Connect a GPS

Roadsoft and the Laptop Data Collector (LDC) are developed to work together for the collection, storage, and use of agency roadway data. To collect accurate data locations, the use of a GPS is required with the LDC. See System Requirements for the basic GPS requirements. Contact technical support at roadsoft@mtu.edu for GPS device recommendations. For help connecting a Trimble R2 GPS receiver, see Roadsoft LDC Trimble R2 GPS Receiver Setup.

Starting and testing the GPS should be performed outside or at least near a window or the exterior of a building. It may take a few minutes for the GPS to lock on and acquire a steady signal.

Start the LDC.

Connect the GPS to the laptop.

For a puck style GPS, plug the USB cord into the USB port on the laptop.

If this is the first time connecting the GPS to the laptop, be sure the appropriate GPS driver is installed. The driver for the recommended Globalsat BU-353-S4  puck style GPS can be found at http://roadsoft.org/sites/roadsoft.org/files/PL23XX_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v401.zip.

Search for “device manager” in the laptop search options.

Locate the USB device in the list (it should display similar to “USB-to-serial COM Port (COM3).” If it displays similar to “USB-Serial Controller,” then the driver needs to be installed.

Some operating systems may locate the driver software automatically. If an automatic download is not completed, follow steps 2c – 2e to complete the driver download. Internet connection is required for both options.

Right-click on the USB device name in the list.

Select Update Driver Software….

Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

For a Bluetooth GPS:

Turn on the GPS device.

Open Windows Settings.

Select Devices.

Turn on Bluetooth if not already turned on.

Click the “Add Bluetooth or other device” button.

Click Bluetooth on the Add a Dive pop-up window.

Select the GPS device from the list that appears.

If connecting for the first time, the laptop may require a pairing code, which will have come with the GPS itself. Enter the code, and after the connection has been established the laptop will remember it.

Common Bluetooth pairing codes are “0000”, “1111”, and “1234”

Follow steps a-b above to determine the COM port assigned to the Bluetooth GPS.

Select GPS from the main menu options.

Select GPS Settings….

The GPS Setting Form window opens, use the COM dropdown menu to select a COM port.

Use the Baud drop-down to select a baud rate (default setting should be fine).

Other GPS options that can be altered can be found under the Advanced Settings tab.

Select the Test Settings button.

If the selected COM Port connects, a window will open asking to connect the LDC to that COM Port. Select Yes.

If the test fails, use the dropdown menu to select a different COM Port and select the Test Settings button.

Select the Refresh button (the green arrows) to search again for COM Ports if necessary.

If the GPS fails to connect, wait several minutes and try to connect again, or contact technical support.

If the GPS connection is not on/near a road segment that is part of the network imported into the LDC, the LDC will not snap to a segment on the map. Drive toward a road that is part of the network so that the vehicle marker can snap to it. If this does not happen, restart the LDC or contact technical support.