INTRODUCTION TO GPS WITH 3M™ DYNATEL™ M-SERIES LOCATORS Track & Trace Solutions November 2007 78-8135-3403-5 Rev C
Table of Contents What is GPS? ......................................................................................................3 How does GPS Work? ........................................................................................3 Mapping with GPS ..............................................................................................3 GPS Technology .............................................................................................................
What is GPS? The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from a constellation of 24 satellites and their ground stations. A GPS receiver uses these satellites as reference points to calculate positions accurately. How does GPS Work? The basis of GPS is "triangulation" from satellites. To "triangulate," a GPS receiver measures distance using the travel time of radio signals. To measure travel time, GPS needs very accurate timing.
Activating GPS Modes Getting the Activation Code The GPS interface feature is available for no cost. The software upgrade and activation key can be obtained from the website http://www.3m.com/dynatel. Upgrade the software in your unit using PC Tools, then input the activation code. Inputting the Activation Code 1. Press the Menu key, then Setup, then >>More until COM softkey is visible. 2. Press the COM key and then select GIS mode.
The Locator supports three modes – NMEA, GIS, PDA. The mode can be set from within the Locator menu. Please refer to the section named “Dynatel setup”. Mode 1 Operation – NMEA mode Most GPS devices with a serial output can be configured to output the latitude and longitude data according to the NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) standard. When an iD marker is read, the GPS data is stored with the marker's data in the Read or Program History memory on the 3M™ Dynatel™ Locator.
Logging is supported from different modes within the Locator. Data is logged when an iD marker is read or programmed and when exiting the Cable / Sonde depth mode. If a non-RFID marker is attempted to be read, the data is also processed and saved by the GPS device. In GIS mode, whether you use the 3M™ ArcPad™ scripts, or Thales™ MobileMapper™ Pro, the data records sent from the Locator are used to create different layers on the map based on the record type “description.
Therefore, if this feature is to be of the greatest value, care should be taken in the development of user data templates (Templates can be created and edited using the 3M™ Dynatel™ PC Tools software application), and distributed to iD marker programmers. Interface to ESRI™ ArcPad™: Many GPS devices support the Arcpad™ application for mapping.
3M™ Dynatel™ Locator Setup 1. Press the Menu key, then Setup, then >>More until COM softkey is visible. 2. Press the COM key. A new screen appears. See figure below. 3. Select the GPS mode based on your requirements and the GPS device used. GIS mode (mode 2) is preferred as it is more integrated with the GPS device. In this mode, Arcpad scripts can be run on the GPS device for logging applications. 4. When GIS or PDA mode is selected, the user can select option to “Log Prompt” Yes / No.
GPS/3M™ Dynatel™ Locator Operation Logging is supported in three operating modes of the Locator – iD marker read, iD marker program, Trace / path / cable locate modes. 1. Turn on 3M™ Dynatel™ M-series Locator. Press Locate/OK and select the marker locate mode. If the GPS unit is disconnected or has not acquired enough satellites to give a position, the 3M™ Dynatel™ Locator will display "Insert External Device".
Figure 5. Trace/path marking in GIS mode The data is transmitted at 4800 baud, 8 bits, 1 – stop bit, no – parity, flow control - none.
Installing and running 3M™ ArcPad™ application scripts Using Trimble™ GeoXT™ and Thales™ MobileMapper™ CE.NET ArcPad™ is a stand-alone application that runs on the GPS device. Many GPS devices including Trimble™ GeoXT™, Thales™ MobileMapper™ CE.NET support ArcPad™. 3M™ provides the application scripts that would need to be installed on the GPS device. These scripts provide interface to the 3M™ Dynatel™ Locator and the ArcPad™ application / GPS device.
Once ActiveSync recognizes the device, Click on “Explore” button to open Explorer. For details on how to download and install MS ActiveSync, please visit, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/activesync/default.mspx The Applets folder in the Arcpad™ has to be identified first. This directory is typically in “Program Files/Arcpad” path. However, if the default directory is not used, for example, SD card etc, the path could be different. The Applets folder is where the Arcpad.exe exists.
The COM port to communicate with the Locator is configured in the “AUX” setting in the Arcpad™ Tools menu. Arcpad™ also needs to communicate with the GPS module / connector internally in the GPS device. Arcpad™ application has a setting in the ”GPS Preferences” for selecting the COM port and the associated properties for this setting. Please refer to the GPS device manufacturer’s manual for more information. First step: Ensure that the COM ports are configured properly in ArcPad™ in the GPS device.
Next, configure the Auxiliary port. 1. 2. 3. 4. Click on the Tool Box Icon drop arrow. Select Options. Click Right arrow until AUX tab appears in the bottom of the screen. Click AUX. Set port COM port as shown. Figure 8. Selecting GPS COM port in ArcPad™ Application You will need to configure the Bluetooth™ adapters if you are using Bluetooth™ serial port communication in your environment. Several third party Bluetooth™ serial port adapters that support serial port profile are available in the market.
Again, the very important part in making the GPS device to communicate with the Locator is to configure the serial ports correctly. Once all the connections are established, you can verify the connectivity as follows. Start the Job by clicking on the Locator-man Icon in Arcpad™ application Locator-man Icon on the Toolbar Figure 10. Starting 3M™ Application scripts in ArcPad™ 3M Application scripts for ArcPad provide Job management capabilities.
Configure the Locator. Please refer to the section “3M™ Dynatel™ Locator Setup” for more details. Go to the Marker Locate mode in the Locator. Latitude and Longitude Coordinates should now appear on the Receiver Screen in Marker Locate or Cable Locate/Trace path mode in the Log template screen after the Depth screen. Now, if you read an iD marker you should see the marker record passed on to the GPS device and logged.
Using Thales™ MobileMapper™ PRO The Thales™ MobileMapper™ can be used in Mode 1 (NMEA) and Mode 2 (GIS) operations simultaneously. Your 3M™ Dynatel™ M-series Locator may need a hardware upgrade to be used with the Thales™ MobileMapper™ in Mode 2 (GIS) operation (See 3M™ Dynatel™ Locator setup below). Thales™ MobileMapper™ PRO Setup For mode 2 operation, it is recommended that a new feature library entry be created in MobileMapper OfficeTM and downloaded to the MobileMapper™ device as follows: 1.
Please refer to the section “3M™ Dynatel™ Locator setup” for details on setting up the Locator. Thales™ MobileMapper™ / Dynatel™ Hookup 1. Secure the “null” modem adapter to the 3M™ Dynatel™ Locator serial port connector. 2. Connect the MobileMapper™ to the null modem adapter using the cable supplied with the MobileMapper™.
5. Turn on the 3M™ Dynatel™ M-series Locator and go to the Marker locate mode. If the GPS unit is disconnected or has not acquired enough satellites to give a position, the 3M™ Dynatel™ Locator will display "Insert External Device". After the GPS unit has acquired a position, the 3M™ Dynatel™ Locator will display the latitude and longitude coordinates. 6.
Using an Unspecified GPS Device Most GPS devices with a serial output can be configured to output the latitude and longitude data according to the NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) standard. These devices can be used in the Mode 1 operation (See 3M™ Dynatel™ GPS Modes, Mode 1 NMEA Operation). However if the GPS device supports Arcpad™ application, 3M™ Arcpad™ scripts can be used to interface with the Locator. GPS Device Setup Select NMEA and baud rate of 4800.
Please refer to the section “3M™ Dynatel™ Locator Setup” for more details on how to setup the Locator. Connect the Trimble™ GeoXT™ to the 3M™ Dynatel™ M-series Locator using a standard DB9 cable as provided with the 3M™ Dynatel™ Locator. Do not use the “null” modem adapter! 1. Open the GPS Connector application on the Trimble™ GeoXT™. 2. Turn on the 3M™ Dynatel™ M-series Locator and go to the marker locate mode.
6. Tap OK. Tap OK again. Create iD Marker Dictionary as follows: 1. Tap the SECTION LIST and SELECT DATA 2. Tap the SUB SECTION BOX and SELECT FILE MANAGER 3. Choose File Type: Dictionaries 4. Tap the Option button and choose New dictionary. 5. Create dictionary file: "Dynatel" 6. Tap OK 7. Tap the Option button and choose Edit dictionary. 8. Tap the Edit and select New Feature 9. Enter the Feature Name: "ID Marker" 10. Select Feature Classification as Point 11. Tap OK. 12.
When the marker is read: The marker data will be displayed as a long text string. The Trimble™ unit will ask to confirm. Important Notice Before using this product, you must evaluate it and determine if it is suitable for your intended application. You assume all risks and liability associated with such use. Warranty; Limited Remedy; Limited Liability. The 3M scripts described herein are warranted to be free ofdefects in material and manufacture as of the time of purchase.
