Receiver Preparation

Enable NMEA output on the GPS Receiver

Consult the documentation on how to turn on the NMEA output stream. Most receivers enable the output but default.

Record the baud rate of the data port on the GPS

Many NMEA devices default to 4800 baud.

Connect the Receiver to Computer with the supplied data cable

Connect the GPS receiver to the computer's serial port.  Note which serial port on the computer you are using (generally COM1 or COM2)

Connect the Receiver Power Supply

Power up the receiver
 

Software Installation

Install the Star Sync Software

Install the Star Sync software from the CD-ROM or download the software from the web site.

Setup the Receiver in Star Sync

Open the ClockWatch program. Open the GPS Setup screen
(Options->GPS->Setup).

1) Select the 'Garmin 35PC'  Model  and press 'Reset'.
2) Select the number of the COM port where the receiver is installed.

It is recommended that you then try the default settings in the GPS Test screen.

Port Settings

Baud rate: Adjust the baud rate if not 4800 baud.

Port Parameters:  The port settings are set to '8-1-none' (data bits -stop bits - parity) if your receiver is  different contact Beagle Software for instructions on how to adjust the software.

Handshaking
Handshaking refers to the internal communications protocol implemented in the computer hardware by which data is transferred from the communications port to the GPS.  For most installations the default settings are adequate.
Tip: First try opening the port without any handshaking settings.

DSR pulse: Determines whether to have Star Sync wait for a pulse on the DSR line before making a time fix.  Such pulse per second outputs are options on some GPS receivers such as the Garmin 35-LVS. This feature requires a custom interface cable between the GPS and PC. Contact Beagle Software for more information.

DTR Enable: Determines whether to enable the Data Terminal Ready (DTR) line during communications. Typically, the Data Terminal Ready signal is sent by a computer to the GPS to indicate that the computer is ready to accept incoming transmission.

Handshaking Type: A handshaking protocol is used so data is not lost when it arrives at the communications port.

  None:  No handshaking.

  RTS: RTS/CTS (Request To Send/Clear To Send) handshaking.

NMEA Time Type: NMEA message type containing time. This is the identifier that Star Sync uses to find the NMEA string that contains the time.
Currently supported NMEA report types include $GPRMC, $GPGLL, $GPGGA and $GPZDA

Minimum Time change: Enter the number of milliseconds for the smallest time change the clock will be set for. This value should be set slightly above the accuracy of the GPS receiver. Set the value high enough so that the clock will not be changed constantly by a small value.

Initialization Strings: the initialization strings are optional strings that are sent to the GPS each time ClockWatch starts and before the first time setting is made. The strings can be used to configure the GPS or modify the NMEA strings that are outputted by the receiver. Both strings are optional.

Test the Receiver in Star Sync

Open the GPS Test screen (Options->GPS->Test). Open the connection and observe the data coming from the GPS receiver.  Most receivers will take approximately 5 to 40 minutes hours to get a fix. Time signal is available after the receiver has fixed the position. More...

Set Star Sync to use GPS as Time Source

Set Star Sync to use the GPS receiver by ‘Enable GPS as time source’ (Options->GPS).  Set the interval (in minutes) how often Star Sync will check time.  Close the Options, Setup and Test screens.

Monitor the Receiver from Star Sync

You can monitor the validation progress and time signal reception from the log window on the main screen of Star Sync.  After validation the window will show the time (in UTC) from the GPS satellites. More...

 
Start the Service in Windows (optional)

After Star Sync verifies that the computer has been synchronized the ClockWatch Service can be started and run to keep the computer synchronized. This service runs whenever the computer is on and the Star Sync application need only be run to change settings.

Star Sync Main Page