GPS CONFIGURATION SETTINGS

The GPS Settings box is used to configure how the program will be creating maps. There are two different ways to access this setting.

  1. Tap on the Config Tab, Open Settings and Tap onto GPS Settings.
  2. Tap on the File Menu and select GPS Settings.

Auto Baud Feature:

This feature, new to version 11.3, will enable Site Mate to automatically set the comm settings for you. To use this option, simply tap on the Auto Baud button and Site Mate will search for the GPS signal and adjust to the required settings.

Source Tab:

  1. GPS Receiver on COM Port: This option is used when you wish to create a map based on data received from the GPS receiver. Refer to the “Comm” tab for these settings.
  2. GPS Simulation: This option allows you to simulate the mapping of a boundary or swathing without having a GPS receiver attached. This lets you experiment with the program to become familiar with it without having a GPS receiver hooked up. Refer to the “Simulation” tab for these settings.
  3. Manual Location Entry: This option is used to manually record positions on your map without a GPS receiver.

Comm Tab:

  1. Port: where the GPS receiver is connecting to your device.
  2. Baud Rate: This selection needs to match what baud rate the GPS receiver is outputting.
  3. Data Bits, Parity, Stop Bits: These selections will also be based upon the output settings from the GPS Receiver. The usual defaults are Data Bits: 8, Parity: None, and Stop Bits: 1.
  4. Auto Baud button: With version 11.3 and higher, Site Mate has the function to auto detect the correct GPS output settings to receive the GPS Signal.

Here is a list of suggested Com Port settings for different Hand Held units to use in older versions of Site Mate:

Likely GPS Com Port Settings – CF Slot

IPAQ 21xx, 24xx, 27xx – Com 4
IPAQ 22xx – Com 7
IPAQ 36xx, 37xx, 38xx, 39xx – Probably Com 5 – Might be 4, 6, or 7
Dell Axim X5, X50 – Com 5
Bottom port of handheld – Com 1

Likely GPS Baud Rates

Holux – 4800
Farm Works CF – 4800
Navman – 57600
Raven Invicta 115, Port A – 19200
Raven Invicta 115, Port B – 4800
Trimble – 9600/4800
Starfire – 19200
Raven Phoenix, Port A - 19200 (GGA & VTG - 10 Hz)
Raven Phoenix, Port B - 19200 (GGA & VTG - 5 Hz)

If using a serial I/O Card in the CF Slot you must have the drivers installed from the CD.

If using the Navman GPS Receiver, you will have to install the drivers for the receiver. This will install a program called GPS Setup. The GPS Setup program will tell what com port that Navman will use to receive signal.

Quality Tab:

  1. Minimum GPS Quality: This option controls the minimum accuracy of signal required to log data into Site Mate. The number and description of each level of accuracy is:

    0 = Position invalid (no minimum)
    1 = Standard position (no differential)
    2 = Differential corrected position
    4 = RTK fixed integers
    5 = RTK floating integers

    Note: You should not set the minimum GPS quality lower than 1. For information on the GPS quality for your receiver, consult the documentation provided by the manufacturer of the receiver.

  2. Maximum HDOP: This stops data from logging after the number entered in the box has been reached. This will stop a wild line trying to log to 0.00 & 0.00 coordinates when the signal has been lost.
  3. Honor NMEA Checksum: This setting allows signal validation through the NMEA data strings.

The Offset Tab

The Offset Tab allows you to set the location of the receiver relative to the center (left/right) as well as fore/aft of the applicator.

The Simulation Tab

The Simulation Tab is used to set the GPS simulation pattern.
Boundary – Select to simulate logging a boundary.
Swathing North-South – Select to have the simulation move up and down the screen.
Swathing East-West – Select to have the simulation move left and right across the screen.
Speed and Swath –Miles per hour and width of simulation.
Clear log after each pass – Select this check box to have Site Mate clear the log after the simulation completes each pass.

The Output Tab

Select the Output tab if you need Site Mate to output the NMEA data string to a device that can receive this data.
Note: You likely will not have a need to use this feature and should make sure to clear each of these check boxes.