GPS Communication Software GPS Mapping ProgramTarpits and Tips Tools of the Trade GPS Communication Software

Tools 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 Programs

The Big Picture The Language of GPS Review of GPS Programs Why DNR Garmin? Overview

Fire Incident Plans Cycle GPS Field Work GIS Data Transfer

Unique Aspects of Fire Mapping 25 acres 10 mile perim. Scale Environment Mode of Collection Quantity of Units Technical Skill Levels

The Big Picture The Language of GPS Review of GPS Programs Why DNR Garmin? Overview

Language 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 ALL 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 baud rate See Peter Bennett’s Site

Language of ALL GPS Must have garmin-nmea.avi

Language of ALL GPS $GPGGA: GPS GPS Fix data –UTCTime,Lat,Long, Quality, # of SV’s, … $PGRMM: Garmin Datum

Language of a Garmin 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 Differences Not all NMEA sentences are alike! Manufacturers add unique sentences Choice of program important NMEA 0183: Datum changes with display Garmin Protocol: Datum is WGS84 regardless of display

Tools and Accessories The GPS receiver Data - Coordinates, Date/Time etc A cable Computer Available RS-232 port (COM) Program to recognize the GPS

The Big Picture The Language of GPS Review of GPS Programs Why DNR Garmin? Overview

Many Program Choices NMEA-0183 Programs Garmin Protocol Programs Fire GEEK

NMEA-0183 Programs GPSNMEA: simple display/logging GPSy: For Macs VisualGPS: display of GPS status/ stats

Garmin Protocol Programs Waypoint+: 2002 Preferred Choice! GarTrip Gardown11 GarminData Monitor ….. DNR Garmin: 2003 Preferred Choice!

The Big Picture The Language of GPS GPS Communication Requirements Review of GPS Programs Why DNR Garmin? Overview

Decision Factors for the Fire GPS Program All Garmins supported Software support is high Provide efficient data transfer to a GIS Cost (Program) Nerd Factor Scale

Why 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 Fire Download Upload

DNR Garmin Specifications Designed by Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources Communicates with all current models Uses Garmin Protocol Cost - 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 Summary

Tomorrow - next in the series: –Mapping Programs and GIS What’s in Store