GPS16X-HVS GPS Receiver
15
9.1 Testing and Evaluating Serial Communications
9.1.1 Through a Direct Connection to the GPS16X-HVS
Test the GPS16X-HVS for proper operation including the baud rate and output
string. Use a computer, terminal emulator software, a serial port (RS-232), and
a DB9 to Terminal Block Interface. The computer and serial port can be the
same as used to communicate with the data logger. Terminal emulation
software is common.
Hyperterm
is supplied as part of Windows™ and works.
Procomm™
is another communication software package that works well.
Set up the software for the correct serial port, 38.4 kbps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
and no parity. Flow control should be none. Using the DB9-Female-to-Terminal-
Block interface, connect the GPS16X-HVS to the computer serial port. Power up
the GPS16X-HVS. The GPS antenna should have a clear view of the sky. Don’t
expect the GPS antenna to work indoors. The $GPGGA and GPRMC strings
should be displayed once a second. Make sure the $GPGGA string is showing a
valid GPS fix. A valid GPS fix will display time, position and have a GPS
quality number greater than zero.
DB9-Female-to-Terminal-Block Connections
GPS16X Receiver
DB9 to Terminal Block Interface
White
Pin 2
Black and Yellow
Pin 5 (shares power ground)
9.1.2 Through a Data Logger Connected to the GPS16X-HVS
Serial communication can also be tested using the data logger terminal mode
watch command, also known as sniffer mode. To enter sniffer mode:
1.
Connect to your data logger in the
Device Configuration Utility
and select
the
Terminal
tab. (You can also use the
Terminal Emulator
in
PC200W
,
PC400
, or the
LoggerNet Connect
screen.)
2.
Press
Enter
until a
datalogger_type
> prompt (for example, CR1000X>)
appears.
3.
Type
W
and press
Enter
.
4.
In response, the query
Select:
is presented with a list of available
terminals. Enter the port number assigned to the terminal to which the
GPS16X-HVS is connected, and press
Enter
.
5.
In answer to
Enter timeout (secs):
, type
100
and press
Enter
.
6.
In response to the query
ASCII (Y)?
, type
Y
and press
Enter
.
7.
Communication between the data logger and GPS16X-HVS is now open
for viewing.
If you see no communication, the GPS16X-HVS is hooked up incorrectly, is
not powered, or does not have the yellow wire tied to ground. If you see
readable NMEA strings coming in but many fields are not populated, you most
