Trimble ====
=== Garmin nuvi models ===
 
{|
|-
| [[Garmin nuvi 855]]
|-
| [[Garmin Nuvi 1390T]]
|-
| [[Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT]]
|}
 
=== Trimble ===


GPS modules
GPS modules
Line 184: Line 94:


|-
|-
|Lassen SQ || 6-9m,no DGPS || 8
|[[Lassen SQ]] || 6-9m,no DGPS || 8
| 8 pin header, H-FL-R-SMT
| 8 pin header, H-FL-R-SMT
| 3.3v/100mW(133)<br>26x26x6 mm, 5.7g
| 3.3v/100mW<br>26x26x6 mm, 5.7g
| $45
| $45 (use IQ instead!)
| Use w/RF transition cable
| Use w/RF transition cable


|-
|-
|Lassen IQ || ??,no DGPS || 8
|Lassen IQ || 5-8m,no DGPS || 12
| 8 pin header, H-FL-R-SMT
| 8 pin header, H-FL-R-SMT
| ??3.3v/100mW(133)<br>26x26x6 mm, 5.7g
| 3.3v/85mW<br>26x26x6 mm, 5.7g
| ??
| $50
| Updated more accurate version of SQ; need to look up and add specs
| Updated more accurate version of SQ. Purchase from [http://www.SparkFun.com/ SparkFun]
 
|-
|[[Placer 455DR]] || 1-5m,w/DGPS || 8
| 3 DB9
| 11-32v<br>
|
| not a module! but I have one so I listed it here


|-
|-
|Ace II || 25m/2m DGPS || 8
|[[Ace II]] || 25m/2m DGPS || 8
| 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA
| 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA
| 5v / 95mA / .47W <br>82.6 x 46.5 x 11.5 mm <br>
| 5v / 95mA / .47W <br>82.6 x 46.5 x 11.5 mm <br>
Line 261: Line 178:
[http://www.toppcompanies.com/tds/tds-component-models.htm ToppTec] -- purveyors of Trimble OEM modules
[http://www.toppcompanies.com/tds/tds-component-models.htm ToppTec] -- purveyors of Trimble OEM modules


====Delorme ====
=== DeLorme ===


http://www.delorme.com/
http://www.delorme.com/


Consumer grade; Earthmates are WAAS enabled  but the older Tripmates are cheap on eBay if you just need a NMEA GPS source.
(Mostly) consumer grade; Earthmates are WAAS enabled  but the older Tripmates are cheap on eBay if you just need a NMEA GPS source.
 
DeLorme is trying to push into the pro grade world.
They have post-processing software (RINEX) at least for the LT40.
Their slogan for the PN40 was "Serious Tool" but mostly they seem
to be promoting it for geocaching and hiking.  


{| BORDER=1
{| BORDER=1
Line 275: Line 197:
|-
|-
| Blue logger || WAAS || 12 || $150 || bluetooth enabled
| Blue logger || WAAS || 12 || $150 || bluetooth enabled
|-
| [[DeLorme LT40|LT40]] || WAAS || ? || $50 || USB mouse; available bundled with software, good deal
|-
| PN-20 || WAAS || ? || ? || Handheld (discontiued)
|-
| PN-30 || WAAS || 32 || $300 || Handheld, PN-40 w/o baro or compass (discontinued)
|-
| [[DeLorme PN-40|PN-40]] || WAAS || 32 || $150? || I paid around $500 for mine!
|-
| PN-60 || WAAS || 32 || $300? || wireless version PN-60W talks to SPOT device
|}
|}


====Other links====
=== Other links ===


[http://www.leica.com/ Leica]<br>
[http://www.leica.com/ Leica]<br>
[http://www.thales.com/ Thales and Magellan]<br>
[http://www.thales.com/ Thales and Magellan]<br>
[http://www.U-blox.com/ U-blox] sells mostly Sony modules.<br>
[http://www.U-blox.com/ U-blox] I have a couple U-blox devices including an Openmoko phone.<br>
 
[http://www.javad.com/ Javad]<br>
=== GPS simulators ===
 
People make boxes that simulate NMEA-capable devices to allow testing when the actual
data stream is not available and to enable regression testing.
 
NMEA data stream<br>
The virtual serial port idea<br>
Can I make a virtual serial port driver under Linux and fool VMware into using it??? Hmmm...
Yes. It's quite doable. You can hook a named pipe up as the serial port in the VMWare configuration settings and then write a program  to read and write data on the pipe.
 
Another project, damn.
 
=== GPS mission planning software ===
 
A GPS mission consists of three phases. planning, execution, and post-processing.
Mission planning software packages run on a desktop system at your office and assist with planning and post-processing phases.
 
The two commercial programs that I know of are tightly integrated with the field software so they are not all that useful unless you buy in to the whole enchilada -- data collector, proprietary data collector software, and "office" software.
 
The two programs are [http://www.trimble.com Trimble] [[GPS Pathfinder Office]] for use with [[Trimble data collectors]] and [http://www.tdsway.com TDS] [[SoloOffice]] which works with TDS [[SoloField]].
 
Planning for a GPS mission should include checking for suitable conditions.
This includes knowing that the satellites will be positioned propitiously when you
will be in the field.


I use Trimble's free planning program for this.
[[Category: GPS]]
You can download it from [insert Trimbles download site].
The bad part is that it is available only for Windows systems but it's handy enough
that I use it anyway.

Latest revision as of 19:42, 27 October 2018

This page has notes on GPS receivers that I am interested in. I own a few of them and list a few others for comparison purposes.

I list both receivers integrated into systems like the Garmin eMap handheld and modules such as the Trimble Lassen SQ.

You can get the bare modules or you can use modules that have been built up into GPS hockey pucks. (Some people call them GPS mice.) For example, you can get a Garmin 25 module and wire it directly to the low voltage serial port on a PIC processor or you can get a Garmin GPS-18 hockey puck and plug it into a USB port.

For hobbyists probably the best place to get the bare modules is Spark Fun Electronics, they have a bunch of other modules that I don't list here yet.

I got the modules I have currently on eBay.

Since I originally wrote this page I have obtained an Emtac BT-338 from Tigerdirect for about $50 and a Wintec WBT-100, $95 from Semson. Both of these have bluetooth. The Wintec has WAAS, a compass, bluetooth, and USB.

Semson and GPScity are my favorite places to shop for GPS gear. GPScity has RAM mounts.

I have gotten interesting out-of-date stuff like Trimble development boards on eBay.

Related pages

GPS Protocols
Magnavox GPS reference station

Garmin

Garmin OEM information

I think the 62SC uses the STM 32 channel Cartesio GPS chip set. Same as the DeLorme PN-40 and PN-60.

Model Accuracy Channels Price Comments
Garmin 62SC 10m/3m WAAS 32? $300-500 Handheld, USB but no serial or antenna ports. (8/12)
eTrex Vista 10m/3m WAAS 12 $200-300 Handheld, USB but no serial (so no RTCM) or antenna ports. Just got an HcX. (9/07)
eMap 15m/2m RTCM 12 $60 or so on Ebay Handheld, accepts RTCM for DGPS. Apparently a bad choice for Rinex software DISCONTINUED
Garmin GLO 3 meter ??? $99 bluetooth module
GPS 10 15m/3m WAAS 12 $250 bluetooth module
GPS 12 15m/3m RTCM 12 $ 1999 Handheld, accepts RTCM, no maps
GPS 15 15m 12 about $50 bare module, several models. Tiny successor to GPS-25
GPS 16 LVS (3.3-6V),
16 HVS (6-40V),
16 A (8-40V)		 15m / <3m WAAS / 3-5 USCG RTCM 12 channel 2 serial ports, deck mount
GPS 17 $200 basically the same as a GPS 16 but in a white, pole mount case
GPS 18 15m / 3m WAAS 12 $130 CMOS serial or RS232 or USB hockey puck
GPS 25-LVC (3.6-6V),
-LVS (3.6-6V RS232),
-HVS (6-40V RS232)		 15m / 5m DGPS ? bare module; capable of raw data output (pseudorange and phase)

[1] DISCONTINUED

GPS 35 / 36 15m / 5m DGPS ? 35 = mouse style, 36 = pole mount

The GPS 17 is designed for marine applications but is sometimes pressed into service in backpack style data collectors.

Garmin nuvi models

Garmin nuvi 855
Garmin Nuvi 1390T
Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT

Trimble

GPS modules

Model Accuracy Channels Connectors Price (est) Comments
Pathfinder Pocket 10m/2m DGPS 8 2 RS232 via one DB9, SMB 3.3v, power $500 includes an external antenna.
M-Loc 10m (no DGPS) 12 3.3v 35mW(68mW)

25 x 25 x 6.9 mm

 $45 FirstGPS software runs on host processor
Lassen SQ 6-9m,no DGPS 8 8 pin header, H-FL-R-SMT 3.3v/100mW
26x26x6 mm, 5.7g 		$45 (use IQ instead!) Use w/RF transition cable
Lassen IQ 5-8m,no DGPS 12 8 pin header, H-FL-R-SMT 3.3v/85mW
26x26x6 mm, 5.7g 		$50 Updated more accurate version of SQ. Purchase from SparkFun
Placer 455DR 1-5m,w/DGPS 8 3 DB9 11-32v
 not a module! but I have one so I listed it here
Ace II 25m/2m DGPS 8 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA 5v / 95mA / .47W
82.6 x 46.5 x 11.5 mm
cheap Discontinued but I got one from eBay for $10
Ace III 25m/2m DGPS 8 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA 5v / 95mA / .47W
82.6 x 46.5 x 11.5 mm
$80
Lassen SK-8 25m/2m DGPS 8 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA $ Discontinued; use SKII
Lassen SKII 25m/2m DGPS 8 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA 5V / 95mA(120mA)/ .47W(.60W) $80
Lassen LP 25m/2m DGPS 8 2 serial and power via 8 pin header, MCX/3.3v 12mA 3.3V / 55mA(67mA)/ .182W(.221W)

66.167 x 31.75 x 12

$55 Low power; can be programmed to power up/down on schedule
Style Gain Connector Price
Micropatch 26dB 5m cable with MCX $17
Hardmount micropatch 26dB TNC $
Bullet 35dB 22m cable with SMB adapter $

DIY USB Lassen SQ

ToppTec -- purveyors of Trimble OEM modules

DeLorme

http://www.delorme.com/

(Mostly) consumer grade; Earthmates are WAAS enabled but the older Tripmates are cheap on eBay if you just need a NMEA GPS source.

DeLorme is trying to push into the pro grade world. They have post-processing software (RINEX) at least for the LT40. Their slogan for the PN40 was "Serious Tool" but mostly they seem to be promoting it for geocaching and hiking.

Model Accuracy Channels Price Comments
Tripmate 15m? 12 $20-30 on eBay rs232 (discontinued)
Earthmate WAAS 12 $100 USB
Blue logger WAAS 12 $150 bluetooth enabled
LT40 WAAS ? $50 USB mouse; available bundled with software, good deal
PN-20 WAAS ? ? Handheld (discontiued)
PN-30 WAAS 32 $300 Handheld, PN-40 w/o baro or compass (discontinued)
PN-40 WAAS 32 $150? I paid around $500 for mine!
PN-60 WAAS 32 $300? wireless version PN-60W talks to SPOT device

Other links

Leica
Thales and Magellan
U-blox I have a couple U-blox devices including an Openmoko phone.
Javad

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