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GPS Mapping Software - Import NMEA0183 GPS files - Tutorial

Introduction

NMEA0183 is an ASCII based, RS232 protocol, used by most GPS receivers, to transfer GPS data over a serial or USB port. NMEA0183 is also used by echosounders, speed logs, wind sensors, temperature sensors and autopilots. More information on NMEA0183 sentences can be found here.

Example of some NMEA0183 data:

$GPVTG,164.40,T,,M,0.06,N,0.1,K,A*0D
$GPGGA,093157.500,5333.4037,N,00951.9347,E,1,06,1.7,48.2,M,46.0,M,,0000*6E
$GPGSA,A,3,08,29,27,28,26,24,,,,,,,3.2,1.7,2.7*3E
$GPRMC,093157.750,A,5333.4037,N,00951.9346,E,0.15,168.42,170807,,,A*62

In GPS Mapping Studio, it is possible to convert raw NMEA0183 data to a GPS track directly. Possible applications include: reading raw GPS logging data, read data from dataloggers, read track and trace data and more.

Importing NMEA0183 Files

To start importing GPS data, you have to start the "Import GPS Data" tool, which can be used to import the most GPS data formats around. The dialog can be opened by selecting "File" => "Import" => "Import GPS Data..." from the main menu. The following dialog will appear:

Import GPS Data Tool (click on the image to enlarge)

Importing Options

Importing NMEA0183 data is pretty straightforward. First, you have to select the format you want to import. To do so, select the "NMEA0183 Log Files (*.*)" option from the drop-down box.

Secondly, you have to select the file to import. Click the "Browse..." button to select a file.

Click the "OK" button to set some additional options. The following dialog will appear:

Import NMEA0183 Settings (click on the image to enlarge)

In this dialog, you have to set the NMEA sentence used to generate track data. You can choose between "$GPGGA", "$GPGLL" and "$GPRMC". When "$GPRMC" sentences are present in the file, this would be the best choice, because this sentence also contains speed and course information, while the "$GPGGA" and "$GPGLL" sentences only contain position and GPS information.

You can also choose whether to use CRC check or not. If CRC is not present in the file, and this function has been enabled, CRC is ignored.

Importing the file

Just click "OK" to start reading the file. If the NMEA0183 file contains valid data, a new track will appear in the project view. If the "Project View" is not visible, you can unhide it by selecting "View" => "Project Explorer" from the main menu.

Imported NMEA0183 Data in the "Track Editor" (click on the image to enlarge)