GPSBOX GPS Video Overlay Unit GPSBOX Order The GPSBOX GPS video overlay unit provides a simple method for displaying the data from a GPS receiver as a video text overlay. This unit is compatible with any GPS receiver which sends data using the NMEA 0183 standard. The unit will superimpose a display of latitude, longitude, speed, heading, time, date and altitude onto any standard colour or mono composite video signal. A nine character user defined string is also displayed. The GPSBOX unit can be used with any GPS receiver with NMEA 0183 RS232 serial output. 4800 baud 8N1. The unit is housed in an aluminum enclosure with phono connectors for video in / out, a 2.1mm DC power socket and an illuminated power button. The GPS receiver's PC connection cable goes into the GPSBOX's upper male DB9 connector. The GPS receiver's RS232 NMEA serial data output is available from the lower female DB9 connector. This allows the output of the connected receiver to be used with data logging or satellite navigation software. The GPSBOX display options and the ID string are selected by two push buttons. The character background can be toggled on and off. The altititude display can be toggled between feet and metres. The speed over ground display can be toggled between knots, kilometres per hour or miles per hour. The date can be shown in either the standard DD/MM/YY format or the North American MM/DD/YY format. The time is displayed according to a user selected timezone offset from the GPS UTC time. You can select whether to display the data on either line 1 only, lines 1 & 2 only, lines 1,2, & 3 only, all four lines or have the screen clear. See below. You cannot display any other combination of lines, change on which line each data type is displayed or change the position of the display on the screen. The character size cannot be changed. Once set, the user options remain stored in the unit until they are changed again. The unit has no other user controls. If you require a rearrangement of the standard data positions, please contact us before you make your order and this can be programmed for you. It is also possible for units to be programmed so that altitude is replaced with depth for marine applications. See the section below on depth data sentences. Video Clip showing screen display The GPSBOX-D unit may be used to display depth, instead of altitude, for marine applications where this data is available. The screen display can be alternated between four lines of data, with or without a solid black background. Click on each picture for larger version. The table below summarises the NMEA data sentences required by the GPSBOX unit together with the data types and user selectable options it will display. If you are unfamiliar with the serial output of the GPS receiver you intend to use with the GPSBOX unit you should connect it to a PC and use hyperterminal to check that the GPRMC, GPRMC and GPVTG data sentences are transmitted. If they are not refer to the documentation from your receiver's manufacturer for the method required to enable NMEA output. The sentences are treated entirely independently and the program can be used with equipment that outputs these sentences in any order. Data type Data sentence required Latitude $GPRMC Longitude $GPRMC Time ( User selected timezone offset ) $GPRMC Date ( DD/MM/YY or MM/DD/YY format ) $GPRMC Heading ( Track made good, degrees true ) $GPRMC Speed over ground ( in knots, kph or mph* ) $GPRMC, $GPVTG Altitude ( in metres or feet* above / below mean-sea-level (geoid) ) $GPGGA *Calculated by the unit. Accurate to +/- 1. GPSBOX-D Order Depth Data Sentences The GPSBOX-D unit can be used with devices that generate NMEA depth data combined with GPS data. It cannot be used with a GPS receiver and separate depth sensor. Although the unit can be programmed to read one of three different NMEA depth data sentences, you must specify which sentence you require when you make your order. The data sentences which can be read are XXDBS, XXDBT or XXDPT. Some devices will transmit all three, but many will only have one or two. Please check the manual for your device or its serial output using hyperterminal to see which sentence(s) are available in your case. Each of the data sentences reports the depth in a slightly different way. The table below summarises the NMEA sentences which can be read and the data from each that will be displayed by GPSBOX-D. Please note that the XXDPT sentence reports the depth as two figures, a combination of the depth measured and an offset, either positive or negative, that you may be able to enter into the receiver. This allows adjustment of the measured depth to either the keel or waterline as required. GPSBOX-D ignores this offset. The depth reported in feet and fathoms is ignored. As with the altitude described above, the depth can be displayed in feet, but this value is calculated by the unit and is accurate to +/- 1. Depth data sentence Depth displayed as: $XXDBS,35.4,f,10.8,M,5.9,F Depth below surface in metres. ( feet and fathoms ignored ) $XXDBT,25.5,f,7.8,M,4.2,F Depth below transducer in metres. ( feet and fathoms ignored ) $XXDPT,7.8,3.0 Depth below transducer in metres. ( offset in metres ignored ) The NMEA serial data output from the GPSBOX unit can be used with satellite navigation or datalogging software. As an example Google Earth *.kml track files can be generated from the raw data using a converter like GPS visualizer. GPSBOX Compatible with colour and mono composite video signals. 1Vp-p. PAL and NTSC Dimensions 110 x 110 x 45mm LxWxH Power supply required regulated 9 - 12V DC Power consumption 50mA maximum Operating Temp. 0° - 85°C GPSBOX video overlay unit documentation Home Back Order © The BlackBoxCameraTM Company Limited 2008