Garmin 15xH, 15xL Specifications

GPS 15xH/15xL

TECHNICAL

SPECIFICATIONS

190-00266-03 Revision A

December 2009

© Copyright 2009

Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

All Rights Reserved

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provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual or any revision hereto
is strictly prohibited.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Garmin reserves the right to change
or improve its products and to make changes in the content without obligation to notify any person or
organization of such changes or improvements.

Garmin International, Inc.

1200 East 151

st

Street

Olathe, KS 66062 U.S.A.

Telephone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.,

Liberty House, Hounsdown Business Park,

Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9LR UK

Tel. [phone] (outside the UK)

0808 2380000 (within the UK)

Fax [phone]

Garmin Corporation

No. 68, Jangshu 2

nd

Road

Sijhih, Taipei County, Taiwan

Telephone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

www.garmin.com

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction..................................................................................................................1

1.1 Caution..............................................................................................................................................1

1.2 Limited Warranty..............................................................................................................................2

1.3 Overview...........................................................................................................................................3

1.4 Features.............................................................................................................................................3

1.5 Technical Specifications ...................................................................................................................3

1.5.1 Physical Characteristics ......................................................................................................................... 3

1.5.2 Electrical Characteristics........................................................................................................................ 4

1.5.3 Environmental Characteristics ............................................................................................................... 4

1.5.4 GPS Performance................................................................................................................................... 4

1.5.5 Interfaces................................................................................................................................................ 4

1.5.6 Antenna Specifications .......................................................................................................................... 5

2 GPS 15xH/15xL Wire Descriptions and Wiring Diagrams......................................6

2.1 GPS 15xH/15xL Wire Descriptions..................................................................................................6

2.2 GPS 15xH/15xL Wiring Diagrams ...................................................................................................7

3 Mechanical Characteristics & Mounting...................................................................8

4 GPS 15xH/15xL Software Interface ...........................................................................9

4.1 Received NMEA 0183 Sentences .....................................................................................................9

4.1.1 Almanac Information (ALM)................................................................................................................. 9

4.1.2 Sensor Initialization Information (PGRMI) ..........................................................................................10

4.1.3 Sensor Configuration Information (PGRMC).......................................................................................10

4.1.4 Additional Sensor Configuration Information (PGRMC1) ...................................................................11

4.1.5 Output Sentence Enable/Disable (PGRMO) .........................................................................................11

4.2 Transmitted NMEA 0183 Sentences...............................................................................................12

4.2.1 Sentence Transmission..........................................................................................................................12

4.2.2 Transmitted Time..................................................................................................................................13

4.2.3 Global Positioning System Almanac Data (ALM)................................................................................14

4.2.4 Global Positioning System Fix Data (GGA).........................................................................................14

4.2.5 GPS DOP and Active Satellites (GSA).................................................................................................14

4.2.6 GPS Satellites in View (GSV) ..............................................................................................................15

4.2.7 Recommended Minimum Specific GPS/TRANSIT Data (RMC).........................................................15

4.2.8 Track Made Good and Ground Speed (VTG) .......................................................................................15

4.2.9 Geographic Position (GLL)...................................................................................................................15

4.2.10 Estimated Error Information (PGRME)................................................................................................16

4.2.11 GPS Fix Data Sentence (PGRMF)........................................................................................................16

4.2.12 Map Datum (PGRMM).........................................................................................................................16

4.2.13 Sensor Status Information (PGRMT)....................................................................................................17

4.2.14 3D Velocity Information (PGRMV) .....................................................................................................17

4.2.15 DGPS Beacon Information (PGRMB)..................................................................................................17

Appendix A: Earth Datum List ......................................................................................18

Appendix B: Garmin Binary Output Format ...............................................................21

Appendix C: Changing the Baud Rate in Garmin Mode.............................................24

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page iii

Appendix D: Ephemeris Data download (Programming Example)............................25

Synopsis...........................................................................................................................................................25

Garmin Binary Format Review........................................................................................................................25

Ephemeris Download Procedure......................................................................................................................26

Appendix E: GPS 15xH/15xL Windows Serial Mouse Issue .......................................30

Appendix F: Sensor Configuration Software................................................................32

Downloading the Sensor Configuration Software............................................................................................32

Selecting a Model.............................................................................................................................................32

Connecting to the Sensor .................................................................................................................................32

File Menu.........................................................................................................................................................33

Comm Menu ....................................................................................................................................................33

Config Menu ....................................................................................................................................................33

View Menu.......................................................................................................................................................34

Help Menu .......................................................................................................................................................34

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Table 1: GPS 15xH/15xL Wire Descriptions ................................................................................................. 6

Figure 1: Computer Serial Port Interconnection............................................................................................. 7

Figure 2: PDA Serial Port Interconnection..................................................................................................... 7

Figure 3: Basic NMEA Device Interconnection............................................................................................. 7

Figure 4: GPS 15xH-F & 15xL-F Dimensions............................................................................................... 8

Figure 5: GPS 15xH-W & 15xL-W Outline Drawing .................................................................................... 8

Table 2: NMEA 0183 Output Sentence Order and Size...............................................................................13

Table 3: Characters per Second for Available Baud Rates........................................................................... 13

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page iv

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 CAUTION

The GPS system is operated by the government of the United States, which is solely responsible for its
accuracy and maintenance. Although the GPS 15xH and GPS 15xL are precision electronic NAVigation
AIDs (NAVAIDs), any NAVAID can be misused or misinterpreted, and therefore become unsafe. Use
these products at your own risk. To reduce the risk, carefully review and understand all aspects of these
Technical Specifications before using the GPS 15xH or GPS 15xL. When in actual use, carefully compare
indications from the GPS to all available navigation sources including the information from other
NAVAIDs, visual sightings, charts, etc. For safety, always resolve any discrepancies before continuing
navigation.

FCC Compliance

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and may cause harmful interference to radio communications if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet that is on a different circuit from the receiver.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This product does not contain any user-serviceable parts. Repairs should only be made by an authorized
Garmin service center. Unauthorized repairs or modifications could result in permanent damage to the
equipment, and void your warranty and your authority to operate this device under Part 15 regulations.

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page 1

1.2 LIMITED WARRANTY

This Garmin product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for one year from
the date of purchase. Within this period, Garmin will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components
that fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts or
labor, provided that the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost. This warranty does not
apply to: (i) cosmetic damage, such as scratches, nicks and dents; (ii) consumable parts, such as batteries,
unless product damage has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (iii) damage caused by
accident, abuse, misuse, water, flood, fire, or other acts of nature or external causes; (iv) damage caused by
service performed by anyone who is not an authorized service provider of Garmin; or (v) damage to a
product that has been modified or altered without the written permission of Garmin. In addition, Garmin
reserves the right to refuse warranty claims against products or services that are obtained and/or used in
contravention of the laws of any country.

This product is intended to be used only as a travel aid and must not be used for any purpose requiring
precise measurement of direction, distance, location or topography. Garmin makes no warranty as to the
accuracy or completeness of map data in this

THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY LIABILITY
ARISING UNDER ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL
RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL GARMIN BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE, OR
INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT. SOME STATES DO
NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE
ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Garmin retains the exclusive right to repair or replace (with a new or newly-overhauled replacement
product) the device or software or offer a full refund of the purchase price at its sole discretion. SUCH
REMEDY SHALL BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF
WARRANTY.

To obtain warranty service, contact your local Garmin authorized dealer or call Garmin Product Support for
shipping instructions and an RMA tracking number. Securely pack the device and a copy of the original
sales receipt, which is required as the proof of purchase for warranty repairs. Write the tracking number
clearly on the outside of the package. Send the device, freight charges prepaid, to any Garmin warranty
service station.

Online Auction Purchases: Products purchased through online auctions are not eligible for warranty
coverage. Online auction confirmations are not accepted for warranty verification. To obtain warranty
service, an original or copy of the sales receipt from the original retailer is required. Garmin will not
replace missing components from any package purchased through an online auction.

International Purchases: A separate warranty may be provided by international distributors for devices
purchased outside the United States depending on the country. If applicable, this warranty is provided by
the local in-country distributor and this distributor provides local service for your device. Distributor
warranties are only valid in the area of intended distribution. Devices purchased in the United States or
Canada must be returned to the Garmin service center in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada,
or Taiwan for service.



GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page 2

1.3 OVERVIEW

The GPS 15xH and GPS 15xL sensor boards are designed for a broad spectrum of OEM (Original
Equipment Manufacturer) system applications. Based on the proven technology found in other Garmin
GPS receivers, the GPS 15xH/15xL tracks multiple satellites at a time while providing fast time-to-first-fix,
precise navigation updates, and low power consumption. The GPS 15xH/15xL includes the capability of
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) differential GPS.

The GPS 15xH/15xL requires minimal additional components to be supplied by an OEM or system
integrator. A minimum system must provide the GPS with a source of power, an active GPS antenna, and a
clear view of the GPS satellites. The system may communicate with the GPS 15xH/15xL through its RS­232 asynchronous serial port. End-user interfaces, such as keyboards and displays, are the responsibility of
the application designer.

1.4 FEATURES

• GPS receiver tracks and uses multiple satellites for fast, accurate positioning and velocity estimates.

• Compact, rugged design ideal for applications with minimal space.

• May be remotely mounted in an out-of-the-way location.

• User initialization is not required. Once installed, this device automatically produces navigation data.

• On-board backup battery to maintain the non-volatile SRAM and real-time clock for up to 21 days.

• Provision for external power to maintain the charge on the backup battery.

• Configurable parameters include expected position, current time and date, and preferred position fix

type (2D, 3D, or automatic).

1.5 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

1.5.1 Physical Characteristics

1.5.1.1 Size

1.400in. (35.56 mm) wide x 1.805in. (45.85 mm) long x 0.327in. (8.31 mm) high

1.5.1.2 Weight

• GPS 15xH: 0.53 oz. (15.0 g)

• GPS 15xL: 0.50 oz. (14.1 g)

1.5.1.3 Available Connector Options

GPS 15xH-F and GPS 15xL-F: 8-pin LIF (Low Insertion Force) flex connector, 1-millimeter pitch. For

use with common 1-mm pitch, 8-conductor flex cable, available as
Garmin Part Number 310-00040-01. This flex cable mates with
common 1 mm pitch, 8-pin flex connectors, such as Garmin part
number 330-00346-08 or Molex Part Number 52793-0890. Refer to the
Molex Web site at

GPS 15xH-W and GPS 15xL-W: 8-pin JST connector, 1-mm pitch. Mating wire harness included

(Garmin Part Number 325-00118-01). The connector housing used on
this harness is equivalent to JST Part Number SHR-08V-S-B. The 8­wire crimp socket is equivalent to JST Part Number SSH-003T-P0.2.
Refer to the JST Web site at

www.molex.com.

www.jst.com.

1.5.1.4 Antenna Connector

The GPS 15xH and GPS 15xL series products provide an MCX female connector for connection to an
active GPS antenna. The antenna should be terminated in an MCX male connector. A suitable antenna is
Garmin’s GA 25 MCX (Garmin Part Number 010-10702-00). Other antennas that are terminated in male
BNC connectors may be adapted for use with the GPS 15xH and GPS 15xL series products by using a
Garmin MCX to BNC Adapter Cable (Garmin Part Number 010-10121-00).

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page 3

1.5.2 Electrical Characteristics

1.5.2.1 Input Voltage

• GPS 15H: 8.0 Vdc to 40 Vdc unregulated

• GPS 15L: 3.3 Vdc to 5.4 Vdc (must have less than 100 mV peak-to-peak ripple)

1.5.2.2 Input Current

• GPS 15H: 60 mA peak, 50 mA nominal @ 8.0 Vdc
40 mA peak, 33 mA nominal @ 12 Vdc
15 mA peak, 12 mA nominal @ 40 Vdc

• GPS 15L: 100 mA peak, 85 mA nominal @ 3.3 to 5.0 Vdc

1.5.2.3 GPS Receiver Sensitivity

-185 dBW minimum

1.5.3 Environmental Characteristics

• Operating Temperature: From -22° to 176°F (from -30° to +80°C)

• Storage Temperature: From -40° to 194°F (from -40° to +90°C)

1.5.4 GPS Performance

1.5.4.1 Receiver

WAAS-enabled GPS receiver continuously tracks and uses multiple satellites to compute and update your
position.

1.5.4.2 Acquisition Times

• Reacquisition: Less than 2 seconds

• Hot: Approx. 1 second (all data known)

• Warm: Approx. 38 seconds (initial position, time, and almanac known; ephemeris unknown)

• Cold: Approx. 45 seconds

1.5.4.3 Update Rate

1 second default; NMEA 0183 output interval configurable from 1 to 900 seconds in 1-second increments

1.5.4.4 Accuracy

• GPS Standard Positioning Service (SPS)

Position: < 15 meters, 95% typical (100 meters with Selective Availability on)
Velocity: 0.1 knot RMS steady state DGPS (USCG/RTCM)
Position: 3-5 meters, 95% typical
Velocity: 0.1 knot RMS steady state

• DGPS (WAAS)

Position: <3 meters, 95% typical
Velocity: 0.1 knot RMS steady state

• PPS Time: ±1 microsecond at rising edge of MPO pulse (subject to Selective Availability)

• Dynamics: 999 knots velocity (only limited at altitude greater than 60,000 feet), 3g dynamics

1.5.5 Interfaces

1.5.5.1 GPS 15xH/15xL Electrical Characteristics

• True RS-232 output (Port 2 output not used at time of publication), asynchronous serial input

compatible with RS-232 or TTL voltage levels, RS-232 polarity.

• Factory setting is 4800 baud. User-selectable baud: 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400.

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page 4

1.5.6 Antenna Specifications

The active antenna used with the GPS 15xH/15xL should have the following specifications:

Gain: Antenna should provide between 10 dB to 30 dB net gain between the antenna

feed point and the connection to the GPS 15xH/15xL. All amplifier gains, filter
losses, cable losses, etc. must be considered when calculating the gain.

RF Connection: GPS 15xH/15xL RF Connection: MCX Female connector (on the

GPS 15xH/15xL board)
Antenna Connection: MCX Male connector (on the end of the antenna cable)

Garmin Antenna: GA 25 MCX (Garmin Part Number 010-10702-00) provides the required MCX

Male connector. Other Garmin antennas terminated in a BNC Male connector
may also be used if a Garmin MCX to BNC Adapter Cable (Garmin Part
Number 010-10121-00) is used. Place the MCX to BNC Adapter Cable
between the connector on the end of the antenna cable and the connector on the
GPS 15xH/15xL.

Noise Figure/Gain: The total noise on the external antenna should be less than 3 dB with a gain

between 10 dB and 30 dB.

Should be properly biased by your choice of:

Power from on-board source: 3.0 Vdc minus the voltage drop across a 7.2 ohm series resistance due

to the current drawn by the antenna. The antenna must not draw more
than 60 mA.

Power from external source: From 3.5 Vdc to 8.0 Vdc bias through the series combination of an

on-board ~5.6 Ohm current sensing resistance, a saturated PNP silicon
transistor and a Schottky diode. The antenna must not draw more than
60 mA. The external source of antenna bias voltage should not have
any significant noise or interference power in the GPS band (20 MHz
bandwidth centered at 1.57542 GHz).

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page 5

2 GPS 15XH/15XL WIRE DESCRIPTIONS AND WIRING DIAGRAMS

The GPS 15xL-F and GPS 15xH-F use an eight contact flex circuit LIF connector. The GPS 15xL-W and
GPS 15xH-W use an eight pin JST connector (mating wire harness included). (See

1.5.1.3 for details.)

2.1 GPS 15XH/15XL WIRE DESCRIPTIONS

GPS

15xH/15xL

Pin #

1 BACKUP

2 GROUND Power and Signal Ground
3 POWER GPS 15xL: +3.3 to +5.4 Vdc (±100 mV ripple) input. Peak operating

4 PORT 1

5 PORT 1

6 RF BIAS This input allows the user to externally apply an RF bias to the active

7 MPO

8 PORT 2

Signal Name Description

This input provides external power to the battery-backed SRAM and

POWER

DATA OUT

DATA IN

DATA IN

real-time clock. This enables the user to provide backup power if needed
for longer than the on-board rechargeable battery will provide (roughly
21 days). Input voltage must be between +2.8 and +3.4 Vdc.

current is 100 mA. Nominal operating current is 85 mA. This voltage
drives an LDO with a nominal 3.0 Vdc output.
GPS 15xH: Unregulated 8.0 to 40.0 Vdc input. Peak operating current is
40 mA @ 12 Vdc input. Nominal operating current is 33 mA @ 12 Vdc
input. This voltage drives a switching regulator with a nominal 3.3 Vdc
output. Although a regulated supply is not required, the peak-to-peak
voltage ripple on this line should be kept to less than 100 mV.

Asynchronous Serial Output.

RS-232 compatible output normally provides serial data which is
formatted per NMEA 0183, Version 2.0. This output is also capable of
outputting phase data information; see

Output Format

range of 300 to 38400 baud. The default baud rate is 4800.

First Asynchronous Serial Input.

RS-232 compatible with maximum input voltage range of -25 < V < 25.
This input may also be directly connected to standard 3 to 5 Vdc CMOS
logic that uses RS-232 polarity. The low signal voltage requirement is
< 0.6 Vdc, and the high signal voltage requirement is > 2.4 V. Minimum
load impedance is 500 Ω. This input may be used to receive serial
initialization/ configuration data as specified in

NMEA 0183 Sentences

antenna. By default, the unit will use an internal voltage to power the
active antenna. If an external voltage greater than the internal voltage of
the center pin of the antenna (between 3.5 Vdc and 8.0 Vdc) is detected
at this input, the GPS 15xH/15xL will automatically changes to the
external voltage. The antenna must not draw more than 60 mA.

Measurement Pulse Output.

Typical voltage rise and fall times are 300 ns. Impedance is 150 Ω. Open
circuit output voltage is low = 0 Vdc and high = Vin in the GPS 15xL,
and low = 0 Vdc and high = 5.0 Vdc in the GPS 15xH. The default
format is a 100 ms wide active-high pulse at a 1 Hz rate; the pulse width
is configurable in 20 ms increments. The rising edge is synchronized to
the start of each GPS second. This output provides between 800 mVp-p
to 1.7 Vp-p for GPS 15xL and 1.4 Vp-p for the GPS 15xH into a 50 Ω
load. The pulse time measured at the 50% voltage point will be about 50
ns earlier with a 50 Ω load than with no load.

Second Serial Asynchronous Input.

This input may be used to receive serial differential GPS data formatted
per RTCM SC-104 Recommended Standards For Differential Navstar
GPS Service, Version 2.2 (see Section 4.5 for more details).

Table 1: GPS 15xH/15xL Wire Descriptions

for details. The NMEA 0183 baud rate is selectable in the

.

Appendix B: Garmin Binary

Section 4.1 Received

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page 6

2.2 GPS 15XH/15XL WIRING DIAGRAMS

Figure 1: Computer Serial Port Interconnection

Figure 2: PDA Serial Port Interconnection

Figure 3: Basic NMEA Device Interconnection

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page 7

3 MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS & MOUNTING

1. Dimensions in millimeters [inches]

2. Dimension tolerance: +/-0.25 mm [±0.01in.]

3. Use M2 mounting screws.

Figure 4: GPS 15xH-F & 15xL-F Dimensions

1. Dimensions identical to GPS 15xH-F and GPS 15xL-F

2. Use M2 mounting screws.

Figure 5: GPS 15xH-W & 15xL-W Outline Drawing

GPS 15xH/15xL Technical Specifications Page 8