Configure PpRx Outputs in the GUI

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Learn how to configure PpRx output products in the GUI.

Overview

By default, the GUI does not produce any outputs other than what is displayed in the visualization. To set outputs for a given run, either select the gear icon in the top-right corner of the I/O overlay or select Run → Configure PpRx Outputs from the menu bar.

After selecting an output folder, the output types can be configured. Information on each output type can be accessed by the corresponding ? button.

Output Summary

Output	When it is written	Typical use
GBX	During the run	Primary processed output format
NMEA	During the run	Serial, UDP, or file output for navigation consumers
.bin	During the run	Save raw RF data for later post-processing
Named Pipe	During the run	Real-time integration with external software
KML	After the run completes	Quick visualization in map tools such as Google Earth
RINEX	After the run completes	Export observations to external GNSS workflows
.log	After the run completes	Human-readable CSV outputs for analysis
.mat	After the run completes	MATLAB-friendly outputs for analysis

Live Outputs

The following outputs are produced live as PpRx runs, whether PpRx is running in live processing or post-processing mode.

GBX

The GBX output will automatically be checked when an output folder is selected, because any PpRx run producing output data must write to at least a GBX file. GBX files are Locus Lock proprietary compressed binaries containing a range of processed GNSS data, including observables, ephemeris, and final position/timing solutions. All other outputs, except raw RF data, can be derived from a GBX file or stream.

NMEA

Checking the NMEA output will write GPGGA and GPRMC NMEA messages to a .nmea file (with each message on a new line), a serial port, a UDP destination, or any combination.

After selecting a valid serial port and baud rate, NMEA messages will be broadcast when PpRx is started. These NMEA message broadcasts allow plug-and-play integration with a variety of devices, such as a CubePilot.

.bin Files

With the .bin file checkbox selected, the raw RF data being processed by PpRx will be logged to a .bin file so that PpRx can operate on it later in post-processing mode. This allows PpRx to be run live while also saving the data for later optimization of .opt and .config files. Note that this option is identical to a Raw Data Capture and consumes roughly 1.2 GB/min of storage space.

Named Pipe

Checking the Named Pipe option will, in addition to writing the GBX binary stream to a .gbx file, also write it to a POSIX named pipe (FIFO). Named-pipe reading is useful for direct real-time integration with external software or scripts.

danger

The named pipe must have a reader or it will block PpRx/GUI execution until one is available.

Post-Processed Outputs

The remaining output types are not produced live, but are generated from the .gbx output file when a PpRx run is completed or stopped. These outputs are generated using Binflate.

KML

Selecting the KML checkbox produces a .kml file at the end of the run, containing positioning and time outputs viewable in applications such as Google Earth.

RINEX

The RINEX checkbox produces a file in standard RINEX 2.11 format when the run is complete. The RINEX format is useful for porting PpRx outputs to external PPP processing tools such as CSRS-PPP.

.log Files

The .log files option produces a series of human-readable CSV files containing a number of PpRx outputs, including raw GNSS observables data, transmitter information, navigation solution outputs, and diagnostics.

For column definitions of each .log file type, see Analyze and Convert GBX Files.

.mat Files

The .mat files contain the same information as the .log files, but are packaged in MATLAB-readable format.

For column definitions of each .mat file type, see Analyze and Convert GBX Files.

note

All output filenames are selected automatically with an index number that avoids overwriting existing outputs in the selected folder. The outputs of a given PpRx run always share the same output index number, so if a folder has up to output_037.gbx and output_012.nmea, the next output names generated for a run producing GBX and NMEA will be output_038.gbx and output_038.nmea.