STRATABOX
™
Operations and Maintenance Manual
Configure NMEA I/O
This menu allows the user to configure the StrataBox software to receive NMEA 0183 navigational
information from a GPS receiver, or equivalent. The user may also use this menu to select an output
format for digital depth. Both the GPS NMEA 0183 and NMEA Depth Out functions operate on the one
COM port chosen by the user. An adapter from SYQWEST may be required to use both functions
simultaneously. Using the “Enable Serial IO” checkbox, you can enable/disable NMEA Input/Output.
When enabled, you can choose the appropriate PC COM port and communication parameters.
Most GPS units are setup to use 8 Data bits, No Parity, 1 Stop bit, and either 4800 or 9600 Baud. In
addition, you must choose which NMEA format the software will use to collect navigational data. Make
sure you choose a format compatible with your GPS receiver. Check your GPS manual for more
information.
The “Synchronize System Time to GPS Time” option is provided as a means to synchronize the internal
PC clock to the UTC Date/Time from the GPS. The RMC Sentence is the only one which includes GPS
Date and Time and so this option is only available when the RMC Sentence is selected for “NMEA
Position”. It will be disabled otherwise.
The user may also choose to enable digital depth output by selecting one of the 3 output formats,
including NMEA DPT, NMEA DBT, or SYQWEST’s PMC. The PMC format is fully compatible with
the Bathy-500MF output format and can be interfaced to any third party software, such as HyPack, which
supports the Bathy-500MF. To disable digital depth output, simply select OFF under “NMEA Depth
Out”.
NOTE: Since Navigation Data Input and Digital Depth Output both use the same COM
Port, both devices must use the same communication parameters, such as Baud
Rate, Data Bits, Parity, and Stop Bits.
OPERATION 3-7
©
2006 SyQwest Incorporated
