USB GPS Mini Howto

[magabooks]

GPS units come in the graphical unit type and the simple receiver
unit that rely on a PC Software package to function.

This howto focuses on the Simple USB receiver, the commands used to connect opensuse to these units may work
with some of the graphical units but we have not test this premise. So please let us know if this proves to be true,
and with what units as this will help others.

Preparatory Steps
You should search for and install the following packages:

gpsd
gpsd-client
gpsbabel
gpsdrive (0ptional)
xgps (sky view info tool)

Packages not in the software manager:
To install these packages click here

qtgpsc
TangoGPS
Viking

Explanation of Tools:

qtgpsc Satellite sky view lets you see the
satellites, their signal strength, there quadrant, etc.

TangoGPS gps map tool works with Open Street Maps;
This tool is a must, we will use it to test your unit.

Viking gps map tool it has some advance options
the others do not.

gpsd, gpsd-client, gpsbabel These provide drivers,
and hardware support/monitoring.


Activation Commands

It might be a good idea to do a restart at this point Just to be safe. I have tested Three units a Garmin Usb 18, ambicom gps-usb and Pharos iGPS-500 with these commands they all worked. The Garmin Required one extra command to run, so I will separate the command howto into two parts a general usb gps and a Garmin specific one.


Step 1: Open your Terminal and plug-in receiver
Step 2: Enter su (super user mode)
Step 3: Enter

dmesg | grep tty

Out put should look like this.

PC:/home/user # dmesg | grep tty
console [tty0] enabled
usb 3-3: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0
PC:/home/user #

Step 4: Enter (you are starting gpsd)

gpsd -N -n -D 2 /dev/ttyUSB0

Out put should look like this.

$ gpsd -N -n -D 2 /dev/ttyUSB0
gpsd: launching (Version 2.36)
gpsd: listening on port gpsd
gpsd: successfully connected to the DBUS system bus
gpsd: running with effective group ID 0
gpsd: running with effective user ID 0
gpsd: opening GPS data source at ‘/dev/ttyUSB1′
gpsd: speed 9600, 8N1
gpsd: garmin_gps not active.
gpsd: gpsd_activate(1): opened GPS (5)
gpsd: client 127.0.0.1 (0) connect on fd 6
gpsd: client(0) turned on raw mode
gpsd: speed 4800, 8N1

Step 5: With a clear view of the sky start qtgpsc or xgps. This will give you a picture of the satellite your receiver is connected to.(notice the button next to Host it must be click to connect the unit)



In conclusion if you have connect successfully you will see satellites as shown in this image.

Step 6: Using Map Software

Tango allows us to use open street maps they download automatically and you can choose to download your region to a certain zoom level. Do not assume that your gps is work from the fact that you can see your area this is done by ip address. The blue bulls eye tells you that you have a working gps.





This program is by no means the only option it is just the easiest I have found so far. Here are a few link that will show you some other options if you have a mind to explore.

Vikling

gpsdrive

roadnav

Navit

Tango

Other Help Resource links:

GPS Software Review

gpsd


Garmin Instructions

Units Tested: Garmin-Usb-18

Step 1: Open your Terminal and plug-in receiver
Step 2: Enter su (super user mode)
Step 3: Enter in order shown
(Step 3a)

mount -t usbfs none /proc/bus/usb/

(Step 3b)

dmesg | grep tty

Out put should look like this.

PC:/home/user # dmesg | grep tty
console [tty0] enabled
usb 3-3: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0
PC:/home/user #

Step 4: Enter (you are starting gpsd)

gpsd -N -n -D 2 /dev/ttyUSB0

Out put should look like this.

$ gpsd -N -n -D 2 /dev/ttyUSB0
gpsd: launching (Version 2.36)
gpsd: listening on port gpsd
gpsd: successfully connected to the DBUS system bus
gpsd: running with effective group ID 0
gpsd: running with effective user ID 0
gpsd: opening GPS data source at ‘/dev/ttyUSB1′
gpsd: speed 9600, 8N1
gpsd: garmin_gps not active.
gpsd: gpsd_activate(1): opened GPS (5)
gpsd: client 127.0.0.1 (0) connect on fd 6
gpsd: client(0) turned on raw mode
gpsd: speed 4800, 8N1

Step 5: With a clear view of the sky start qtgpsc or xgps. This will give you a picture of the satellite your receiver is connected to.


My thanks to all that have help with this effort. Please let me know if this works with more models, the more units listed the greater help this will be to others.

[malcolmlewis]

Originally Posted by magabooks

GPS units come in the graphical unit type and the simple receiver
unit that rely on a PC Software package to function.

THIS HOWTO FOCUSES ON THE SIMPLE USB RECEIVER[/B], THE COMMANDS USED TO
CONNECT OPENSUSE TO THESE UNITS MAY WORK
WITH SOME OF THE GRAPHICAL UNITS BUT WE HAVE NOT TEST THIS PREMISE. SO
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THIS PROVES TO BE TRUE,
AND WITH WHAT UNITS AS THIS WILL HELP OTHERS.

_PREPARATORY_STEPS_
You should search for and install the following packages:


Code:
--------------------
gpsd
gpsd-client
gpsbabel
gpsdrive (0ptional)
xgps (sky view info tool)

--------------------



Packages not in the software manager:
To install these packages 'click here
' (http://software.opensuse.org/search)

Code:
--------------------

qtgpsc
TangoGPS
Viking

--------------------


EXPLANATION OF TOOLS:

QTGPSC SATELLITE SKY VIEW LETS YOU SEE THE
SATELLITES, THEIR SIGNAL STRENGTH, THERE QUADRANT, ETC.

*TANGOGPS* GPS MAP TOOL WORKS WITH OPEN STREET MAPS;
THIS TOOL IS A MUST, WE WILL USE IT TO TEST YOUR UNIT.

*VIKING* GPS MAP TOOL IT HAS SOME ADVANCE OPTIONS
THE OTHERS DO NOT.

*GPSD, GPSD-CLIENT, GPSBABEL* THESE PROVIDE DRIVERS,
AND HARDWARE SUPPORT/MONITORING.


*_ACTIVATION_COMMANDS_

It might be a good idea to do a restart at this point Just to be safe.
I have tested Three units a Garmin Usb 18, ambicom gps-usb and Pharos
iGPS-500 with these commands they all worked. The Garmin Required one
extra command to run, so I will separate the command howto into two
parts a general usb gps and a Garmin specific one.


Step 1*: Open your Terminal and plug-in receiver
*Step 2*: Enter *su* (super user mode)
*Step 3*: Enter

Code:
--------------------

dmesg | grep tty

--------------------


Out put should look like this.

Code:
--------------------

PC:/home/user # dmesg | grep tty
console [tty0] enabled
usb 3-3: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0
PC:/home/user #

--------------------


*Step 4*: Enter (you are starting gpsd)

Code:
--------------------

gpsd -N -n -D 2 /dev/ttyUSB0

--------------------


Out put should look like this.

Code:
--------------------

$ gpsd -N -n -D 2 /dev/ttyUSB0
gpsd: launching (Version 2.36)
gpsd: listening on port gpsd
gpsd: successfully connected to the DBUS system bus
gpsd: running with effective group ID 0
gpsd: running with effective user ID 0
gpsd: opening GPS data source at ‘/dev/ttyUSB1′
gpsd: speed 9600, 8N1
gpsd: garmin_gps not active.
gpsd: gpsd_activate(1): opened GPS (5)
gpsd: client 127.0.0.1 (0) connect on fd 6
gpsd: client(0) turned on raw mode
gpsd: speed 4800, 8N1
--------------------


STEP 5: WITH A CLEAR VIEW OF THE SKY START *QTGPSC* OR *XGPS*. THIS
WILL GIVE YOU A PICTURE OF THE SATELLITE YOUR RECEIVER IS CONNECTED
TO.(NOTICE THE BUTTON NEXT TO *HOST* IT MUST BE CLICK TO CONNECT THE
UNIT)

[image: HTTP://WWW.NAVLOST.EU/SURVEY/GPSD/SNAPSHOT29.PNG]

IN CONCLUSION IF YOU HAVE CONNECT SUCCESSFULLY YOU WILL SEE SATELLITES
AS SHOWN IN THIS IMAGE.

*STEP 6*: USING MAP SOFTWARE

TANGO ALLOWS US TO USE OPEN STREET MAPS THEY DOWNLOAD AUTOMATICALLY AND
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR REGION TO A CERTAIN ZOOM LEVEL. DO NOT
ASSUME THAT YOUR GPS IS WORK FROM THE FACT THAT YOU CAN SEE YOUR AREA
THIS IS DONE BY IP ADDRESS. THE BLUE BULLS EYE TELLS YOU THAT YOU HAVE A
WORKING GPS.

[image:
HTTP://WWW.TANGOGPS.ORG/IMG/SCREENSH...3-TERRAIN.JPG]

[image: HTTP://WWW.TANGOGPS.ORG/IMG/ABOUT-TANGOGPS-093.JPG]

THIS PROGRAM IS BY NO MEANS THE ONLY OPTION IT IS JUST THE EASIEST I
HAVE FOUND SO FAR. HERE ARE A FEW LINK THAT WILL SHOW YOU SOME OTHER
OPTIONS IF YOU HAVE A MIND TO EXPLORE.

VIKLING
(\"HTTP://VIKING.SOURCEFORGE.NET/MEDIAWIKI/INDEX.PHP/MAIN_PAGE\")

GPSDRIVE (\"HTTP://WWW.GPSDRIVE.DE/\")

ROADNAV (\"HTTP://ROADNAV.SOURCEFORGE.NET/SCREENSHOTS.PHP\")

NAVIT (\"HTTP://WIKI.NAVIT-PROJECT.ORG/INDEX.PHP/MAIN_PAGE\")

TANGO (\"HTTP://WWW.TANGOGPS.ORG/GPS/CAT/ABOUT\")

*_OTHER_HELP_RESOURCE_LINKS:_

'GPS Software Review'
(http://www.fsckin.com/2008/04/06/rev...-gps-packages/)

'gpsd' (http://gpsd.berlios.de/)


_GARMIN_INSTRUCTIONS_

Units Tested: Garmin-Usb-18

[B]Step 1*: Open your Terminal and plug-in receiver
*Step 2*: Enter *su* (super user mode)
*Step 3*: Enter in order shown
(Step 3a)

Code:
--------------------

mount -t usbfs none /proc/bus/usb/

--------------------

(Step 3b)

Code:
--------------------

dmesg | grep tty

--------------------


Out put should look like this.

Code:
--------------------

PC:/home/user # dmesg | grep tty
console [tty0] enabled
usb 3-3: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0
PC:/home/user #

--------------------


*Step 4*: Enter (you are starting gpsd)

Code:
--------------------

gpsd -N -n -D 2 /dev/ttyUSB0

--------------------


Out put should look like this.

Code:
--------------------

$ gpsd -N -n -D 2 /dev/ttyUSB0
gpsd: launching (Version 2.36)
gpsd: listening on port gpsd
gpsd: successfully connected to the DBUS system bus
gpsd: running with effective group ID 0
gpsd: running with effective user ID 0
gpsd: opening GPS data source at ‘/dev/ttyUSB1′
gpsd: speed 9600, 8N1
gpsd: garmin_gps not active.
gpsd: gpsd_activate(1): opened GPS (5)
gpsd: client 127.0.0.1 (0) connect on fd 6
gpsd: client(0) turned on raw mode
gpsd: speed 4800, 8N1
--------------------


*Step 5*: With a clear view of the sky start *qtgpsc* or *xgps*. This
will give you a picture of the satellite your receiver is connected to.


My thanks to all that have help with this effort. Please let me know if
this works with more models, the more units listed the greater help this
will be to others.

Hi
I use a Garmin Nuvi 260w, but before you plug it in to the USB port set
it to debug mode by holding your finger on the battery icon for around
20 seconds. Then connect and exit debug mode

I also use scripts place in the ~/bin directory to start and stop gpsd

start_gpsd

#!/usr/bin/sh
echo "Starting the gpsd daemon"
sudo /usr/sbin/gpsd -n /dev/ttyUSB0

stop_gpsd

#!/usr/bin/sh
echo "Stopping the gpsd daemon"
sudo kill -9 `pidof gpsd`

--
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 11.1 (i586) Kernel 2.6.27.21-0.1-pae
up 2:46, 3 users, load average: 0.33, 0.14, 0.06
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