Instrumentation and Measurement (Term Paper Sample)

Instrumentation and Measurement:
Integrating GPS with LabVIEW
Student’s Name
University Affiliation
Instrumentation and Measurement:
Integrating GPS with LabVIEW
Executive Summary
The Global Positioning System (GPS) comprises of one of the news and most efficient forms of locating a global position. Structurally, the GPS is a large system entailing about 30 satellites orbiting the earth. Such satellites transmit signals, which are received by the user. The satellites help the user to find a precise position on the Earth then processes the signals. Also, these satellites help locate persons; about four GPS satellites will be required to do this. In so doing, each of these satellites will transmit data at defined and regular time intervals. The data will usually be transferred in the form of signals, which will travel at a speed similar to that exemplified by light. The GPS then detects these signals. It implies that, they measure the time span taken to receive the signals (message), and as such sensing the position of each satellite. Technologists refer to this process as trilateration that requires at least three GPS satellites.
Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Executive Summary PAGEREF _Toc421145094 \h 2Background PAGEREF _Toc421145095 \h 4Design Summary PAGEREF _Toc421145096 \h 41.0Introduction PAGEREF _Toc421145097 \h 51.1 Project Description PAGEREF _Toc421145098 \h 62.0 Implementation PAGEREF _Toc421145099 \h 62.1 Abstracting the Problem PAGEREF _Toc421145100 \h 72.2 Division of Tasks PAGEREF _Toc421145101 \h 72.3 Issues Encountered PAGEREF _Toc421145102 \h 73.0 Sensor Identification PAGEREF _Toc421145103 \h 103.1 Identification of the Sensor Type PAGEREF _Toc421145104 \h 103.2 Testing the Performance of the Sensor PAGEREF _Toc421145105 \h 104.0 Measurement System Implementation PAGEREF _Toc421145106 \h 104.1 Analysis of NMEA VI PAGEREF _Toc421145107 \h 114.2 Software Configuration PAGEREF _Toc421145108 \h 16Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc421145109 \h 23Appendices PAGEREF _Toc421145110 \h 24
Background
All sorts of people for all kinds of reasons apply GPS. They could be military purposes, communications houses, commercial, navigation, automobile, or surveying. For instance, using the GPS to aim a missile, controlling sea and aerial navigation, and surveying areas owing to the enhanced ability to avail sub-centimetre accuracy. As noted, GPS integrates a navigational mechanism that is vital in tracking any location any time wherever on the earth. The United States of America developed the GPS, particularly, the Department of Defence (DOD), initially for military purposes. Since its creation, it has enhanced numerous and distinct applications. Notably, at present entirely anyone using GPS or having a gadget that integrates GPS in its operationalization could access GPS.
Design Summary
Markedly, GPS consist of three integral components, which are the; user, space, and control components. It uses the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) specifications and standards for data streaming. In fact, the NMEA 0183 forms the latest specification format. As such, the GPS project is integrated with PC made in LabVIEW, a software developed by National Instruments. In this case, the virtually developed instrumentation system entails a computerized test and measurement system. The instrumentation system uses a multi-purpose workstation, aimed at mimicking real-time instruments with their controls as well as displays. The GPS project, data is obtained from the GPS gadgets, particularly, in an Android mobile phone. The LabVIEW receives these data using the GPS Gate Software. Consequently, the received data is then fragmented into NMEA statements by the LabVIEW program. Resultantly, a readable, well-displayable and precise form of the statement on the indicators in LabVIEW.
1 Introduction
The Global Positioning System entails one of the principal 21st-century's technological innovations. GPS comprises of four satellites in recording and transmitting information concerning time and location. The GPS has illustrated an ever-expanding role in helping companies, governments, and militaries around the earth. It implies that GPS system serves civil, commercial, health, and other associated purposes. In as much as the US government owns and controls the GPS system, GPS is accessible to any individual who possess a GPS receiver. In fact, the GPS receiver integrates a broad array of devices such as Android mobile phones, computers, communications equipment, and military devices. Indeed, the GPS’ accurate recording of time and places is an indispensable element in enhancing the efficacy of core human involvements.
A GPS comprises of one or more earth-based receivers, which receive, accept, and analyze signals sent by satellites. It is so owing to the necessity to determine the receiver’s geographic location. The GPS receiver entails a hand held or mountable device. An airplane, automobile, boat, construction equipment, computer, or a farm could secure a GPS receiver. Indeed, several GPS receivers send location data to a base station, where technicians can offer personal interpretations and directions. Notably, the GPS tracks time. The GPS satellites integrate synchronized atomic clocks that are designed to detect any drift from the actual time on the ground. User GPS receivers contain clocks. Though, they are very less stable. GPS satellites receive and send data in the form of signals regularly that illustrates their current time and position.
Further, a GPS receiver offers solutions vital in determining the equations that identify the precise position of the receiver and its deviation from the correct time. Actually, from the four needed GPS satellites, only three of these will be essential to serve as position coordinates. A sequence of ones and zeros which are readily identifiable by the GPS receiver characterizes the transmitted signals. The essence of this process is to locate an epoch in the receiver clock time scale. An epoch entails a point in the code sequence usually while aligning a receiver generated version and the receiver measured version of the code. Further, the signals will possess a message, which contains the time of transmission (TOT) of the code epoch and the satellite position.
1 Project Description
The section will take a keen look at the project overview step by step. Firstly, the project defines a COM Port in the laptop from where it will consider the GPS data. Secondly, the BLUETOOTH GPS OUTPUT APP found in the Android phone that captures the GPS transmitter data and transmits it to the Laptop COM Port. Further, GPSGATE application receives GPS data on Laptop through the COM Port and yields the NMEA file that is a readable, well-displayable and precise form of statement in LabVIEW. Also, LabVIEW depicts the .txt file and transfigures into usable data.
2.0 Implementation
Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1Project Implementation Flow Chart
2.1 Abstracting the Problem
The project encompassed various segments and procedures aimed at identifying the COM Port in the Laptop and also receive data from the Bluetooth App integrated with the mobile phone.
2.2 Division of Tasks
The project entailed four tasks. Firstly, the project aimed at establishing the COM Port in the Laptop and receiving transmitted data from the Bluetooth App found in the mobile phone. Consequentially, the project set to stream the transmitted data to the GPSGATE application and integrate it with LabVIEW. Thirdly, the project pursued to implement the GPS tracker components on LabVIEW. Lastly, the fourth task found it was vital to debugging the components in the LabVIEW.
2.3 Issues Encountered
Accordingly, the project faced several issues. For instance, there was a failure to synchronize the GPS tracker appropriately with the COM Port of the Laptop. Moreover, the NMEA files and statements were not easily incorporated in the LabVIEW components. At the start, an error had occurred in identifying the location latitude and longitude owing to while loop timing. Thus, there was a need for the project to debug the loop timing using the hit and try a technique, hence availing an acceptable analysis. Comprehensively, there was an issue in establishing the Serial Configuration of the NMEA sentence in Data Link Layer.
Implying; Typical Baud Rate=4800, Parity=None, Stop Bits=Handshake=None
Technically, the real time GPS device transmits numerous types of NMEA sentences, as depicted below;
$GPGGA,051347.0,3044.876504,N,07645.422716,E,1,05,2.3,312.5,M,35.0,M,,*7D
Name

Example Data

Description

Sentence Identify

$GPGGA

Global Positioning System Fix Data

Time

051347.0

05:13:47Z

Latitude

3044.876504, N

30d 44.876504’ N

Longitude

07645.422716, E

76d 45.422716’ E

Fix Quality:
0 = Invalid
1 = GPS Fix
2 = DGPS Fix

1

Data is from a GPS Fix

Number of Satellites

05

05 Satellites are in View

Horizontal Dilution of Precision (HDOP)

2.3

Relative Accuracy of Horizontal Position

Altitude

312.5, M

312.5 Metres Above Mean Sea Level

Checksum

*7D

Used by Program to Check Errors

Table SEQ Table \* ARABIC 1$GPGGA Sentence Depiction
$GPRMC,051348.0,A,3044.876505,N,07645.422716,E,0.0,0.0,30061,1.2,1.2,E,A*03
Represent Date as: 300614 → 30/06/14
* $GPVTG,93.80,T,,M,1.42,N,2.6,K,A*3C
* $GPGSA,A,3,03,22,06,19,11,14,32,01,28,18,,,1.8,0.8,1.6*3F
* $GPGSV,4,2,16,07,59,354,,08,45,326,,09,27,312,,10,14,255,*75
1 Sensor Identification
3.1 Identification of the Sensor Type
IR Sensors are used in the mobile phone and GPS receivers. Sensors help detec...