GARMIN USB PROBLEM

[FRG]

Hi,

I recently purchased a Garmin 18x USB receiver. I purchased this based on the fact that there were labview drivers available for this device and according to the driver network page this driver is certified. I have verified that the device is working through other software. But it will not work with the driver.

I found I had to download a 3rd party 'usb to serial emulator' called GPSGATE. This makes the USB port look like a com port. Then I could at least select a com port in the driver software.

But it still will not work.

I get a message:-

Garmin GPS Series.lvlib:Auto Configure Serial.vi<ERR>
Auto configuration of  the serial interface failed, most likely due to a framing error. Please re-run Initialize.vi. If the problem persists, restart your device and labVIEW and try again.


<b>Complete call chain:</b>
     Garmin GPS Series.lvlib:Auto Configure Serial.vi
     Garmin GPS Series.lvlib:Initialize.vi

Any ideas what i should do next??

kind regards

Frank Greenslade

[FRG · Accepted solution]

Good News... I solved the issue myself and everything works well.

The problem was the autoconnect and id query controls.

I didn't realise I could manually select these. Once I set the correct baud and device, I was away laughing.

.....Not sure why the auto stuff didn't work tho.

cheers

Frank

ps...I also tried some of the Nema examples and they work too. Just make sure if you are using a USB device that you install a usb to seial emulator such as GPSGate.

[Paghalaya]

Dear FRG,

This is Preetham, a LabVIEW user. I am using Garmin GPS18x, USB on a Macbook (Windows platform) After, going through your solution, I changed all the settings, as you said. I have installed Farson, GPSGate. But, I didnot get what to enter VISA resource name. Any idea?

Lastly, I am using driver from http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.download_page?p_id_guid=5201D2122EDD6393E0440003BA7CCD..., Labview 2009 version.

Please let me know if you have a solution to this.

Thank you,

[fromm8]

Hello Paghalaya

- If you are able to recognize your device as a COM port, the VISA resource that you need to specify is this COM port. If you create a control to select it, you should be able to find it in the pull down menu.

-If you cannot recognize it as COM port, you need to work in that first. As FRG said, he used 3rd party driver to do it.

Regards

[Paghalaya]

Dear Fromm8,

You are right, I cannot find VISA resource name in the pulldown menu. Is there any way I can virtually make Garmin USB to com port? Although, I have used Farson GPSGate, I never noticed that closely (com port option). Sure, I will check once again! Finally, what do you mean by create a control to select it? Would oyu elaborate it please.

Thank you,

[Paghalaya]

Dear Fromm8 and Frank,

Thanks its working like a charm....! A virtual port setup in GPSgate (setup wizard) made the trick...! Even I am laughing :manlol: ...!

[Paghalaya]

Steps to follow to configure LabVIEW for Garmin USB:

1. Install a virtual com port maker (Franson GPSGate or others)

2. Considering GPSGate (I have it), install it on Wndows (mine is Win 7 installed on MacBook pro by bootcamp)

3. After you install GPSGate > Connect USB Garmin > Open GPSGate (use start menu,  Franson GPSGate or desktop icon if any) > run setup wizard

4. Check all the required options (let it be default, i.e. first four options) > Click Next

5. You might see found Garmin USB..... > Click yes

6. Select output > Check first two options (by default) > Click Next

7. You shall see Virtual COM1, Virtual COM2 and others

8. Finish, mak sure you are outside building or home, so that the signal strength is max. Else, it says, Running OK, but no position

9. Download, LabVIEW, vi files from http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.download_page?p_id_guid=5201D2122EDD6393E0440003BA7CCD...

10. Choose your LabVIEW version and download accordingly

11. Unzip or unrar it

12. After unrar, go to Garmin GPS Series folder according to your path (or where you have saved it)

13. ......\Garmin GPS Series\Examples folder

14. Double clck > Garmin GPS Series Configure and Acquire Data.vi

15. In the runtime LabVIEW ask you to point for couple of files:

16. .......\Garmin GPS Series\Public\Data\Acquire Transit Data.vi

17. .......\Garmin GPS Series\Garmin GPS Series.lvlib

18. After run and compile, it complains about some warnings. You can safely ignore it!

19. In LabVIEW Front Panel. Select > VISA resource name > COM2 (for COM1 it didnot work in mine)

20. Anyways try COM3 or 4 you have bunch of them

21. Serial Configuration > Select a valid Baud rate (read your GPS manual for that, GPS 18x has 9600). Note: Auto Connect may work or not. But you now exact number from your manual

22. Select your instrument model and you are good to go for GPSing.....!

23. Make sure your Franson GPSGate (Taskbar notification area icon is Green in color) says > Running OK! > GPS data with valid position in settings of your GPSGate.

Thats it, all the best!