GPS - Depth - Water Temperature Video Overlay Unit GPSBOX-XDT Order GPSBOX-XDT The GPSBOX-XDT GPS - Depth - Water Temperature video overlay unit provides a simple method for displaying the data from a GPS receiver combined with the data from a separate NMEA depth / water temperature sensor as a video text overlay. This unit is compatible with GPS receivers and depth / water temperature sensors which send data using the NMEA 0183 standard. The unit will superimpose a display of latitude, longitude, time, date, speed, heading, depth and water temperature onto any standard colour or mono composite video signal. A nine character user defined string is also displayed. The GPSBOX-XDT unit is designed to be used to display depth / water temperature for marine survey applications. 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 RS232 PC connection cable goes into the GPSBOX_XDT's upper male DB9 connector. The GPSBOX-XDT display options and the ID string are selected by two push buttons. The time is displayed according to a user selected timezone offset from the GPS UTC time. The date can be shown in either the standard DD/MM/YY format or the North American MM/DD/YY format. The speed over ground display can be toggled between knots or kilometres per hour. The depth display is in metres. The temperature is in degrees centigrade. See below. 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. The character background can be toggled on and off. 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. The screen display can be alternated between four lines of data, with or without a solid black background. Click on each picture for a larger version. The table below summarises the NMEA data sentences required by the GPSBOX-XDT 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-XDT unit you should connect it to a PC and use hyperterminal to check that the XXRMC and XXVTG data sentences are transmitted. If they are not, refer to the documentation from your receiver's manufacturer for the method required to enable / disable NMEA output. The sentences are treated entirely independently and the unit can be used with equipment that outputs these sentences in any order. Data sentences other than XXRMC and XXVTG should be turned off. Data type Data sentence required Latitude $XXRMC Longitude $XXRMC Time ( User selected timezone offset ) $XXRMC Date ( DD/MM/YY or MM/DD/YY format ) $XXRMC Heading ( Track made good, degrees true ) $XXRMC Speed over ground ( in knots or kph ) $XXRMC, $XXVTG Depth ( in metres ) $XXDBS, $XXDBT, or $XXDPT. See below Temperature ( in degrees centigrade ) $XXMTW Depth Data Sentences The GPSBOX-XDT unit has two separate RS232 serial inputs. The lower male DB9 socket is for a separate NMEA depth / water temperature sensor. The unit can read one of three different NMEA depth data sentences, 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, and if possible, confirm its serial output using hyperterminal to see which sentence(s) are available in your case. The GPSBOX-XDT unit will default to display the depth from the $XXDBS if this is present. The other depth data sentences will be ignored if they are present. If $XXDBS is not present then the depth from $XXDBT will be displayed if this is present, otherwise $XXDPT would be displayed. Each of the data sentences reports the depth in a slightly different way. Therefore it is important to know which data sentence(s) are generated by your depth sensor and which is used for display. The table below summarises the NMEA sentences which can be read and the data from each that will be displayed by GPSBOX-XDT in order of precedence for display. 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 or sensor. This allows adjustment of the measured depth to either the keel or waterline as required. The GPSBOX-XDT unit ignores this offset. The depth reported in feet and fathoms is also ignored. The depth can only be displayed in metres. 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 ) GPSBOX-XDT video overlay unit documentation GPSBOX-XDT 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 DUALDB9 Order To display the GPS and depth data from units which produce a single combined serial output we recommend the GPSBOXKBD-D. However if you require the flexibility to use both single and dual outputs for display then you can order the DUALDB9 adaptor for use with the GPSBOX-XD. This allows a single RS232 data stream which includes both NMEA GPS and depth data sentences to be split between the two inputs of the GPSBOX-XD. BOXMOUNT Order Mounting Brackets for GPSBOX-XD units. BNC CONNECTORS All the GPSBOX units can be supplied with BNC connectors on request. Please email us prior to ordering. Home Back Order © The BlackBoxCameraTM Company Limited 2009