Garmin GPS16X-HVS Programming Adapter

DIY field programming adapter for the Garmin GPS16X-HVS GPS receiver. Use this with a portable computer running Windows™ to upload new firmware.

Assembly

Usage

Required software is loaded onto a USB drive inside the programmer, but is not present in this repository. See References below for download links.

1. Turn the GPS unit off
2. Connect alligator clips to GPS data wires:
   • Blue - data in
   • White - data out
3. Connect alligator clips to GPS power wires (or leave connected to existing power supply†):
   • Yellow - enable
   • Red - power in
   • Black - power ground
4. Turn the GPS unit on:
   • For built-in 9V supply, turn switch OFF → ON.
   • For existing power supply, use established procedure
5. Setup the computer:
   • Plug USB cable into computer
   • Install the usb-serial adapter driver, as necessary: CDM21228_Setup.zip
   • Install the new firmware package: GPS16x_420.exe
6. Right-click SNSRXCFG_330.exe and choose Launch as Administrator (the updater program will silently fail if not launched with admin rights), then connect to the GPS:
   • Choose GPS 16x when prompted
   • Setup the serial port under Comm → Setup:
     • Serial Port: look up correct port under Computer > Manage > Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)
     • Baud: leave as Auto or manually specify 38400
   • Connect to the GPS using Comm → Connect
7. To verify the current firmware version of the unit, enable the PGRMT sentence
   • Open the Config → NMEA Sentence Selection (F7)
   • Set PGRMT to Enabled and press OK
   • Next use Send the new configuration to the GPS (F9)
   • Now open View → NMEA Transmitted Sentences
   • After verifying, reverse these steps to disable the PGRMT sentence again
8. To initiate the firmware upgrade use Config → Update Software (F12)
   • Follow the instructions provided by the prompts
   • Select the region file provided with the firmware package
   • Select the updater program provided with the firmware package
   • Wait
   • Once the upgrade completes, restart the sensor config program

     Failure to restart the sensor config program may result in inability to connect to the GPS unit.

9. Connect using the sensor config tool and verify settings match intended values.

†Since the ground wire (black) is common for power and the serial port, it's important to avoid creating a ground loop. Either use a laptop computer running on battery power, or power the GPS receiver from a battery, or both.

References

• Campbell Scientific. GPS16X-HVS GPS Receiver Instruction Manual. Rev Oct 2017. Retrieved 2019-04-05. Online: https://s.campbellsci.com/documents/us/manuals/gps16x-hvs.pdf.

• Future Technology Devices International Ltd. D2XX Direct Driver Setup Executable. Version 2.12.28. Retrieved 2019-04-05. Online: https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm

• Garmin International. GPS 16x Technical Specifications. Rev October 2011. Retrieved 2019-04-05. Online: http://static.garmin.com/pumac/GPS_16x_tech_specs.pdf.

• Garmin International. GPS 16x software version 4.20. Retrieved 2019-04-05. Online: https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4061.

• Garmin International. SNSRXCFG software version 3.30. Retrieved 2019-04-05. Online: https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4053.