NetComm NTC-223 User Manual

User Guide Appendix

Optional GPS functionality on NTC-223

Doc No. UG01192

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Copyright

Copyright© 2019 NetComm Wireless Limited. All rights reserved.

NetComm Wireless Limited was acquired by Casa Systems, Inc. a Delaware company on 1 July 2019. The
information contained herein is proprietary to Casa Systems, Inc. No part of this document may be translated,
transcribed, reproduced, in any form, or by any means without prior written consent of Casa Systems, Inc.

Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of NetComm Wireless Limited or their respective owners.
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Images shown may vary slightly from the actual product.

Note – This document is subject to change without notice.

Document history

This document covers the following products:

NTC-223

V E R .

D O C UM EN T D E S CR I P T I O N

D AT E

v1.0

First document release

20 August 2019

Table i. – Document revision history

Contents

Overview ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

GPS Functionality on the NTC-223 .................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Purpose of this document .................................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Target audience ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Prerequisites ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Notation ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Physical GPS connection and indicators ................................................................................................................... 4

GPS antenna Micro USB interface ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4

To enable GPS functionality ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4

GPS LED indicators............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

GPS Services........................................................................................................................................................ 6

NMEA support ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6

GPS configuration .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Satellite status .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

GPS status .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

GPS applications .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Odometer ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Geofence .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Event Notification ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 13

Data stream manager ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

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Overview

GPS Functionality on the NTC-223

The standard NTC-223 router does not have a dedicated GPS antenna socket and its standard user interface
contains no references to any GPS settings or other GPS related functionality.

GPS functionality on the NTC-223 is available if users connect an optional Navisys GR-701U GPS Receiver antenna
into the Micro USB port.

As soon as the Navisys GR-701U GPS Receiver antenna is connected to the Micro USB port additional GPS settings
and functionality will appear in the NTC-223 user interface.

Purpose of this document

This document explains how to set up the USB GPS antenna and then describes the GPS settings and functionality
available to NTC-223 users.

Target audience

This document is intended for system integrators or experienced hardware installers who understand
telecommunications terminology and concepts.

Prerequisites

Before enabling the GPS functionality on your NTC-223 you will need to have the following:

An NTC-223 router with firmware upgrade supporting USB GPS functionality (v2.0.92.0 or later)
A Navisys GR-701U GPS Receiver antenna with USB Type-A cable
A USB Type-A (Female) to Micro USB (Male) adaptor
An electronic computing device with a working Ethernet network adapter and a web browser such as Mozilla

Firefox® or Google Chrome™.

Notation

The following symbols may be used in this document:

Note – This note contains useful information.

Important – This is important information that may require your attention.

Warning – This is a warning that may require immediate action in order to avoid damage or injury.

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Physical GPS connection and indicators

GPS antenna Micro USB interface

The optional Navisys GR-701U GPS Receiver antenna can be connected through the Micro USB port to provide
GPS services and functionality.

The Micro USB port is located on the side of the router containing the reset button, SIM card slot, green six-way
terminal block connector and yellow RJ45 Ethernet port:

Figure 1 – Micro USB port location

To enable GPS functionality

To establish a GPS connection and enable GPS functions on the user interface, do the following:

1 Connect the Navisys GR-701U GPS Receiver antenna’s Type A USB cable connector to a Micro USB adaptor.
2 Plug the Micro USB adaptor into the Micro USB port on the side of the NTC-223.

When the antenna is powered on an orange light will appear on the top of the GPS antenna.

The GPS LED Indicator will begin to display as explained in the following section.

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GPS LED indicators

The NTC-223 router uses eight LEDs to display the current system and connection status.

One of the LED lights is dedicated to GPS or can be customised for use by some of the other functions of the
NTC-223.

Figure 2 – NTC-223 GPS/Customizable LED indicator

When a Navisys GR-701U GPS Receiver antenna is connected to the Micro USB port the LED indicator will
indicate the following GPS activity:

L E D

N AM E

C OL OU R

S TA TE

D E S CR I P T I O N

GPS

LED Indicator

Off

GPS function disabled

On

GPS function is enabled but no
satellite is detected.

Slow flashing

Satellite detected, acquiring location.

On

Satellite detected, location acquired.

Table 1 – GPS LED indicators

Note – The term “blinking” means that the LED may pulse, with the intervals that the LED is on and off not being equal.
The term “flashing” means that the LED turns on and off at equal intervals.

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GPS Services

When a GPS antenna is not connected to the NTC-223 the Services menu will not include the GPS item and its sub­menu.

NTC-223 Services menu without GPS antenna

connected

NTC-223 Services menu with Navisys GR-701U

USB GPS antenna connected

When an optional Navisys GR-701U USB GPS antenna is connected via the
Micro USB port to the NTC-223 the GPS item and its sub-menu will be added to
the Services menu.

Click GPS to display three submenu items. They provide access to various GPS
settings and status indicators as well as GPS related functionality such as
location-based services, monitoring of field deployed hardware or finding your
current location.

GPS functionality will also become available in the Data stream manager and
Event Notification tools, refer to the Data stream manager and Event

Notification sections of this guide, below.

GPS sub-menu

NMEA support

The router supports the National Marine Electronics Association NMEA-0183 compatible (V2.3) standard of
sending GPS data.

The standard includes “sentences” used to identify the type of data being sent and therefore defines the way the

data is interpreted.

The GPS related sentences supported by the NTC-223 are:

GPGGA – Global Positioning System Fix Data, Time, Position and fix related data for a GNSS receiver
GPRMC – Recommended Minimum data for GPS
GPGSV – Detailed satellite data

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GPGSA – Overall satellite data
GPVTG – Vector track and speed over the Ground

Note – Mobile Station Based Assisted GPS is not supported on the NTC-223 with the Navisys GR-701U GPS Receiver.

GPS configuration

To activate the GPS functionality, log in to the NTC-223 user interface and select Services from the top menu, then
click GPS and select GPS Configuration from its submenu.

Move the GPS operation toggle switch to ON and click the Save button to enable ongoing GPS services.

Figure 3 – Enable GPS operation

Satellite status

Once enabled, the GPS antenna will begin scanning for satellite signals. The number detected will depend on the
NTC-223’s location on earth as well as the location of the antenna receiver and whether or not the signal is
obstructed or interfered with.

It may take a number of minutes before enough satellites are detected for the GPS service to be established.

Figure 4 – Satellite status display

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GPS status

Once sufficient satellite signals have been detected and the GPS service is established, the current status of the
GPS service will be displayed in the GPS status section of the GPS configuration page.

Figure 5 – GPS status display

The GPS Status window provides up-to-date information about the current location and the current GPS signal
conditions (position dilution of precision (PDOP), horizontal dilution of precision (HDOP) and vertical dilution of
precision (VDOP)) of the router.

GPS applications

The Google maps button provides a quick shortcut to show your router’s current position on a map and confirm
that the GPS service is working correctly.

Figure 6 – GPS applications – Google maps

To confirm your location, click on the Google maps button. The Google Maps website will open in a new tab and a
red marker will indicate the NTC-223’s current location on the Google map.

Figure 7 – GPS configuration

Zoom in to display your precise location.

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Odometer

The Odometer function uses GPS data to record the distance that the router has travelled.

To access the Odometer screen, select the Services item from the top menu bar then the GPS item on the left.
Finally, select Odometer from the sub-menu.

Set the Odometer toggle key to the ON position as in the screenshot below.

You can toggle the unit of measurement by clicking the Display imperial / Display metric button.

The Threshold setting adjusts the router’s sensitivity to movement so that movement within the specified radius
from the starting point does not register as distance travelled. When you have finished configuring the Odometer
settings, click the Save button to ensure the settings are stored on the router.

Figure 8 – Odometer options

I TE M

D E S CR I P T I O N

Odometer reading

The number of metres/kilometres that the device has travelled
since the time listed in the Odometer start time field.

Display imperial /
Display metric

Toggles the Odometer reading between metric and imperial
measurements.

Odometer start time

The time that recording of distance travelled began.

Reset odometer

Resets the odometer reading to 0 and the Odometer start time to
the current time.

Odometer

Toggles the Odometer function on and off.

Threshold

Specifies the Minimum distance that the router must travel from its
current position before the Odometer reading increases.

Table 2 – Odometer configuration options

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Geofence

Geofence allows you to designate a circular area and then uses the router’s GPS position to monitor when the

NTC-223 router moves out of or into that area. You can configure notifications to be sent when the unit enters or
exits the region. Notifications types are set on the Event notification configuration page, see below.

To access the Geofence screen, select the Services item from the top menu bar then the GPS item on the left.
Finally, select Geofence from the sub-menu.

Set the Geofence operation toggle key to the ON position as in the screenshot below.

Figure 9 – Geofence options

I TE M

D E S CR I P T I O N

Geofence operation button

Toggles Geofence operation ON or OFF.
When ON, your currently defined Geofences appear in the
Geofence list, see below.

Save button

Saves any changes made on this page

Add button

Click to add a new Geofence definition.
The Geofence configuration screen will open, see next
section below.

Geofence list

This table contains all your currently defined Geofences.

Display DMS /
Display Decimal degree
button

Toggle the Latitude and Longitude coordinates display
between Decimal degree coordinates, see above graphics,
or the more traditional DMS (degrees, minutes, seconds)
coordinates, see below:

Display imperial /
Display metric button

Toggle between metric (kilometres) or imperial (miles)
display of the radius of the Geofence.

Status

In if the router is inside the radius.
Out if the router is outside the radius.

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Notification

The event notification currently selected for this Geofence,
see Add Geofence in next section for a description of the
available notification types.

Edit button

Click this to edit an existing Geofence in the list.
The user interface is the same as the Geofence configuration
screen, see next section below.

Table 3 – Geofence user interface

Add Geofence

Click the +Add button to create a new Geofence (note that editing an existing Geofence uses the same
configuration page).

Figure 10 – Configure Geofences

I TE M

D E S CR I P T I O N

Name

When you add a new Geofence you will be prompted to enter a
meaningful name.
This will be its reference in the Geofence list page.

Display DMS / Display
decimal degree button

Toggle this button to enter the Latitude and Longitude
coordinates using either the more traditional DMS (degrees,
minutes, seconds) coordinates or using decimal degrees.
When Display DMS is selected you have to select North (N) or
South (S) for your Latitude, depending on whether your location
is north or south of the equator and you must select east (E) or
west (W) of the prime meridian (Greenwich England to the
international date line) and then enter the coordinates as:

D E G R E E S

M IN UT E S

S EC O N D S

0° - 360°

0’ – 60’

0.0000” – 59.9999”

Whole
degrees
only

Whole
minutes
only

Seconds and
fractions of a
second to
thousandths (4)

When Display decimal degree is selected you have to enter the
Latitude and Longitude coordinates using Decimal degree
coordinates:

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Note that in the southern hemisphere you must enter a
negative Latitude coordinate (–) and in the western hemisphere
(North and South America, from the prime meridian to the
international date line) you must enter a negative Longitude
coordinate (–).

Display imperial / Display
metric button

Toggle between imperial and metric to display the Radius in
miles (mi) or kilometres (km), respectively.

Radius mi / km text box

Set the radius of the Geofence to be activated when the
Notification type (see next) is triggered at the distance
specified.

Notification

Four notification states are available:
None – This effectively turns the Geofence function off,

although the router continues to monitor the location of
the device with respect to the Geofence settings. To
properly disable the Geofence function, set the Geofence
operation toggle key to the off position.

Entry – A notification is triggered when the router enters into

the Geofence radius.

Exit – A notification is triggered when the router leaves the

Geofence radius.

Entry/Exit – A notification is triggered when the router crosses

over the Geofence radius line.

The type or types of notification (SMS, email, etc.) is set in the
Event notification configuration page, see below.

Google maps button

The Google maps button serves two purposes.
When no latitude and longitude has been entered, the Google
maps button displays the router’s current location on the map.
When coordinates have been entered, clicking on the Google
maps button checks that your coordinates go to where you
expect them to be.

Save button

Saves the new Geofence (Add) or saves the changes to an
existing Geofence (Edit).

Reset button

Clears all entries on the page.

Cancel button

Closes the Add/Edit page and returns to the Geofence list
without saving any changes.

Table 4 – Add Geofence options

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Event Notification

When GPS functionality is enabled on the NTC-223 router, the GPS GEOFENCE status change event notification
type is added to the list of event types on the Event notification configuration page.

Figure 11 – Configure Geofences

Click the Services menu item, select the Event configuration menu item on the left, then select the Notification
configuration from the sub-menu.

The Event notification configuration screen is used to select the event types, methods of notification and the
destinations for the notifications.

The GPS GEOFENCE status change event notification type can be set to send a notification in one of the five
notification types to a predefined destination or group of destinations.

For more information on destination configuration and event notifications generally, refer to the Event notification
section of the NTC-220 Series User Guide (v1.6) at page 114.

Data stream manager

When GPS functionality is enabled on the NTC-223 router, the GPS data Endpoint type is added to the drop-down
list of types in the Add endpoint dialog of the Data stream Manager.

NTC-223 Endpoint types menu

without GPS antenna connected

NTC-223 Endpoint types menu

with Navisys GR-701U USB GPS antenna connected

The Data stream manager provides you with the ability to create mappings between two endpoints on the router.
These endpoints may be physical or virtual and you can then configure a virtual data tunnel or “stream” between
the endpoints. For example, you could send the GPS data from the built-in module to a TCP server running on the
router.

For more information on Endpoint configuration, Stream definition and the Data stream manager generally, refer
to the Data stream manager section of the NTC-220 Series User Guide (v1.6) at page 85.