Parse NMEA sentences and use the results to show device location on the map.
Use case
NMEA sentences can be retrieved from GPS receivers and parsed into a series of coordinates with additional information. Devices without a built-in GPS receiver can retrieve NMEA sentences by using a separate GPS dongle, commonly connected bluetooth or through a serial port.
The NMEA location data source allows for detailed interrogation of the information coming from the GPS receiver. For example, allowing you to report the number of satellites in view.
How to use the sample
Tap "Start" to parse the NMEA sentences into a simulated location data source, and initiate the location display. Tap "Reset" to reset the location display.
How it works
- Load an NMEA string and parse the sentences into a series of locations.
- Create an
NmeaLocationDataSource
and initialize it with the mock locations. - Set it to the location display's data source.
- Start the location display to begin receiving location and satellite updates.
Relevant API
- Location
- LocationDisplay
- NmeaLocationDataSource
About the data
This sample reads lines from a local file to simulate the feed of data into the NmeaLocationDataSource
. This simulated data source provides NMEA data periodically, and allows the sample to be used on devices without a GPS dongle that produces NMEA data.
The route taken in this sample features a two-minute driving trip around Redlands, CA.
Tags
dongle, GPS, history, navigation, NMEA, real-time, trace
Sample Code
// [WriteFile Name=DisplayDeviceLocationWithNmeaDataSources, Category=Maps]
// [Legal]
// Copyright 2021 Esri.
// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
// You may obtain a copy of the License at
// http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
// limitations under the License.
// [Legal]
import QtQuick 2.6
import QtQuick.Controls 2.2
import Esri.ArcGISRuntime 100.15
import Esri.ArcGISExtras 1.1
Rectangle {
id: rootRectangle
clip: true
width: 800
height: 600
property bool nmeaSimulationActive: false
property var mockNmeaData: []
MapView {
id: mapView
anchors.fill: parent
Component.onCompleted: {
// Set the focus on MapView to initially enable keyboard navigation
forceActiveFocus();
}
Map {
id: map
Basemap {
initStyle: Enums.BasemapStyleArcGISNavigation
}
ViewpointCenter {
Point {
x: -117.191
y: 34.0306
spatialReference: SpatialReference { wkid: 4326 }
}
targetScale: 100000
}
}
// Create the NemaLocationDataSource to push NMEA sentences to
locationDisplay.dataSource: NmeaLocationDataSource {
id: nmeaLocationDataSource
receiverSpatialReference: SpatialReference { wkid: 4326 }
}
locationDisplay.autoPanMode: Enums.LocationDisplayAutoPanModeRecenter
}
Button {
id: button
anchors {
horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
bottom: parent.bottom
margins: 25
}
width: 200
text: nmeaSimulationActive ? "RESET" : "START"
onClicked: {
nmeaSimulationActive = !nmeaSimulationActive;
if (nmeaSimulationActive)
startSimulation();
else
endSimulation();
}
}
FileFolder {
id: mockNmeaDataFile
path: ":/Samples/Maps/DisplayDeviceLocationWithNmeaDataSources/redlands.nmea"
Component.onCompleted: {
// Load simulated NMEA sentences to display for sample
readFile(path)
.toString()
.split("\n")
.forEach(
(line) => {
// In this simulated data stream, blocks of NMEA sentences start with $GPGGA (which provides the device's position)
if (line.startsWith("$GPGGA"))
mockNmeaData.push(line + "\n");
// Additional sentences that provide information such as direction and velocity follow and are separated by line breaks
else
mockNmeaData[mockNmeaData.length-1] += (line + "\n");
});
}
}
// This timer is used to simulate NMEA sentences being received at regular intervals
Timer {
id: timer
interval: 1000
repeat: true
property var count: 0
onTriggered: {
try {
// In a non-simulated scenario, incoming NMEA sentences from a serial port or bluetooth device would be pushed to the location data source in real time
// NMEA sentences can be pushed individually or in multiple lines separated by line breaks
// Sentences pass information such as direction, velocity, and location and are grouped together to provide detailed information about a user's position
nmeaLocationDataSource.pushData(mockNmeaData[count]);
} catch(err) {
console.log("Unable to push: " + mockNmeaData[count]);
console.log(err);
}
count++;
if (count >= mockNmeaData.length)
count = 0;
}
}
function startSimulation() {
// Enable receiving NMEA location data from external device
nmeaLocationDataSource.start();
// Display the user's location
mapView.locationDisplay.start();
// Begin simulated data stream
timer.count = 0;
timer.start();
}
function endSimulation() {
// End simulated data stream
timer.stop();
// Stop displaying the user's location
mapView.locationDisplay.stop();
// Stop receiving location data
nmeaLocationDataSource.stop();
}
}