Juniper AMXU GPS EXPANSION POD User manual

AMXU GPS EXPANSION POD

AMXU GPS Expansion Pod Overview
The Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod integrates a
SBAS-capable GPS receiver with the Field PC. The Field
PC communicates with the receiver. The GPS receiver is
a uBlox high-performance, low power, micro GPS receiver
that supports NMEA protocols with an accuracy of 2 to 5
meters.
This integrated system includes a GPS Expansion Pod and
GPS Pod Setup utility installed on a Field PC. Retrots on
existing Field PCs must be performed at the factory.
Location of
GPS Antenna
Note: Avoid
Obstructions
2Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod

Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod 3
Pre-Congured Settings
The GPS Pod Setup utility is installed on the Field PC at
the factory and receiver seings are pre-congured. The
Windows Mobile GPS Manager is congured to allow
multiple applications to share access to the GPS receiver
from one port (COM2). The pre-congured seings work
for most situations, but can be adjusted as needed.
The GPS Pod is designed to output the most common
NMEA-0183 data strings and can be used in conjunction
with most GPS programs that support the NMEA-0183
protocol.
Getting Started
Once your Field PC is ready to use and you have installed
your GPS program (refer to the Field PC Owner’s Manual
for instructions), you should be ready to start using the
Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod.
Note: If your Field PC has Wi-Fi, for maximum baery
performance we recommend that you turn Wi-Fi o if it is not
needed.
Open your GPS program. Set the COM port seing in the
program to COM2 and the baud rate to 38400 (refer to the
program’s soware manual for more information). The
GPS receiver is located and powered on.
You will receive a position x within approximately 30
seconds if you have a clear view of the sky.

4Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod
Tips for Using the Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod
Keep the following tips in mind while using the Field PC
with the AMXU GPS Expansion Pod:
For best performance seek locations with the clearest
view of the sky as possible. Obstructions such as
buildings, trees, power lines, mountains, and your
body can keep signals from reaching the receiver.
Do not cover the antenna with anything while you are
using the system (see graphic on page 2).
Using the GPS Expansion Pod with GIS or GPS soware
running on the Field PC may cause the Field PC baery
to drain at a faster rate. This rate depends on the
soware and how much processing is taking place.
The PC card slot is accessible while the GPS Expansion
Pod is aached to the Field PC. Refer to the Field PC
Owner’s Manual for details on how to use it. A at,
brown ex cable that is part of the expansion pod is
visible when you open the pod door. Do not twist,
bend, or break this cable while you are using the PC
card slot.

Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod 5
Reference Information
GPS Pod Setup Utility
The internal GPS receiver seings are pre-congured
with the GPS Pod Setup utility as follows:
These seings work for most applications. To make
changes to the default seings, exit all GPS programs
on your Field PC (this is a requirement) and go to Start >
Programs > AMXU Pod Setup.
You can select which NMEA message strings are shown,
enable/disable SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation
Systems)/WAAS, and indicate whether or not GPS is
always on (see the following page for details).
Check or uncheck options to enable or disable them.
Seing changes are preserved through suspend, resume
and complete power o. To exit the program, select “OK.”

6Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod
NMEA Message String Details
Protocol: NMEA 0183 Version 2.3
All messages are sent at a xed 1 second interval
Default NMEA messages:
- RMC Recommended Minimum Data
- VTG Course Over Ground and Ground Speed
- GGA Global Positioning System Fix Data
- GSA GNSS DOP and Active Satellites
- GSV GNSS Satellites in View
- GLL Latitude and Longitude with Time of Position
Fix and Status
NMEA messages that can be activated
- GRS GNSS Range Residuals
- GST GNSS Pseudo Range Error Statistics
- ZDA Time And Date
- GBS GNSS Satellite Fault Detection
- DTM Datum Reference
“GPS Always On” Setting
The “GPS always on” option is not selected by default.
The GPS powers o when the Field PC suspends and
powers back on when it resumes. There is typically a 1-5
second delay geing a good position x on a warm start,
but this varies for each situation.
To help you avoid potential start up delays, select “GPS
always on.” When selected, the GPS receiver remains
powered when the Field PC is suspended. The receiver is

Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod 7
immediately available when the Field PC resumes power,
providing an instant position x. This could be useful if
you need a position x in obstructed areas such as under
heavy tree canopy. The GPS receiver requires a stronger
signal from the satellites to obtain a position x at startup
than it does when it needs to maintain a x.
Note: The “GPS always on” seing uses more baery power.
Windows Mobile GPS Manager
The GPS Manager is pre-congured to allow the receiver
to provide NMEA messages to multiple GPS applications
running on the Field PC.
Default seings:
COM2: GPS soware port used by your GPS
program(s).
COM3: GPS hardware port the GPS receiver is
physically connected to. This port is where the GPS
Manager receives NMEA data from the receiver.
Baud Rate: It doesn’t maer what you set this to.
“Manage GPS automatically” is selected.
To use the Windows Mobile GPS Manager, go to the Start
Menu on the Field PC then to Seings > System > External
GPS and click on the icon. The GPS control panel opens.
Note: Before you change GPS conguration seings, exit all
GPS application soware.

8Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod
When you are nished, click the “OK” buon in the upper
right hand of the screen to conrm the seings.
Note: the External GPS control panel only support NMEA
messages from the GPS receiver.
For more information consult the Field PC Owner’s
Manual or Windows Mobile help les.
GPS Receiver Hardware Settings
Below are the default seings used to communicate with
the GPS receiver. If you are not using the GPS Manager
and your program needs to communicate directly with
the GPS receiver, you must put this information into your
GPS application.
COM3
38400 Baud
No Parity
8 data Bits
Stop Bit
Note: The GPS receiver uses the DTR signal on COM3 to
control power. If your GPS program has a checkbox or seing
to enable the DTR function, enable it for proper operation of the
GPS Expansion pod.
Juniper Systems LandMark Mobile GPS Utility has a DTR
function option which must be checked.

Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod 9
Reinstalling the AMXU GPS Pod Cab File
If the GPS Pod Setup Utility gets removed from your
Field PC (during clean reset, for example) or you want all
seings to go back to the factory default, download the
GPS Pod Setup Utility CAB le from the website at www.
junipersys.com/support. There is also a link to the website
on the Field PC distribution CD.
The CAB le does the following:
Congures the GPS manager (through registry
seings) for the GPS pod
Installs the AMXU GPS Pod Setup utility
Installs a background task to recongure the GPS
when the unit is turned on
Provides registry seings to congure the GPS
Expansion Pod

10 Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod
GPS Receiver Specications
Receiver Type Specication
Receiver Type 50 channels
GPS L1 frequency, C/A Code
Time-To-First-
Fix
Cold Start (Autonomous): 32 s
Warm Start (Automonous): 32 s
Hot Start (Autonomous): <1 s
Aided Starts: <3 s
Sensitivity Tracking & Navigation: -160 dBm
Reacquisition: -160 dBm
Cold Start (Autonomous): -144 dBm
Horizontal
Position
Accuracy
Autonomous: <2.5 m
SBAS: <2.0 m
Navigation
Update Rate
1 Hz (1 second)
Velocity
Accuracy
0.1 m/s
Heading
Accuracy
0.1 m/s
Dynamics < 4 g
Operational
Limits
Velocity: 515 m/s (1000 knots)

Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod 11
Services
Information about repairs, upgrades, and warranties as
well as frequently asked questions and documentation is
located on our website at: www.junipersys.com/Support.
You can also refer to the Field PC Owner’s Manual for
more information.
CAUTION: Do not aempt to repair the AMXU GPS
Expansion Pod or Field PC yourself. This action voids the
warranties.
!

12 Field PC AMXU GPS Expansion Pod
P/N 23020-01
© Copyright 02-2011 Juniper Systems, Inc. Information is subject to
change without notice.
Juniper Systems, AMXU GPS Expansion Pod, and LandMark Mobile
GPS Utility are trademarks of Juniper Systems, Inc. in the U.S.