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3DM-GX4
™
-45
™
Inertial Navigation System
User Manual
OEM System Integration
49
7.
OEM System Integration
The 3DM-GX4 -45
™
starter kits come with everything that is needed for sensor configuration,
operation, and data collection. However, many applications will require custom solutions because
of physical or environmental constraints, required sensor output processing, or for integration into
control systems that react to the sensor outputs. For these applications the 3DM-GX4-45
™
is
available as a stand-alone component with optional interface connectors. The communication
protocol used for configuring and acquiring sensor data and estimations outputs is available for
these applications as well.
This section describes the 3DM-GX4-45
™
hardware connections and an overview of the LORD
MicroStrain
®
MIP Data Communications Protocol used to write custom software applications.
7.1
Data Communications Protocol (DCP)
The LORD MicroStrain
®
MIP Data Communications Protocol includes all commands available
for controlling the acquiring data from the 3DM-GX4-45
™
, including many that are not available
in the MIP Monitor software. Programming is performed through a standard serial interface
program. The programming interface is comprised of a compact set of setup and control
commands and a very flexible user-configurable data output format. The commands and data
are divided into two command sets and one data set corresponding to the internal architecture
of the device. The protocol is packet based. All commands, replies, and data are sent and
received as fields in a message packet. The packets have a descriptor-type field based on their
contents, so it is easy to identify if a packet contains commands, replies, or data.
The LORD MicroStrain
®
MIP Data Communications Protocol software developers kit (SDK)
includes sample code can be found on the LORD MicroStrain
®
website Support page or by
contacting Technical Support (
see Technical Support on page 63
).
The 3DM-GX4-45
™
MIP DCP Manual describes each command description, message syntax,
message options and provides examples, and can also be found on the LORD MicroStrain
®
website or through Technical Support.