BC-337 User Manual

version 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 external 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

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Specification

Electrical Characteristics (Receiver)

Frequency:

L1, 1575.42MHz

Channel:

20 channels all-in-view tracking

Chipset:

SiRF Star III/LP Single

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 ± 5%

Power consumption: 90 mA

Physical characteristics

Antenna Type: Built in antenna

External Antenna Interface: MMCX (Optional)

Dimension: 3.26” x 1.68” x 0.52” (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

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Installation

The BC-337 GPS receiver supports plug and play.

For PDA

For Notebook PC

1. Plug BC-337 GPS receiver into the

1. Plug BC-337 GPS receiver into PCMCIA card slot on

Compact Flash slot of your PDA.

notebook PC through a general “Compact Flash to

PCMCIA adapter”.

2. Run the suitable mapping/navigation

2. Install the “Compact Flash to PCMCIA” driver for

software, select the correct COM port and

Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP. (Please see section 3.2

set the baud rate to 4800,N,8,1.

for details.)

Usually the default COM port is COM2, but it

3. Run the suitable mapping/navigation software, select

depends on your PDA type. You can use the

the correct COM port and set baud rate to 4800,N,8,1.

testing program (can be found within the CD)

to detect the COM port that the BC-337 is

currently using.

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BC-337 User Manual

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4.1. Test the BC-337 GPS receiver for PDA

Note: Before you do the following test, please refer to GPS Information User Manual for installing

the “GPSinfo” testing program. You can find the program and Manual in CD. ( “GPSInfo.exe“

and “gpsinfo_menu_Eng_rev Ver 1.02.pdf”)

The testing program only supports the Microsoft Windows CE & Pocket PC based PDA platform.

1. Plug BC-337 into your PDA.

2. In your PDA, tap “Start”, “Programs” and tap “GPSinfo” icon.

3. You must select COM port (CF-CARD-GENERIC), Baud Rate (4800) and tap the [Start GPS]

button to start receiving GPS data. You can use this testing program to check the GPS data

received by BC-337.

Here is the description of “GPSinfo” testing program as follows:

COM Port Select

Baud Rate Select

Scan COM Port

Start/Close receiving GPS data

Cold Start to GPS

Enable/Disable VTG output

Enable/Disable WAAS/EGNOS

Enable/Disable Trickle power mode

GPS data from satellites

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Date and Time information

Speed and Direction

2D or 3D

Horizontal Dilution of Precision

Positional Dilution of Precision

Latitude and Longitude

The number in above is the signal intensity.

The number in below is the satellite number.

 For more detail about this GPS Info testing program,

please refer to the GPS Information User Manual,

you can find it in the CD.

(“gpsinfo_menu_Eng_rev Ver 1.02.pdf”)

4.2. Install the “Compact Flash to PCMCIA” driver

Insert the BC-337 into the “CF to PCMCIA adapter” and insert the adapter into your notebook PC. The

BC-337 GPS receiver supports the plug and play feature, so your notebook PC will detect it

automatically.

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Setup for Windows 98, ME

1. The system will recognize the device.

It will show the “Add New Hardware

Wizard” dialog box. Select

“Automatic search for a better

driver”, insert the driver CD into the

CD-ROM drive and click “Next” button.

2. The system will search the driver of

this device and automatically copy the

necessary files into the system.

3. Click “Finish” button to complete the

installation.

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Setup for Windows XP

1. The system will recognize the device. It

will show the “Found New Hardware

Wizard” dialog box. Please select

“Install the software automatically”,

insert the driver CD into the CD-ROM

drive and click “Next” button.

2. Please click “Continue Anyway” button.

The system will search the driver of this

device and automatically copy the

necessary files into the system.

3. Click “Finish” button to complete the

installation.

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4.3. Test the BC-337 GPS receiver for Notebook PC

1. From desktop, double click the “Gpsinfo”

icon to start the GPS Information

program.

2. Select the correct COM Port and set the

Baud Rate to 4800.

3. Click “Start GPS” button to start receiving

the GPS data.

4. You will see the GPS data running in the

window.

5. Also you can switch to GPSinfo tab to see

the satellite information.

 For more detail about this GPS Info testing

program, please refer to the GPS Information

User Manual, you can find it in the CD.

(“gpsinfo_menu_Eng_rev Ver 1.02.pdf”)

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6. If BC-337 can not receive the GPS data,

please check if you select the correct COM

Port. You can click the “Scan Com Port”

button to let the program scan for you.

7. A “Scan Ports” dialog box will appear and the

program starts to scan and find the device.

When the scan is completed, click “OK” button.

(If the scan is failed, please repeat the step 6

and do it again.)

8. The program will automatically set the correct

COM port number which it found the GPS

Receiver.

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A tip to check the COM port of BC-337

1. From desktop, right click on “My

Computer” icon and click “Properties”.

2. In the “System Properties” dialog box,

click “Hardware” tab, and then click

“Device Manager” button.

3. In the “Device Manager” dialog box,

expand the “Ports” group and you can

find a Compact Flash device and its COM

port number.

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BC-337 User Manual

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FCC Notices

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1)This device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2)This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation .

FCC RF Exposure requirements:

This device and its antenna(s) must not be co-located or operation in conjunction with any other antenna or

transmitter.

NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED

BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE

USER'S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.

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