GPS (Global Positioning System)
GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers use satellite data to calculate their location. Logger Pro can collect latitudes, longitudes, and altitudes from a GPS receiver in two ways (see www.vernier.com for a list of supported models):
- Live data collection: The GPS is connected to the computer and Logger Pro is collecting data in real time.
- Remote data collection: Data are collected by the GPS in the field, and later imported into Logger Pro.
Collecting Live Data with Logger Pro
You can take a laptop computer outside with a GPS attached and collect data in real time.
- Power up your GPS receiver and establish a satellite connection.
- Connect the GPS to the computer.
- Choose Connect Interface > GPS from the Experiment menu. The GPS icon
will appear on the toolbar. Live latitude, longitude, and altitude data will be displayed on the computer screen.
- Data collection is set to a rate of 1 sample per second for 10 seconds by default. If you would like to change the sampling rate or duration, you can do so by choosing Data Collection from the Experiment menu. Note that the GPS cannot collect data faster than 1 sample per second. You can also change the data collection mode to Events with Entry or Selected Events by choosing Data Collection from the Experiment menu.
- Click Collect to begin collecting data.
Remote Data Collection
- You may want to collect data with your GPS receiver and import the data into Logger Pro at a later time.
- Collect a Waypoint, Track, or Route on your GPS receiver. See the User's Manual for your GPS for detailed instructions. Note: Logger Pro will not import names assigned to waypoints, rather, it will import its default number. Also, if you wish to retrieve a Track with its associated times, do not save it. Times can be retrieved only from the Active Log.
- Turn on your GPS and connect it to your computer.
- Choose Connect Interface > GPS from the Experiment menu. If the GPS device contains data, a dialog will be displayed. You can choose any of the following options:
No - Proceed to data collection without retrieving data from the GPS.
Yes - If you select Yes, continue with this procedure.
- Select one of the following options and then select OK.
Retrieve remote data into the current file - The data will be retrieved in a default file.
Retrieve remote data into a chosen file - Import the data into a previously saved file. After clicking OK, you will be able to search for the file into which you want to import the data.
- Select the type of data you wish to retrieve, then choose the specific data set. You may select multiple Waypoints, but only one Track or Route at a time.
- Click OK and the data will be retrieved.
Exporting GPS Data
After collecting or importing GPS data, you can export the data in two ways. Choose Export As from the File menu and then select one of the following options:
- GIS Format: Choosing this option saves the data as a tab delimited text file specially tailored for GIS software such as ArcGIS by ESRI. The file can then be imported into the GIS application as a table. Note: Some GIS applications have file name limitations. To avoid this problem, keep the file name to fewer than ten characters with no spaces.
- Google Map: Choose this option only if connected to the internet. You will be able to choose which columns to map and to make any annotations on individual data points. Click OK. Your browser will automatically launch
Google and the points will be plotted.