GlobalSat BC-337 User Manual

BC-337 User Manual version 1.1

BC-337

GPS Receiver with Compact Flash Interface

User Manual

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BC-337 User Manual version 1.1

1. BC-337 at a glance

Internal AntennaLED

External Antenna
Connector

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BC-337 User Manual version 1.1

2. Introduction

The BC-337 is a GPS receiver with Compact Flash type I interface and it has a built-in high sensitivity
antenna for tracking signal. Based on the SiRF star III high performance GPS Chip Set with very high
sensitivity (Tracking Sensitivity: -159 dBm), it has an extremely fast TTFF (Time To First Fix) capability
at the low signal level. The BC-337 is well suited to system integration and users who use PDA or
notebook PC. It satisfies a wide variety of applications, including car navigation, personal navigation of
touring devices, tracking and marine navigation purpose. Users can simply plug it into a PDA or other
type of handheld PC running with suitable mapping and routing software for navigation.

2.1. Package

Before you start up, make sure that your package includes the following items. If any items are missing
or damaged, contact your dealer immediately.

• GPS Receiver (BC-337)

• CD (including User Manual, Testing Program, Driver for PCMCIA card slot of Notebook PC)

* Optional Accessory: CF-to-PCMCIA adapter
* Optional Accessory: External Antenna

2.2. LED Function

LED off Receiver power off
LED on Searching the signal
LED flashing Position is fixed

2.3. External Antenna

Basically, you don’t need external antenna to perform GPS positioning with BC-337; it already has a
built-in antenna. The only condition that you need external antenna is when BC-337 unit can not “see”
the sky, For instance, when you are in a car, or any environment that GPS signal is blocked, the
external GPS antenna will help to receive better GPS signal.

Plug the external antenna with MMCX connector to the plug on BC-337. Place the magnetic external
antenna on the roof of the car or the outdoor open-space, and make sure not to put it upside down.
That is, the magnetic side is the bottom side, and the upper side must face to the sky in order to
receive better signal.

Note: Hold the antenna connector while you plug the exte rnal antenna into the BC-337 or unplug

the external antenna from the BC-337. Do not pull it by the cable line.

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BC-337 User Manual version 1.1

3. Specification

Electrical Characteristics (Receiver)

Frequency: L1, 1575.42MHz
Channel: 20 channels all-in-view tracking
Chipset: SiRF Star III

Interface

Interface: Compact Flash Type I

Accuracy

Position Accuracy:
10 meters, 2D RMS, (No SA).
5 meters, 2D RMS, (WAAS enabled).

Datum

Datum: WGS-84

Acquisition Rate

Hot Start: 1 sec. average
Warm Start: 38 sec. average
Cold Start: 42 sec. average
Reacquisition Time: 0.1 sec. average

Protocol

GPS output data: NMEA 0183 protocol, supports command GGA (1 sec), GSA (1 sec),
GSV (5 sec), RMC (1 sec), (VTG and GLL are optional).

Baud Rate: 4800 bps,N,8,1

Dynamic Condition

Maximum Altitude: 18,000 meters (60,000 feet) max.
Maximum Velocity: 515 meter/sec. (1,000 knots) max.

Power

Voltage: DC 3.3 V ± 10%
Power consumption: 90 mA

Physical characteristics

Antenna Type: Built in antenna
External Antenna Interface: MMCX (Optional)
Dimension: 83 mm x 42.8 mm x 13.3 mm
LED Indicator: GPS fix status.

(blinking light: GPS is fixed, solid light: GPS is not fixed.)

Temperature

Operating Temperature: -10°C to +70°C
Storage Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
Operation Humidity: 95%, Non- Condensing

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BC-337 User Manual version 1.1

4. Installation

The BC-337 GPS receiver supports plug and play.

For PDA For Notebook PC

1. Plug BC-337 GPS receiver into the
Compact Flash slot of your PDA.

2. Run the suitable mapping/navigation
software, select the correct COM port and
set the baud rate to 4800,N,8,1.

Usually the default COM port is COM2, but it
depends on your PDA type. You can use the
testing program (can be found within the CD)
to detect the COM port that the BC-337 is
currently using.

1. Plug BC-337 GPS receiver into PCMCIA card slot on
notebook PC through a general “Compact Flash to
PCMCIA adapter”.

2. Install the “Compact Flash to PCMCIA” driver for
Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP. (Please see section 3.2
for details.)

3. Run the suitable mapping/navigation software, select
the correct COM port and set baud rate to 4800,N,8,1.

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