GPS Receiver Integration for Time and Position Synchronization

This article describes how to connect and set up a GPS receiver to receive positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) measurements.

Introduction

The Q.series controllers (Q.station 101, Q.station X, and Q.monixx) offer the option to connect a GPS receiver for time synchronization and real-time position data. They support drivers for Garmin USB devices and the NMEA 0183 standard. The NMEA data sets used by the controller include:

$GPRMC (Recommended minimum specific GPS/Transit data)
$GPGGA (Global Positioning System Fix Data)

GPS receivers with an RS232 interface require a USB-to-Serial converter for connecting the Q.series controller.

Recom mended GPS Receivers

The following GPS receivers are recommended:

Navilock USB 2.0 Multi GNSS Receiver u-blox 8

The Navilock 62531 can be mounted on the roof of a cabinet or vehicle.
The Navilock 62523 resembles a PC mouse and can be placed anywhere. It also features a magnetic base for secure attachment to metal surfaces.

Controller Configuration

Connect the GPS receiver to the USB port on the controller.
In GI.bench, double-click the controller to open the Controller Settings window and navigate to USB Devices.
Enter a Device count of 1.
Select the port to which the GPS receiver is connected.
Choose the type (NMEA-0183 receiver or Garmin USB-GPS receiver).
Enter the appropriate parameters for the baud rate and format based on the GPS receiver.
To synchronize the controller's time with the GPS clock, check the box for "Enable time sync".
Click OK to apply the changes and write updates to the controller.

GPS time is provided in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), which is equivalent to GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) but does not account for daylight saving time. To adjust the controller's time to the local time zone, apply a time zone offset based on its geographic location. Example:

For PST (GMT – 7:00) = -7 Hours x 3,600 = -25,200 seconds

Get Positioning Data Function

You can create arithmetic virtual variables using the GetPositioningData() function to extract additional information from the GPS signal.

GetPositioningData(Selector;InfoSelector)

Selector (defines the USB port to which the device is connected)

Code	Port	Description
100	USB0	right port
101	USB0 Hub Port0	right port
102	USB0 Hub Port1	right port
103	USB0 Hub Port2	right port
104	USB0 Hub Port3	right port
200	USB1	left port
201	USB1 Hub Port0	left port
202	USB1 Hub Port1	left port
203	USB1 Hub Port2	left port
204	USB1 Hub Port3	left port

If a USB hub is connected to USB port 1, the first port on the hub is numbered 101, and the second port is numbered 102. If the hub is connected to USB port 2, the first port on the hub is numbered 201, the second 202, and so on.

InfoSelector

Code	Meaning	Description	Device / Command
0	Time	TimeOLE2 (days since 01.01.1900)	Garmin GPS / GGL, GGA, RMC
1	Latitude	Degrees and minutes	Garmin GPS / GGL, GGA, RMC
2	Longitude	Degrees and minutes	Garmin GPS / GGL, GGA, RMC
3	Speed	[m/s]	Garmin GPS / RMC
4	Heading	[°] 0° (North) 90° (East) 180° (South) 270° (West)	Garmin GPS / RMC
5	Number of satellites	Number of satellites being tracked	Garmin GPS / GSV, GGA
6	Altitude above NN	[m]	Garmin GPS / GGA
7	Quality	State 0: Invalid 1: GPS 2: DGPS 6: Estimated	GGA
8	Horizontal dilution of position		GGA
9	Rate and direction of turn		ROT
10	Longitudinal water speed		VBW
11	Transverse water speed		VBW
12	Longitudinal ground speed		VBW
13	Transverse ground speed		VBW
14	Track degrees: true		VTG
15	Track degrees: magnetic		VTG
16	Depth below transducer	[feet]	DBT
17	Depth below transducer	[m]	DBT
18	Depth below transducer	[fathoms]	DBT
19	Water: depth	[m]	DPT
20	Water: offset from the transducer		DPT
21	Wind: angle	[°]	MWV
22	Wind: speed		MWV
23	Water: temperature	[°C]	MTW
24	Own ship data: heading	[°]	OSD
25	Own ship data: vessel course	[°]	OSD
26	Own ship data: vessel speed		OSD
27	Own ship data: vessel set	[°]	OSD
28	Own ship data: vessel drift		OSD
29	RADAR system data: cursor range		RSD
30	RADAR system data: cursor bearing	[°]	RSD
31	RADAR system data: range scale		RSD
32	Heading degrees: true	[°]	HDT
33	Speed	[knots]	VTG
34	Speed	[km/h]	VTG
35	Latitude (Decimal)	[°]	GGL, GGA
36	Longitude (Decimal)	[°]	GGL, GGA
100	Error states	State 0: Invalid char format 1: Invalid baud rate 2: Invalid port config 3: Invalid sentence format

Conversion of latitude and longitude:

XXYY.ZZZZ ⇒ XX° + (YY.ZZZZ / 60)° or XXYY.ZZZZ ⇒ XX° YY’ (0.ZZZZ * 60)’’