GPS Information, GPS & Navigation Technology and GPS Product review

SiRFstarIII GSD3tw

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:30:00 +0000

This single die, small footprint implementation of SIRFstarIII™ architecture provides a cost-effective solution for high-volume embedded applications where host processor resources are available to execute SiRFNav®— SiRF’s high performance navigation software suite, providing Autonomous navigation, Aided-GPS navigation (both user plane and control plane), and SiRFInstantFix™ technology. This 90 nm single-die IC has fully integrated 1.2 V LDOs, reducing the external Bill of Materials.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Supported Software
Standard
SiRFTrackIII™ GPS tracker software
SiRFNavIII™ standalone GPS navigation software
Premium
SiRFLoc® Client (SLC) A-GPS software- SiRFNavIII A-GPS navigation software - SiRFLocStack™ location protocol library for user plane (SUPL) and control plane (RRLP, RRC) A-GPS
SiRFInstantFix extended ephemeris software; connectivity optional
Smallest Footprint Package
Type: 49-pin WLCSP with a ball pitch of 0.4 mm
Dimensions: 3.12 mm x 3.17 mm; Height: 0.68 mm
Typical total solution footprint: 30 mm2
Low Production Cost Package
Type: 49-pin TFBGA with a ball pitch of 0.5 mm
Dimensions: 4 mm x 4.5 mm; Height: 0.68 mm
Typical total solution footprint: 40 mm2

KEY FEATURES
Single die SiRFstarIII proprietary Satellite Signal Processor technology
High sensitivity signal acquisition capability (Aided-GPS)
Integrated ROM and controller to minimize host platform loading
90 nm RFCMOS for cost effective baseband + RF integration
On-chip LNA reduces total solution cost and footprint
Extremely low power
Reduced pin count and small package size simplifies PCB layout
TCXO power supply control through integrated FET switch
GPS Architecture Highlights
Premium SiRFstarIII architecture with 200,000+ effective correlators for fast TTFF and high sensitivity acquisition
GPS Features
SiRFNav host software with: real-time navigation for location based services
Advanced Power Management and Adaptive TricklePower™ plus low energy-per-fix in point position applications
Multimode A-GPS support: Autonomous, MS Based, MS Assisted
Location protocol libraries supporting RRC, RRLP, 3GPP2, SUPL, E-911

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Horizontal Position Accuracy 1 • Autonomous <2.5>

HIGHLIGHTED ADVANTAGES
For cellular handset applications where space is at a premium, the GSD3tw offers two excellent package options; one for low cost production and one for small footprint mainstream design.
The GSD3tw supports SiRFLoc Client, the patented Multimode A-GPS software powering mobile phones optimized for location-enabled services. SiRFLoc improvesGPS location capability in wireless system environments by utilizing various modes of wireless infrastructure assistance to improve weak signal reception.
For personal navigation devices with high-end host processors, the GSD3tw with SiRFNav software provides SiRF Autonomous mode GPS navigation, setting a newperformance benchmark for high-sensitivity navigation.
SiRF’s standard autonomous software also supports SiRFInstantFix technology, which eliminates the initial task of obtaining broadcast GPS data from the satellites themselves, resulting in a faster TTFFs, even in weak signal environments.

credit: http://www.sirf.com/

SiRFstarIII GSC3LTi and GSC3LTif Flagship Multimode A-GPS Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:20:00 +0000

These tiny dynamos condense SiRFstarIII™ technology into the lowest power, highest performing SiRF solution, and they measure a compact 6x6x1.2 mm—thanks to 90-nanometer technology. Less expensive and 25% smaller and than the GSC3LT, the GSC3LTi is engineered for wireless applications and handheld systems with centralized power management that don’t require a wholly independent, self-managed GPS subsystem power supply. Internal Flash memory is optional (GSC3LTif).

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Supported Software
Standard
GSW3LT Standalone GPS software with SBAS support
Premium
SiRFLoc® Client (SLC) LT A-GPS Multimode Location Engine™ for GSM/3GPP
SiRFLoc Client (SLC) LT A-GPS Multimode Location Engine for CDMA IS-801A with coarse location
SiRFInstantFix™ extended ephemeris service for very fast TTFFs
Package
Type: 120-ball thin profile, fine pitch ball grid array (TFBGA) with a ball pitch of 0.5 mm
Dimensions: 6 mm x 6 mm; Height: 1.2 mm ROM device, 1.4 mm Flash device
Typical total solution footprint: 105 mm2

KEY FEATURES
90 nm SiRFstarIII-LT DSP Core
Navigation Engine (PVT) solution
4 Mbit on-chip ROM program memory
SPI and UART Host interfaces
Up to eight programmable GPIOs
GPS Architecture Highlights
High sensitivity: -159 dBm for indoor fixes
200,000+ effective correlators for very fast TTFF and high sensitivity acquisition
SBAS (WAAS, MSAS, EGNOS) support
GPS Features
Real time navigation for location based services
Low energy-per-fix in point position applicationsLow energy-per-fix in point position applications
Advanced Power Management and Adaptive TricklePower™ plus low energy-per-fix in point position applications
Multimode A-GPS Support: Autonomous, MS Based, MS Assisted
Location protocol libraries supporting RRC, RRLP, 3GPP2, SUPL, E-911

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Horizontal Position Accuracy 1 • Autonomous <2.5>

HIGHLIGHTED ADVANTAGES
The GSC3LTi(f) is supported by SiRF standard autonomous software that’s setting new performance benchmarks in the portable navigation systems market. SiRF standard autonomous software also supports recently announced SiRFInstantFix technology, which eliminates the initial task of obtaining broadcast GPS data from the satellites themselves, resulting in a faster Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF), even in weak signal environments.
The GSC3LTi(f) also supports SiRFLoc Client, the patented Multimode A-GPS software powering mobile phones optimized for location-enabled-services. SiRFLoc improves GPS location capability in wireless system environments by utilizing various modes of wireless infrastructure assistance to improve weak signal reception.
The GSC3LTi(f) GPS performance is fully compliant with the industry-standard Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) TS25.171 and CDMA TIA916 requirements, with extremely fast assisted fix speeds that are often significantly faster than required by the standard.

credit: http://www.sirf.com

NMEA CONFIG command

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:02:00 +0000

4 NMEA Input Commands
Orion may not recognize commands if they are input at a rate greater than one per second.
All commands are in upper case unless stated otherwise.
If valid, the CONFIG, STOP, SLEEP, and START commands will be echoed back to the sender and
GETCONFIG will generate a CFG_R response. Otherwise, an error message will be sent.

4.1 GETCONFIG Command
The GETCONFIG command allows the user to read the current system configuration.
For details of each field, please refer to the CONFIG command in section 4.2 .
The format of the GETCONFIG command is:
$PUNV,GETCONFIG,

*cc
4.1.1 Output Configuration
Read the current output configuration:
$PUNV,GETCONFIG,00*41
The response message is:
$PUNV,CFG_R,00,00,0,1000,UART,MASK,*cc
UART = serial bit rate
MASK = NMEA message mask
4.1.2 Time Zone Configuration
Read the current time zone configuration:
$PUNV,GETCONFIG,03*42
The response message is:
$PUNV,CFG_R,03,TZH,TZM*cc
TZH = Time zone offset hours
TZM = Time zone offset minutes
Command Description
GETCONFIG Read configuration information
CONFIG Set configuration
STOP Stop navigation
SLEEP Stop navigation and enter sleep mode
START Immediate restart

4.1.3 Datum Configuration
Read the current datum configuration:
$PUNV,GETCONFIG,13*43
The response message is:
$PUNV,CFG_R,13,Dx,Dy,Dz,Da,Df,Name,ID*cc
Dx, Dy, Dz = Datum Offset values for X, Y, and Z coordinates (in meters).
Da = Datum value for the semi-major axis (in meters).
Df = Datum value for flattening.
Name = Name of the configured datum (see Section 6 for Datum names & IDs)
ID = ID of the configured datum (see Section 6 for Datum names & IDs).
4.1.4 Position Pinning & 2D/3D Startup Configuration
Read the current Position Pinning and 2D/3D start mode configuration:
$PUNV,GETCONFIG,17*47
The response message is:
$PUNV,CFG_R,17,PosThreshold,VelThreshold,2DStartMode*cc
. PosThreshold = Threshold value (meters) for position jump. Position will not be pinned if
this value is reached.
. VelThreshold = Threshold value (meters/second) for position jump. Position will not be
pinned if this value is reached.
. 2DStartMode = indicates whether the receiver will initially enter 2D fix mode (using last
navigated altitude) during a restart.
o 0: only 3D start is allowed
o 3: enable 2D cold start (if no last known good fix) & auto start (with last known good
fix),
4.1.5 Version Number
Read the software version number:
$PUNV,GETCONFIG,09*48
The response message is:
$PUNV,CFG_R,09,OrionVersion,*cc
OrionVersion is the Orion version string
The remaining values are hardware configuration values.
Note - This message is also sent at power up and reset.
Example-$PUNV,CFG_R,09,1.2.0-432,UBP_1.0,8130,2,1008,1,3,3000,16367600*58
Example-$PUNV,CFG_R,09,1.2.2-499-U121,UBP_1.0,8130,5,1008,1,3,0,16367600*25

4.2 CONFIG Command
The CONFIG command allows the user to change the configuration of the system. This configuration
takes effect immediately. It is also stored in non-volatile media and will therefore persist across
power cycles.
The format of the CONFIG command is:
$PUNV,CONFIG,

,*cc
4.2.1 Section 00 - Output Configuration
Set the output configuration:
$PUNV,CONFIG,00,00,0,1000,UART,MASK*cc
Table 11 – Output Configuration Parameters
UART is the UART communication speed in bits per second. All communications use 8 data
bits, no parity, and one stop bit.
MASK is a two-digit hexadecimal number which enables selected output NMEA sentences.
Each NMEA output sentence is assigned a bit in the mask.
Examples:
Only transmit the GSA, GSV, VTG, ZDA, and DTM sentences:
$EC = GSA ($4) + GSV ($8) + VTG ($20) + ZDA ( $40) + DTM(80)
Transmit the default sentences:
$1D = GGA ($1) + GSA ($4) + GSV ($8) + RMC ($10)
. Orion will check the maximum length of NMEA sentences when changing the output
configuration. If the speed is set to 4800 bps and the selected sentences total more than 450
characters, the command will be rejected and an error message issued. If all the specified
sentences are desired, a speed greater than 4800 bps must be selected.
UART communication speed NMEA mask
(UART) (MASK)
4800 = 4800 bps 01 = GGA
9600 = 9600 bps 02 = GLL
14400 = 14400 bps 04 = GSA
19200 = 19200 bps 08 = GSV
38400 = 38400 bps
57600 = 57600 bps 10 = RMC
115200 = 115200 bps 20 = VTG
40 = ZDA
80 = DTM
Default : 4800 Default : 1D

Examples:
Send all sentences except DTM at 115200 bps:
$PUNV,CONFIG,00,00,0,1000,115200,7F*cc
Change speed to 9600 bps with default output sentences:
$PUNV,CONFIG,00,00,0,1000,9600,1D*70
Disable sending of all NMEA sentences:
$PUNV,CONFIG,00,00,0,1000,4800,0*36
Send the default sentences:
$PUNV,CONFIG,00,00,0,1000,4800,1D*73
4.2.2 Section 03 - Time Zone Offset Configuration
Set the time zone offset:
$PUNV,CONFIG,03,TZH,TZM*cc
Table 12 – Time Zone Offset Configuration Parameters
TZH is the UTC offset in whole hours.
It may be negative, zero, or positive and is generally negative for West longitudes.
TZM is the additional minutes of UTC offset.
It must be zero or positive.
Note that this time zone offset has no effect on the timestamps in NMEA sentences which are always
in UTC.
Examples:
Set the -8 hour time zone (U. S. Pacific Standard Time):
$PUNV,CONFIG,03,-8,0*31
Set the UTC time zone (no offset):
$PUNV,CONFIG,03,0,0*14
Time Zone Offset Hours Time Zone Offset Minutes
(TZH) (TZM)
-11, -10, … , -1, 0, 1, … , 12 0, 15, 30, 45
Default : not set (0) Default : not set (0)

4.2.3 Datum Configuration
a. Set a built-in datum:
$PUNV,CONFIG,16,ID*cc
ID is the ID of the desired datum.
Default is 1 (WGS-84).
b. Set a custom datum configuration:
$PUNV,CONFIG,13,Dx,Dy,Dz,Da,Df,Name,0*cc
Dx, Dy, and Dz are the X, Y, and Z coordinate offsets in meters.
The defaults are 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 .
Da is the semi-major axis in meters. The default is 6378137.
Df is the flattening coefficient. The default is 0.003352810664 .
Name is the name of the datum. Maximum is 8 characters.
Examples:
Select the “TOY-B” (South Korean) datum:
$PUNV,CONFIG,16,211*0E
Select the default datum (WGS-84):
$PUNV,CONFIG,16,1*0D
4.2.4 Position Pinning & 2D/3D Startup
Set position pinning and 2D/3D startup parameters:
$PUNV,CONFIG,17,PosThreshold,VelThreshold,2D/3DStartMode*cc
PosThreshold is the threshold value for position jump. Position pinning will be disabled if
this value is reached.
VelThreshold is the threshold value for velocity calculation. Position pinning will be disabled
if this value is reached.
2DStartMode indicates whether the receiver will enter 2D startup initially during a cold start
based upon last navigated altitude.

Example:
Set the default settings:
$PUNV,CONFIG,17,50.0,1.0,3*3A
2D/3D Start Mode
0 = only 3D startup allowed
1 = Reserved. Do not use
2 = Reserved. Do not use
3 = 2D startup is allowed
Default: 3

4.3 STOP Command
Stop navigation:
$PUNV,STOP*29
4.4 SLEEP Command
Enter the sleep mode:
$PUNV,SLEEP*7E
To wake up from sleep, send a command to the serial port. Since the command will not be executed,
its content is arbitrary. Orion always wakes in the AUTO mode.
If the board design includes an external RTC (please refer to the module Data Sheet), the
SLEEP command can specify a sleep duration. Note that the receiver will wake up on
UART activity or when the duration expires, whichever occurs first.
$PUNV,SLEEP,HH,MM,SS*CC
HH is hours [0 to 24]
MM is minutes [0 to 59]
DD is seconds [0 to 59]
Maximum sleep time is 24,59,59 and minimum is 00,00,05.
Example (sleep for 30 seconds):
$PUNV,SLEEP,00,00,30*cc
4.5 START Commands
Cause an immediate restart:
$PUNV,START,AUTO*52
$PUNV,START,COLD*59
$PUNV,START,WARM*59
$PUNV,START,HOT*0E
$PUNV,START,FAST*5D
The START command will be echoed only after the system has stopped (which takes approximately
one second). Until then Orion will produce navigation data.

5 ERR Message
The ERR message is sent as a response to an invalid command. Its format is:
$PUNV,ERR,ID,ERROR,DATA*cc
ID is the section ID which causes the error (05 = NMEA command processor).
ERROR is the error number defined in the section.
DATA is error specific optional data.
ID ERROR Description
5 (NMEA) 1 Illegal command form
5 (NMEA) 2 Illegal command prefix
5 (NMEA) 3 Illegal command
5 (NMEA) 4 Illegal section ID
5 (NMEA) 5 Illegal parameter.
5 (NMEA) 6 Illegal checksum.
5 (NMEA) 7 Illegal message.
Table 15 – Error Codes
Examples of error messages:
Illegal checksum:
$PUNV,ERR,05,00006,00000*5B
Illegal command:
$PUNV,ERR,05,00003,00000*5E
Fast Hot Warm Cold
Almanac + + + -
Ephemeris + + - -
Time accuracy ~10 ms ~300s ~300s -
Last known good fix + + + -

credit:http://www.micro-modular.com/

Orion NMEA-0183 message

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:50:00 +0000

1 Overview
This document describes the format and usage of NMEA messages for Orion GPS navigation software. It also details the implementation specifics of NMEA input commands and output sentences supported by Orion.

2 Message Format
Orion NMEA messages conform to the NMEA-0183 Ver. 3.01 (January 1, 2002) standard with implementation specifics as noted below. Commands start with a dollar-sign (“$”), followed by “PUNV”, and a comma (“,”). The command text comes next, followed by an asterisk (“*”), two-digit hexadecimal checksum, and the characters.

Example:
$PUNV,*cc
2.1 Checksum Calculation
In accordance with NMEA-0183, the checksum is calculated by taking the 8 bit exclusive OR of all characters between (but not including) the “$” and the “*”. The checksum is then appended after the “*” as a 2 character hexadecimal number.
If a command’s checksum is omitted or illegal the command will be rejected and an error message issued.
A command with the checksum value “cc” (two lower case “c” characters) will be accepted as valid (this is primarily used for testing purposes).
2.2 Sentence Termination Delimiter
All sentences end with the sentence termination delimiter . This combination is “\r\n” in C-language format and hexadecimal ASCII values are 0Dh 0Ah. Both characters are required for a command to be recognized.
2.3 NMEA Message Sizes
In accordance with NMEA-0183, the maximum number of characters between the starting delimiter
“$” and the terminating should be 79. That is, the maximum needed buffer size should be 82 for one output sentence. For input NMEA commands, the maximum size accepted is 128 characters.

3 Standard NMEA Output Sentences
The following format conventions have been used in accordance with the NMEA standard with implementation specifics noted:
. When a data field is null, the unit of measure field will also be null.
. Three digits are used for decimal fraction of seconds in UTC time.
. Four digits are used for decimal fraction of minutes in latitude and longitude.
. Two digits are used for Satellite IDs, with a leading zero if necessary.
. DTM: Six digits are used for decimal fraction of latitude and longitude offsets. Two digits are used for decimal fraction of altitude offset. Datum Subdivision Code is null.
. GGA: UTC starts from zero time and changes to measured time when the fix becomes valid.
Altitude is reported referenced to the ellipsoid, and the Geoidal Separation is null.
. GLL: UTC time field as in GGA.
. GSA: Satellite ID numbers are in the range 00 to 99.
. GSV: No implementation-specific notes.
. RMC: UTC time field as in GGA. Course and Speed over ground as in VTG. Magnetic
Variation is null.
. VTG: Course over ground is reported with 0.1 degree precision, Speed over ground is reported with 0.1 unit precision for both knots and km/h fields. Magnetic Course is null.
. ZDA: Local zone hours are presented as user has configured. Default is null. The hour zone is reported with two digits (with leading zero when necessary), and with leading minus sign when necessary. Local zone minutes are presented as two digits (with leading zero when necessary) and is always zero or positive. UTC time field as in GGA.

Message ID Description Default
DTM Datum reference N
GGA GPS fix data Y
GLL GPS latitude & longitude N
GSA DOP and active satellites Y
GSV Satellites in view Y
RMC Recommended Minimum GNSS Data Y
VTG Course over ground and ground speed N
ZDA Time, date, & local time zone N
Table 1 – Standard NMEA Output Sentences

3.1 DTM – Datum reference
This sentence contains the ID of the datum selected, along with configured offsets.
$GPDTM,W84,,0.000000,S,0.000000,W,0.00,W84*50
Name Description Type Example
MsgID DTM Header $GPDTM
DatumID Local Datum ID W84
DatumSubD Datum Subdivision Code
LatOfs Latitude Offset (in minutes) 0.000000
LatDirection
N = North
S = South
S
LonOfs Longitude Offset (in minutes) 0.000000
LonDirection
E = East
W = West
W
AltOfs Altitude Offset (in meters) 0.00
RefDatum Reference Datum ID W84
ChkSum Checksum *50
EOL NMEA end of line

3.2 GGA – GPS Fix Data
This sentence contains the position, time and quality of the navigation fix.
See RMC for Fix Status, Fix Mode, Fix Date, Speed, and True Course.
See GSA for Fix Type, PDOP, and VDOP.
$GPGGA,042626.001,3345.7471,N,11750.8451,W,1,04,8.7,32.28,M,,,,*16
Name Description Type Example
MsgID GGA Header $GPGGA
FixTime Fix Time (UTC) hh.mmss.sss 042626.001
Lat Latitude ddmm.mmmm 3345.7471
LatDirection
N = North
S = South
Lon Longitude dddmm.mmmm 11750.8451
LonDirection
E = East
W = West
FixQuality
0 = No fix
1 = Valid Fix

3.3 GLL – Geographic Position – Latitude/Longitude
This sentence contains the fix latitude and longitude.
$GPGLL,3345.7471,N,11750.8451,W,042628.001,A,A*4E
Name Description Type Example
MsgID GLL Header $GPGLL
Lat Latitude ddmm.mmmm 3345.7471
LatDirection
N = North
S = South
N
Lon Longitude dddmm.mmmm 11750.8451
LonDirection
E = East
W = West
W
FixTime Fix Time (UTC) hhmmss.sss 042628.001
FixStatus
V = No fix
A = Valid Fix
A
FixMode
N = No Fix
A = Autonomous Mode
A
ChkSum Checksum *4E

3.4 GSA – GNSS DOP and Active Satellites
This sentence contains the mode of operation, type of fix, PRNs of the satellites used in the solution
as well as PDOP, HDOP and VDOP.
$GPGSA,A,3,15,22,18,21,03,14,09,19,16,26,,,1.5,1.0,1.2*3E
Name Description Type Example
MsgID GSA Header $GPGSA
OpMode
A = Automatic
M = Manual (not used by Orion)
A
FixType
1 = No fix
2 = 2D fix
3 = 3D fix
3
SatID01 SV on channel 01 15
… … …
SatID12 SV on channel 12
PDOP Position Dilution of Precision 1.5
HDOP Horizontal Dilution of Precision 1.0
VDOP Vertical Dilution of Precision 1.2
ChkSum Checksum *3E

3.5 GSV – GNSS Satellites in View
This sentence contains the PRNs, azimuth, elevation, and signal strength of all satellites in view.
$GPGSV,3,1,10,03,37,299,47,09,15,094,41,14,34,193,49,15,68,031,52*72
$GPGSV,3,2,10,16,07,242,42,18,58,025,50,19,08,322,40,21,53,086,52*76
$GPGSV,3,3,10,22,62,292,50,26,06,035,37*70
Name Description Type Example
MsgID GSV Header $GPGSV
NumMsgs Total number of GSV sentences 3
MsgNum Sentence number (of the total) 1
NumSatView Number of satellites in view 10
SatID1 SV on channel 1, 5 or 9 03
Elevation1 Elevation (in degrees) 37
Azimuth1 Azimuth (in degrees True) 299
C/No1 C/No of satellite (in dB-Hz) 47
SatID2 SV on channel 2, 6 or 10 09
Elevation2 Elevation 15
Azimuth2 Azimuth 094
C/No2 C/No of satellite 41
SatID3 SV on channel 3, 7 or 11 14
Elevation3 Elevation 34
Azimuth3 Azimuth 193
C/No3 C/No of satellite 49
SatID4 SV on channel 4, 8 or 12 15
Elevation4 Elevation 68
Azimuth4 Azimuth 031
C/No4 C/No of satellite 52
ChkSum Checksum *72

3.6 RMC – Recommended Minimum Specific GNSS Data
This sentence contains the recommended minimum fix information.
See GGA for Fix Quality, Sats Used, HDOP, Altitude, Geoidal Separation, and DGPS data.
See GSA for Fix Type, PDOP and VDOP.
$GPRMC,042626.001,A,3345.7471,N,11750.8451,W,0.0,270.0,140707,,,A*77
Name Description Type Example
MsgID RMC Header $GPRMC
FixTime Fix Time (UTC) hhmmss.sss 042626.001
FixStatus
V = No fix
A = Valid Fix
A
Lat Latitude ddmm.mmmm 3345.7471
LatDirection
N = North
S = South
N
Lon Longitude dddmm.mmmm 11750.8451
LonDirection
E = East
W = West
W
Speed Speed (in knots) 0.0
Tcourse True Course (in degrees) 270.0
FixDate Fix Date (UTC) ddmmyy 140707
MagVar Magnetic Variation (in degrees)
MVdirection Magnetic Variation Direction (E/W)
Fix Mode
N = No fix
A = Autonomous
A
ChkSum Checksum *77

3.7 VTG – Course Over Ground and Ground Speed
This sentence contains the course and speed of the navigation solution.
$GPVTG,270.0,T,,,0.0,N,0.0,K,A*45
Name Description Type Example
MsgID VTG Header $GPVTG
Tcourse True Course (in degrees) 270.0
ReferenceT T = True T
Mcourse Magnetic Course (in degrees)
ReferenceM M = Magnetic
Speed Speed (in knots) 0.0
UnitN N = Knots (Nautical Miles per Hour) N
SpeedKPH Speed (in Kilometers per Hour) 0.0
UnitK K = KPH K
Mode
N = No fix
A = Autonomous
A
ChkSum Checksum *45

3.8 ZDA – Time and Date
This sentence contains UTC date & time, and local time zone offset information.
$GPZDA,042626.001,14,07,2007,,*54
Name Description Type Example
MsgID ZDA Header $GPZDA
Time hhmmss.sss 042626.001
Day Day (UTC) dd 14
Month Month (UTC) mm 07
Year Year (UTC) yyyy 2007
TZH Local Time Zone Offset Hours
TZM Local Time Zone Offset Minutes
ChkSum Checksum *54

credit:http://www.micro-modular.com/

Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Text-To-Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:56:00 +0000

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description

The Garmin nüvi 360 GPS Navigator and Personal Travel Assistant is a GPS navigator, personal translator, multi-media entertainer and tour guide all wrapped into one. In addition to all the advanced features of the Garmin nüvi 350 -- including automatic routing, turn-by-turn voice directions, an MP3 player and audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, and much more -- this pocket-sized personal travel assistant comes with hands-free Bluetooth wireless technology, making it the hands-down go-anywhere travel companion.

Make Hands-Free CallsThe nüvi 360 integrates wireless technology with a microphone and speaker that lets you make hands-free mobile phone calls using your compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone. Simply dial numbers with the nüvi's touch screen keypad to place a call, and to answer calls, just tap the screen and speak directly into its built-in microphone.
In addition, you can easily look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or from your phone's call history log. Don't know the phone number for your destination? Simply find and dial it from nüvi's database of more than six million points of interest -- including hotels, restaurants, stores, and attractions.
Navigation and Entertainment with EaseFor starters, the nüvi 360 includes a high-sensitivity integrated GPS receiver that offers exceptional performance and reception. The unit's flip-up antenna includes an MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection. Preloaded software features maps of Europe or North America, and it includes automatic routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names, and a fingertip touch screen interface -- making navigation as easy as it gets.
But navigation is just the beginning. Like the nüvi 350, the nüvi 360 also includes many entertainment and travel tools including an MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, travel alarm, and currency converters.
The nüvi 360 features a bright, 2.8 x 2.1-inch TFT display with white backlight for easy readability. At 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87-inches (WxHxD) and just 5.1 ounces, the unit is small enough to be placed on the dashboard with the included suction mount, or into your pocket for easy transportability. The unit also features Garmin Lock -- an advanced anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific four-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location. A built-in lithium ion battery will give you up to eight hours of power, and an included 12/24 volt adapter cable will let you run the navigator off your vehicle's power. An AC battery charger is also included.
A built-in Travel Kit that includes sample MP3s and audio books will get you started with entertainment, and with the unit's SD memory card expansion slot you can add optional software, such as language and travel guides. A USB port is also included for loading and updating data.

Garmin nüvi 760 Portable GPS Automobile Navigator.

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:32:00 +0000

Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Automobile Navigator.

Amazon.com Product Description -- January 8, 2008

Product Description
Garmin's nüvi 700 series brings two exciting new features - multi-destination routing and, "Where am I?/Where's my car?" -- to its popular pocket-sized GPS navigator lineup. As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of an integrated high-sensitivity GPS receiver, a slim, pocket-sized design with a gorgeous display, an easy, intuitive interface, and detailed NAVTEQ maps for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico with more than 6 million name-searchable points of interest. All of the 700-series navigators also feature a rich array of features including spoken directions in real street names, MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle's stereo system.The nüvi 760 and nüvi 770 add integrated traffic receivers and Bluetooth capability for hands-free calling. The nüvi 770 adds maps for Europe. The nüvi 780 adds enhanced MSN direct content capability.

Advanced navigation features, a widescreen display, preloaded maps, an FM transmitter, hands-free calling, traffic alerts and more. Like the rest of the wide Garmin nüvi 700-series, its premium navigation capabilities, like route planning and a handy locator, give you peace of mind on the go. Save up to 10 routes, and specify via points and preview simulated turns on the 4.3 widescreen, or enter your via points and let the Garmin nuvi 750 automatically sort multiple destinations for an efficient route Hands free calling with Bluetooth phones A trip log of up to 10,000 points keeps a record of where you've been on the map for easy reference Speed limits for all major highways and interstates A high-sensitivity internal (non flip-up) antenna keeps the unit sleek and compact while the rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows you to use the unit in and out of the car for up to 5 hours MP3 playback with Audiobook player (subscription to Audible.com required), JPEG picture viewer, and currency converters Built-in FM transmitter allows you to listen to your music, audio books, and gps voice prompts through your car's stereo] Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls, etc.), Route setup (choice of faster time, shorter distance, off-road), Auto re-route (fast auto-recalculation when you take a wrong turn or want to avoid traffic), and Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest) FM traffic alerts (3 months of service included) Optional MSN Direct, and Garmin Lock (an anti-theft feature) Interfaces - USB, Audio line-out (headphone) Unit Dimensions - 4.8w x 3h x. 8d Weight - 6.2 oz
New Features -- Where Am I? Where's My Car?
The nüvi 700 series is the first to answer two common questions: "Where am I?" and "Where’s my car?"
At any time, with a single tap of the screen, drivers can display their exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations. And to help drivers find their car in an unfamiliar spot or vast parking lot, all nüvi 700s automatically mark the position in which they were last removed from the mount.
New Features -- Multi-Destination Routing
This lets you enter several spots into the device (day care - supermarket-cleaners - office - day care, for example) and it will plot the fastest route. And once you've found the best router, the "Route Planning" feature lets you save up to 10 different routes, Garmin touts the feature for providing, "the most efficient route for errands, deliveries and sales calls." The feature also makes this an instant essential accessory for anyone who shops garage sales (you know what we're talking about).

A trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you've been on the map.
The super-bright, 4.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreen display gives is anti-glare for ease of viewing during the day and automatically changes its color profile for easy viewing at night or in dim light. It offers 2d or 3D perspective views.

The widescreen format gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.
First Rate Map Data
All nüvi 700s come preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest (POIs), including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Garmin gets its map data from NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.
Important note about map updates: Due to our high volume of sales, almost every Garmin portable GPS navigator sold by Amazon.com will come with the most recent map version. If you ever do need a map update, you can purchase one from Amazon.com at our Garmin Store.

Hands-Free Calling
In more and more places, it is becoming illegal to use cell phones while driving without a hands-free kit. WIth Bluetooth capability, microphone and speaker, you can match your nüvi to any bluetooth-capable phone to make hands-free mobile phone calls. Simply dial the phone number with the nüvi's touch screen keypad to make a call on a compatible phone. To answer an incoming call, just tap the screen and speak into the built-in microphone. Making and taking calls on the road has never been easier, or safer. In addition, Garmin makes it a breeze to look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or even tap into your cell phone's call history log.

Integrated FM Traffic Receiver
Steer clear of traffic with an integrated FM traffic receiver designed to receive alerts from TMC Clear Channel about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you'll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you're forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nüvi's sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time.
In most areas, TMC Clear Channel traffic broadcasts are continuous — there's no waiting for scheduled traffic news updates or random alerts. Because traffic broadcasts are received via a "silent" FM data channel, you can still listen to music or news programming on your car radio without interference from incoming FM traffic data transmissions.
A 3-month subscription to TMC Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network is included with purchase of this device. For more information on subscription fees, coverage in individual cities, and traffic data networks in the United Kingdom and Europe.

MN3310: GPS Receiver Module

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:25:00 +0000

MN3310: GPS Receiver Module
The Micro Modular Technologies MN3310 Global Positioning System GPS Receiver is a highly-integrated, 12-channel receiver with fast-acquisition hardware intended for OEM applications. The MN3310 is complete with integrated RF filtering, flash memory and TCXO. The single 3.3-volt power supply requires less than 150 mW total and the built-in antenna power circuit allows for a simple, direct connection to an active antenna. By incorporating the complexity of the RF signal chain into the module, the user only needs to be concerned with routing the antenna signal into the module.

The receiver tracks GPS satellites at the L1 frequency (1.575GHz) and computes position, time and velocity. The user needs only provide suitable power and a GPS signal and the MN3310 will output the navigation solution in the widely-used NMEA 0183 format. The 12-channel receiver allows all satellites in view to be tracked, providing an over-determined solution to minimize position jumps caused by individual satellite blockage. The fast-acquisition hardware design greatly reduces the time for signal acquisition when the receiver is initially powered up.

The MN3310 is machine placeable by standard surface mount equipment and is delivered in tape and reel. A metal shield is provided for RF protection and for automated nozzle pickup.

The MN3310 is supported by an evaluation kit including software, along with reference designs to speed OEM development.

Features:

· 12 channel tracking

· Integrated LNA

· 3 volts

· Power: 150mW typical

· Sensitivity: -151 dBm

· Accuracy: <3m

· Hot start: 8 Seconds

· Cold Start: 42 Seconds

· Supports: active or passive antennas

· Message Set: NMEA-0183

Dimensions: 25.4 x 25.4 x 3.3

MN5010HS: 20-ch mini GPS Receiver Module

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:22:00 +0000

MN5010HS: 20-ch mini GPS Receiver Module
The Micro Modular Technologies MN5010HS Global Positioning System GPS Receiver is a complete, 20-channel receiver with high sensitivity that measures only 10mm by 10mm by 1.9mm. It features fast-acquisition hardware, integrated RF filtering, TCXO, reset circuits, and real-time clock with on-board crystal, and an integrated LNA allows operation with both active and passive antennas. The user needs only provide DC power and a GPS signal; the MN5010HS will output the navigation solution in the widely-used NMEA 0183 format or in binary output format.
The 20-channel receiver allows all satellites in view to be tracked, providing an over-determined solution to minimize position jumps caused by individual satellite blockage. The fast-acquisition hardware design greatly reduces the time for signal acquisition when the receiver is initially powered up. The MN5010HS operates from a single battery supply between 3.25 and 5.5 VDC. For even further power reductions, the OEM design may use a commanded power-saving mode.
The MN5010HS is supported by an evaluation kit, including software, along with reference designs to speed OEM development. The MN5010HS is machine placeable by standard surface mount equipment and is available in tape and reel. A metal shield is provided for RF protection and for automated nozzle pickup.
Features:
• 20 channel tracking
• SiRF III based chipset
• Integrated LNA
• Single 3.30-5.5V supply
• Power: 36mA @ 1.8V
• Sensitivity: -159dBm
• Accuracy: <3m
• Hot start: 1 Seconds
• Cold Start: 35 Seconds
• Supports active or passive antennas
• Supports SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS)
Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 1.9mm (0.4 x 0.4 x 0.08")

MN1010: Low-power GPS Receiver Module

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:17:00 +0000

MN1010: Low-power GPS Receiver Module

The Micro Modular Technologies™ MN1010 Global Positioning System GPS Receiver is a complete, 12-channel receiver with fast-acquisition hardware intended for OEM applications. The MN1010 is complete with integrated RF filtering, flash memory and TCXO. The user needs only provide suitable power and a GPS signal; the MN1010 will provide the GPS solution in NMEA 0183 format. The 12-channel receiver allows all satellites in view to be tracked, providing an over-determined solution to minimize position jumps caused by individual satellite blockage. The fast-acquisition hardware design greatly reduces the time for signal acquisition when the receiver is initially powered up. The MN1010 requires only a 1.8-volt supply and separate 3 volts for the TCXO for low power consumption. For even further power reductions, the OEM could switch power under control of the MN1010.
The small size of the MN1010 is achieved by using advanced manufacturing technology to Wafer Level Packaged (WLP) die and passive components onto an high-density interconnect (HDI) laminate. Space normally used for bond wires, lead frames and plastic encapsulation is eliminated, resulting is an overall size of 10mm by 10mm by 2mm.
The MN1010 is supported by an evaluation kit including software, along with reference designs to speed OEM development. The MN1010 is machine placeable by standard surface mount equipment and is delivered in tape and reel. A metal shield is provided for RF protection and for automated nozzle pickup.

Features:
• 12 channel tracking
• Integrated LNA
• dual 3VDC and 1.8VDC
• Power: 75mW typical
• Sensitivity: -152 dBm
• Accuracy: <3m
• Hot start: 8 Seconds
• Cold Start: 42 Seconds
• Supports: active or passive antennas
• Message Set: NMEA-0183

Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 2mm

จีพีเอส (GPS:Global Positioning System)

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:47:00 +0000

จีพีเอส (GPS) ย่อมาจาก Global Positioning System หมายถึง ระบบบอกตำแหน่งบนพื้นผิวโลก โดยอาศัยการคำนวณพิกัด ยูทีเอ็ม (UTM) จากสัญญาณนาฬิกาที่ส่งมาจากดาวเทียมที่โคจรอยู่รอบโลก ซึ่งมีตำแหน่งที่แน่นอน ระบบนี้สามารถบอกตำแหน่ง ณ จุดที่สามารถรับสัญญาณได้ทั่วโลก โดยเครื่องรับสัญญาณจีพีเอส รุ่นใหม่ๆ จะสามารถคำนวณความเร็วและทิศทางนำมาใช้ร่วมกับโปรแกรมแผนที่ เพื่อใช้ในการนำทางได้

แนวคิดในการพัฒนาระบบจีพีเอส เริ่มต้นตั้งแต่ปี ค.ศ. 1957 เมื่อนักวิทยาศาสตร์ของสหรัฐอเมริกา นำโดย Dr. Richard B. Kershner ได้ติดตามการส่งดาวเทียมสปุตนิกของโซเวียต และพบปรากฏการณ์ดอปเปลอร์ของคลื่นวิทยุที่ส่งมาจากดาวเทียม พวกเขาพบว่าหากทราบตำแหน่งที่แน่นอนบนพื้นผิวโลก ก็สามารถระบุตำแหน่งของดาวเทียมได้จากการตรวจวัดดอปเปลอร์ และหากทราบตำแหน่งที่แน่นอนของดาวเทียม ก็สามารถระบุตำแหน่งบนพื้นโลกได้ ในทางกลับกัน

กองทัพเรือสหรัฐได้ทดลองระบบนำทางด้วยดาวเทียม ชื่อ TRANSIT เป็นครั้งแรกเมื่อ ค.ศ. 1960 ประกอบด้วยดาวเทียมจำนวน 5 ดวง ส่วนดาวเทียมที่ใช้ในระบบจีพีเอส (GPS Block-I) ส่งขึ้นทดลองเป็นครั้งแรกเมื่อ ค.ศ. 1978 เพื่อใช้ในทางการทหาร

เมื่อ ค.ศ. 1983 หลังจากเกิดเหตุการณ์โคเรียนแอร์ไลน์ เที่ยวบินที่ 007 ของเกาหลีใต้ บินพลัดหลงเข้าไปในน่านฟ้าของสหภาพโซเวียต และถูกยิงตก ผู้โดยสาร 269 คนเสียชีวิตทั้งหมด ประธานาธิบดีโรนัลด์ เรแกนได้ประกาศว่า เมื่อพัฒนาระบบจีพีเอสแล้วเสร็จ จะอนุญาตให้ประชาชนทั่วไปใช้งานได้

ดาวเทียมจีพีเอส เป็นดาวเทียมที่มีวงโคจรต่ำ ที่ระดับความสูง 11,000 ไมล์จากพื้นโลก ใช้การยืนยันตำแหน่งโดยอาศัยพิกัดจากดาวเทียม 3 หรือ 4 ดวง ดาวเทียมจะโคจรรอบโลกเป็นเวลา 12 ชั่วโมงต่อหนึ่งรอบ ที่ความเร็ว 4 กิโลเมตร/วินาที การโคจรแต่ละรอบนั้นสามารถได้เป็น 6 ระนาบๆ ละ 4 ดวง ทำมุม 55 องศา โดยทั้งระบบจะต้องมีดาวเทียม 24 ดวง หรือมากกว่า เพื่อให้สามารถยืนยันตำแหน่งได้ครอบคลุมทุกจุดบนผิวโลก ปัจจุบัน เป็นดาวเทียม GPS Block-II

ระบบบอกพิกัดด้วยดาวเทียมอื่นๆ ที่คล้ายคลึงกับระบบจีพีเอส ในปัจจุบันมีหลายระบบ ได้แก่

GLONASS (GLObal NAvigation Satellite System) เป็นระบบของรัสเซีย ที่พัฒนาเพื่อแข่งขันกับสหรัฐอเมริกา แต่ระบบนี้ยังใช้งานได้ไม่สมบูรณ์ ใช้งานได้ดีเฉพาะในรัสเซีย ยุโรป และแคนาดา
Galileo เป็นระบบที่กำลังพัฒนาโดยสหภาพยุโรป ร่วมกับจีน อิสราเอล อินเดีย โมร็อกโก ซาอุดิอาระเบีย เกาหลีใต้ และยูเครน จะแล้วเสร็จในปี พ.ศ. 2553
Beidou เป็นระบบที่กำลังพัฒนาโดยประเทศจีน โดยให้บริการเฉพาะบางพื้นที่ แต่ในอนาคตมีแผนที่จะพัฒนาโดยให้ครอบคลุมทั้วโลกโดยจะใช้ชื่อว่า COMPASS

Credit: http://th.wikipedia.org/

Basic concept of GPS

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:03:00 +0000

A GPS receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by the GPS satellites high above the Earth. Each satellite continually transmits messages containing the time the message was sent, precise orbital information (the ephemeris), and the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the almanac). The receiver measures the transit time of each message and computes the distance to each satellite. Geometric trilateration is used to combine these distances with the location of the satellites to determine the receiver's location. The position is displayed, perhaps with a moving map display or latitude and longitude; elevation information may be included. Many GPS units also show derived information such as direction and speed, calculated from position changes.
It might seem three satellites are enough to solve for position, since space has three dimensions. However a very small clock error multiplied by the very large speed of light[5]—the speed at which satellite signals propagate—results in a large positional error. The receiver uses a fourth satellite to solve for x, y, z, and t which is used to correct the receiver's clock. While most GPS applications use the computed location only and effectively hide the very accurately computed time, it is used in a few specialized GPS applications such as time transfer and traffic signal timing.
Although four satellites are required for normal operation, fewer apply in special cases. If one variable is already known (for example, a ship or plane may have known elevation), a receiver can determine its position using only three satellites. Some GPS receivers may use additional clues or assumptions (such as reusing the last known altitude, dead reckoning, inertial navigation, or including information from the vehicle computer) to give a degraded position when fewer than four satellites are visible.
Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Global Positioning System

noreply@blogger.com (Name: Tumi0360) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:38:00 +0000

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) developed by the United States Department of Defense and managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. It is the only fully functional GNSS in the world, can be used freely, and is often used by civilians for navigation purposes. It uses a constellation of between 24 and 32 Medium Earth Orbit satellites that transmit precise microwave signals, which allow GPS receivers to determine their current location, the time, and their velocity. Its official name is NAVSTAR GPS. Although NAVSTAR is not an acronym,[1] a few backronyms have been created for it.

Since it became fully operational in 1993, GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, scientific uses, and hobbies such as geocaching. Also, the precise time reference is used in many applications including the scientific study of earthquakes. GPS is also a required key synchronization resource of cellular networks, such as the Qualcomm CDMA air interface used by many wireless carriers in a multitude of countries.

credit:http://wikipedia.org