Recommendation - NMEA Message Provider for Windows

SebastianLuhmer · ‎06-05-2014

With the NMEA Connector for ArcGIS GeoEvent processor it is possible to sent GPS-Positions via TCP, UDP etc. to the GEP. Within the NMEA Adapter tutorial the commercial application GPS 2 IP for iOS-Devices is mentioned.

I am looking for a free software on a Windows OS to do this. Does anybody have a hint wich software I could use for this purpose? After doing some recherche, I just found GPSGate that is related with costs.

Regards,

Sebastian

JasonCollins1 · ‎06-05-2014

I've been testing GeoEvent with our Windows laptops and using two pieces of software to make it work. However, I'm interested in GPS Gate and will check it out.

X-port to create virtual serial ports, and VSEP to act as the http client that sends back the data. However, the less moving parts the better in my opinion.

X-port: http://www.curioustech.net/xport.html
VSPE: http://www.eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE.html

SebastianLuhmer · ‎06-06-2014

Hi Jason,

thanks for your quick reply. I am struggling with my 64-bit machine. XPORT is just available for 32-bit- machines and VSPE needs a costly license to be deployed in a 64-bit environment. The simulation of a COM-Port with GPS-Gate is also available in the free version but you can just send the data to COM-Output (and not directly to tcp/udp). So I "just" need an alternative for VSPE to send the GPS-Position data from COM-Port to TCP/UDP within a 64-bit environment. Do you have an idea?

All the best!

Sebastian

JasonCollins1 · ‎06-06-2014

Sebastian,

I'm glad you brought up that point. So far in testing, I've only used 32-bit machines. Most of the boxes we have here are 32 and I'm not sure when the migration to 64 will be. So, I have no idea. I've been considering getting someone to custom code this functionality so that 1, we won't have multiple pieces of software "daisy-chaining" that might break somewhere, and 2, because we will be having approximately 250-300 machines running this when implemented. We've also had some issues where GeoEvent will create a new feature if the network connection is dropped and reconnected. Not sure if that is part of the problem with these pieces of software or something else, but I try to minimize any issues that I can from the start.

We're also testing a Sierra Wireless unit, but it sends the sentences back automatically without any PC interaction. Which is nice.

If I do go the custom route or have any further luck with things, I will reply back in this thread. It appears that this will be a problem for many users until someone with coding skills decides to make some money for this market.

Good Luck!
Jason