Eagle Tree Systems GPS-5HZ - Manual (Page 4)

Copyright © 2005 Eagle Tree Systems, LLC
http://www.eagletreesystems.com
Page 4
Check the “Click here to export Live Mode data to Google Earth” box if you wish to export Live Mode GPS data to Google Earth.
Check the “Click here to export Altimeter altitude readings to Google Earth” box if you have a Flight system, and wish to export your Recorder's
Altimeter Sensor (barometric) altitude readings to Google Earth. Uncheck the box if you wish to send GPS Altitude data to Google Earth. Note that
exported data will tell Google Earth whether the altitude values are barometric (altitude readings are zero at ground level) or whether they are
absolute altitude from GPS (distance above MSL).
Once you have chosen the Google Earth options above, click “OK” on the Live Mode Options Dialog Box, and follow the steps below to see real
time data from your GPS Expander in Google Earth:
1) Install Google Earth version 4.0.2416 or later from the Google Earth Website http://earth.google.com/
2) Start Live Mode with the Eagle Tree Windows application – this can be done with either your Recorder, or with the Seagull Wireless
Dashboard. Minimize the Windows application if desired.
3) In Google Earth, open the file that you specified above.
You should now see a live line graph of the GPS coordinates in Google Earth.
Google Earth™ Recorded Data Support
To save data in a Google Earth compatible format, simply download data from the Recorder, or capture Live Mode data, and click “File, Save for
Google Earth.”
The first time you save a file for Google Earth, the “Configure Google Earth File Save Settings” page will appear. Check the “Click here to export
Altimeter altitude readings to Google Earth” box if you have a Flight system, and wish to export your Recorder's Altimeter Sensor (barometric)
altitude readings to Google Earth. Uncheck the box if you wish to send GPS Altitude data to Google Earth. Note that exported data will tell Google
Earth whether the altitude values are barometric (altitude readings are zero at ground level) or whether they are absolute altitude from GPS (distance
above MSL).
Once you have saved the Google Earth compatible file, open the same file in Google Earth (version 4.0.2416 or later) and the path should be visible
in Google Earth. Once loaded into Google Earth, all the powerful Google Earth visualization tools should be available with the data.
Examining Data with Excel™ or compatible Spreadsheet Program
The GPS information is available in the .FDR (or .CDR or .BDR) files saved by the Windows Application, and these files can be viewed in Excel.
Please see the instruction manual that came with your Recorder for information on how to load the files into Excel.
The GPS specific fields in the .FDR files are as follows:
• GPSLat/GPSLon: GPS Latitude and Longitude (decimal format). Example: 42.56205667, -72.1795
• GPSAlt: GPS Altitude (height above MSL, in either feet or meters, depending on your units selection). Example: 38.4
• GPSSpeed: GPS Speed (either MPH or KPH, depending on your units selection). Example: 45
• GPSCourse: True (not magnetic) Course, in degrees. Example: 341.1
• GPSDist: Distance of GPS Module from where it got its first fix after system powerup (in either feet or meters, depending on unit
selection). Example: 255
• GPSUTC: UTC, converted to milliseconds. Example: 55928839
• NumSats: Number of Satellites in view. Example: 4
• GPSFlags: OR’d together flags of the following values: GPS Fix Valid: 1, 3D Fix: 2, GPS Data Received: 4. Example: 7
Locating a Lost Plane with the GPS Expander
The combination of the Seagull Dashboard and GPS Expander makes it easy to find lost planes. First, make sure you have selected Lat/Lon for
display on the Dashboard.
The Dashboard always remembers the last valid fix received from the GPS Expander, even when no signal is being received from the plane. To
display the last valid fix, press the “Display Max” button on the Dashboard, and scroll to the Lat/Lon page. This will show the last valid fix
received from your plane. To go to that location, use any handheld GPS unit (or another Seagull) to go to that location.
Troubleshooting
Below is a list of problems that may be encountered, and steps to remedy them. If your particular issue is not addressed by the below, see the
Support page on
http://eagletreesystems.com or email [email protected] . Include a full description of your problem, your machine
configuration, brands/models of equipment, and Recorder firmware version if possible (from “Tools, Firmware Control” in the app) and any other
relevant details.
Problem: The GPS Module does not appear to be getting a signal. When I download data or look at the data on the Seagull, the data consist of
zeros. The GPS Status on the Dashboard or Laptop displays “Acquiring Fix” but it never acquires.
Solution: If you are trying to record GPS data, make sure you have selected logging of GPS data as described in the setup section above.
Solution: If you are using the Seagull system, and are not getting “No Signal” messages, see the Seagull manual. If you are getting a signal, but no
GPS data, try the above steps.
Solution: Make sure that the GPS Expander has a reasonably unobstructed view of the sky.
Problem: The Dashboard displays “No GPS Detected” on the GPS Status LCD Page.