This GNSS Desktop Application is a tool for viewing real-time and historical GPS data on a Google Maps interface. It allows users to connect to a GNSS device via a serial port, visualize real-time location data, load historical GPS data from CSV files, and manage data display on the map.
Watch the following video to see how the application works in real-time:
Click to watch the video.
- Real-Time GPS Data Visualization: Connect to a GNSS device using a serial port and visualize real-time location updates on a Google Map.
- GPS Data Recording: Record GPS data in real-time to a CSV file for future reference and analysis.
- Historical Data Loading: Load historical GPS data from CSV files and display them as permanent markers on the map.
- Marker Customization: Real-time and historical markers are displayed with color coding based on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value.
- Wi-Fi Signal Indicator: Visual indicator of the Wi-Fi signal strength within the application.
- Control Panel: Includes options to start/stop recording, load historical data, toggle real-time location display, and refresh the map.
- Input Validation and Safety Measures: The application includes safeguards to prevent users from entering incorrect information that may cause the application to crash, enhancing stability and user experience.
The GNSS Desktop Application interfaces with a Quectel LC29H GNSS module via a serial port, and to handle this communication, firmware has been developed for an STM32 microcontroller. The STM32 acts as a transmitter, parsing and formatting each NMEA data pulse into one sentence for the desktop application to process. The firmware is available in the repository:
Make sure to upload the firmware to your STM32 board to ensure proper communication with the GNSS module.
The application is composed of several key components, each defined in separate C++ files:
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CSVUtils.cpp: Provides utilities for handling CSV files, such as writing GNSS data to CSV and generating titles for map markers based on the data.
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GNSS_desktop_application.cpp: Contains the main application logic, including UI setup, serial port communication, real-time data processing, and interaction with the Google Maps interface.
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GPSData.cpp: Defines data structures and functions for parsing and handling GNSS sentences, converting coordinates, and verifying data integrity.
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main.cpp: The entry point of the application, which initializes and runs the Qt application.
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NetworkUtils.cpp: Handles network-related functionality, such as checking Wi-Fi signal strength and updating the Wi-Fi signal indicator on the map.
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SerialPortUtils.cpp: Manages serial port communication, reading data from the GNSS device, and processing it for display and recording.
To install the GNSS Desktop Application on your computer, follow these steps:
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Download the installer from the following link:
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Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
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Once installed, the application can be launched from your desktop or start menu.