Eagle Tree Systems GPS-001 User Manual

Instruction Manual for the Data Recorder GPS Expander

Document Version 1.6

Model # GPS-001

Thank you for your purchase! This instruction manual will guide you through the installation and operation of your GPS Expander. Please read the entire manual carefully before proceeding. If, after you read the manual, you have further questions or problems, see the Support page on http://www.eagletreesystems.com

for additional information, or email us at support@eagletreesystems.com.

Features

The GPS Expander is designed to be used with Eagle Tree recording and wireless telemetry products. The Expander consumes very little power, and has battery backup for quick hot and warm starts. The Expander is tiny and lightweight, making it perfect where weight and size are issues. See the Specifications section below for more information.

Supported Products

The GPS Expander is compatible with Eagle Tree Systems Flight Data Recorder V2, Car Data Recorders and Boat Data Recorders with firmware version 4.15 or higher. It is also fully compatible with Seagull Dashboards with firmware version 4.15 or higher. If you have firmware lower

than this version, email support@eagletreesystems.com for upgrade information.

Packing List

Your package should include the following: GPS Expander, and a printed version of this manual. Please check your packaging for printed addenda to this manual which may be included if changes were made after printing.

How the GPS Expander Works

When coupled The GPS Expander uses satellite information to determine position, speed, altitude, course, distance to operator, and UTC time.

Connecting the GPS Expander to the Recorder

The 4 wire connector attached to the GPS Expander plugs into the rightmost port of your Data Recorder as shown in Figure 1. Make sure that you connect it in the correct location on the recorder, and with the correct polarity!

NOTE: If you have the EU (433 MHz) Seagull Wireless system, you must reconfigure your system as described in the latest Seagull Manual (available from the support page of our website), so that you can simultaneously plug in the GPS and the EU Transmitter.

Installing the GPS Expander in your Model

The GPS Expander should be mounted with Velcro in your vehicle so that the top part (with the label) is facing toward the sky. Normally, it is satisfactory to have the expander inside the vehicle, since the skin of most vehicles is relatively thin. If you have difficulty getting a signal, try mounting it externally to the vehicle.

Setting up the GPS Expander with your Recorder

To use the GPS expander, first ensure that you have the latest version of the Windows application (the app). App updates are available as a free download from the support page of our website, for our customers.

When configured with the recorder, the Expander will record all GPS parameters as listed in the features section above, and the data is also available on the Seagull Wireless Dashboard.

If you wish to record GPS data, choose “Tools, Choose What To Log” in the app, and select “GPS Parameters”. This indicates to the recorder that GPS data should be recorded. Note that you DO NOT need to record GPS data to see it live on the Seagull Dashboard.

To configure the app to display the GPS data, choose “Tools, Choose What to Display” in the app, and select the GPS Parameters you wish to see. Here is a description of the parameters available:

GPS Coordinates – this option displays the Latitude and Longitude parameters of the flight. These parameters are displayed just below the playback controls in the app. Show GPS In DMS Mode – when this checkbox is checked, the GPS Latitude and Longitude are displayed in Degrees:Minutes:Seconds.Seconds mode. When this box is unchecked, the parameters area displayed in Degrees:Minutes.Minutes mode.

GPS UTC Time – this option displays the UTC time as received from the GPS Expander. The UTC is displayed in the Total Length/Progress window when this option is selected.

GPS Altimeter Gauge/Numeric GPS Altitude – these options display GPS altitude. Note that GPS altitude takes several minutes to stabilize, after the GPS expander/recorder are powered. Also note that this altitude is above MSL (Mean Sea Level). Depending on the “Metric” button on this page, the altitude is displayed in either feet or meters.

GPS Speed Gauge/Numeric GPS Speed – these options display GPS speed. Depending on the “Metric” button on this page, the speed is displayed in either MPH or K/H.

GPS Course Gauge/Numeric GPS Course – these options display the course of the vehicle, in degrees True North.

GPS Distance to Operator – this option displays the distance from the operator to the GPS Expander. The value is reset to zero when the GPS

Expander/recorder are powered on.

After a recording is made with the expander, assuming GPS data is being logged, it will be displayed after data download. Note that if the recorder is connected to your PC via USB, Live Mode will allow you to see the GPS parameters live. Just hit the “Live Mode!” button. See the section below on graphing GPS data.

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Setting up the GPS Expander with the Seagull Dashboard

If you wish to display GPS data on your Seagull Dashboard, choose “Tools, Edit Seagull Display” in the app, and select the GPS parameters you wish to display.

After selecting the parameters, the Dashboard LCD pages will show the GPS information you selected, as well as any other parameters selected. Note that the UTC, Lat/Lon and status parameters take up an entire LCD page each.

The GPS parameters can be selected via the Dashboard up/down buttons, as is the case with other Dashboard parameters.

If you connect your Dashboard to your laptop for real-time laptop display, the items selected in the section above will be displayed live.

Using the GPS Expander

Now that you have the GPS Expander installed and configured, it’s time to use it! To use it, simply move the GPS Expander into an open area (some enclosed areas will work also), power on your vehicle, and after 1-2 minutes, the GPS expander will obtain a fix and begin recording and/or displaying information on the Seagull Dashboard.

The sensitivity of the GPS Expander increases once it has a fix. So, it may be possible to get a fix outside, then move the Expander inside and continue with a valid fix.

Note that the next time you power off and on your vehicle, the GPS Expander should obtain a fix in about 10 seconds, assuming it hasn’t been relocated since power down.

Once a valid fix is received, the GPS data for that fix will be displayed on the Dashboard until the next fix comes in (normally once per second). If the Dashboard does not receive a new fix within a few seconds, it will mark the Lat and Lon fields with an “*” beside the values to indicate a “stale” fix.

If you are using the Dashboard, and have selected the GPS Status page to display, the Dashboard will display one of the following messages on the GPS Status page when it is selected:

“No GPS Detected” – this message indicates that the system has not detected a GPS expander. Check connection if this error message occurs. “Acquiring Fix” – this message indicates that the GPS Expander is connected and detected, but has not yet gotten a fix. “Fix Acquired” – this message indicates that the GPS Expander has acquired a valid fix within the last few seconds.

Graphing GPS Data with the Windows Application

The app supports a variety of Graphing options for GPS data, with both recorded and live data.

Recorded Mode Graphing

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