Tech Chat – What is NMEA-0183 & GPGGA?
As a surveyor, you've probably heard the word NMEA or GPGGA many times. Such as when using a GNSS device with an echo sounder, it always requires NMEA-0183 data stream from GNSS device to the echo sounder.
What is NMEA-0183 data?
NMEA is an acronym for the National Marine Electronics Association, and NMEA 0183 is one of proprietary protocol issued by this association. The association was formed in 1957 by a group of electronic dealers to create better communications with manufacturers, the protocol mainly for boat navigation and control systems at beginning as early GPS sensors were designed for compatibility with these systems.
But nowadays, NMEA becomes a standard data format supported by all GNSS manufacturers. There are many messages included in the NMEA-0183 protocol, different messages represent difference GNSS information, such as GPGGA is used for positioning information, GPGSA and GPGSV are used for satellites tracking status, GPVTG is used for velocity value, etc.
Definition of GPGGA
Because GPGGA contains positioning information, it is most commonly used when a GNSS device is required to communicate with other devices, like echo sounder, sonar, autopilot, etc.
Let's see what specific information is contained in GPGGA, and how does it cover such information in a short message?
If you are interested in other NMEA-0183 messages or have any questions, you can directly contact us or leave your comments below.
As a company focused on high precision GNSS PNT (Positioning, Navigation & Timing) technology, all GNSS devices of SingularXYZ support NMEA-0183 data output, including Y1 GNSS receiver, P1 GNSS receiver, T8 Pro tablet and etc. Especially the all-round Y1 GNSS receiver, which can flexibly transmit NMEA-0183 data with other devices such as echo sounders through Bluetooth/USB/serial port/4G and other rich interfaces.
More about Y1.
https://www.singularxyz.com/Y1_Land_Surveying_Solution.html
For more details on NMEA-0183, visit the NMEA website.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMEA_0183
