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BU303-353_WIN_UsersGuide_ v2.3
USB GPS (WIN)
3. COM PORT VERIFICATION
1. Once your USB Driver has been installed, you will need to confirm which COM Port your PC
has assigned to it in order to properly configure any software that will be utilizing the GPS data
being received.
2. Your USB GPS MUST be plugged into your USB port at this time.
3. Using Window’s Control Panel, select System > Hardware > Device Manager
4. Then look under the heading of: PORTS (Com & LPT)
5. There should be a listing for: Prolific Serial-to-USB Comm Port (COM x)
(“x” will actually be the number your PC has assigned the USB GPS receiver).
6. Once you have identified the COM port number, any software that you utilize must be
configured to read GPS data from this COM port.
We strongly suggest that you first test your USB GPS with the included GPS Info utility program to
confirm that the GPS receiver if functioning properly on your PC and that you have successfully
configured the right COM Port setting. Once this has been done, close the GPS Info program and
start your application for COM port configuration.
NOTE: By default, your PC will not allow you to run multiple applications from a single COM port. It
is important that you close any previously opened GPS application before switching to another
GPS application as the GPS receiver and data will not be found by the new program.
There are special utilities available to split data into multiple COM ports for use by more than one
application simultaneously. (see: http://franson.com/gpsgate/
)
4. INITIALIZING YOUR GPS RECEIVER
Before using your USB GPS receiver for navigation (especially for the first time), the receiver must
obtain a local GPS fix (coordinates) of the current position. To do this, take your laptop (with your USB
driver and the mapping software loaded and configured) to an open area that has a clear view to the
sky (such as a park or empty field). Start your software (or the included GPS Info utility program) and
wait for initialization of the GPS to complete. This may take a few minutes depending on various
factors such as the distance of the current coordinates from the last time the GPS receiver was
activated, GPS signal strength and surrounding terrain (tall trees and buildings can block the satellite
signals). Once the RAW GPS data is displayed onto the screen, if applicable for your software, a fix has
been initialized (red LED on the GPS will also start to flash). In some cases initialization can take up to
several minutes depending on the conditions mentioned above before complete GPS data will be
displayed on the screen.
Coordinates scrolling with zero’s means that the port connection is complete, but the satellite data is not
being received yet (possibly still initializing or in a bad area for satellite reception).