Updates & Downloads
GPS 15 H/L software version 4.40
as of April 21, 2009
View installation instructions and system requirements
Notes:
- If upgrading software to version 4.00 (or above) from a version prior to 4.00, you will need to reconfigure the sensor because all user configuration information will be erased during the upgrade process. A unit with version 4.00 (or later) should NOT be downgraded to any software version prior to 4.00.
Change History
Changes made from version 4.30 to 4.40:
- Fixed problem that could cause NMEA output to occasionally transmit at the wrong interval in certain situations where the output time is set to a large value.
- Reduce CPU loading in difficult signal environments.
Changes made from version 4.20 to 4.30:
- Fixed problem that caused certain NMEA fields not be populated if the sensor had a 2D fix rather than a 3D fix.
Changes made from version 4.10 to 4.20:
- Improved robustness of internal error handling.
Changes made from version 4.00 to 4.10:
- Improved the fix-reporting logic to better reflect the status of the unit.
Changes made from version 3.30 to 4.00:
- Use new non-volatile memory manager software to improve reliability.
Changes made from version 3.20 to 3.30:
- Improved the WAAS selection algorithm.
- Fixed a problem with 3D-only mode that caused a '3D-differential' fix to be downgraded to 'no fix' instead of '3D'.
Changes made from version 3.10 to 3.20:
- Fixed a problem that would cause the system to crash when you sent a reset command to the unit after turning the PPS setting on.
Changes made from version 3.00 to 3.10:
- Fixed problem that caused the horizontal velocities in the PGRMV sentence to be missing unless the sensor had a 3D fix.
- Fixed problem that caused the status indicator in the GPRMC sentence to show 'navigation warning' unless the sensor had a 3D fix.
Changes made from version 2.90 to 3.00:
- Changes made to support manufacturing.
- Fixed SBAS compatibility issue with Japanese MSAS system.
- Drop WAAS satellites that are not transmitting useful data.
Changes made from version 2.80 to 2.90:
- Improved compliance with NMEA version 2.30 Standard.
Changes made from version 2.70 to 2.80:
- Improved robustness of non-volatile memory handling.
Changes made from version 2.60 to 2.70:
- Changes made to support manufacturing.
Changes made from version 2.50 to 2.60:
- Improvements made to ensure that the unit correctly reports the validity of the vertical speed and altitude when a 3D fix is not available.
- Increased the responsiveness of the reported fix type when the dead reckoning time is set to a short amount of time.
- Changed software version to 2.60.
Changes made from version 2.40 to 2.50:
- Improvements were made for internal purposes.
Changes made from version 2.30 to 2.40:
- Added ability to turn position averaging on and off via a Garmin or NMEA command.
- Enhanced first-fix processing.
- Changed software version to 2.40.
Changes made from version 2.20 to 2.30:
- Allowed vertical filter to be disabled via the PGRMC sentence.
- Added altitude-validity checking to first-fix processing.
- Improved EPH during non-differential fix to differential fix transitions.
Changes made from version 2.10 to 2.20:
- Improved non-volatile memory storage of WAAS/EGNOS ionospheric mask corrections.
Changes made from version 2.02 to 2.10:
- Improved WAAS/EGNOS satellite selection algorithm to select the satellite with the most beneficial corrections given the unit's current position. Units will not use a WAAS/EGNOS satellite if the unit's current position is outside of a given WAAS/EGNOS satellite's service volume.
Changes made from version 2.01 to 2.02:
- Added automatic position averaging when stopped.
- Removed position pinning. Position pinning remains off regardless of the PGRMC1 sentence command.
- Fixed problem with saving unit position in nonvolatile memory upon first fix.
Changes made from version 2.00 to 2.01:
- Added support for ephemeris download.
- Improve eph estimate for WAAS DGPS fixes.
Installation Instructions
- It is recommended that you disable screen savers or other programs running on your PC while you go through the update process. Disruptions to the update process may render your GPS inoperable. If the transfer is interrupted, turn off the GPS and then turn it back on. Reboot your PC, go to step #9 and attempt the download again. GARMIN is not responsible for failed downloads of operating software to the GPS and factory resetting the GPS unit will fall under our Flat Rate Repair Policy.
- Click on "Download" and choose to save the file to your computer.
- Choose a location where you can easily locate the file by saving it to a location such as the "My Documents" folder or to "C:\".
- Once the download is complete, go to the location where you saved the file.
- Locate the downloaded file and double-click on it. This will launch the Win-Zip Self Extractor. This program compresses the data to allow for a faster download of the needed files.
- A program window will appear asking you where to "Un-zip" the files. This is by default C:\Garmin. You can change this location if you like. Be sure to note where the un-zipped files are going to allow you to find them!
- Click on the button labeled "Un-zip".
- Once the un-zip process is complete, click on the "Close" button to exit the Win-Zip Self Extractor.
- Click on the "OK" button on the Updater program window to start the data transfer.
- Connect your unit to a free serial port (Com 1, 2, 3, or 4) on your PC. The user will need to build an appropriate cable to accomplish this.
- Power up the unit.
- Option 1:
a) Navigate your browser to the C:\Garmin folder and run the
SNSRCFG program by clicking on the SNSRCFG.exe file. Make
sure 'GPS15 H/L' base model has been selected and click 'OK'.
b) Either select Config-Update Software from the menu bar or
press F12 to update the software. Normally, you will see a
confirmation window indicating that you have connected to the
unit. If the connection confirmation window does not appear,
there are two possibilities:
i) The GPS15 is not properly connected to your computer.
Click 'Cancel'. The update program will not find the GPS15
and will fail. Verify the serial connections, cycle power
on the unit, and try again.
ii) The unit may be in Garmin (update) mode. In this case,
click 'Cancel' to continue with the update.
c) A browser window will open and default to the folder
C:\Garmin. You may now browse for the correct region file to
upload. The correct region file will be named
021700000xxx.rgn, where XXX is the version number of the
software you wish to upload. Select region file and click
'Open'.
d) A browser window will open and prompt for an update program. Select the
Garmin software update program, updater.exe. Updater will start and
prompt you to select the appropriate serial port. Click 'OK' to begin
the software upload.
- Option 2:
a) Run SNSRCFG by clicking on the SNSRCFG.exe file. Make sure
'GPS15 H/L' base model has been selected and click 'OK'.
b) Either select Config-Switch to Garmin mode from the menu bar
or press F11 to switch your unit to Garmin (update) mode. If
the unit is in NMEA mode you will see a confirmation window
saying 'Connection Success'. If the connection confirmation
window does not appear, there are two possibilities:
i) The GPS15 is not properly connected to your computer.
Verify the serial connections, cycle power on the unit,
and try again.
ii) The unit may already be in Garmin (update) mode. Proceed
to step c.
c) Change to the directory in which you unzipped the files,
(i.e., C:\GARMIN), and run the update program, updater.exe.
Select the appropriate serial port and click 'OK' to begin
the software upload.
- During the upload, the display will indicate 'Software
Loading....'. The upload process should take 1-3 minutes to
complete. When the upload is completed, the unit will reset
itself and turn on normally. At this point, click the connect
button (or select Comm-Connect from the Menu bar). If you select
view-NMEA Transmitted Sentences the NMEA sentences should be
updating on the screen.
- NOTE: If, for any reason, updater does not completely execute and
terminate normally, the GPS15 system software may be corrupt and the
unit will remain in Garmin mode. If this is the case try the following:
1. Try to switch the unit back to NMEA mode (press F10 or
select Config-Switch to NMEA Mode).
2. Check to see if the unit is transmitting NMEA sentences. If the
unit is transmitting sentences, verify the software version
number via the PGRMT sentence. If the GPS15 is not transmitting
sentences or the version number is not correct, you must
reload the software starting with step 12 above.
System requirements
- IBM-compatible PC running Windows 2000 or later operating system and an available Com 1, 2, 3, or 4 port.
- PC Interface Cable for suitable for your OEM unit. The user will need to fabricate one according to the data provided in the Technical Specifications.