CSI Wireless ABX-3 User manual

Part Number: 875-0021-003
Date: May 2001
ABX-3 / MBX-3
Reference Manual

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual ii
CSI Wireless, Inc.
1200 -58 Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2H 2C9
Telephone number: [phone]
Fax number: [phone]
E-mail address: [e-mail]
Web Site: www.csi-wireless.com

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual iii
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 1998 by CSI Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted,
or reproduced by any means, including, but not limited to photocopy,
photograph, digitizing, or otherwise, without the prior written permission
from CSI Wireless, Inc.
FCC Notice
The ABX-3 and MBX-3 Beacon Receivers comply with the Part 15,
Subpart J Emission Requirement for Class A digital devices for use in
commercial, business, and industrial environments.
The ABX-3 and MBX-3 Beacon Receivers comply with relevant
sections of the following European harmonized documents:
nEN 60945 Marine Navigation Requirements
nEN 50081-1 Emissions for Residential, Commercial and Light Industry
nEN 50082-1 Immunity for Residential, Commercial and Light Industry

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual
iv
CSI Wireless Limited Warranty
CSI Wireless, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "CSI Wireless") products
are warranted, subject to the conditions set forth herein below, against
defects in material and workmanship for a period of 12 months.
Warranty services will be provided through your CSI Wireless
distribution center, please contact them for shipping information. You
must retain your proof of purchase for warranty purposes.
Limitation of Liability
The Limited Warranty contained herein replaces all other warranties,
express or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for
a particular purpose. CSI Wireless hereby disclaims and excludes all
other warranties. In no event shall CSI Wireless be liable for direct,
indirect, incidental, collateral or consequential damages of any kind,
including but not limited to damages resulting from installation or use,
quality, performance, or accuracy of CSI Wireless products. This
warranty provides you with your exclusive remedies for any breach in
warranty.
Purchaser’s Exclusive Remedy
The purchaser’s exclusive remedy under this warranty shall be limited
to the repair or replacement, at the option of CSI Wireless, of any
defective part(s) of CSI Wireless receivers or accessories. Repairs
shall be made through a CSI Wireless approved service center only.
Unauthorized repairs to CSI Wireless products shall render this
warranty null and void.

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual
v
Governing Legislation
This warranty shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta,
Canada. This warranty gives you specific legal rights which may vary
with Province/State and Country, and accordingly, some limitations
may not apply to you.
Conditions
CSI Wireless does not warrant damage due to misuse, abuse,
improper installation, neglect, lightning (or other electrical discharge) or
fresh/salt water immersion of CSI Wireless products. Repair,
modification or service of CSI Wireless products by unauthorized
person(s) or party(s) shall render this warranty null and void.
CSI Wireless does not warrant or guarantee the precision or accuracy
of positions obtained when using CSI Wireless products. Product
accuracy as stated in CSI Wireless literature and/or product
specifications serves to provide only an estimate of achievable
accuracy based on:
nSpecifications provided by the US Department of Defense
(US DoD) for GPS Positioning,
nGPS OEM Receiver specifications of the appropriate
manufacturer (if applicable),
nRadiobeacon network performance specifications of the
appropriate agency
CSI Wireless reserves the right to modify CSI Wireless products
without any obligation to notify, supply or install any improvements or
alterations to existing products.

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual vi

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Figures............................................................................................................................xii
List of Tables............................................................................................................................xiv
Preface xvi
Organization...................................................................................................................xvi
Customer Service.........................................................................................................xvii
World Wide Web Site...............................................................................................xviii
Document Conventions.............................................................................................xviii
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings.................................................................................xix
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................1
1.1 GPS...........................................................................................................................1
1.1.1 How it Works...........................................................................................1
1.1.2 GPS Services.............................................................................................2
1.2 Differential GPS......................................................................................................2
1.2.1 How it Works...........................................................................................2
1.2.2 Real-Time DGPS......................................................................................3
1.3 DGPS Format..........................................................................................................3
1.4 Radiobeacon DGPS Service.................................................................................4
1.4.1 Radiobeacon Range.................................................................................4
1.4.2 Radiobeacon Reception..........................................................................5
1.4.3 Radiobeacon DGPS.................................................................................5
1.4.4 Radiobeacon Coverage...........................................................................6
1.5 Factors Affecting Positioning Accuracy.............................................................7
1.6 Beacon Receiver Information...............................................................................9

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual viii
1.7 Antenna Information...........................................................................................10
1.7.1 MBA-3 Electric Field Antenna.............................................................11
1.7.2 MBL-3 Magnetic Field Antenna............................................................11
1.7.3 ABL-1 Aircraft Magnetic Field Antenna.............................................11
1.7.4 MGL-3 Combined GPS / Magnetic Field Antenna...........................11
1.7.5 MGW-1 Combined GPS / Electric Field Antenna...........................12
1.7.6 External Signal Splitter..........................................................................12
2. Installation........................................................................................................................15
2.1 System Parts List...................................................................................................15
2.2 Receiver Layout and Connections....................................................................15
2.3 Installing the Receiver.........................................................................................16
2.3.1 Receiver Placement................................................................................16
2.3.2 Environmental Considerations............................................................17
2.3.3 Power Considerations...........................................................................17
2.3.4 Grounding the Receiver.......................................................................18
2.3.5 Connecting the Receiver To External Devices................................19
2.3.6 RS-232C and RS-422 Operation........................................................21
2.4 Installing the Antenna.........................................................................................23
2.4.1 Antenna Placement To Optimize Reception....................................23
2.4.2 MBA-3 E-Field Antenna........................................................................24
2.4.3 MBL-3 H-Field Antenna.........................................................................26
2.4.4 ABL-1 Aircraft Antenna........................................................................26
2.4.5 MGL-3 Combined GPS/Beacon Antenna..........................................27
2.4.6 Routing and Securing the Antenna Cable.........................................27
2.4.7 Optional Antenna Mounts...................................................................28
2.5 Internal Signal Splitter (Optional).....................................................................29
3. ABX-3 Configuration and Operation.........................................................................31

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual ix
3.1 LED Indicators......................................................................................................31
3.2 Factory Default Settings......................................................................................32
3.3 Tune Modes..........................................................................................................32
3.3.1 Automatic Beacon Search (ABS) Mode..............................................32
3.3.2 Manual Mode..........................................................................................34
3.4 ABX-3 Receiver Performance -SNR Reading................................................34
3.5 ABX-3 / Garmin GPS Operation......................................................................35
4. MBX-3 Configuration and Operation.........................................................................36
4.1 Front Display and Keypad.................................................................................36
4.1.1 Lock Status..............................................................................................37
4.2 Factory Default Settings......................................................................................37
4.3 Tune Modes..........................................................................................................38
4.3.1 Automatic Beacon Search (ABS) Mode..............................................38
4.3.2 Manual Mode..........................................................................................39
4.4 MBX-3 Display Modes.........................................................................................40
4.4.1 MBX-3 Mode...........................................................................................40
4.4.2MBX-E Mode...........................................................................................40
4.5 MBX-3 Menu System...........................................................................................41
4.5.1 Start-Up Sequence.................................................................................42
4.5.2 Beacon Status..........................................................................................42
4.5.3 Setup.........................................................................................................45
4.5.4 Position Status (MBX-E Mode Only)..................................................48
4.5.5 Satellites (MBX-E Mode Only).............................................................50
4.5.6 Menu System Shortcuts.........................................................................51
4.6 MBX-3 Receiver Performance -SNR Reading................................................52
4.7 Operation of MBX-3 with Garmin GPS...........................................................52
4.8 Configuring the Receiver....................................................................................53

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual x
4.8.1 Change Baud Rate.................................................................................53
4.8.2 Change Frequency and MSK Rate......................................................53
4.8.3 Select a Beacon By Name.....................................................................53
4.8.4 Set to Automatic Beacon Search Mode.............................................54
4.8.5 Change Display Mode...........................................................................54
4.9 User Defined Beacon Table...............................................................................54
5. NMEA 0183 Interface....................................................................................................56
5.1 Interface Protocols...............................................................................................56
5.2 Description of NMEA 0183...............................................................................56
5.3 NMEA Message Elements...................................................................................57
5.3.1 CSI Wireless DGPS Command Center..............................................57
5.4 ABX-3 Supported Messages...............................................................................58
5.5 MBX-3 Supported Messages...............................................................................59
5.6 Response Message................................................................................................60
5.7 NMEA 0183 Commands....................................................................................60
5.7.1 Standard Commands.............................................................................60
5.7.2 Proprietary Commands.........................................................................63
5.8 NMEA 0183 Queries..........................................................................................67
5.8.1 Standard Queries...................................................................................67
5.8.2 Proprietary Queries...............................................................................68
5.9 Firmware Updates................................................................................................72
6. Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................74
Appendix A -Specifications...................................................................................................78
Appendix B -Beacon Information........................................................................................87
Further Reading........................................................................................................................89
Index……..................................................................................................................................90

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ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual xii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2-1 Receiver Cable Connectivity..............................................................................16
Figure 2-2 ABX-3 and MBX-3 Connectivity, RS-232C.....................................................20
Figure 2-3 ABX-3 and MBX-3 Connectivity, RS-422........................................................21
Figure 2-4 RS-232/RS-422 Configuration............................................................................22
Figure 2-5 Beacon Receiver/MBA-3 Grounding Requirement........................................25
Figure 2-6 ABX-3/MBX-3 Internal Signal Splitter Option................................................30
Figure 3-1 ABX-3 LED Indicators.........................................................................................31
Figure 4-1 MBX-3 Display and Keypad...............................................................................36
Figure 4-2 MBX-3 Lock Indicator..........................................................................................37
Figure 4-3 MBX-E Position Fix Indicator.............................................................................41
Figure 4-4 MBX-3 Menu System............................................................................................44
Figure A-1 External Signal Splitter........................................................................................85

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xiv
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2-1 Power Requirements of the ABX-3 and MBX-3..............................................18
Table 2-2 ABX-3 and MBX-3 Data Pin-out, RS-232C Interface Level...........................19
Table 2-3 ABX-3 and MBX-3 Data Pin-out, RS-422 Interface Level..............................19
Table 3-1 Default ABX-3 Tune Mode..................................................................................32
Table 3-2 Default ABX-3 Port Settings................................................................................32
Table 3-3 Receiver Performance -SNR Reading...............................................................35
Table 4-1 Default MBX-3 Operating Settings.....................................................................38
Table 4-2 Default MBX-3 Port Settings...............................................................................38
Table 4-3 Beacon Health Status Values...............................................................................44
Table 4-4 Receiver Performance –SNR Reading..............................................................52
Table 5-1 NMEA Message Elements.....................................................................................57
Table 5-2 ABX-3 Supported NMEA Messages...................................................................58
Table 5-3 MBX-3 Supported NMEA Messages...................................................................59
Table 5-4 ABX-3 Baud Rates.................................................................................................64
Table 5-5 MBX-3 Baud Rates................................................................................................65
Table 5-6 MBX-3 Factory Pre-Configured Baud Rates.....................................................65
Table 5-7 MBX-3 Display Modes..........................................................................................66
Table 6-1 ABX-3 Troubleshooting.......................................................................................74
Table 6-2 MBX-3 Troubleshooting.......................................................................................75
Table A-1 ABX-3 Beacon Receiver Specifications.............................................................78
Table A-2 MBX-3 Beacon Receiver Specifications.............................................................79
Table A-3 MBA-3 Whip Antenna Specifications...............................................................80
Table A-4 MBL-3 Loop Antenna Specifications..................................................................81
Table A-5 MGL-3 Combined Loop / GPS Antenna Specifications.................................82

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xv
Table A-6 ABL-1 Aircraft Antenna Specifications.............................................................83
Table A-7 Antenna Signal Splitter Specifications...............................................................84

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual xvi
PREFACE
Welcome to the ABX-3 and MBX-3 Reference Manual and
congratulations on purchasing one of these high performance
differential GPS products. The purpose of this manual is to familiarize
you with the proper installation, configuration, and operation of your new
receiver. Although the ABX-3 and MBX-3 are similar in many ways,
Chapter 3 is devoted to configuration and operation of the ABX-3, while
Chapter 4 deals exclusively with the MBX-3. Throughout the rest the
manual, these two receivers are discussed as though they are a single
product with notes indicating differences where required.
The ABX-3 and MBX-3 Beacon Receivers contain CSI Wireless’s
extremely sensitive 300 kHz SBX-2 minimum shift keying (MSK)
demodulator that incorporates dual channel, digital technology. The
ABX-3 and MBX-3 obtain differential GPS corrections broadcast from
radiobeacons adhering to the standards defined by the International
Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), and operate in the
frequency range of 283.5 to 325 kHz.
Both receivers feature a proven, fully automatic radiobeacon search
algorithm. The MBX-3 incorporates a 2-line by 16-character LCD
display and keypad for control of the receiver, while the ABX-3 is a
lower cost “black box” product with lock and power indicators.
Organization
This manual contains the following chapters:
Chapter 1: Introduction -provides an introduction to GPS and DGPS
technology, the ABX-3 and MBX-3 receivers, and various CSI Wireless
antennas.
Chapter 2: Installation -describes how to install the ABX-3 and MBX-3
receivers and antennas, and provides a foundation for interfacing with a
DGPS capable GPS device.

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual xvii
Chapter 3: ABX-3 Configuration and Operation -
provides details and instructions to configure and operate the ABX-3.
Chapter 4: MBX-3 Configuration and Operation -provides details and
instructions to configure and operate the MBX-3.
Chapter 5: NMEA 0183 Interface -describes the subset of NMEA 0183
commands and queries used to communicate with the ABX-3 and
MBX-3 receivers.
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting -provides you with diagnostic information to
aid in determining a source of difficulty for a particular installation.
Appendix A: Specifications -details the technical characteristics of the
ABX-3 and MBX-3 receivers, antennas, and accessories.
Appendix B: Beacon Information -discusses the CSI Wireless
maintained World Beacon listing and how to obtain this document on
the Internet.
The Further Reading section provides a listing of GPS/DGPS sources
for further information.
The Index provides a listing of the locations of subject matter within this
manual.
Customer Service
If you encounter problems during the installation or operation of this
product, or cannot find the information you need, please contact your
dealer, or CSI Wireless Customer Service. The contact numbers and
e-mail address for CSI Wireless Customer Service are:
Telephone number: [phone]
Fax number: [phone]

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual xviii
E-mail address: [e-mail]
Technical Support is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Time,
Monday to Friday.
To expedite the support process, please have the product model and
serial number available when contacting CSI Wireless Customer
Service.
In the event that your equipment requires service, we recommend that
you contact your dealer directly. However, if this is not possible, you
must contact CSI Wireless Customer Service to obtain a Return
Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number before returning any product
to CSI Wireless. If you are returning a product for repair, you must also
provide a fault description before CSI Wireless will issue an RMA
number. A proof of purchase is required for warranty purposes.
When providing the RMA number, CSI Wireless will provide you with
shipping instructions to assist you in returning the equipment.
World Wide Web Site
CSI Wireless maintains a World Wide Web home page at the following
address:
www.csi-wireless.com
A corporate profile, product information, application news, basic GPS
and Beacon DGPS literature, beacon coverage information, and
software are available at this site.
Document Conventions
Arial Bold is used to emphasize certain points.

ABX-3 / MBX-3 Reference Manual xix
America Bold indicates information presented on
the display of the receiver.
This icon indicates that you should press the up arrow button of the
MBX-3 receiver keypad.
This icon indicates that you should press the Enter button of the
MBX-3 receiver keypad.
This icon indicates that you should press the down arrow button of
the MBX-3 receiver keypad.
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings stress important information regarding
the installation, configuration, and operation of the ABX-3 and MBX-3
Beacon Receivers.
Note -Notes outline important information of a general nature.
Caution -Cautions inform of possible sources of difficulty or
situations that may cause damage to the product.
Warning -Warnings inform of situations that may cause harm to
yourself.