San Jose Navigation GM-44-FB User manual

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P r o f e s s i o n a l i n N a v i g a t i o n & C o m m u n i c a t i o n
S
SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WWW.SANAV.COM
ISO 9001
NO. T2000-351
GPS Locator
GM-44-FB
User Manual
Version A
Please read this manual before operating the unit
Feb. 2002
© San Jose Navigation, Inc.

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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Content
Package Content.............................................................................................................3
Chapter 1 Overview................................................................................................4
1.1 What is GPS?.....................................................................................5
1.2 System Requirements.........................................................................6
Chapter 2 Installing GM-44-FB .............................................................................7
2.1 Hardware Wiring Layout ...................................................................7
2.2 Cable Harness Wiring Layout................................................................7
Chapter 3 Installation & Operating Procedures......................................................8
3.1 Installing SANAV.exe & Visual GPS.................................................8
3.1.1 Procedures:...........................................................................................9
3.2 Operating Visual GPS..........................................................................12
3.2.1 Setting Up Log Output Intervals:.......................................................12
3.2.2 Running Visual GPS ..........................................................................15
Chapter 4 Applications.........................................................................................18
Chapter 5 Specification ........................................................................................19
Chapter 6 Troubleshooting...................................................................................20
Case 1 ...........................................................................................................20
Case 2 ...........................................................................................................20
Case 3 ...........................................................................................................20
Chapter 7 Limited Warranty.................................................................................21
Chapter 8 Sentence Description ...........................................................................22
8.1 NMEA-0183 Protocol......................................................................22
8.2 $GPGSA (out) – Positioning status .................................................23
8.3 $GPRMC (out) – UTC, position, course, speed, etc........................24
8.4 $GPGLL (out) – Position, UTC, etc................................................26
8.5 $GPGGA (out) – Position, altitude, UTC, etc. ................................27
8.6 $GPVTG (out) – Course and speed.................................................29
8.7 $GPZDA (out) – Date/Time.............................................................30
8.8 $GPGSV (out) – Satellite details.....................................................31
8.9 $GPDTM (out) – Datum & Set DGPS parameter ...........................32
Chapter 9 Quick Start ...........................................................................................33

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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Package Content
1. One GM-44-FB w/10 meter cable
2. User Manual
3. Free Evaluation GPS Map Software GPSS with country maps of the world.
http://www.gpss,co.uk
Please check if all of the contents listed are included and it not damage from shipping if any
of the items are missing or damage, please notify San Jose Navigation, Inc.
Website: http://www.sanav.com
Email: [e-mail]

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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Chapter 1 Overview
Congratulations on the purchase of GM-44-FB, a new member of our successful
GM-44 locator family. You will find the device an accurate, reliable and useful aid to your
positioning pursuits.
GM-44-FB is the latest GPS product innovation in combining GPS receiver technology
and mini-antenna in a Plug-Navigate-Location concept from San Jose Navigation, Inc.
GM-44-FB receives FREE broadcast signals from the Low Orbit Global Positioning
System (GPS), a satellite-based transmitter which emits ranging/satellite information/high
precision time signals that the GM-44-FB receiver can use to determine positions and time.
Before introducing you our new receiver, we would like to give you some basic
background knowledge about GPS, which should be helpful for you to better understand your
GM-44-FB.

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
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1.1 What is GPS?
GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite-based global navigation system created
and operated by the United States Department of Defense (DOD). Originally intended solely
to enhance military defense capabilities, GPS capabilities have expanded to provide highly
accurate position and timing information for many civilian applications.
An in-depth study of GPS is required to fully understand how it works, but simply stated:
Twenty four satellites in six orbital paths circle the earth twice each day at an inclination
angle of approximately 55 degrees to the equator. This constellation of satellites continuously
transmit coded positional and timing information at high frequencies in the 1500 Megahertz
range. GPS receivers with antennas located in a position to clearly view the satellites, pick up
these signals and use the coded information to calculate a position in an earth coordinate
system.
GPS is the navigation system of choice for today and many years to come. While GPS is
clearly the most accurate worldwide all-weather navigation system yet developed, it still can
exhibit significant errors. GPS receivers determine position by calculating the time it takes
for the radio signals transmitted from each satellite to reach earth. It’s that old "Distance =
Rate x Time" equation. Radio waves travel at the speed of light (Rate). Time is determined
using an ingenious code matching technique within the GPS receiver. With time determined,
and the fact that the satellite’s position is reported in each coded navigation message, by
using a little trigonometry the receiver can determine its location on earth.
Position accuracy depends on the receiver’s ability to accurately calculate the time it
takes for each satellite signal to travel to earth. This is where the problem lies. There are
primarily five sources of errors which can affect the receiver’s calculation. These errors
consist of (1) ionosphere and troposphere delays on the radio signal, (2) signal multi-path, (3)
receiver clock biases, (4) orbital errors, also known as ephemeris errors of the satellite's exact
location, and (5) the intentional degradation of the satellite signal by the DOD. This
intentional degradation of the signal is known as "Selective Availability (SA)" and is
intended to prevent adversaries from exploiting highly accurate GPS signals and using them
against the United States or its allies. However, on May 1, 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton
ordered Selective Availability (SA) turned off at midnight (Coordinated Universal Time).
Now, civilian GPS users around the world will no longer experience the up to 100 meter
(approximate 300 feet) random errors that SA added to keep GPS a more powerful tool for
the military. Today, GPS units are accurate to within 20 meters (approximately 60 feet);
although in good conditions, units should display an error of less than 10 meters. The

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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combination of these errors in conjunction with poor satellite geometry can limit GPS
accuracy to 100 meters 95% of the time and up to 300 meters 5% of the time. Fortunately,
many of these errors can be reduced or eliminated through a technique known as
"Differential."
1.2 System Requirements
System requirements for operating your new GM-44-FB GPS Locator are as follows:
 PC running DOS, Windows OS or any OS that is compatible with GPS NMEA data
format. PDA, Palm-PC, Chart Plotter, Notebook or Micro-controller using UART as
serial bus.
 Power source using DC 12V from car or boat.
 Un-obstructed view of the SKY for the satellites over the sky can be seen by the device.

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WWW.SANAV.COM
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Chapter 2 Installing GM-44-FB
2.1 Hardware Wiring Layout
GM-44-FB is designed as a center mount unit with a hex fastener for permanent
installation.
Figure 1: GM-44-FB System Installation
DB-9 GM-44-FB
Pin 2 Orange (Tx)
Pin 3 Green (Rx)
Pin 5 Black (Ground)
2.2 Cable Harness Wiring Layout
Figure 2: GM-44-FB Wiring Layout
DC 8~35V
GM-44-FB

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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Chapter 3 Installation & Operating
Procedures
With a complete familiarity of your new GPS Locator after referring to Figure 1 &
Figure 2, you are now supposed to be ready to connect the unit to your computing device.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THE POWER IS OFF BEFORE PROCEEDING.
3.1 Installing SANAV.exe & Visual GPS
GM-44-FB is shipped with a CD that stores a utility program SANAV.exe and an
application program Visual GPS. To install these two programs, please follow the steps
stated in next pages.

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TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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3.1.1 Procedures:
1. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive of your computing device, and run the Windows
Explorer to open your CD-ROM drive. Then you are supposed to see two icons as
shown below. In our example, we assume the drive is E.
(The title and the content of the CD are subject to change without prior notice.)
 Tips: These two programs are available for downloading from our website at
http://www.sanav.com/software.htm
2. Copy the SANAV.exe to your system drive. In our example, the system drive is
D.
3. Double-click the VisualGPSv3.30 icon to install the program.

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TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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4. A message box will then appear as follows:
5. Click Setup to enter an installation screen, with a Welcome window as follows:
6. Click Next and a Software License Agreement window will appear as follows:

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TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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7. Click Yes and a Choose Destination Location window will appear as follows:
The default path of the program’s destination folder (Apollocom) is the Program Files
of your system drive. Click Browse… if you want to change it; otherwise, click Next to
continue.
8. A Setup Complete window will then appear as follows. Click Finish to end the
installation.
9. A VisualGPS shortcut icon, as shown below, will be automatically set up on your
desktop:

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WWW.SANAV.COM
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3.2 Operating Visual GPS
Visual GPS (Version 3.30), an application program for GM-44-FB,enables you to apply
the data compiled by the unit to various purposes. Below are instructions of how to work with
this software, with assumption that you have successfully installed Visual GPS.
3.2.1 Setting Up Log Output Intervals:
1. Click Start Programs Command Prompt for Windows 95/98/Me; click Start 
Programs Accessories Command Prompt for Windows 2000
Professional/Server.
2. Key in sanav and press Enter to run SANAV.exe, which is supposed to have saved in
your system drive. In our example the drive is D, as shown below:

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WWW.SANAV.COM
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3. Press any key to enter a setup screen, as shown below, to configure various NMEA
0183 Protocol intervals for GM-44-FB:
4. Key in any number ranging from 00-60 and then press Enter for each protocol interval,
as shown below:
Note: To disable an interval, key in 00.

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
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TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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5. At the middle of the screen there is a sentence asking you to tell the program which
Com Port you are using to connect GM-44-FB. In our example, it is Com 1 and thus
we key in 1here and then press Enter. By now we have successfully set up interval
configuration, and a screen will then appear to show that GM-44-FB is receiving GPS
signals, in the form of NMEA 0183 protocol, according to the intervals you have just
configured.
Note: There is a default protocol of the program, $GPDTM, as surrounded by a red
rectangular frame in the diagram above. This protocol is automatically generated by
the program itself, and thus you can just ignore it.
6. To leave the program, press ESC and then either key in exit and press Enter or just
click the button at the screen’s top right side.

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TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WWW.SANAV.COM
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3.2.2 Running Visual GPS
1. Either double-click the Visual GPS icon at the desktop or click Start 
Programs VisualGPS VisualGPS.
2. An initial window of the program will then appear as follows:
3. Press the buttons Signal, Navigation, Survey, Satellites and NMEA to open their
windows in turn, as shown below:

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TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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4. To put the five windows in order, press Window at the tool bar and select Tile:
Fig 1
Referring to the Fig 2, the NMEA Monitor Window displays all the data received by
GM-44-FB. The Azimuth & Elevation Window, with data processed according to the GSA
and GSV protocol, shows the satellites used and the detailed information on the satellite(s)
from which GM-44-FB is receiving signals. The Survey Window, with data processed
according to the GGA protocol, shows the detailed position information in a

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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longitude-latitude graph. The Navigation Window, with data processed according to the
GGA or the RMC protocol, shows the information on Latitude, Longitude and Altitude of
located positions. The Signal Quality Window, with data processed according to the GSV
protocol, shows the strength of satellite signals.
For more information on the NMEA 0183 protocol, please see Chapter 8 Sentence
Description.

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TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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Chapter 4 Applications
GM-44-FB can be used in meeting GPS navigational needs or Precise Time source,
with a range of applicable fields as follows:
 Mobile Navigation
 Marine GPS Chart Plotter
 GPS-based Fleet Management
 Avionics
 Land Survey GPS data collection
 AVL GPS data
 GPS Network Timing

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SA AN NJ JO OS SE E N NA AV VI IG GA AT TI IO ON N, ,I IN NC C. .9F NO. 105 SHI-CHENG ROAD, PAN-CHIAO CITY
TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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Chapter 5 Specification
Characteristics Performance
Receiver 12 CH/Parallel
Frequency 1575.42 MHz
Tracking Code C/A codes
Max. Number of Satellites Tracked 12
Acquisition Time 18 seconds typ. (warm start)
Position Accuracy 15m or 50ft RMS*(DOP<3)
Velocity Accuracy 0.1 knots RMS steady state
Update Rate 1 Hz (1 second continuous)
Interface
Serial Communication RS232 (standard), USB (optional)
Output Format NMEA 0183 $GPGGA, $GPRMC, $GPGSV, $GPVTG,
$GPGLL, $GPGSA, $GPZDA, $GPDTM
Power
Input +8 ~ +35 VDC reverse protected
Power Consumption 0.9 watt max.
Environmental Conditions
Operating Temperature -30 ~ +75 ℃
Storage Temperature -40 ~ +80 ℃
Humidity 95% non-condensing
Construction
Radome Polycarbonate
Body Frame Hard-steel with course tread
Mounting Center mount
Size 52mm x 22mm

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TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
Case 1
No output
Suggested Solution:
Check whether the Com Port is enabled and whether you are using correct power
supply.
Case 2
GPS Data is not in correct order
Suggested Solution:
During the FIRST COLD START, when GM-44-FB is turned on at your location, the
unit automatically searches for satellites and accumulate new data for your receiver and
this may take four to five minutes.
Note: You can use any comm-program or WINDOWS TERMINAL to see the raw
data at 1 Hz, 4800 bps.
Case 3
No activity or the Map Software is not receiving any GPS data.
Suggested Solution:
In our FREE GPS program the software automatically searches for Com 1 and Com 2 data as
soon as the program is executed. Make sure that the GM-44-FB is connected to Com 1 and
Com 2.