GPS capability released! Sprint S720 and U720.

bcg · Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject: Router and GPS?

Am I correct in assuming that those of us using routers (Linksys) cannot do this?

Thanks,

Barbara

noochs · EVDO Newbie Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 6

How did you get it to work with Streets and Trips? When I scan for ports, it tells me there are no GPS devices attached.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

How to use MS Streets and Trips. (I'm using S&T 2006.) Sprint does not yet show the ##GPS GPSModule app in their documentation yet so it's probably not officially supported yet.

- In Connection Manager, must be disconnected
- Move mouse over Go button
- Type... ##GPS
- A GPSModule window should popup
- If Streets&Trips installed, should show up in 'GPS Applications'
- Select MS-Assisted if you want to use indoors
- Wait for card status to go from 'searching' to 'ready'
- Click 'Establish Data Connection'
- Click 'Start GPS'
- Within 10 seconds, it should enable... Latitude/Longitude numbers appear
- Note the 'GPS Port'.. something like COM 7

- Launch Street&Trips
- Go to Tools>GPS>Configure Reciever
- Set Com port to the one listed in the GPSModule screen (bold above)
- Go to the GPS Pane
- Start GPS Tracking
- Select 'Keep position centered'

In indoor mode, it tends to center postition on nearest tower. If outdoors, it uses satellites and is much more accurate to your actual location. In Premium mode, I'm able to get Speed information.

I'd think you could get any Windows GPS to app to work and set to the COM port listed in the GPS Module, but I haven't expirimented much yet.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

kd5xb · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:17 pm Post subject:

Any idea what com port settings to use? I.E. BPS, stop bits, etc.?

Thanks,
Earl Needham
Clovis, NM

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

More cool stuff... I set things up in ##GPS then went into Windows Hyperterminal (basic serial telcom app) and opened the GPS port. It defaulted to 4800 baud 8-N-1.

When opening the port in Hyperterminal, it spits out this info periodically...
$GPGGA,xxx.xxx,xxx.xxx,N,xxx.xxx,W,2,05,1.0,x.0,M,,,,*12
$GPGGA,xxx.xxx,xxx.xxx,N,xxx.xxx,W,2,05,1.0,x.0,M,,,,*13
(numbers x'd out to protect my exact location Smile

)

So I googled for GPGGA and found this....
http://www.kh-gps.de/nmea-faq.htm

$GPGGA,hhmmss.ss,llll.ll,a,yyyyy.yy,a,x,xx,x.x,x.x,M,x.x,M,x.x,xxxx*hh

GGA = Global Positioning System Fix Data

1 = UTC of Position
2 = Latitude
3 = N or S
4 = Longitude
5 = E or W
6 = GPS quality indicator (0=invalid; 1=GPS fix; 2=Diff. GPS fix)
7 = Number of satellites in use [not those in view]
8 = Horizontal dilution of position
9 = Antenna altitude above/below mean sea level (geoid)
10 = Meters (Antenna height unit)
11 = Geoidal separation (Diff. between WGS-84 earth ellipsoid and
mean sea level. -=geoid is below WGS-84 ellipsoid)
12 = Meters (Units of geoidal separation)
13 = Age in seconds since last update from diff. reference station
14 = Diff. reference station ID#
15 = Checksum

kd5xb · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

Just a guess, but are you in the "Basic" mode? If so, this would explain why velocity doesn't work in Basic but does work in Premium. GGA strings don't include the velocity info. It would be interesting if someone else running their card in the "Premium" mode would do this and tell us if they see RMC strings in addition to GGA strings.

Thanks,
Earl

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

Another way to determine the GPS port of the card is to go into Windows Device Manager.

From Start->Run, type...
devmgmt.msc

Open the "Ports" category
Look for the Novatel GPS Port and get the COM #

kd5xb · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

I'm using a program called UI-View32, and it will take GPS input, but I can't seem to get ot to "find" the GPS. No data at all, although I have the correct com port. I'm thinking maybe BPS or something isn't right.

Now, my card is set to "automatic", and I'm in an area without EVDO. Should I set the card to 1xRTT only to get the GPS output?

Thanks,
Earl

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

jackrodgers · EVDO Addict Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 1131

kd5xb · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:19 pm Post subject:

Dunno -- I'm new with these cards, but have perhaps 15 years experience with GPS and APRS (ham radio app that uses GPS).

I speculated RMC might be available because of the earlier statement that somebody put their card in Premium mode and Streets & Trips then showed velocity when previously it did not. I know there are a few other strings that show velocity, but ifyou're not seeing them, I don't know what's up.

Earl

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2003

Any GPS gurus know anything about GPS commands? I found these..

Click here

Wonder if these can be sent in the HyperTerminal program?

I've also noticed that when in MS-Based mode, it updates constantly in HyperTerminal. When in MS-Assisted mode, it updates less often, maybe 10-12 seconds.

I'm also thinking that Premium mode may not mean anything yet. The speed indicator might be based on MS mode not Basic mode, need to tinker more.