GPS Data Parser – Operating Information
This page provides operating information for the ´GPS Data Parser Program´.
1 Select file to be processed
1.1 When the program is ready, select the log file containing the GPS position data from the file menu.
2 Analyze file
2.1 Press ANALYZE. The program will analyze the input file and detect suitable data sentences automatically. Data that can be detected at the present time are the NMEA sentences $GPGGA, $GPRMC, $GPGLL, IGC flight file recorder data, or GPX track data.
2.2 The program will inform you if and what type of suitable input data have been found. If the program detects a logfile which contains a mixture of NMEA sentences, priority will be given to $GPGGA sentences, as these contain altitude.
3 Select options
- output table for import into other programs, reading space-separated data columns,
- KML file for showing the track line on Google Earth® satellite images or map,
- TOP OVL file for generatingoverlay files for topographical maps in the GeoGrid® viewer (by Dornier GmbH).
The default is 'data table'.
When you click on 'KML File' another input form will open, in which you can:
- set the name of the track,
- enter a short track description,
- select the colour of the track line,
- set the altitude mode,
- set the line properties.
To carry on, close the windows by pressing CONTINUE.
Remarks:
The KML data file follows Google's specs. You can view it using a text
editor.
Name: The default setting is the name of the GPS NMEA File Parser's output file. You can change the name in the data field.
Description: The default is 'GPS data path, Generator: GPS Data Parser, www.mar-it.de/GPSDataParser/GPSDataParser.htm', which can be changed.
As track line colour you have the choice of:
- yellow (default),
- red,
- magenta,
- blue,
- green.
Extrude: if selected and the track line runs above the ground, then the track line is shown as a semi-transparent 'fence' extending from the elevated track to the ground. The distance of the 'fence poles' is the distance between position fixes. If 'extrude' is not used, the track line 'floats' above the ground. Default: 'on'.
Tessellate: Meaning to be confirmed. Default: 'off'
Relative to ground: This altitude mode draws the track line using the altitude data from the (corrected) GPGGA file as the altitude above ground (to be confirmed). Default: 'on'
Absolute: This altitude mode draws the track line using the (corrected) altitude data from the GPGGA file as the altitude above geoid (to be confirmed).
When you click on 'OVL File', another form will open, in which
- the map name needs to be set (see remark below),
- the line widthcan be set (default: is 4 pixels),
- the line colour can be set (default is 'red').
To carry on, close the windows by pressing CONTINUE.
Remarks:
The map name can be found on the Map CD in the file 'mapnames.dat'.
Another way to get the map name is to plot a simple overlay,
e.g. by drawing on the map a square from the graphics pull-down menu
and
storing the overlay as an 'ascii' file. When you open the
file with an editor, you can easily find the correct map name.
If no or a wrorng map name is used, the OVL file may not
work.
- to manipulate recorded altitude by adding a altitude correction, or by setting a fixed altitude.
- to select the type of decimal point: dot or comma.
- to suppress or allow positions with zero latitude or longitude
When you select this option, an auxiliary window will
open , enabling you to insert a altitude offset (positive or negative),
or to insert a
fixed altitude .
Press CONTINUE to return to the main window.
Remarks:
Options can only be set, if they are applicable. Otherwise fields are
grayed. None of the options is required. The default settings
are 'no altitude correction' and decimal 'dot'.
If you want to plot surface tracks on Google Earth, select 'relative to ground' in the KML File Window and set a fixed altitude of zero in the Altitude Manipulation Window, otherwise your track might run through the air or under the ground in the case that your GPS set has measured non-zero altitude.
4 Processing and Writing the Output File
Press START to process the input file and write the output file. If an output file with the same name exists, a warning will pop up.
5 Remarks on the data table produced by GPS Data Parser
- 054189.68 53.0589000 008.8978633 (with decimal point option)
- 054189,68 53,0589000 008,8978633 (with decimal comma option)
The first column contains time converted into seconds, the second latitude and the third longitude.
- 054189.68 53.0589000 008.8978633 0007.76 (with decimal point option)
- 054189,68 53,0589000 008,8978633 0007,76 (with decimal comma option)
The first column contains time converted into seconds, the
second latitude, the third longitude, and the fourth altitude in
metres.
You will find help for the processing the table data imported
into a
spread sheet here.
