GPS Communication Software

GPS

Mapping Program Tarpits and Tips

Tools of the Trade Tools of the Trade

GPS Communication Software

Tools of the Trade - Part IITools of the Trade - Part II

Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources

DNR Garmin

GPS Communication Program

Definition:– The “middleware” that allows a GPS

receiver and a computer to communicate with each other.

Not a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software

GPS Communication ProgramsGPS Communication Programs

The Big PictureThe Language of GPSReview of GPS ProgramsWhy DNR Garmin?

OverviewOverview

Fire Incident Plans CycleFire Incident Plans Cycle

GPS Field Work

GIS

Data Transfer

Unique Aspects of Fire Unique Aspects of Fire MappingMapping

25 acres10 mile perim.

Scale

Environment

Mode of Collection

Quantity of Units

Technical Skill Levels

The Big PictureThe Language of GPSReview of GPS ProgramsWhy DNR Garmin?

OverviewOverview

Language of GPSLanguage of GPS

GPS spits out lots of data:– Lat/Long, Date/Time, Elevation, etc

Information sent to a receiving computer is the Language or Protocol

Two main choices for Garmin’s – NMEA 0183 and Garmin Protocol

Language of Language of ALLALL GPS GPS

NMEA 0183 Protocol– NMEA (National Marine Electronics

Association) – “A standard for electrical interface and

data protocol for communications between marine instruments”

– String of characters– Speed of talk - 4800 baud rate

See Peter Bennett’s Site http://vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/index.html

Language of Language of ALLALL GPS GPSMust have garmin-nmea.avi

Language of Language of ALLALL GPS GPS

$GPGGA: GPS GPS Fix data– UTCTime,Lat,Long, Quality, # of SV’s, …

$PGRMM: Garmin Datum

Language of a Language of a GarminGarmin GPS GPS

Garmin Protocol– Speed of Talk: 9600 Baud Rate– Proprietary– Supports bi-directional transfer of waypoints,

tracks, etc.A GPS Communication Program written

for Garmin’s must be literate in Garmin Protocol

Language DifferencesLanguage Differences

Not all NMEA sentences are alike!Manufacturers add unique sentencesChoice of program importantNMEA 0183: Datum changes with

display Garmin Protocol: Datum is WGS84

regardless of display

Tools and AccessoriesTools and Accessories

The GPS receiverData - Coordinates, Date/Time etcA cableComputerAvailable RS-232 port (COM)Program to recognize the GPS

The Big PictureThe Language of GPSReview of GPS ProgramsWhy DNR Garmin?

OverviewOverview

Many Program ChoicesMany Program Choices

NMEA-0183 ProgramsGarmin Protocol Programs

Fire GEEK

NMEA-0183 ProgramsNMEA-0183 Programs

GPSNMEA: simple display/loggingGPSy: For Macs VisualGPS: display of GPS status/ stats

http://vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/idx_nmeaprog.html

Garmin Protocol ProgramsGarmin Protocol Programs

Waypoint+: 2002 Preferred Choice!GarTrip Gardown11GarminData Monitor…..DNR Garmin: 2003 Preferred Choice!

http://vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/idx_garmin.html

The Big PictureThe Language of GPSGPS Communication RequirementsReview of GPS ProgramsWhy DNR Garmin?

OverviewOverview

Decision Factors for the Fire Decision Factors for the Fire GPS ProgramGPS Program

All Garmins supportedSoftware support is highProvide efficient data transfer to a GISCost (Program)Nerd Factor Scale

Why DNR GarminWhy DNR Garmin

DNR Garmin chosen over Waypoint+– Supports newer Garmin’s

– Improvements to DNR Garmin in March 2002, January 2003

– Tightly integrated with ArcView 3.X

– Nerds:

Data Transfer

Typical Use on a FireTypical Use on a Fire

DownloadUpload

DNR Garmin SpecificationsDNR Garmin Specifications

Designed by Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources

Communicates with all current modelsUses Garmin ProtocolCost - Its free!Two Programs in one!

– Program– Extension

How GPS software fits into the Big Picture

GPS and Computers are made for each other

DNR Garmin as the preferred choice

SummarySummary

Tomorrow - next in the series:– Mapping Programs and GIS

What’s in StoreWhat’s in Store