Using a measuring GPS in MapInfo
380 views
Skip to first unread message
esrispy
Nov 3, 2010, 10:10:07 AM11/3/10
to MapInfo-L
I have experience in regular cheap GPS (recivevers) that you just plug
into a pc and decode the NMEA 0183 protocoll, that is a raw signal
right from the satelites.
This type is used mostly for positioning in a map for example, the
other type is used for measuring exactly, expensive machines like
Trimble,Magellan and uses ground stations /radio link etc to get a
very accurate measuring.
If one want to connect a "measuring type" GPS to MapInfo and get the
cooridnates from the GPS.. how is this possible? save to a file and
read from mapinfo?
Or can I read somekind of nmea? protocoll with "corrected accuracy"
from these recivers somehow?
into a pc and decode the NMEA 0183 protocoll, that is a raw signal
right from the satelites.
This type is used mostly for positioning in a map for example, the
other type is used for measuring exactly, expensive machines like
Trimble,Magellan and uses ground stations /radio link etc to get a
very accurate measuring.
If one want to connect a "measuring type" GPS to MapInfo and get the
cooridnates from the GPS.. how is this possible? save to a file and
read from mapinfo?
Or can I read somekind of nmea? protocoll with "corrected accuracy"
from these recivers somehow?
Emil Zegers
Nov 4, 2010, 3:15:08 AM11/4/10
to MapInfo-L
MapInfo Professional includes a freeware GPS application since 1995:
Blue Marble Geographics Geographic Tracker.
Bundled with MapInfo Professional v10.5 is the latest GeoTracker v4.0
release with new functionalities as live connection and display in
MapInfo Professional.
Short quote on functionality:
"The Geographic Tracker is a GPS application that supports streaming
live GPS position data, playback of recorded GPS log files and
transfer of spatial data both to and from various GPS units. The tool
ships as a free install in MapInfo Professional. The Geographic
Tracker GPS interface control has shipped in every version of MapInfo
since 1995. The version 4.0 update, to be released with MapInfo
Professional 10.5, will include a new look and feel, and expanded
support for Garmin, Magellan, Trimble and other GPS units. The tool
allows you to create profiles for multiple GPS units, import and
export route and track data between MapInfo tables, GPS units, and GIS
data formats, and save data as points, lines or polygons. The new
version also allows users to calculate an offset from the location of
the GPS during collection, which is handy if you are gathering data on
roadside objects in a moving vehicle or some similar workflow."
The Geotracker software can be found on the MapInfo Professionaal
installation DVD and/or at BlueMarbleGeo Geotracker downloads page
http://www.bluemarblegeo.com/products/geotracker.php?op=download
You can also search the MapInfo-L list for more posts on this subject.
Regards,
Emil Zegers
Blue Marble Geographics Geographic Tracker.
Bundled with MapInfo Professional v10.5 is the latest GeoTracker v4.0
release with new functionalities as live connection and display in
MapInfo Professional.
Short quote on functionality:
"The Geographic Tracker is a GPS application that supports streaming
live GPS position data, playback of recorded GPS log files and
transfer of spatial data both to and from various GPS units. The tool
ships as a free install in MapInfo Professional. The Geographic
Tracker GPS interface control has shipped in every version of MapInfo
since 1995. The version 4.0 update, to be released with MapInfo
Professional 10.5, will include a new look and feel, and expanded
support for Garmin, Magellan, Trimble and other GPS units. The tool
allows you to create profiles for multiple GPS units, import and
export route and track data between MapInfo tables, GPS units, and GIS
data formats, and save data as points, lines or polygons. The new
version also allows users to calculate an offset from the location of
the GPS during collection, which is handy if you are gathering data on
roadside objects in a moving vehicle or some similar workflow."
The Geotracker software can be found on the MapInfo Professionaal
installation DVD and/or at BlueMarbleGeo Geotracker downloads page
http://www.bluemarblegeo.com/products/geotracker.php?op=download
You can also search the MapInfo-L list for more posts on this subject.
Regards,
Emil Zegers
esrispy
Nov 4, 2010, 5:47:07 AM11/4/10
to MapInfo-L
Thanks Eric my concern was more about how a high precision GPS works
and how to make up an interface between MI/GPS.
I now find that most of the high precision GPS DGPS/RTK GPS can send
out a (corrected) NMEA 0183 string and most of them has bluetooth or
USB so you just plug them in to a pc just as a cheap globalsat
reciever.
So It seems geotracker works fine with both simple gps recivers and
high precision gps.
Can be good info if you want to use mapinfo as a measuring software,
create measured tabfiles and so on.
and how to make up an interface between MI/GPS.
I now find that most of the high precision GPS DGPS/RTK GPS can send
out a (corrected) NMEA 0183 string and most of them has bluetooth or
USB so you just plug them in to a pc just as a cheap globalsat
reciever.
So It seems geotracker works fine with both simple gps recivers and
high precision gps.
Can be good info if you want to use mapinfo as a measuring software,
create measured tabfiles and so on.
college.atlas
Nov 5, 2010, 2:26:01 AM11/5/10
to MapInfo-L
Make sure you check the bounds on your logging table.
Mapinfo has this little foible where the precision of a given mapping
table is defined by the geographic bounds divided by 1 million.
So if you have East West bounds of a million meters -500000 to +500000
the best accuracy you'll be able to plot to is the nearest meter.
It will not matter how accurate the GPS is.
High accuracy GPS is capable of 1-2 cm.
So make sure you set your bounds to a value where 1 millionth is a
centimetre or less.
Mapinfo has this little foible where the precision of a given mapping
table is defined by the geographic bounds divided by 1 million.
So if you have East West bounds of a million meters -500000 to +500000
the best accuracy you'll be able to plot to is the nearest meter.
It will not matter how accurate the GPS is.
High accuracy GPS is capable of 1-2 cm.
So make sure you set your bounds to a value where 1 millionth is a
centimetre or less.
esrispy
Nov 5, 2010, 5:23:45 AM11/5/10
to MapInfo-L
Thanks emil and c.a I had the bounds in mind too, mapinfo is abut
special with that feature for good and for bad.
I had a look at the Geotracker software, with our machines, it was
hoples to get it working.
http://www.ciao.se/TabletKiosk_eo_TufTab_a7230XD__945266
(Its had a built in posistioning GPS.)
I tried many many settings in the machine, and it usally said
something like "cant open port", it had grayed down port or some thing
similar, eventhough swithcing serial ports reinstalled gps, gps
settings for protokoll etc etc etc.
I got it working fine in hyperterminal or my own software. So I kinf
of gave up on that one.
special with that feature for good and for bad.
I had a look at the Geotracker software, with our machines, it was
hoples to get it working.
http://www.ciao.se/TabletKiosk_eo_TufTab_a7230XD__945266
(Its had a built in posistioning GPS.)
I tried many many settings in the machine, and it usally said
something like "cant open port", it had grayed down port or some thing
similar, eventhough swithcing serial ports reinstalled gps, gps
settings for protokoll etc etc etc.
I got it working fine in hyperterminal or my own software. So I kinf
of gave up on that one.
esrispy
Nov 5, 2010, 9:53:14 AM11/5/10
to MapInfo-L
Tried Geotracker v4.0 and mi 10.5 with another machine tuftab 7110xt
with a globalsat gps attached, it uses comport 12, nmea protocoll
set it up in the device settings as described.
Geotracker it says "Unbable to open port"
Great stuff :-D
No problem to use the GPS in hyperterminal or other gps software...
with a globalsat gps attached, it uses comport 12, nmea protocoll
set it up in the device settings as described.
Geotracker it says "Unbable to open port"
Great stuff :-D
No problem to use the GPS in hyperterminal or other gps software...
Sam Knight
Nov 5, 2010, 4:24:24 PM11/5/10
to mapi...@googlegroups.com, turbo...@hotmail.com
Hello,
Is it possible that you had another application active that was listening to COM 12 for the GPS? That would be the most common source of the "Unable to open port" message. If, for example, you had Hyperterminal or the other GPS software you mentioned running at the same time, that would block Tracker from being able to get to that port. Sometimes, particular units will have configuration software that, if active, will block the ports until you switch them off. If you want to check and make sure you don't have anything else active and you still get that message, feel free to contact our support team at geo...@bluemarblegeo.com or at the numbers below and we can get you help more directly than going through the list-serve here. Our support team is open 8-5pm Eastern time Mondays through Fridays, and you will always get a human.
Regards,
Sam Knight
Product Manager
Blue Marble Geographics
Ph: (800) 616-2725 (option 6 for support)
Ph: +1 (207) 582-6747 (option 6 for support)
esrispy
Nov 8, 2010, 5:30:50 AM11/8/10
to MapInfo-L
I am afraid I get thas same message regardless if I open and use the
port in some other application.
Same thing differnet machines, different GPS recievers.
Anyhow the built in GPS reciever in 7230 may need a starting command
in the software, its set to off as default to save batteries.
But the globalsat GPS should work just to open the serial port in the
software and read from it. No communication problems in visual studio
for example If i just set it up there.
port in some other application.
Same thing differnet machines, different GPS recievers.
Anyhow the built in GPS reciever in 7230 may need a starting command
in the software, its set to off as default to save batteries.
But the globalsat GPS should work just to open the serial port in the
software and read from it. No communication problems in visual studio
for example If i just set it up there.
college.atlas
Nov 9, 2010, 5:17:40 PM11/9/10
to MapInfo-L
There's a nice trick that was bought in with Windows XP that
absolutely fouls up GPS. It called port enumeration.
When a GPS is connecte to a serial port XP is constantly checking
ports to see if something is plugged in and automatically load the
driver for it. the problem is a GPS looks like a serial Mouse to
Windows. So what happens? Windows starts reading the port as a mouse
and no matter what you do no application will be able to get to that
port as Windows is using it. It works differently in some
implementations and some GPSs. Garmins are the funniest they actually
output a signal that can be interpreted by the mouse driver and the
mosue goes crazy opening applications and jumping all over the place.
Mose systems just sit there with a blocked port.
It's even worse if you boot the system with the gps plugged in and
turned on.
This can be overcome with procedure.
Perform this procedure.
Start your PC.
Start your GPS application and activate the port reading using the
chosen port and matching baud rate.
THEN
Plug in the running GPS.
By starting the application and pointing at the port your application
seizes control of the port and prevents XP from enumerating the GPS as
a mouse.
Note. If you close your application due to a crash or something and
keep the GPS plugged it, XP will grab control of the port. Then you
have to unplug the GPS and start the process again.
You can look over the internet and there are some config hacks that
are supposed to stop serial mouse enumeration but I've tried then and
they seem not to work with Service Packed and later operating systems.
absolutely fouls up GPS. It called port enumeration.
When a GPS is connecte to a serial port XP is constantly checking
ports to see if something is plugged in and automatically load the
driver for it. the problem is a GPS looks like a serial Mouse to
Windows. So what happens? Windows starts reading the port as a mouse
and no matter what you do no application will be able to get to that
port as Windows is using it. It works differently in some
implementations and some GPSs. Garmins are the funniest they actually
output a signal that can be interpreted by the mouse driver and the
mosue goes crazy opening applications and jumping all over the place.
Mose systems just sit there with a blocked port.
It's even worse if you boot the system with the gps plugged in and
turned on.
This can be overcome with procedure.
Perform this procedure.
Start your PC.
Start your GPS application and activate the port reading using the
chosen port and matching baud rate.
THEN
Plug in the running GPS.
By starting the application and pointing at the port your application
seizes control of the port and prevents XP from enumerating the GPS as
a mouse.
Note. If you close your application due to a crash or something and
keep the GPS plugged it, XP will grab control of the port. Then you
have to unplug the GPS and start the process again.
You can look over the internet and there are some config hacks that
are supposed to stop serial mouse enumeration but I've tried then and
they seem not to work with Service Packed and later operating systems.
Barbara Carroll
Nov 9, 2010, 8:43:43 PM11/9/10
to mapi...@googlegroups.com
Take a look at GPS GATE - http://gpsgate.com/ I've used that with success
when gps/usb/laptop connections didn't want to work with each other.
when gps/usb/laptop connections didn't want to work with each other.
Best Regards,
Barbara Carroll, CPG
________________________________________________________
GeoGRAFX GIS Services
Management, Analysis and Presentation of Geologic Data
1760 E River Rd, Suite 115 • Tucson, AZ 85718
phone: 520 744-4457 fax: 520 744-3066
www.geografxworld.com
Perform this procedure.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the
Google Groups "MapInfo-L" group.To post a message to this group, send
email to mapi...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, go to:
http://groups.google.com/group/mapinfo-l/subscribe?hl=en
For more options, information and links to MapInfo resources (searching
archives, feature requests, to visit our Wiki, visit the Welcome page at
http://groups.google.com/group/mapinfo-l?hl=en
college.atlas
Nov 10, 2010, 1:16:10 AM11/10/10
to MapInfo-L
Agree with Barbara. GPSGate is a great utility.
On Nov 10, 12:43 pm, "Barbara Carroll" <geogr...@sprynet.com> wrote:
> Take a look at GPS GATE -http://gpsgate.com/ I've used that with success
On Nov 10, 12:43 pm, "Barbara Carroll" <geogr...@sprynet.com> wrote:
> Take a look at GPS GATE -http://gpsgate.com/ I've used that with success
Cummings, Mike
Nov 10, 2010, 11:58:35 AM11/10/10
to mapi...@googlegroups.com
I use a serial Garmin GPS with windows XP. It is a wild out of control event when XP "thinks" the gps is a roller mouse. The fix is to disable the "roller mouse" in the hardware settings of My Computer; which you can only do when XP thinks its installed. The proceedure is documented in the garmin spec doc's.
________________________________
From: mapi...@googlegroups.com on behalf of college.atlas
Sent: Tue 11/9/2010 2:17 PM
To: MapInfo-L
Subject: [MI-L] Re: Using a measuring GPS in MapInfo
Perform this procedure.
--
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages