Aman Enterprises launches iOS Bluetooth adapter to connect GNSS receivers to iPhone, iPad

January 6, 2016 - By GPS World Staff

Photo: Aman Enterprises

Aman Enterprises introduces NMEA-BT — a Bluetooth iOS adapter that enables any high-precision GNSS receiver with a serial port to connect to an iPad or iPhone.

The NMEA-BT adapter is a small, weatherproof device that solves the problem of connecting non-iOS GNSS receivers and other field sensors to iOS devices. It connects to the iOS devices wirelessly using the native Bluetooth built into the iOS devices.

GPS World reported on a Kickstarter campaign to develop the device in January 2015. The device is now shipping.

By replacing the iOS device’s internal GPS location information with the location information from the intrinsically more accurate external GNSS devices used by mapping and survey professionals, NMEA-BT allows users to pair external GNSS devices to their location-enabled iPhone or iPad app. The patent-pending product helps preserve the user’s investment in sub-meter and centimeter GNSS receivers and other sensors while users migrate their workforce to iOS devices.

A free app from the Apple iTunes App Store (NMEA Talker) enables the user to specify any required GPS connection parameters; connect to a local cellular RTK network (NTRIP) or a Direct IP (DIP) based correction service; and feed the corrections to the GNSS receiver, allowing for centimeter accuracy in real time in the field. The app can also be used to display error notifications like high PDOP, loss of an RTK correction, loss of satellite lock.

In addition to connecting to GNSS devices, users can connect to other sensors like laser rangefinders, resistographs, underground cable locators, and commercial weigh scales that output NMEA-formatted data.

For developers, they have full access to the entire raw NMEA stream of data from multiple devices without sacrificing app security or design architecture. No proprietary libraries are required to access the NMEA data stream.