u-center

GNSS evaluation software for Windows

User Guide

Abstract
This document leads you through the efficient use of the u-center
evaluation software, the powerful and easy to use tool from u-blox
for evaluating, performance analysis and configuration of u-blox
GNSS positioning chips and modules.

www.u-blox.com
UBX-13005250 R10

u-center - User Guide

Document Information
Title

u-center

Subtitle

GNSS evaluation software for Windows

Document type

User Guide

Document number

UBX-13005250

Revision and date

R10

Document status

Production Information

21-Dec-2015

Document status explanation

Objective Specification

Document contains target values. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.

Advance Information

Document contains data based on early testing. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.

Early Production Information

Document contains data from product verification. Revised and supplementary data may be published later.

Production Information

Document contains the final product specification.

This software uses parts of source code developed by other companies or groups.
JPG and JPEG graphics import filter:
Copyright the Independent JPEG Group's software
PNG graphics import filter:
Copyright 1998-2000 Glenn Randers-Pehrson,
Copyright (c) 1996, 1997 Andreas Dilger,
Copyright 1995, 1996 Guy Eric Schalnat, Group 42, Inc.
TIFF graphics import filter:
Copyright 1988-1997 Sam Leffler,
Copyright 1991-1997 Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Docking views:
Copyright 1998, 1999 by Cristi Posea
Perl Compatible Regular Expressions:
Copyright 1997-2003 by University of Cambridge
Microsoft Foundation Class MFC4.2:
Copyright Microsoft Corporation
All trademarks mentioned in this document are property of their respective owners.

u-blox reserves all rights to this document and the information contained herein. Products, names, logos and designs described herein
may in whole or in part be subject to intellectual property rights. Reproduction, use, modification or disclosure to third parties of this
document or any part thereof without the express permission of u-blox is strictly prohibited.
The information contained herein is provided as is and u-blox assumes no liability for the use of the information. No warranty, either
express or implied, is given, including but not limited, with respect to the accuracy, correctness, reliability and fitness for a particular
purpose of the information. This document may be revised by u-blox at any time. For most recent documents, visit www.u-blox.com.
Copyright 2015, u-blox AG.
u-blox is a registered trademark of u-blox Holding AG in the EU and other countries. ARM is the registered trademark of ARM Limited
in the EU and other countries.

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Preface
Overview
u-center is u-blox powerful GNSS evaluation and visualization tool which can be downloaded free-of-charge
from our website (www.u-blox.com). This user guide provides a description of the features of this software. It
allows end users to assess and test u-blox GNSS positioning chips and modules for navigation and positioning
performance.
The purpose of u-center is to enable users to:

Conduct performance tests on u-blox and other GNSS devices.

Configure u-blox GNSS positioning chips and modules.

Update the firmware on GNSS modules.

Test the added performance provided by u-blox AssistNow service.

Using this guide

This guide assumes that the user has basic computer skills and is familiar with the Windows Graphical User
Interface (GUI) and GNSS receiver environments.
The following symbols are used to highlight important information:
An index finger points out key information pertaining to integration and performance.
A warning symbol indicates actions that could negatively impact or damage the receiver.

Technical support
If you have questions about installing or using u-center:

Read this user guide carefully.

Check our homepage (http://www.u-blox.com) to ensure that your GNSS device, firmware and the u-center
software are the latest versions.

Refer to our web based information service.

Worldwide Web
Our website (www.u-blox.com) is a rich pool of information. Product information and technical documents can
be accessed 24/7.
By email
If you have technical problems or cannot find the required information in the provided documents, contact the
closest technical support office. To ensure that we process your request as soon as possible, use our service pool
email addresses rather than personal staff email addresses. Contact details are at the end of the document.
Helpful information when contacting technical support
When contacting technical support, have the following information ready:

Receiver type (e.g. NEO-7N), firmware version (e.g. 1.00), and u-center release (e.g. u-center 8.00)

Receiver configuration and short description of the application

Your complete contact details

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Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................................ 3
Overview ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Using this guide ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Technical support ............................................................................................................................................ 3

Contents.............................................................................................................................. 4
1

Features ........................................................................................................................ 6

Getting started ............................................................................................................. 7

2.1

General information about displayed values ......................................................................................... 7

2.2

Connecting an u-blox evaluation kit to the PC ...................................................................................... 7

2.3
2.4

Installing u-center ................................................................................................................................. 7

Connect to the receiver ........................................................................................................................ 8

2.4.1

Select the port ............................................................................................................................... 8

2.4.2

Select the baud rate (only for COM ports) ..................................................................................... 8

Concept and philosophy .............................................................................................. 9

3.1

Color and satellite coding scheme ...................................................................................................... 10

3.2
Operating modes ................................................................................................................................ 12
3.2.1
Online mode ............................................................................................................................... 12
3.2.2

Stop mode .................................................................................................................................. 12

3.2.3
3.2.4

Recorder mode ............................................................................................................................ 12

Player mode ................................................................................................................................ 12

3.2.5

Relations between modes ............................................................................................................ 13

3.3

Database limitation ............................................................................................................................. 13

u-center menus and windows ................................................................................... 14

4.1

Main frame and toolbars .................................................................................................................... 14

4.1.1
4.1.2

Standard menu bar ..................................................................................................................... 14

Standard toolbar ......................................................................................................................... 23

4.1.3

Views toolbar .............................................................................................................................. 23

4.1.4
4.1.5

Communication toolbar .............................................................................................................. 24

Log file toolbar ............................................................................................................................ 24

4.1.6

Action toolbar ............................................................................................................................. 24

4.1.7
Standard status bar ..................................................................................................................... 24
4.2
Views and windows ............................................................................................................................ 25
4.2.1

Packet console............................................................................................................................. 25

4.2.2
4.2.3

Binary console ............................................................................................................................. 27

Text console ................................................................................................................................ 28

4.2.4

Messages View ............................................................................................................................ 32

4.2.5

Statistic view ............................................................................................................................... 35

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4.2.6
4.2.7

Table view ................................................................................................................................... 36

Map view .................................................................................................................................... 38

4.2.8

Chart view................................................................................................................................... 46

4.2.9
4.2.10

Histogram view ........................................................................................................................... 48

Camera view ............................................................................................................................... 50

4.2.11

Deviation map ............................................................................................................................. 51

4.2.12

Sky view ...................................................................................................................................... 52

Tools ............................................................................................................................ 53
5.1.1

Firmware Update u-blox 5/6/7/M8 ........................................................................................... 53

5.1.2
5.1.3

Dump receiver diagnostics ........................................................................................................... 55

GNSS configuration ..................................................................................................................... 55

5.1.4

Hotkeys ....................................................................................................................................... 57

5.1.5

Preferences.................................................................................................................................. 57

How To........................................................................................................................ 58
6.1
6.2

Change baud rate of receiver ............................................................................................................. 58

Save parameters to receiver non-volatile memory (BBR/Flash).............................................................. 59

6.2.1

Saving parameters with UBX-CFG-CFG ........................................................................................ 59

6.2.2
Saving parameters with GNSS configuration ................................................................................ 59
6.3
Recording/playing a log file ................................................................................................................. 59

6.4

Conduct sensitivity tests ..................................................................................................................... 60

6.5
6.6

Read/write configuration files ............................................................................................................. 60

Set GNSS system configuration ........................................................................................................... 60

6.7

Activating PPP (EVK-6PPP only) ........................................................................................................... 61

Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................... 63

Related documents........................................................................................................... 64
Revision history ................................................................................................................ 64
Contact .............................................................................................................................. 65

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1 Features
u-center evaluation software provides system integrators and end users with a quick and simple way to interface
with u-blox GNSS chipsets, modules and boards. It enables easy evaluation, performance testing, development
and debugging of GNSS positioning chips and modules. u-center allows easy connection to u-blox products and
provides a suite of features to view, log, and analyze performance. The features include:

Support for u-blox receivers using u-blox positioning technology. u-center can communicate with these
receivers using either the UBX protocol or the NMEA-0183 standard protocol.

Support for receivers that utilize standard NMEA strings.

u-center presents all the information collected during the operation of the GNSS device. All aspects of GNSS
data (position, velocity, time, satellite tracking, etc.) can be monitored and logged under various test
scenarios for the evaluation of a receiver. u-center software allows analysis of the collected data in order to
investigate performance issues such as accuracy, road test position and trajectory, satellite tracking, time to
first fix, etc. All processed data can be captured in ASCII format and ported into popular spreadsheets for
creating additional plots and statistics.

Camera View: photographic data can be stored in the log file together with the navigation data and later be
replayed in the application.

Export data files to Google Earth and Google Maps.

Supports (Multiple GNSS) AssistNow Online and AssistNow Offline.

Data recording and playback function.

Structural and graphical data visualization in real-time.

Export functionality to standard PC applications.

Docking views (real-time cockpit instruments):

Satellite constellation, compass, clock, altimeter, speedometer, GNSS and satellite information views.

Download firmware updates to GNSS positioning modules.

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2 Getting started
2.1 General information about displayed values

Longitude and latitude are displayed according to the datum selected in the GNSS device (usually: WGS-84).
This option can be polled and set using the UBX-CFG-DAT message.

Time is displayed with reference to UTC

Elevation is displayed with reference to either MSL (Height above mean sea level or Orthometric Height) or
to HAE (Height above WGS-84-Ellipsoid). The reference is controlled by the GNSS configuration.

2.2 Connecting an u-blox evaluation kit to the PC

This section assumes that you have purchased an u-blox evaluation kit. Should you try to connect a different
GNSS device to the PC, make sure you use appropriate RS-232 level shifters.
The evaluation kit can be connected to the PC by using either an USB or a serial cable. In case of using the USB
port, a driver is required (contained in the u-center installer or downloadable from our homepage). Be sure to
install the driver before connecting the evaluation kit to the computer.

2.3 Installing u-center

The installation program guides you through the necessary steps for a successful program installation. During the
installation, you can choose the destination folder for the program.
u-center uses dynamic link libraries (DLL). The installation program will automatically install the
required DLLs into the u-center program directory. Should you try to copy a u-center
installation from one location to another after the installation, make sure you copy the DLL files
as well.
After a successful installation, u-center can be started from the Start Menu (All Programs -> u-blox -> u-center ->
u-center) and will start up as shown in:

Figure 1: Start display

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2.4 Connect to the receiver

2.4.1 Select the port
Locate the communication toolbar (Figure 2) and click on the arrow beside the
icon. This will show a list with
all available COM ports (Figure 3). Select the corresponding COM port where the receiver is connected. If a link
could be established, the icon will turn green
and the text in the status bar changes from
to
(in this example u-center is connected to COM6). This does not mean that the
communication already works but only that the port could be opened.

Figure 2: Communication toolbar

Figure 3: List of available COM ports

2.4.2 Select the baud rate (only for COM ports)

Again in the communication toolbar, click on the arrow beside the
icon. This will show a list with all available
baud rates (Figure 4). Select the correct baud rate on which the receiver is communicating (typically 9600 baud).
If u-center is able to decode data from the receiver, the status bar begins to blink in green as shown in the
following icon:
. This means that the connection is established successfully and the
communication between the receiver and u-center is working.

Figure 4: List of available baud rates

You are now ready to use the receiver.

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3 Concept and philosophy

Understanding the basic concept behind u-center is important in order to get the highest benefit out of this
powerful evaluation software. Figure 5 depicts the architecture of the software. The program gets a data stream
from either a COM port or a log file and splits this stream into protocol messages. From the messages, relevant
parameters are extracted and inserted into the current dataset of the database.
In the current dataset, statistical values of the parameters are calculated. Average, Minimum, Maximum and
Standard Deviation are calculated for most parameters. If a protocol does not provide a parameter, u-center tries
to calculate the parameter from the ones that are available. For example if velocity-north and velocity-east are
available, u-center calculates the speed over ground and course over ground, unless this data is already available
in the protocol.

Figure 5: Engine Architecture

When a new epoch (change in time) is detected, the current dataset is stored as history in the database. This
history has a limited size. If the size is exceeded u-center keeps only the latest datasets and the oldest ones are
removed. The history size may be adjusted. Refer to section 3.3 for the details
u-center provides various view classes for observation. Most views take their data from the database, but some
get their data directly from the message without using the database at all. The other views are updated when
the database changes.

Message Views Displays and decodes a copy of every known message. This view allows observing a single
message in detail and it may also be used to configure the GNSS device. Refer to Section 4.2.4 for details.
The configuration view is a subset of the message view and only displays message to configure the receiver.

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Console Views Displays the messages in text form. They are particularly useful for users to develop GNSS
firmware code. There is also a wide range of information available which is useful for evaluation and testing.
Refer to sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 for details.

Graphical Views Displays parameters from the database in graphical form. Charts (see section 4.2.8),
Histograms (section 4.2.9) and a Map Overlay (section 4.2.7) can be created. There are two more views
(Deviation View and Sky View, see sections 4.2.11 and 4.2.12) that may be used for statistical performance
and antenna pattern analysis.

Tabular Views Shows the parameters of the database in tabular form. They can be freely configured to
allow customized tables. Refer to sections 4.2.5 and 4.2.6 for details.

Docking Windows Can be docked to the frame of u-center. An analog watch, compass, world map,
altitude and speed meter are available. There are also docking windows showing the current signal power
and the constellation of the satellites received by the device as well as a summary of the GNSS status.
Displaying various views and docking windows requires computing power. Minimizing or closing them
may significantly reduce CPU usage.

3.1 Color and satellite coding scheme

In the graphical views and some docking windows, colors are used to indicate data quality. Table 1 shows the
color codes for graphical views depending on the quality of the navigation solution.

Color

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

Meaning
Yellow

Current value

Orange

Valid 3D navigation fix + Dead Reckoning

Green

Valid 3D navigation fix

Cyan

Valid 2D navigation fix

Magenta

Dead Reckoning Fix

Blue

Degraded navigation fix

Red

No or invalid navigation fix

Table 1: Color-coding scheme for graphical views

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Table 2 gives the color-coding scheme for the Docking Windows and Sky View. It indicates the state of each
satellite.
Color

Meaning
Green

Satellite used in navigation (with Ephemeris)

Olive

Satellite used in navigation (with Ephemeris and PPP)

Dark Green

Satellite used in navigation (with aiding data: AssistNow Autonomous,

AssistNow Online/Offline)

Cyan

Satellite signal available, available for use in navigation

Blue

Satellite signal available, not available for use in navigation

Red

Satellite signal not available

Table 2: Color-coding scheme for the docking windows and sky view

Table 3 gives the satellite-coding scheme for the docking windows and sky view.
Satellite Code

System

Gxx

GPS
GLONASS
BeiDou
Galileo
SBAS
QZSS

Rxx
Bxx
Exx
Sxx
Qxx

Table 3: Satellite-coding scheme for the docking windows and sky view

Figure 6 shows the color legend. This is available under: Tools Preferences Status Colors.

Figure 6: Color-coding scheme for graphical views, docking windows, and sky view

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3.2 Operating modes

u-center has different operating modes (see Figure 7). The mode changes when you open or close a log file or
when you make an action in the player. To be able to use the record mode you have to create a new file, save to
a new file or open an existing file. The record and player mode are only available if you have created a new file
or when you have opened a write-able file.

Figure 7: Relations between operating modes

3.2.1 Online mode

In this mode a GNSS device is directly connected to u-center via a COM port. u-center can control and configure
the receiver and it will display the data that the receiver is sending periodically.

3.2.2 Stop mode

In this mode no data from a receiver or a log file is forwarded to the database and views. u-center is in this
mode when a log file is open but player and recorder are not active.

3.2.3 Recorder mode

Recorder Mode is the same mode as the Online Mode, except u-center additionally creates a log file,
concatenating all the messages sent by the receiver. You enter this mode by creating a new log file or opening
an existing log file without write protection and pressing the record button. An example of using this mode
would be to make overnight measurements and evaluate the data at a later time. u-blox customer support may
request a log file from you when you are experiencing a problem with one of our receivers.

3.2.4 Player mode

The Player Mode allows replaying a previously recorded log file step by step, in real-time or at an accelerated
rate. You enter this mode by opening a file and pressing the play, step or scan button.

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3.2.5 Relations between modes

The operating mode depends on the status of the log file player. Modes are changed by user actions. Each mode
has different states that are changed by a user action or by an event (see Figure 7).
In Online and Recorder modes, u-center displays data from the receiver. In Player mode data from a log file is
displayed. Player mode has different states. In Play state messages are read and displayed periodically from the
log file. The very intuitive user interface is derived from that of a CD player. u-center updates the views after
each message. Step state only gets one message from the log file and immediately returns to paused Play state.
Scan state also reads messages periodically but the display is only updated when paused or by changing the
state. Position can be set in a log file. This behaves differently in the Player and Stop modes. In Stop mode the
position is just set and no data is read and displayed. u-center will start recording or playing from that position
when changing the mode. If position is set in Player mode, u-center will load the data up to this position from
the log file and display the contents.

3.3 Database limitation

The number of epochs displayed in u-center is limited in order to allow an efficient analysis of large log files. The
limit is set to 1800 epochs by default. This means if an epoch is available every second you can analyze data for
up to 30 minutes. After this time the oldest values are discarded. Data stored to a log file is not affected by the
database limitation.

Figure 8: Set maximum number of epochs to keep in database

For long-term observations, its recommended to start recording a log file before analysis begins.
If a high value of epochs is selected, the display of data in real-time cannot be guaranteed,
especially when graphical views are open.

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4 u-center menus and windows

4.1 Main frame and toolbars
The main frame is the primary display screen of u-center. It displays all tool bars and some of the information
provided by the device. In the standard status bar, information about communication, UTC time, connection
time, used protocol (NMEA or UBX), used file, etc. is shown.

Button tool tip: A description about each button in the toolbars can be obtained by holding the mouse
cursor over the button for a few seconds. A tool tip message will appear near the icon with additional
information while a detailed description is displayed in the status display.

Figure 9: u-center main frame and toolbars

4.1.1 Standard menu bar

All u-center functions can be accessed through the standard menu bar. Commands can also be accessed by
shortcuts that are listed in the menus. Some often used operations are also available in the different toolbars.

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4.1.1.1

File

Figure 10: File menu entries

Function

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

New

Creates a new log file. No data is yet written but only the
file is opened. The duration of the logging time is
displayed in the status bar field Operating time.

Ctrl+N /

Save

Creates a new log file, saves the data from the internal
database to the log file and starts immediately recording
all new data from the receiver. This is useful when an
error or an unexpected event occurred and no log file
was recorded. The size of the ring buffer (4 MB) is large
enough to retain the data for the last hour (approx.).

Ctrl+S /

Open

Opens a stored log file to be replayed.

Ctrl+O

Close

Closes the active file.

Ctrl+E /

Database Empty

Deletes the internal database and all saved values.

Database Export

Exports the internal database into HTML or KML data

formats for displaying with Google Map or Google Earth.

Print

Prints the active document.

Print Preview

Shows a preview of the print output.

Print Setup

Shows the setup dialog of the printer.

Recent Files

Lists all recently used files.

Exit

Exits u-center.

Table 4: File menu entries

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4.1.1.2

Edit

Figure 11: Edit menu entries

Function

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

Cut

Cut the current selection and put in to the clipboard

Ctrl+X / Shift+Del /

Copy

Copy the current selection to the clipboard

Ctrl+C / Ctrl+Insert /

Paste

Paste the clipboard content to the current position

Ctrl+V / Shift+Insert /

Delete

Delete the current selection

Del

Select All

Select all in the current view

Ctrl+A

Clear All

Clear all in the current view

Ctrl+Del

Table 5: Edit menu entries

The Edit menu is fully Microsoft Windows compliant.

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4.1.1.3

View

Figure 12: View menu entries

Function

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

Packet Console

Opens the packet console.

F6 /

Binary Console

Opens the binary console.

F7 /

Text Console

Opens the text console.

F8 /

Messages View

Opens the dialog with all supported messages.

F9 /

Configuration
View

Opens the dialog with all configuration messages. This is

a subset of the Messages View.

Ctrl+F9 /

Statistic View

Opens the statistic view with all data from the internal
database.

F10 /

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Table View

Opens the empty table view. All values from the internal
database can be displayed individually.

Recent Table
Views

Lists all the table views that have been opened. This
information comes from the Windows registry and is also
valid after a restart of u-center.

Map View

Opens a window allowing to display a map.

Chart View

Opens a window with chart functionality. All values from

the internal database can be displayed individually.

Histogram View

Opens a window with histogram functionality. All values

from the internal database can be displayed individually.

Camera View

Opens a window allowing to connect to a webcam and

visualize and save the image.

Deviation Map

Opens a window with a position deviation map.

Sky View

Opens a window with the sky view. The current position

of the satellites and their values from the internal
database are shown.

Docking Windows

Opens a list with all available docking windows that can

be shown.

Satellite Position

Shows or hide the current satellite positions.

Satellite Level

Shows or hide the current satellite levels.

Satellite Level
History

Shows or hide the history of the satellite levels.

World Position

Shows or hide the current position on the world map.

Data

Shows or hide data from the navigation solution (like

position, TTFF, accuracy and DOPs)

Altitude Meter

Shows or hide the altitude meter.

Compass

Shows or hide the compass.

Speed Meter

Shows or hide the speed meter.

Watch

Shows or hide the clock.

Toolbars

Opens a list with all available toolbars that can be shown.

Standard Toolbar

Shows or hide the standard toolbar.

Views Toolbar

Shows or hide the views toolbar.

Receiver Toolbar

Shows or hide the receiver toolbar.

Player Toolbar

Shows or hide the player toolbar.

Action Toolbar

Shows or hide the action toolbar.

AssistNow Offline
Toolbar

Shows or hide the AssistNow Offline toolbar.

F11 /

F12 /

Table 6: View menu entries

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4.1.1.4

Player

Figure 13: Player menu entries

Function

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

Eject

Closes the active log file

Ctrl+E /

Stop

Stops reading or recording from the active log file

Ctrl+H /

Pause

Pauses reading or recording from the active log file.

Ctrl+P /

Record

Starts recording to a new or already opened log file. Any

data in the internal database will not be written to the
file. If you want to save this data into a log file, open the
File menu and click Save.

Ctrl+R /

Step

Single step function. The next message is read.

Ctrl+Space /

Play

Starts reading from the active log file. The speed of the
action can be chosen on the sub-menu.

Ctrl+G /

Scan

Reads the entire log file into the database and updates
the display at the end of the scan period

Ctrl+F /

Goto Begin

Sets the read position to the begin of the log file

Goto End

Sets the read position to the end of the log file

Table 7: Player menu entries

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4.1.1.5

Receiver

Figure 14: Receiver menu entries

Function

Port

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

Defines the port u-center connects to. The list is

generated automatically using the enumeration method
under Tools Preferences Generic Enumerate serial
ports using.
The currently used port will be indicated with a

Disconnect

Disconnects from a connected receiver

COM [19]

Connects to COM[19] with the current baudrate.

Network
connection

Connects to a receiver through network.

Baud rate

Ctrl+[19]

Defines the baud rate of the communication. The list is

pre-defined and cannot be changed.
The currently set baud rate will be indicated with a

Location API

Connects to the receiver using the Location API

Sensor API

Connects to the receiver using the Sensor API (the USB

Sensor driver is required in this case)

Autobauding

Enables or disables autobauding for the current

communication with the receiver

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Debug Messages

Enables all debug messages in the receiver. Can be

requested by the u-blox support.

Generation

Defines the generation of the attached u-blox GNSS

receiver. u-center also tries to detect automatically the
correct generation.

Protocol Filter

Sets the message filter against versions of protocol

specification.

Action

Lists all possible actions that can be performed with the

u-blox GNSS receiver. This includes the following:

Hotstart

Sends a hotstart command to the receiver. No data is

deleted in the receiver.

Warmstart

Sends a warmstart command to the receiver. Only the

ephemeris are deleted from the memory.

Coldstart

Sends a coldstart command to the receiver. All

information is deleted from the memory.

Save Config

Saves the current receiver configuration to the memory

so that it will be loaded after a restart.

Load Config

Loads the last saved configuration from the memory.

Revert Config

Deletes all configurations in the memory and reverts the

receiver to the default configuration.

Table 8: Receiver menu entries

4.1.1.6

Tools

Figure 15: Tools menu entries

Some of the menu items will only be displayed when the correct receiver generation is connected and identified
by u-center. If you cannot select one option, change the receiver generation under Receiver Generation.
Function

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

Firmware Update
u-blox 5/6/7/M8

Opens the firmware update dialog for u-blox 5-M8

generation receivers.

Ctrl+U

Dump Receiver
Diagnostics

Tool to create the receiver diagnostic. Can be requested

by the u-blox support team.

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u-blox 7/M8
Retrieve Log

Opens the dialog to download log information from the

receiver.
This is supported only since u-blox 7 receivers.

AssistNow Offline

Opens the AssistNow Offline dialog

AssistNow Online

Opens the AssistNow Online dialog

GNSS
Configuration

Opens the dialog to save the receiver configuration to a

file on the PC or to restore a configuration from a file on
the PC.

File transfer

Opens File Transfer to Receiver dialog

Preferences

Opens the dialog for the u-center preferences.

Table 9: Tools menu entries

4.1.1.7

Window

Figure 16: Window menu entries

Function

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

Cascade

Arranges all open dialogs cascaded.

Tile Horizontally

Arranges all open dialogs horizontally.

Tile Vertically

Arranges all open dialogs vertically.

Close All

Closes all open dialogs and windows.

Save Workspace
As

Allows to save the position of the open dialogs and

windows to a file on the computer.

Restore
Workspace From

Allows to restore the position of the dialogs and

windows from a file on the computer.

Recent Workspace

Lists all recently used workspace files.

Arrange Icons

Arranges the icons at the bottom of the window.

List of dialogs and

windows

Lists all visible and hidden dialogs and windows in ucenter.

Table 10: Window menu entries

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4.1.1.8

Help

Figure 17: Helpmenu entries

Function

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

Contents

References to this user guide.

F1

About u-center

Shows the about dialog with the software version and

the used libraries and their versions.

Table 11: Help menu entries

4.1.2 Standard toolbar

The standard toolbar gives access to standard operations like opening and saving files, print the current view or
empty the database.

Figure 18: Standard toolbar entries

4.1.3 Views toolbar

Figure 19: Views toolbar entries

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4.1.4 Communication toolbar

Figure 20: Communication toolbar entries

4.1.5 Log file toolbar

Figure 21: Log file toolbar entries

4.1.6 Action toolbar

Figure 22: Action toolbar entries

4.1.7 Standard status bar

The standard status bar is updated automatically and shows the information about the opened file, the
connection and the time.
The following fields are available:
Status display: Displays the current action or the function of a button if the mouse cursor is over the button
Port information: Shows the active COM port and baud rate.
Color coding of the icon:
Disconnected
Waiting for first data
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Data is being received but errors are detected (mostly because of wrong baud rate settings)
Last data received was valid but there is no data to collect at this time
No data is being received but errors have been detected in the past
Data is being received and collected at the correct baud rate
Receiver generation: u-center tries to automatically detect the type of device connected and activates the
appropriate mode of operation in order to take optimal advantage of the features. The mode can also be
manually selected through the menu bar (Receiver Generation).
File: As soon as a file is used (this file must first be opened) the name of the file will be displayed (xxxxxx.ubx).
Protocol information: This box indicates the current message set that is being used to communicate with the
device. This can be the NMEA-0183 standard or the UBX protocol. The UBX protocol provides more
extensive information with the receiver. u-center can handle both protocols.
Operating time: The time elapsed since you started u-center.
UTC time: The current time sent by the device. This field is only updated if a receiver is connected.

4.2 Views and windows

4.2.1 Packet console
The packet console lists all incoming and outgoing messages, and provides information about message length
and type. The direction of the message is shown in the following way:R <Indicates the message was sent to the receiver
R ->

Indicates the message came from the receiver

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Figure 23: Packet console

Refer to Table 12 for an explanation of the icons and text fields.

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4.2.2 Binary console

The binary console lists all incoming messages in binary and ASCII format.

Figure 24: Binary console

Refer to Table 12 for an explanation of the icons and text fields.

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4.2.3 Text console

The text console displays the content messages in textual form such as UBX-INF or NMEA messages.
NMEA messages are shown with heading $Gxyyy, where x stands for the satellite system (P = GPS, SBAS, QZSS,
L = GLONASS, A = Galileo, B = BeiDou, N = Any combination of GNSS) and yyy for the type of message (e.g.
ZDA=Time & Date).

Figure 25: Text console displaying UBX-INF and NMEA messages

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Figure 26: Text console displaying only RMC messages

Element
/

Name

Description

Lock / Locked

Prevents the console from being updated with new data when
locked. Pause key can be used to Lock/Unlock the current console
window.

Clear All

Erases all data in the console

Filter On/Off

Filters unwanted data from the data stream. This allows

searching for certain expression, e.g. all RMC messages (Figure
26).

Pause player

Pauses the player when the search expression is found. Only

works in playback mode.

Table 12: Description of the buttons of the console views

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4.2.3.1 Regular expression evaluation

Normally, when you search for a sub-string in a string, the match should be exact. So if we search for a substring "abc" then the string being searched should contain these exact letters in the same sequence for a match
to be found. We can extend this kind of search to a case insensitive search where the sub-string "abc" will find
strings like "Abc", "ABC" etc. That is, the case is ignored but the sequence of the letters should be exactly the
same. Sometimes, a case insensitive search is also not enough. For example, if we want to search for numeric
digit, then we basically end up searching for each digit independently. This is where regular expressions come in
to our help. Regular expressions are text patterns that are used for string matching. Regular expressions are
strings that contain a mix of plain text and special characters to indicate what kind of matching to do. Here's a
very brief tutorial on using regular expressions.
Suppose, we are looking for a numeric digit then the regular expression we would search for is "[0-9]". The
brackets indicate that the character being compared should match any one of the characters enclosed within the
bracket. The dash (-) between 0 and 9 indicates that it is a range from 0 to 9. Therefore, this regular expression
will match any character between 0 and 9, that is, any digit. If we want to search for a special character literally
we must use a backslash before the special character. For example, the single character regular expression "\*"
matches a single asterisk. In the table below the special characters are briefly described. A regular expression
search is case sensitive.
Character

Description
Beginning of the string. The expression "^A" will match an A only at the beginning of the
string.
The caret (^) immediately following the left-bracket ([) has a different meaning. It is used to
exclude the remaining characters within brackets from matching the target string. The
expression "[^0-9]" indicates that the target character should not be a digit.
The dollar sign ($) will match the end of the string. The expression "abc$" will match the substring "abc" only if it is at the end of the string.
The alternation or logic OR character (|) allows either expression on its side to match the target
string. The expression "a|b" will match a as well as b.
The dot (.) will match any character.
The asterisk (*) indicates that the character to the left of the asterisk in the expression should
match 0 or more times.
The plus (+) is similar to asterisk but there should be at least one match of the character to the
left of the + sign in the expression.
The question mark (?) matches the character to its left 0 or 1 times.
The parenthesis affects the order of pattern evaluation.
Brackets ([ and ]) enclosing a set of characters indicates that any of the enclosed characters may
match the target character.

^
[^
$
|
.
*
+
?
()
[]

Table 13: Regular expression syntax

4.2.3.2

Example

Lets assume that the following lines would appear in the NMEA console without filtering.
14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:04
14:00:04
14:00:04
14:00:04
14:00:04
14:00:04

$GPGGA,140003.242,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,1,06,1.3,543.0,M,,,,0000*09
$GPGLL,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,140003.242,A*34
$GPGSA,A,3,06,17,25,22,30,10,,,,,,,2.9,1.3,2.6*3A
$GPGSV,2,1,07,06,58,062,44,17,52,161,44,25,45,239,44,22,35,301,44*7F
$GPGSV,2,2,07,30,31,123,44,10,17,059,39,01,05,316,*4E
$GPRMC,140003.242,A,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,0.03,80.59,010201,,*36
$GPVTG,80.59,T,,M,0.03,N,0.1,K*56
$GPGGA,140004.242,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,1,06,1.3,542.0,M,,,,0000*0F
$GPGLL,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,140004.242,A*33
$GPGSA,A,3,06,17,25,22,30,10,,,,,,,2.9,1.3,2.6*3A
$GPGSV,2,1,07,06,58,062,45,17,52,161,44,25,45,239,44,22,35,301,44*7E
$GPGSV,2,2,07,30,31,123,44,10,17,059,39,01,05,316,*4E
$GPRMC,140004.242,A,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,0.02,152.96,010201,,*0D

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14:00:04 $GPVTG,152.96,T,,M,0.02,N,0.0,K*6B

In the following examples the characters marked red match the regular expression.
Example 1:

14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:04
14:00:04

Searching for the RMC with a valid position and all GGA Messages
GP(GGA|RMC,.*,A,)

$GPGGA,140003.242,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,1,06,1.3,543.0,M,,,,0000*09
$GPRMC,140003.242,A,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,0.03,80.59,010201,,*36
$GPGGA,140004.242,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,1,06,1.3,542.0,M,,,,0000*0F
$GPRMC,140004.242,A,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,0.02,152.96,010201,,*0D

Example 2:

Searching for all GSV with the message index of 2 or 3

GSV,.*,[2-3],

14:00:03 $GPGSV,2,2,07,30,31,123,44,10,17,059,39,01,05,316,*4E
l14:00:04
$GPGSV,2,2,07,30,31,123,44,10,17,059,39,01,05,316,*4E

Example 3:

14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:04
14:00:04

$GPGGA,140003.242,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,1,06,1.3,543.0,M,,,,0000*09
$GPVTG,80.59,T,,M,0.03,N,0.1,K*56
$GPGGA,140004.242,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,1,06,1.3,542.0,M,,,,0000*0F
$GPVTG,152.96,T,,M,0.02,N,0.0,K*6B

Example 4:

14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:03
14:00:04
14:00:04

Searching for all messages starting with $GP, which have a G in the message identifier but not
at the first position
^\$GP.+G.*,

Searching for all message having a checksum of which the higher nibble is 3
\*3.$

$GPGLL,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,140003.242,A*34
$GPGSA,A,3,06,17,25,22,30,10,,,,,,,2.9,1.3,2.6*3A
$GPRMC,140003.242,A,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,0.03,80.59,010201,,*36
$GPGLL,4717.1126,N,00833.7862,E,140004.242,A*33
$GPGSA,A,3,06,17,25,22,30,10,,,,,,,2.9,1.3,2.6*3A

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4.2.4

Messages View

The messages view is utilized to communicate with the device. Receiver output messages (e.g. navigation
output, status and debug information) are displayed; input messages (e.g. configuration messages) can be sent.
There are different sections for NMEA and UBX protocol.

Figure 27: Message View

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Element

Name

Description

Lock / Locked

Prevents the message view from being updated with new data
when locked. Pause key can be used to Lock/Unlock the current
view window.

Clear All

Erases the entire message view.

Send

Sends the current message to the device.

Poll

Polls the selected message once.

Auto poll

Automatically polls a newly selected message once

Message Hotkey

Assigns a hotkey to the selected message

Table 14: Description of the buttons in the messages view toolbar

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4.2.4.1

Receiver output messages

Figure 28: Message display of an output message

Double-clicking on an output message enables or disables the periodic message update if the
communication protocol is active. This feature is currently only supported for the UBX protocol.
4.2.4.2

Receiver input messages

Input messages can be edited and sent to the device from the messages view. It is also possible to poll the
current receiver settings.
u-center performs some range checks on input messages. If an input value exceeds the permitted range,
u-center will highlight the field in red but it is still possible to send the value to the receiver. However, the
receiver is likely to reject such a message.

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4.2.5 Statistic view

Figure 29: Statistic View

All available database values (transmitted from the device or calculated by u-center) are displayed. The following
statistics are displayed:
- Current value
- Minimum value
- Maximum value
- Average value
- Standard Deviation
The following color scheme for the values is applied:
- Grey color: The value was not set for the current epoch
- Blue color: The value was calculated by the application from other data
- Empty field: No data is available
Choosing Database Empty in the file menu or pressing the button

clears the statistic view.

The content of the statistic view can easily be exported to other programs using Copy/Paste.

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4.2.6 Table view

Figure 30: Table view

All values from the database can be displayed in a tabular form (Figure 30). This is very useful when analyzing
the log file in detail.
To add a new column, first select the desired value (Figure 31) and click the
button. To remove a displayed
value, click the
button. To see the table header click the
button. Statistical information will be shown.

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Figure 31: Selecting a new value

The number of displayed epochs is set to 1800 by default (see also section 3.3).
Choosing Database Empty in the file menu or pressing the button

clears the table view.

The content of the table view can easily be exported to other programs using Copy/Paste.

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4.2.7 Map view

u-center can display positions on pre-calibrated maps (Figure 32). This allows a basic analysis of road tests.

Figure 32: Map view

4.2.7.1 Using map view

You can access the view specific commands in two different ways:
-

Using the command in the tool bar below the map view.
Holding the cursor inside the map view and pressing the right mouse button will. This will open the
following context menu (see Figure 34).

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Figure 33: Map view context menu

Function

Description

Shortcut / Toolbar icon

Cursor

The position of the cursor is shown on the lower left

edge of the u-center screen (Longitude, Latitude and
Pixel-Position). By holding the left mouse button and
moving the cursor over the map you can measure
distance from one position to another

Move

The map inside the map view window can be moved

Zoom In

The map is enlarged by selecting a rectangle

Zoom Out

The size of the Map is decreased

Zoom Factor

Different specific zoom level can be selected

Fit Map

The map size is adjusted to fit the Map Window

Markers

Add or remove the defined markers (see also section

4.2.7.2, Map calibration)

Follow

Center the map on the current GNSS position

Drawing Mode

The size and form of the displayed position can be

changed; the connection line between the points can be
selected in the menu Connect. To see statically values
(average, minimum, maximum, standard deviation)
directly in the map, select the Menu Statistic.

Open Map /
Recent Maps

Load a new or one of 8 recently used maps.

Copy
Save map
(only in toolbar)
Image settings
(only in toolbar)

The current display can be stored in different formats

Brightness, contrast and color saturation of map can be

adjusted by moving the glides

Table 15: Description of the buttons and context menu entries in map view

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Map Views can be copied to the clipboard using the Print Screen function.
Choosing Database Empty in the file menu or pressing the button
positions and routes.
4.2.7.2

deletes all recently displayed

Map calibration

To create your own map you will need a digitized map or pictures with orthogonal projection in one of the
following pixel graphics formats.
png

Portable Network Graphics,

bmp
dib

Windows Bitmap
Device Independent Bitmap

gif

Graphics Interchange Format

jpg/jpeg
pcx

Jpeg File Interchange Format

PC paintbrush

tif

Tag Image File Format

If your map is not in one of the above formats, you can simply convert it in one of the supported formats by a
third party program. u-blox provides two sample maps. Office.png is a small map of the surroundings of the ublox headquarters. World.png is a map of the whole world but with limited resolution.
To use a map in u-center, three calibration points are needed. For these points you have to know the pixel
coordinates and the according WGS84 coordinates in the latitude/longitude format in degrees (longitude: -180.0
to 180.0, latitude: -90.0 to 90.0). These points are stored in the map calibration file. The calibration file must be
stored at the same location as the bitmap itself. It has the same name but a different extension (*.mcf). The
format of the calibration file is very simple and can be edited in a simple editor like notepad.
Examples:
As an example we will have a closer look at the provided map 'world.png' and its calibration file 'world.mcf'.
Y/X

Figure 34: Digital map file: world.png

The Map has 1765 Pixels (0 to 1764) in the horizontal and 1046 Pixels (0 to 1045) in the vertical direction. The
origin is the upper left corner. To calibrate this map we will use the following three calibration points (#1 to #3).

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Reference Point
Upper Left Corner
Lower Right Corner
Upper Right Corner

#
1
2
3

Pixel
X
0
1764
1764

Y
0
1045
0

WGS84 Coordinate
Longitude Latitude
-180.0
90.0
180.0
-90.0
180.0
90.0

To determine the exact pixel position you can use Microsoft Paint (mspaint.exe) or any other pixel-editing
program.
The calibration file is a plain ASCII text file. The file may contain comments. The file consists of two sections,
which start with keywords encapsulated in braces.
The REFERENCE section, which is mandatory, contains the three points used to calibrate a map. Each reference
point is on a single line and has the following syntax:
# = <x>, <y>, <lon>, <lat>
where # is the index of the reference point <x> is the horizontal and <y> is the vertical image coordinate and
<lat> is the latitude and <lon> is the longitude in degrees and WGS84.
The optional MARKER section defines additional points on the map. Each point is on a single line with the
syntax:
# = i, <x>, <y>[, <text>] or # = c, <lat>, <lon>[, <text>]
where # is the index of the marker point <x> is the horizontal and <y> is the vertical image coordinate or <lat>
is the latitude and <lon> is the longitude in degrees and WGS84. <text> is a optional string in quotes labeling
the marker point. The points must have a unique index from 1 to <num>. The maximum marker point index
<num> is written to the same section on a separate line with the syntax Count = <num>.

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;
;
;
;

I N F O
-----------------------------------------------------------File:
world.mcf
Source: (sample data set)

;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;

R E F E R E N C E
-----------------------------------------------------------3 Points must be defined to calibrate a Map
Parameters:
#
= index of the point (1 to 3)
x,y
= image coordinates
lat,lon = world coordinates
Syntax:
# = <x>, <y>, <lon>, <lat>

[REFERENCE]
1 =
0,
0,
2 = 1764, 1045,
3 = 1764,
0,
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;

-180.0, 90.0
180.0, -90.0
180.0, 90.0

M A R K E R
-----------------------------------------------------------You can add points (image or world coord) to the map
Parameters:
num
= number of markers that follow
#
= index of the point (1 to num)
type
= c for world or i image coordinates
x,y
= image coordinates
lat,lon = world coordinates
text
= quoted text decription to the marker (optional)
Syntax:
Count = <num>
#
= <type>, <x|lon>, <y|lat>[, <text>]

[MARKER]
Count = 1
1 = c, 8.56525, 47.28519444, "u-blox ag"
Map calibration file: world.mcf

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4.2.7.3 Map calibration tool

u-center includes a built-in calibration tool for providing coordinates to maps and photographs in supported data
formats to create u-center maps. To use the tool open the map view window as seen in Figure 35 and then as
seen in Figure 36 open the file of the map to be calibrated (in our example GoogleScreenShot.bmp).

Figure 35: Opening map view window

Figure 36: Opening the file of the map to be calibrated

If the file to be opened has not been calibrated, the following message will appear:

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Select three points on the map and enter the calibration coordinates in the specified format as seen in Figure 37,
Figure 38 and Figure 39.

Figure 37: Calibrating a map using calibration tool (position 1)

Figure 38: Calibrating a map using calibration tool (position 2)

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Figure 39: Calibrating a map using calibration tool (position 3)

Following these steps the map is now calibrated and can be used with u-center for visualizing road tests etc.

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4.2.8 Chart view

Chart view allows the user to conveniently view GNSS data records in graphical form. The data can be scaled in
many different ways and formats. Its even possible to print the entire chart.
The examples below illustrate two different typical applications

Figure 40: Altitude as a function of Index (X = Index, Y = Alt)

Figure 41: Latitude as a function of longitude (X =Longitude, Y = Latitude)

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Function

Description

Toolbar icon

Cursor

The position of the cursor is shown on the lower left edge of the
u-center screen (Longitude, Latitude and Pixel-Position). By
holding the left mouse button and moving the cursor over the
chart you can measure distance from one position to another

Move

The chart inside the chart view window can be moved

Zoom In

Drawing a rectangle enlarges the chart to the new view. To zoom

in the chart double-click on the chart.

Zoom Out

Drawing a rectangle decreases the chart to the new view. To

zoom out the chart double-click on the chart.

Drawing Mode

The size and form of the displayed values can be changed in the
menu points; the connection line between the values can be
selected in the menu connect. For viewing the statically values
(average, minimum, maximum, standard deviation) directly in the
chart select the statistics menu

Fit Y range

Fits the Y range

Follow Y

Follow the most current Y value (the most current Y-value is

always in the middle of the chart)

Index or Y value

Switch between the index and the Y value

Y value

Select the Y value to be displayed

Fit X range

Fit the X range

Follow X

Follow the most current X value (the most current X value is

always in the middle of the chart)

Index or X value

Switch between the index and the X value

X value

Select the X value to be displayed

Moving average

Adds a moving average. The average is calculated over the

number of most recent values, specified with the parameter.

Table 16: Description of the buttons and displays in Chart View

The number of displayed epochs is set to 1800 by default (see also section 3.3).

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4.2.9 Histogram view

Histogram views allow the user to view GNSS data and probability distributions (Figure 42) and print the entire
histogram if desired. The number of bins (storage containers) can be set by the user.

Figure 42: Altitude Histogram View

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Figure 43: Probability chart

The number of displayed epochs is set to 1800 by default (see also section 3.3).
Function

Description

Toolbar icon

Cursor

The position of the cursor is shown on the lower left edge of the ucenter screen (Longitude, Latitude and Pixel-Position). By holding the
left mouse button and moving the cursor over the histogram you can
measure distance from one position to another.

Move

The histogram inside the histogram view window can be moved.

Zoom In

Drawing a rectangle enlarges the histogram to the new view. To

zoom in the histogram double-click on the histogram.

Zoom Out

Drawing a rectangle decreases the histogram to the new view. To

zoom out the histogram double-click on the histogram.

Drawing Mode

The size and form of the displayed values can be changed in the
menu points; the connection line between the values can be selected
in the menu connect. For viewing the statically values (average,
minimum, maximum, standard deviation) directly in the histogram
select the statistics menu.

Probability

Displays the probability histogram (see Figure 40).

Fit Probability

Fit the Probability range.

Y value

Select the Y value to be displayed

Bins

The number of bins

Table 17: Description of the buttons and displays in histogram view

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4.2.10 Camera view

The camera view function enables photographs, taken during recording of log files, to be linked to the GNSS
data stored in the corresponding log files. This allows a video depiction of the test, with a picture assigned to a
specific point of GNSS data.

Figure 44: Camera view

Using Camera View can result in very large log files and can slow down u-center when playing such files.

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4.2.11 Deviation map

The deviation map displays positions in longitude and latitude relative to a defined reference position.

Figure 45: Deviation Map

Function

Properties

Description
The reference position can be defined as:
- The average of all previously measured positions
- The current position
- A fixed, predefined value
- The radius of the outer circle can be adjusted with the
Max. Deviation parameter.

Fit

Automatically adjusts the reference position and the maximum

deviation to fit all positions into the deviation map.

Track

Show track of values from the internal database.

Statistics

Show statistics of the values from the internal database.

Maximum
deviation shortcut

Shortcut for changing the scale of the deviation map to prefixed

values:

Reference position
shortcut

Toolbar icon

Shortcut for setting the reference position:

-

A = average position

C = current position

Table 18: Description of the buttons and displays in Deviation Map

The number of displayed epochs is set to 1800 by default (see section 3.3).

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4.2.12 Sky view

Sky view is an excellent tool for analyzing the performance of antennas as well as the conditions of the satellite
observation environment. The polar plot graphically displays the averaged relative satellite signal strength (see
Figure 46), the position of satellites in the sky, identifies satellites by number and indicates which satellites are
being used in the receiver calculation (see section 3.1). Right-clicking the mouse on sky view allows the copying
of C/N0 values in tabular form to another program.

Figure 46: Sky view

Function

Description

Toolbar icon

Linear projection

Displays the sky view with a linear projection.

Sine projection

Displays the sky view with a sine projection.

C/N0

Displays or hides the averaged C/N0 values.

Orbits

Displays or hides the satellite orbits.

Satellites

Displays or hides the current satellite positions.

Coordinates

Displays or hides the caption for the azimuth.

Elevation

Displays or hides the caption for the elevation.

Table 19: Description of the toolbar in sky view

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5 Tools
This section will give an overview of the embedded tools of u-center. They can be used for different purpose and
should facilitate the usage of u-blox GNSS receivers.
The tools can be found under the Tools menu but some of the options are only displayed when a receiver is
connected to u-center. The firmware update tools also depend on the connected receiver generation.

Figure 47: Tools menu entries

5.1.1 Firmware Update u-blox 5/6/7/M8

This tool will allow you to update the firmware of a receiver. This only works if your receiver has a flash memory
attached as the firmware has to be stored in this location.
Perform the following steps to update the firmware:
1) Establish the serial communication between u-center and the device (see also section 2.4).
2) Open firmware update tool by clicking on Tools Firmware Update u-blox 5/6/7/M8

Figure 48: u-blox 5 Firmware update window

a) Select the firmware image suitable for the connected receiver.

b) Select the flash definition file (only needed before u-blox receiver generation 7). This file should be
provided bundled with u-center. Point to the latest file version.
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c)

Select the flash information structure file (only needed after and including u-blox receiver generation 7).
This file should be provided bundled with u-center. Point to the latest file version.

d) Select the correct options for your receiver:

Option

Description

Recommended

Use this Baudrate for update

Selects the speed of the communication for

updating the firmware on the receiver.

115200

Only has an effect when the receiver is connected

over a serial port.
Clear BBR before update

Deletes the complete battery backed memory (BBR)

so that the receiver will start with the default
configuration.

enabled

Program FIS only

Writes only the flash information structure (FIS)

into the external memory and does not update the
firmware. This option is used for receivers running
from ROM but with an attached SQI memory (for
example for logging).

disabled

Only supported after and including u-blox receiver

generation 7.
USB alternative update method

Erases the first sector of the flash memory and

restarts the receiver. The receiver will then start
from ROM and the flash firmware can be updated.
Use this method if you want to update the
firmware of a receiver connected over USB.

disabled

Enter Safeboot before update

Sends the command to enter safeboot. In this

state, the receiver boots from the internal ring
oscillator and does not rely on any external
components. GNSS functionality is not started and
the receiver does not output any data.
Dont use this method when having the receiver
connected over USB.

enabled

Send Training sequence

Sends the training sequence after safeboot was

entered. This synchronizes the internal ring
oscillator so that a communication can be
established.

enabled

e)

Click on OK.

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5.1.2 Dump receiver diagnostics

Figure 49: Dump receiver diagnostics tool

This tool is used to dump the receiver diagnostic to a file. Use this tool if requested by the support team.

5.1.3 GNSS configuration

u-center is capable of getting the actual configuration of a u-blox GNSS positioning chip or module and storing
it to an ASCII text file containing hexadecimal records. Such a file can be edited and stored to a u-blox GNSS
device again. By clicking the menu Tools -> GNSS Configuration... of u-center, the GNSS Configuration dialog
opens. The following functions are available:

Figure 50: GNSS configuration tool

Specify the name of a new configuration file to store current configuration from the u-blox GNSS
device
Specify the name of an existing configuration file and load this configuration into the u-blox GNSS
device
A flag can be set to force storing the configuration into the Battery Backed RAM (BBR) or Flash.

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5.1.3.1

Read/Write configuration files

1. Connect to the device.

2. Open Tools / GNSS Configuration.
3. To read an existing configuration file, select the name of the file, then click on File > GNSS button. The
GNSS Configuration window then closes and the progress window pops up, showing the configuration
being sent to the receiver. This progress window closes after finishing the transfer without error.
Select store configuration into BBR/Flash checkbox if the parameters need to be stored into the devices
non-volatile memory (BBR/Flash).
Sending a configuration to a u-blox GNSS device may fail due to a baud rate change on the current serial
port of the receiver to which the configuration is being sent. If this happens, simply change the u-center
baud rate and send the configuration again.
To write a new configuration file, click on GNSS > File. The GNSS Configuration window closes and the
progress window pops up, showing the configurations being polled and stored into a local file in ASCII format.
If reading or writing configuration data fails too frequently, try to increase the number of retries u-center should
do on a single message if one fails.
The user can abort the transfer by clicking the Abort button. Its not possible to close the window unless
transfer has completed or the user aborted it.
It is not recommended to read/write configuration while the u-blox GNSS device is in sleep mode.

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5.1.3.2

Editing configuration file

Figure 51: Content Configuration File

When clicking the Edit button in the GNSS Configuration dialog, the Notepad editor opens (standard
Windows software). Configurations are stored the following way:
-

st

1 line: it contains the version of the u-blox GNSS receiver where the configuration is from. Never
change this line!
nd
For the 2 line and following each line contains the same: <class ID>-<message ID> - <hexadecimal
byte code of the message>. The byte code consists of class and message IDs (2 bytes), payload
length (2 bytes), payload (payload length bytes). The sync characters and the checksum are not
included. They will be calculated automatically.

Refer to u-blox Receiver Description including Protocol Specification for detailed information and ranges.

5.1.4 Hotkeys
The Tools Menu allows administrating the Hotkeys defined in the Message View. Refer to section 4.2.4 for more
information on the Hotkeys.

5.1.5 Preferences
The preferences tool can be used to configure a number of u-center parameters.

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6 How To
6.1 Change baud rate of receiver
1) Connect to the device.
2) Open View / Messages View (Hotkey: F9).
3) Select UBX-CFG-PRT.
4) Poll the current configuration from the receiver (

).

5) Change the setting to the desired baud rate.

6) Send the message to the receiver (

).

Figure 52: Changing baudrate (using UBX-CFG-PRT)

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6.2 Save parameters to receiver non-volatile memory (BBR/Flash)

There are 2 ways to save parameters to the receivers non-volatile memory (BBR/Flash).

6.2.1 Saving parameters with UBX-CFG-CFG

1) Connect to the device.
2) Open View / Messages View (Hotkey: F9).
3) Select UBX-CFG-CFG.
4) Select save current configuration (see Figure 53).
5) Send the message to the receiver (

).

Figure 53: Saving Parameters (using UBX-CFG-CFG)

6.2.2 Saving parameters with GNSS configuration

Refer to 5.1.3.1 step 3

6.3 Recording/playing a log file

u-center allows recording and playing log files. Use the player controls, to record or playback a log file. Select the
log file to be opened through the file menu tool bar. The series of buttons in the player toolbar can be used to

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navigate through the log file. The records will be displayed on the navigation display window, in the same way
that live GNSS data is displayed when using u-center.

6.4 Conduct sensitivity tests

u-center is a useful tool for conducting sensitivity tests of GNSS positioning chips and modules and receiver
designs. To do so, under open sky conditions record a log file of the receiver to be tested and an Evaluation Kit
as reference. Make sure that the log files are recorded under the same conditions. Using the Statistic View or
Table View windows from u-center, compare the C/N0 values of the five strongest satellites. With Table view,
export the values to a spreadsheet for analysis.

6.5 Read/write configuration files

Refer to 5.1.3.1.

6.6 Set GNSS system configuration

1) Connect to the device.
2) Open View / Messages View (Hotkey: F9).
3) Select UBX-CFG-GNSS.
4) Place or remove the checkmark for the desired GNSS under enable.
5) Send the message to the receiver (

).

The following Figure 54 shows an example that configures the device to receive only GLONASS.

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Figure 54: GNSS configuration (using UBX-CFG-GNSS)

6.7 Activating PPP (EVK-6PPP only)

1) Connect to the device.
2) Open View / Message View.
3) Select UBX-CFG-NAVX5 window.
4) Place or remove the checkmark for Use PPP.
5) Send the message to the receiver (

).

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Figure 55: How to activate and deactivate PPP using UBX-CFG-NAVX5

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7 Troubleshooting
NMEA or UBX protocol is not available in the Messages View
u-center uses dynamic link libraries (DLL). The installation program will automatically install the required DLLs
into the u-center program directory. Should you try to copy a u-center installation from one location to another,
make sure you also copy the DLL files. Verify, the version of u-center matches the DLL version.
u-center doesnt display all messages
Make sure the baud rate is sufficient. If the bandwidth is insufficient, receivers based on the ANTARIS
Technology will skip excessive messages.
Some serial port cards/adapters (i.e. USB to RS232 converter) frequently generate errors. If a communication
error occurs during while u-center receives a message, the message will be discarded.
u-center loses the connection to the device
u-blox GNSS positioning chips and modules have an autobauding feature. If frequent communication errors
occur (i.e. due to problems with the serial port), the connection may be lost as u-center and the device will
autonomously try to adjust the baud rate. Do not enable the u-center autobauding feature if the device has the
autobauding enabled.
Some COM port are not shown in the port list
Only the COM ports that are available on your computer will show up in the COM port drop down list. If a COM
port is grayed out, another application in the computer is using it.
PC is very slow when u-center runs
If a high value of epochs is selected, the display in real-time cannot be guaranteed, especially when many
graphical views are open. u-center does not update minimized views and console in real-time. Close or minimize
as many of the graphical views and consoles as possible and u-center will run faster.
Log file / Data are only partly displayed
The number of epochs displayed in u-center is limited in order to allow an efficient analysis of larger logfiles. The
limitation is set to 1800 epochs by default. That means if an epoch is available every second you can analyze
data for as much as 30 minutes. After this time the oldest values are discarded. Data stored to a log file are not
affected by the database limitation. Refer to section 3.3 for instructions on how to increase this limit.
When planning long-term observations, its recommended to start recording a log file before analysis begins.
Output messages are not updated in the Messages View
Make sure that the protocol you would like to receive is enabled. If so, double-click on the desired output
message. Double-clicking on an output message enables or disables the periodic message update if the
respective protocol is active. Alternatively, select the desired input or output message and press the Poll button.
If you would like to get UBX-INF () messages in the log file, configure the receiver accordingly with the
UBX-CFG-INF input message.
No logfile is recorded
After a new logfile is created, logging will not automatically start but only after selecting the Record button in
the Player Toolbar.

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Related documents
[1]

GPS Compendium, Doc No GPS-X-02007

[2]
[3]

u-blox 5 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification, Docu. No GPS.G5-X-07036

u-blox 6 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification, Docu. No GPS.G6-SW-10018

[4]

u-blox 7 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification V14, Docu. No GPS.G7-SW-12001

[5]

u-blox M8 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification, Docu. No UBX-13003221

For regular updates to u-blox documentation and to receive product change notifications, register on our
homepage.

Revision history
Revision

Date

Name

Status / Comments

08-Oct-2008

tgri

Initial release

A
A1

22-Jul-2009
17-Feb-2011

tgri
tgri

New CI
Third party libraries

B
C

1-Nov-2011
03-Jun-2012

tgri
khir

R06

09-Dec-2013

maba

Google Earth View added

Updated for u-center 6.3. GNSS configuration added
Last revision with document number GPS-SW-08007
Update for u-center 8.01 and u-blox 7 and M8 generations

R07
R08

01-Oct-2014
23-Feb-2015

jbow
zyha

Packet view update describing message direction indicators

Updated menu pictures and shortcut key list corresponding to latest version.

R09
R10

04-Sep-2015
12-Dec-2015

smos
maba

Updated Contact page

Remove Google Earth support

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Contact
For complete contact information visit us at www.u-blox.com
Offices
North, Central and South America
u-blox America, Inc.
Phone:
+1 703 483 3180
E-mail:
[email protected]
Regional Office West Coast:
Phone:
+1 408 573 3640
E-mail:
[email protected]

Headquarters
Europe, Middle East, Africa
u-blox AG
Phone:
+41 44 722 74 44
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]

Technical Support:
Phone:
E-mail:

+1 703 483 3185

[email protected]

Asia, Australia, Pacific

u-blox Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Phone:
+65 6734 3811
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office Australia:
Phone:
+61 2 8448 2016
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office China (Beijing):
Phone:
+86 10 68 133 545
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office China (Chongqing):
Phone:
+86 23 6815 1588
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office China (Shanghai):
Phone:
+86 21 6090 4832
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office China (Shenzhen):
Phone:
+86 755 8627 1083
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office India:
Phone:
+91 959 1302 450
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office Japan (Osaka):
Phone:
+81 6 6941 3660
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office Japan (Tokyo):
Phone:
+81 3 5775 3850
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office Korea:
Phone:
+82 2 542 0861
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Regional Office Taiwan:
Phone:
+886 2 2657 1090
E-mail:
[email protected]
Support: [email protected]

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