1. GPS Communication Software GPS Mapping ProgramTarpits and Tips Tools of the Trade GPS Communication Software

2. Tools of the Trade - Part II Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources DNR Garmin GPS Communication Program

3. Definition: –The “middleware” that allows a GPS receiver and a computer to communicate with each other. Not a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software GPS Communication Programs

4. The Big Picture The Language of GPS Review of GPS Programs Why DNR Garmin? Overview

5. Fire Incident Plans Cycle GPS Field Work GIS Data Transfer

6. Unique Aspects of Fire Mapping 25 acres 10 mile perim. Scale Environment Mode of Collection Quantity of Units Technical Skill Levels

7. The Big Picture The Language of GPS Review of GPS Programs Why DNR Garmin? Overview

8. Language of GPS GPS spits out lots of data: –Lat/Long, Date/Time, Elevation, etc Information sent to a receiving computer is the Language or Protocol Two main choices for Garmin’s –NMEA 0183 and Garmin Protocol

9. Language of ALL GPS NMEA 0183 Protocol –NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) –“A standard for electrical interface and data protocol for communications between marine instruments” –String of characters –Speed of talk - 4800 baud rate See Peter Bennett’s Site http://vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/index.html

10. Language of ALL GPS Must have garmin-nmea.avi

11. Language of ALL GPS $GPGGA: GPS GPS Fix data –UTCTime,Lat,Long, Quality, # of SV’s, … $PGRMM: Garmin Datum

12. Language of a Garmin GPS Garmin Protocol –Speed of Talk: 9600 Baud Rate –Proprietary –Supports bi-directional transfer of waypoints, tracks, etc. A GPS Communication Program written for Garmin’s must be literate in Garmin Protocol

13. Language Differences Not all NMEA sentences are alike! Manufacturers add unique sentences Choice of program important NMEA 0183: Datum changes with display Garmin Protocol: Datum is WGS84 regardless of display

14. Tools and Accessories The GPS receiver Data - Coordinates, Date/Time etc A cable Computer Available RS-232 port (COM) Program to recognize the GPS

15. The Big Picture The Language of GPS Review of GPS Programs Why DNR Garmin? Overview

16. Many Program Choices NMEA-0183 Programs Garmin Protocol Programs Fire GEEK

17. NMEA-0183 Programs GPSNMEA: simple display/logging GPSy: For Macs VisualGPS: display of GPS status/ stats http://vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/idx_nmeaprog.html

18. Garmin Protocol Programs Waypoint+: 2002 Preferred Choice! GarTrip Gardown11 GarminData Monitor ….. DNR Garmin: 2003 Preferred Choice! http://vancouver-webpages.com/pub/peter/idx_garmin.html

19. The Big Picture The Language of GPS GPS Communication Requirements Review of GPS Programs Why DNR Garmin? Overview

20. Decision Factors for the Fire GPS Program All Garmins supported Software support is high Provide efficient data transfer to a GIS Cost (Program) Nerd Factor Scale

21. Why DNR Garmin DNR Garmin chosen over Waypoint+ –Supports newer Garmin’s –Improvements to DNR Garmin in March 2002, January 2003 –Tightly integrated with ArcView 3.X –Nerds:

22. Data Transfer Typical Use on a Fire Download Upload

23. DNR Garmin Specifications Designed by Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources Communicates with all current models Uses Garmin Protocol Cost - Its free! Two Programs in one! –Program –Extension

24. How GPS software fits into the Big Picture GPS and Computers are made for each other DNR Garmin as the preferred choice Summary

25. Tomorrow - next in the series: –Mapping Programs and GIS What’s in Store