Tac32Plus Release Notes for Version 2

This page shows the changes before 2020.

Version: 2.7.23	Version 2.7.23, October 9, 2018 Corrections: Many minor bug fixes. Added support for legacy Motorola commands and messages, including @@Aa, @@Ab, @@Ac, @@Ad, @@Ae, @@AF and @@En. Support both long and short versions of UBX MON-HW messages. Corrected the logic for going from u-blox modes to Motorola binary mode. Add a decoder for the UBX-TIM-DOSC message. Add a "– PPS –" tag to the raw data dialog.
Version: 2.7.22	Version 2.7.22, February 19, 2017 Corrections: Provide support for the TAPR TICC time interval counter. Correct an error that caused the TIC serial port to start with default parameters (baud rate, etc.) instead of the saved parameters.
Version: 2.7.21	Version 2.7.21, October 07, 2016 Corrections: Corrected an error introduced in the previous version that incorrectly identified the SSR-6Tr and SSR-6Tf receivers as SSR-M8T. This resulted in some inappropriate features being activated.
Version: 2.7.20	Version 2.7.20, October 02, 2016 Enhancements: Add satellite constellation selection for SSR-8 GNSS receivers. This allows selection of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS and/or SBAS (WAAS, etc.). Implement the Leap Indicator (LI) sub-field in the first word of the NTP protocol message. Add automatic polling for leap second data when in uBlox binary mode (UBX). Decode the @@Cb almanac data message so it can be displayed and logged. For SSR (uBlox) series receivers when in UBX binary mode: – Reset the Date/Time/PPS alignment source to UTC on initialization. – Timing setup delays are now working. – Activate the 1 / 100 PPS selection mode when in UBX binary mode. Note: these receiver modules are used in most CNS Clock II units since sn 404293 in Jan 2013. Enable dynamic mode settings for SSR (uBlox) receivers in both Motorola and UBX binary modes. Auto select based on navigation vs. position hold and self-survey. Separate the identification of the SSR-6Tf and SSR-6Tr receiver variants and add identification of SSR ‘Plus" receivers so further feature conditioning can be done. Add an auto-restart switch that restart messages on an SSR series receiver if they stop unexpectedly as some SSR receivers do not restart their messages after a power interruption. This selection will also detect a long period of no valid results and issue a reset to the GPS module followed by a self-survey command to automatically start a receiver correctly when it has been moved far enough to get confused about its location. Corrections: Set the main screen to full size for initial installation. Set "Load reference location on program startup" in the "Set Reference Location" manual entry dialog to checked (true) on first use after installation. Improved the firmware upload capability for the SSR Plus series receivers.
Version: 2.7.19	Version 2.7.19, August 03, 2015 Enhancements: Added the @@Wq “Change SW Part Number” command for the SSR receivers.
Version: 2.7.18	Version 2.7.18, July 14, 2015 Enhancements: Added the @@Wp “Change HW Part Number” command for the SSR receivers.
Version: 2.7.17	Version 2.7.17, June 03, 2015 Enhancements: For SSR-M8 series receivers be sure SBAS always is turned off for position hold mode and on for navigation mode. Set the default baud rate for SSR series receiver’s UBX modes to 57600 to match the new features in the V2.17 SSR firmware. When switching SSR receiver modes ensure the @@Wb command is sent before changing the serial port characteristics. Do not turn on @@Ek during initialization unless the receiver is an 8-channel model, not desired for 6 or 12 channel receivers. Corrections: Allow the Motorola protocol receivers in binary mode to be correctly identified at any baud rate selected in the serial port setting dialog. Change the antenna status “Ant NV Short” (in Red) to “Ant No Pwr” (in Yellow).
Version: 2.7.16	Version 2.7.16, Apr 14, 2015 Enhancements: Update the decoding of @@Ca and @@Fa self-test messages and include the SSR receivers in the decode list. Update the decoding of @@Bk and @@Ek messages to show DOP values. Update decoding of @@Ws. Added the @@Wm "Change Model Number" command for the SSR receivers. Accommodate free format model numbers when searching for the receiver type. The correct type will be identified even if it is surrounded by other characters in the model number field. Corrected the detection of leap second pending status for newer model receivers using Motorola format @@Gj message instead of the older @@Bj message. Corrections: None.
Version: 2.7.15	Version 2.7.15, Mar 24, 2015 Enhancements: None Corrections: Correct an indexing error in the manual command dialog window. This primarily impacts the SSR-6T series receivers but it also permits greater flexibility in managing these lists in the future.
Version: 2.7.14	Version 2.7.14, Mar 22, 2015 Enhancements: Label all satellite types in the signal strength bars. This is especially useful in multi GNSS receivers such as the SSR-6T, SSR-M8F and SSR-M8T receivers. Corrections: Eliminate references to uBlox LEA6T where these references properly apply to all supported uBlox-based receivers, LEA-6T-0, LEA-6T-1, LEA-M8F and LEA-M8T.
Version: 2.7.13	Version 2.7.13, Mar 20, 2015 Enhancements: Improve handling of firmware upload function for SSR receivers. Add version number to the main frame title bar. Corrections: Correct the exponential scale factor calculation and normalization for very small time values, less than 100 nanoseconds. This applies to Time interval counters using scientific or engineering notation, such as the Berkeley Nucleonics Model 1105.
Version: 2.7.12	Version 2.7.12, Feb 16, 2015 Enhancements: Add support for the new SSR-M8F and SSR-M8T receivers Added @@Sx commands to support the new SSR-M8F and SSR-M8T receivers. Add the ability to load new firmware into SSR modules that have the bootloader using external HEX files. The Manual Command Dialog now remembers its last position on the screen. Corrections: Correct the processing of the @@Gj message so that leap second pending messages are only reported if the data is associated with a future event. Fix @@Ba and @@Ea message display formats so they are like @@Ha. Local time is not supported by uBlox modules so disable for SSR boards. The seconds field in @@Ha, @@Ba, @@Ea, @@Hb now has a two digit integer field with leading zero. Satellites with Eb/No = 0 are no longer displayed to avoid conflict between the @@Ba, @@Ea, @@Ha messages and the @@Bb message. Implemented a mechanism so @@Ba, @@Ea and @@Ha can coexist without fighting over control of date elements and the and satellite screen. Reworded the DOP status line for six and eight channel Motorola receivers to prevent overflow and missing data on the display.
Version: 2.7.11	Version 2.7.11, Aug 22, 2012 Enhancements: Add the @@Hr command in the manual command dialog and add a decoder for the @@Hr message. Added support for TICs with TCP/IP interfaces, especially the Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Frequency Counter/Timer and the Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation Model 1105 400 MHz Universal Counter. Allow any serial port settings for most modes, This is to support unusual hardware configurations like a modified HP Z3801A with odd parity, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, no handshaking, and 19200 baud. Update the self survey warning text message. Corrections: Fix the default value for the @@Ga command in the manual command dialog. Fix the default value for the @@Gk command in the manual command dialog. Changed the default receiver delay to 37 nsec to match the newer CNS Clock IIs. Fixed the calculation of checksums for GPS binary log files. Corrected an error handling TIC data when the scaling factor is "s" (seconds). This error also corrupted the TIC log. Correct a time initialization error for the Synergy SSR_6T receiver. Correct a rounding error that caused a one second error in the time on rare occasions with new Synergy SSR_6 series receivers.
Version: 2.7.10	Version 2.7.10, Feb 10, 2012 Enhancements: Improve detection, initialization and mode switching for Synergy SSR-6T receivers. Implemented a decoder for the @@Bd message. Provide NMEA support for u-blox receivers in the Manual Command dialog window. Implemented a checkbox in the GPS Receiver Serial Port Setting dialog box that will minimize the GPS receiver initialization. Use of this capability speed up the program startup and will preserve some special settings that may be in effect before start-up. However, the receiver mode (binary, NMEA, etc.) cannot be changed when this capability is activated. Corrections: Correct the management of Motorola and iLotus receivers when switching between binary and NMEA modes. Reinitialize the manual command dialog entries when changing GPS receiver modes. Set the @@Ci default parameter correctly in the manual command dialog. Assure that the Set Reference Location selections work correctly for receivers in the Motorola binary mode. These receivers must be in navigation (3D) mode before the position data is loaded and then must be returned to the selected mode. This is now handled automatically.
Version: 2.7.9	Version 2.7.9, Mar 22, 2011 Enhancements: Implement support for the i-Lotus TX Oncore receiver. Implemented the new TELNET Get/Set Reference Position command. Provide support for the Synergy Systems SSR-6T receiver. This receiver has the same footprint as an M12 series Motorola/iLotus receiver. The SSR-6T has a uBlox LEA-6T receiver that operates in uBox NMEA or Binary mode. A version of this board has a processor that permits emulation of M12 series messages as well as other modes. Added the @@Wb message to switch the SSR-6T from M12 to uBlox message mode. Added "@@Wc" to switch to the boot loader. Added a new checkbox in the manual reference location dialog box titled "Load reference location on program startup." The default is off. Increase the number of recognized COM ports from 64 to 128. Added a mode for CMC Superstar Rx Only. Corrections: Correct an error that impeded correct startup in Motorola Binary if the serial port is set to other than 9600 baud. Corrected the order of fields in the @@Ha raw data output. Added reserved fields for completeness. Make Vehicle ID field visible at the end of the @@Ha decoded message even if blank by adding quotes Changed the sawtooth correction message at the beginning of the averaging files to differentiate between software sawtooth corrected data, raw data and external TIC data used in the file. Stop @@Hb from updating system parameters as it conflicts with @@Ha. Changed the manual command dialog box to non-model so that it now allows the user to perform other functions outside this dialog box while the manual command dialog box is open. Corrected an error that caused a program crash when satellite PRN numbers greater than 32 were detected. These PRNs are associated primarily with augmentation satellites. Corrected a number of bugs that will improve the operation and stability of Tac32 and Tac32Plus. Ensure that all unused rows in the satellite data table are erased. Change the default elevation mask for Precision Timing mode to 10 degrees for all receiver types. The TELNET function was not working in the UNICODE version of Tac32Plus. This is now fixed. Corrected the header and data fields for the Motorola PVT format log so that the header correctly describes the log contents. Changed the order of some fields for consistency between entries created by the @@Ha and the @@Hb messages from 12 channel receivers such as the M12M used by the current generation of CNS Clock II clocks. Improve the performance of the Navigation Status and Antenna Status panes in the Status Bar.
Version: 2.7.8	Version 2.7.8, Jul 26, 2009 Enhancements: Implement support for the u-blox LEA-5T. Corrections: Some serial port controllers would not work with the Time Interval Counter. This is fixed. Some serial port drivers produced faulty outputs for the 1PPS signal control lines. This is now managed correctly if it occurs. Spell out "Motorola" instead of using "Mot" (e.g., quot;Motorola Binary" replaces "Mot Bin". Improved the efficiency of processing certain Motorola Binary messages. Eliminate intermittent exception when closing the program.
Version: 2.7.7	Version 2.7.7, May 08, 2009 Corrections: A configuration management error prevented the fix that allows use of any baud rate for any receiver from 2.7.6 to function on some variations of the software. This is now fixed.
Version: 2.7.6	Version 2.7.6, Jul 22, 2008 Enhancements: Merge Tac32Multi into Tac32Plus Updated the CMC hardware-software identification message (#45) decoder to reflect more recent message data specification and to display more information. Allow use of any baud rate for any receiver. New models of some receivers are implementing new data rates. Corrections: Correctly display PRN32 on the Satellite Az-El Chart. Fixed a memory leak.
Version: 2.7.5	Version 2.7.5, Nov 11, 2007 Enhancements: Recognize the iLotus built M12M based on the new SiRF copyright notice. Corrections: Change the “Bad Almanac” message to “Cold Start or Bad Almanac” for the M12 series receivers.
Version: 2.7.4	Version 2.7.4, Aug 23, 2007 Enhancements: Added 100PPS support for the CNS Clock II. The CNS Clock II is unique in that it provides a precision 1PPS even when in 100PPS mode so that normal operations can continue in 100PPS mode Corrections: Correctly identify the new iLotus M12M receiver modules. These modules are designed by Motorola but built by iLotus. Added interim support for the SIGNAV TM3-1 receiver which is intended to be a Motorola M12 Timing receiver clone. CMC (Marconi) message receive was broken in Version 2.7.3 when converting to unicode and is now fixed. The CMC receiver’s DGPS Status message was being derived from the wrong message thus giving false indications. Also, the CMC DGPS status tells if DGPS is enabled, not if it is being received, so the display message was changed. In decoding the CMC message 33 it was found that the satellite table was incompletely cleared resulting in unused satellites remaining on the screen and occasionally even showing duplicate satellites. This is now fixed. Identify CMC Allstar and Superstar receivers separately. Improve CMC receiver initialization, especially disabling undesired messages so that the Superstar correctly displays its data on TAC32’s screens. Fix the default size of the main window for first time users.
Version 2.7.3	Version 2.7.3, Apr 2, 2006 Enhancements: UNICODE version of the software is now automatically installed on all 32-bit versions of Windows (NT/2000/XP/2003). This allows users with Japanese and Chinese versions of Windows to successfully enter passwords./li> When a mode search fails, set the default mode to Motorola Binary (“mot bin”) instead of generic NMEA so that first time users start up in the most used mode. Added support for the Motorola/i-Lotus M12M GPS timing receiver. When recording periodic GPS logs, provide the user the option to use the GPS second number instead of the UTC second number to avoid the effects of Leap Seconds on the log data set. Also provide the user the option to shift the period +/- one second to allow synchronization of log data with other data sources. Corrections: Corrected a sign error in the UTC vs. GPS time message on the main screen.
Version 2.7.2	Version 2.7.2, December 3, 2003 Enhancements: Add a menu selection for display of raw Time Interval Counter data in the main display window [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only]. Provide complete decoding of the T-RAIM message for the M12+ (@@Hn). Provide manual control and full decoding for M12+ DSP message (@@Tr). Corrections: Make the NTP Status indicator work properly when there is no 1PPS. Oncore XT receivers are now correctly identified. These are receivers with part numbers starting with “A”. If a Conexant or Navman Rx, print “CNXT/NVMN” on status line, not “Motorola CNXT”. Set Tropo Corrections ON for precision Timing mode. Changed the default internal receiver delay to better match the values determined during the USNO calibration testing. This value is different for different versions of the CNS Clock. When RINEX log is open be sure range data messages are logged when logging period is longer than once per second (Motorola VP series 6 and 8 channel receivers only)./li> When restarting TIC logs each day get new receiver information for the status log. Provide DOP Status messages for UT, UT+ and CNXT receivers. Added decoding of antenna sense bits in M12+ Self Test response. Fixed RINEX logging so that its period correlates with the second number. Thus log entries for a 10-second period will occur at seconds 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50.
Version 2.7.1	Version 2.7.1, September 30, 2002 Corrections: Oncore XT receivers are now correctly identified. These are receivers with part numbers starting with “A”. This problem was introduced in V2.4.2 but was made worse with a change to the default configuration in V2.7.0.
Version 2.7.0	Version 2.7.0, September 14, 2002 Enhancements: Update Help files to add instructions for Windows XP setup and for multiple instance setup. Create M12+ and CNXT as distinct new receiver types. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi Only] Implemented mechanism for running multiple instances of Tac32Plus/Multi with separate registry trees and serialization files. This is controlled by command line switches /inst:xxx to run a named instance and /dinst:xxx to delete a previously created instance. Corrections: Change the function of the “?” button on the toolbar from accessing “About” to accessing “Help”. [Tac32Plus only] Correct an error introduced in V2.6.0 that corrupted the response to the remote control request for average TIC data. [Tac32Multi Only] Remove all unused TIC Time and Average log files whenever the file set is closed. This prevents the build up of many unneeded files when not all TIC data ports are in use. For M12 and M12+ Timing Receivers activate the Tropo, 100PPS and Self Survey controls. Disable 100PPS for CNXT. Do not display “Insufficient Satellites” error if “Bad Almanac” is detected.
Version 2.6.1	Version 2.6.1, February 23, 2002 Corrections: Ensure that the lack of a 1PPS does not cause an out of lock warning when the 1PPS input is purposely disabled in the Serial Port Setup screen. Eliminate spurious entries in TIC log from counter statistics reporting. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only]
Version 2.6.0	Version 2.6.0, February 9, 2002 Enhancements: Add an optional maximum limit for changing the system clock. The controls associated with this new functionality are in the Set PC Clock dialog box. TIC log files now only re-open automatically if they were open when Tac32Plus or Tac32Multi were shut down. Of course, the “Auto Restart TIC Logs” must also be checked. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only] Improved the handling of TIC File error conditions. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only] Improved the display of satellite data for CMC receivers. Generalized the concept of primary and secondary time messages. This was originally designed for NMEA so that the ZDA message would take precedence over the RMC message when they both appeared simultaneously. The concept has been generalized and applied to both NMEA receivers and to the CNS timing receivers to allow message 113 to override message 20. Improved handling of TIC scaling factors and accommodate different unit separators on different counters. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only] Elimination of static buffers in receive interrupt routines to eliminate buffer access conflicts and increase performance. This applies to both TIC and GPS ports. If TIC data does not fit the expected format (not a number + scale factor) then return the data exactly as found and mark as raw. This data will be logged with a time stamp only. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only] Corrections: Fix for CMC – Timing message 113 reports time of last fix when there are to few satellites. In this case do not use CMC113 date/time data. Also, added additional tests before using Timing message 113. Corrected a possible sharing violation in intertask message handling. Corrected TIC Rx buffer error that occasionally caused a corrupted messaged to be sent to the main program for processing. This would result in an occasional invalid log entry. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only] When TIC log data is recorded in raw format the port number is removed if present and the raw data is separated from the time stamp by the separator defined for the TIC data files. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only] TIC Logs are now restarted at exactly midnight instead of one minute after midnight. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only] TIC logs are now restarted in the same time tag format as the previous log instead of reverting to Excel format. [Tac32Plus and Tac32Multi only]
Version 2.5.2	Version 2.5.2, June 17, 2001 Enhancements: Added MJD to the big digits display options. Corrections: Corrected an error initializing the CMC receiver when no satellites are being tracked by the receiver [Tac32 and Tac32Plus only].
Version 2.5.1	Version 2.5.1, February 14, 2001 (Tac32Plus only): Added PC-U, and the two-part GPS to UTC correction terms (UTC-GPS seconds, and UTC-GPS nanoseconds) to the TIC Time Interval Log data strings. NOTE: When the UTC-GPS nanoseconds is always zero the GPS receiver is problably not reporting this parameter.
Version 2.5.0	Version 2.5.0, January 12, 2001 Improved support for the Motorola M12 receiver. Add support for the Canadian Marconi Allstar-12 and Superstar GPS receiver modules. Especially for the Superstar Timing Engine. Moved the Display control to the menu to allow for a larger “UTC Time from GPS” box. This was needed to make room for the longer time zone names used in some countries. Added new sounds based on WWV. Implemented Hyperlinks in the About box for rapid access to support by e-mail and Web sites.
Version 2.4.2.3	Version 2.4.2.3, July 12, 2000 Enhancements: Increase limits for antenna and measurement cable delay from 1000 to 20,000 nsec to accommodate some long cables, especially to allow RS422 lines and level converters for 1PPS distribution on ships. Rearranged received message validity tests to allow unformatted text messages to flow through to the main program when operating in NMEA or another character protocol. This allows the text messages to be displayed on the raw data screen and in the log. Corrections: Corrected and enhanced the operation of the Manual Command Dialog for non-Motorola receivers in NMEA mode.
Version 2.4.2.2	Version 2.4.2.2, June 6, 2000 Corrections: Make sure the status line is correctly redrawn when switching serial ports to select a different GPS receiver. When GT+ secondary port is set to 2400 baud show 2400, not 1200, in the decoded message. Clear the Satellite Status, DOPs, and DGPS message lines from the main screen when resetting or switching modes to prevent leaving old messages on the screen. Deactivate DGPS for Motorola M12 when the Navigation button is pushed on the receiver mode configuration screen. This is the same default action as for the VP receiver. On receipt of the self test message some receivers like the VP will wind up in IDLE mode so we send an @@Cg to make sure the receiver is not in IDLE mode The @@Cg command sometimes results in a response that destroys the diagnostic message. This problem is now corrected. Corrected spelling error in @@Sz “System Power-On FAILURE” message.
Version 2.4.2.1	Version 2.4.2.1, May 3, 2000 Features: [Tac32Plus Only): Added the ability to log satellite event changes in the TIC configuration log. A switch to control this was added to both the New/Open TIC log file dialog box and to the remote control command for activating TIC logs. Updated help and documentation files. Corrections: [Tac32Plus Only] Corrected a bug that prevented recording a TIC averaging file if the GPS receiver fails to provide a sawtooth value. This is evident with the current generation of Motorola M12 receivers, for example. The problem existed even if sawtooth corrections were disabled in the timing screen. Enhancements: [Tac32Plus Only] Allow the New and Open TIC Data Log screens to display even when a TIC data log is already open. This will allow the user to view the current settings. No changes can be made until the logs are closed, as the “Open” or “Create” buttons are disabled.
Version 2.4.2	Version 2.4.2, April 12, 2000 Improved detection of the various Motorola GPS receiver types. Added SL and XL Oncores as separate types. Tac32Plus Only): Added user control over the sawtooth correction of TIC data for Motorola receivers (binary mode). For more information see the Tac32 and the CNS Clock manual and the help pages about the Set Timing Parameters screen.
Version 2.4.1.1	Version 2.4.1.1, March 16, 2000 Corrections [Tac32Plus Only] The last TIC average data element was only being saved if using external averaging. Now works for both internal and external averaging. This eliminates an erroneous data UNAVAILABLE response to a remote control data request. SNTP response fields updated so precision now reports 2^-10 and the Reference ID correctly reports “GPS”.
Version 2.4.1	Version 2.4.1, March 14, 2000 Corrections: Allow embedded spaces in the parameter fields of NMEA messages. This effects both GPS receivers and Telnet command and control messages. Corrected loss figures for LMR series cable in Help pages and in the Manual. Fixed Table of Contents links that prevented some Help pages from being displayed. Corrections [Tac32Plus Only] Save the latest TIC time and average data strings and return them as first (or only) response to a remote Telnet request. This eliminates the potentially long wait that would occur before the first response. Corrected errors in various fields in the SNTP message. These fields did not effect the typical SNTP client, but they caused NTP clients to disregard the Tac32Plus server.
Version 2.4.0.2	Version 2.4.0.2, January 29, 2000 Features: Add notes in Set PC Clock Help page giving the maximum values for clock update and NTP hit counters. Corrections [Tac32Plus Only] Stop TIC files from opening at midnight when they were not opened before that time.
Version 2.4.0.1	Version 2.4.0.1, December 3, 1999 Corrections: Corrected an ICON ordering error that left a blank icon as the default. Corrected various minor errors in the help files. Features (Tac32Plus Only): Allow the TIC Log Open command to create a file set if none exists. Implemented Telnet EXIT and $PCNSL,EXIT commands. Allow lower case in Telnet commands.
Version 2.4.0	Version 2.4.0, December 1, 1999 Features: Implemented HTML style Help system. This replaces the obsolete WinHelp system. PC Clock set may now be conditioned on both periodic and error limit settings simultaneously. Set up the PVT6 as a receiver type separate from the VP to prevent its misidentification as a VP when a PVT6 has been retrofit with V8+ firmware. Improve the test for number of channels supported by a Motorola receiver and thus the reporting that appears in the Rx ID screen. Improved the reporting of receiver status information for 6 and 8 channel Motorola receivers in binary mode. Eliminates inadequate reporting when the @@At message is not supported and brings the encoding in line with that for the new @@Ha and @Hb messages. Features (Tac32Plus Only) Implemented user selectable Automatic TIC data bias correction feature. Added a clock icon on the status bar to indicate the NTP activation state and activity on the NTP socket. Also implemented an NTP Hit Counter in Set PC Clock window. Added remote Telnet access to the TIC Time and Averaging data streams. Implemented the missing features for the TIC log remote control. Restructured the command for greater user flexibility. Updated Help and documentations files. Implemented new TIC logging features: Auto Restart check box enables logging restart on program restart. Change log file name format to include 4-character station names and only one file set per day. If open, automatically close TIC logs at 00:01:00 UTC and reopen with new file names for the new day number. Features (Tac32H Only) Implemented TSIP and TAIP Trimble protocols. For Trimble 455DR use TSIP to get satellite Prn, Az, El, and signal strength information. For Trimble 455DR get the navigation mode from the TAIP CP message instead of using the NMEA GSA message so we can get Dead Reckoning information. Allow a full set of baud rate selections for the Trimble 455DR. Made additional special purpose modifications to NMEA processing for the Trimble 455DR. Enhancements Improved the look and operation of the Raw Data dialog boxes, especially when they have exceeded their maximum character count. Significantly reduced processing overhead for dealing with the overflow condition. Replaced the old heartbeat status bar icon with a new high performance icon (reduces CPU loading). Corrections: Eliminate multiple tick sounds when no 1PPS and both RMC and ZDA messages (or other time message pairs) exist in the same second. The warning sound will be used for messages without 1PPS (blue time character display) UNLESS the ignore 1PPS option is checked in the set PC Clock dialog box. Eliminate misidentification of a PVT6 receiver as a VP or M12. When this happened, the PVT receiver would be sent the wrong commands and so would not operate correctly. 6-channel Motorola receivers in 2D mode are no longer erroneously thought to be in 3D mode. Corrected the receiver applicability notes for @@Eg and @@Eq in the manual command dialog box.
Version 2.3.0	Version 2.3.0, September 1, 1999 Features: Added M12 Oncore compatibility. Added Decoding for @@Bg and @@Eg messages. Corrections: NMEA logs now save position values with 6 digits to the right of the decimal point for compatibility with all receiver types. The Coax Delay Calculator now permits fractional length measurements for coax. Fixed GPS Week so it never rolls over to zero. The satellite’s week counter went back to zero but the actual week number never does.
Version 2.2.4	Version 2.2.4, July 19, 1999 Features: Added the capability to continue position averaging after a program restart or GPS receiver restart. This is controlled by a new checkbox in the Averaging Parameters dialog box. Updated the Help and Documentation files. Corrections: Corrected an error in the processing Ionospheric and Tropospheric commands that resulted in one or both of these options being OFF even when commanded to ON for certain receiver types.
Version 2.2.3	Version 2.2.3, July 9, 1999 Corrections: The logic that drives the colors for the main screen time display has been fixed. The colors mean: BLUE = No 1PPS but there ARE valid messages (@@Ea/Ba, etc) and good satellite tracking. Some users are always in this mode if they are using Non-1PPS receivers. RED = Fails the lock criteria test (not enough satellites for the selected mode) OR has 1PPS but no GPS time messages (very rare and very bad). BLACK = everything working fine. Sound effects are now supported even when there is no 1PPS signal present. This was added because there are some users of the program having GPS receivers without 1PPS signals.
Version 2.2.2	Version 2.2.2, June 28, 1999 Corrections: Log files are now saved at the top of every minute even when the sound is turned off. The top of the minute tick is played even when the warning tick is active. In the Manual Commands dialog, change default TRAIM messages (@@Bn/En) to turn off the TRAIM messages (Motorola Binary Mode). Fix exception on shutdown when NTP server is inactive (Tac32Plus only).
Version 2.2.1	Version 2.2.1, June 20, 1999 Corrections: Replaced all the main screen data fields with simpler, more efficient fields to improve the performance of the sceen update. This also results in a significant reduction of CPU loading. Corrected an error in the rounding algorithm for navigation data strings. This effects only the values displayed on the screen, not the internal values used for calculations. Shorten staus line description for the help arrow button so it fits the available space. Cleaned up numerous minor errors in the Help files. Corrections (Motorola Binary Mode): Replaced the logic for reporting the age of received DGPS messages. The age value is now as reported by the Oncore receiver. Corrected a data conversion error that could, under rare circumstances, cause incorrect reporting of the fractional seconds portion of time, the Delta X, Y and Z parameters of the Datum ID Code message and DOP values. Improved the efficiency of the binary message decoding algorithm. Added decoding for the @@Ce Pseudocode Message. Corrections (Tac32Plus Only): TIC Log File setup: set defaults to file type “.csv”, Time Log disabled, period = “second”, Averaging log “internal” at a period of 1000 seconds Changed the labels on Tac32Plus “Data/Time Server” menu entries for technical correctness.
Version 2.2.0	Version 2.2.0, June 16, 1999 Features: Activate tropospheric corrections for Motorola Oncore VP receivers with firmware versions 8.9 and up. Manual Command dialog is now active in Generic NMEA mode. Both NMEA and TAIP style messages are accommodated. Features (Tac32Plus Only): Implemented an internal NTP time server. Implemented internal TIC statistics based on sawtooth corrected data with a user selectable averaging period. Alternatively, the user can select external TIC based statistics. Added a user interface to control the logging rate (or to disable) the TIC time log. Setup TIC sawtooth correction so the sign determination occurs automatically and only when necessary. This includes reinitialization when the TIC data is interrupted, which occurs during a reconfiguration of the external test equipment, for example. Corrections: Corrected errors in the decoding of tropospheric data messages. Fixed NMEA End Of Message processing to eliminate discarding of some good messages. The DGPS Output default button on the receiver setup screen now causes Activate DGPS to be checked (Mot Bin only). The other default buttons un-check Activate DGPS. Correctly erases zero value data on unused lines of the main screen’s satellite data chart.
Version 2.1.4	Version 2.1.4, May 26, 1999 Corrections: Corrected the operation of the Log File Close button on the toolbar. Corrected a problem with Log File header creation when in Generic NMEA mode. Features: Added TIC counter data to the main display selection list (Tac32Plus Only). Added sawtooth corrected TIC data to the Time log file data (Tac32Plus only). Added a new receive-only mode for Motorola Oncore receivers using binary protocol to support multiple computer running Tac32 to be connected to the same GPS receiver with only one “master” in control (Tac32H and Tac32Plus only).
Version 2.1.3	Version 2.1.3, April 30, 1999 Corrections: Corrected the operation of the Probe Serial Ports button. Documentation and Help file changes: Updated the description of how to set up as a service under Windows NT (Tac32Plus and Tac32H only). Added previously undocumented remote control functions (Tac32Plus and Tac32H only).
Version 2.1.2	Version 2.1.2, April 23, 1999 Corrections: Activates position hold (0-D) mode for early Motorola Oncore UT receivers (versions 1.x) to support precision timing. This error was caused by inconsistencies in the Motorola documentation but it has been determined that these receivers work fine in position hold mode.
Version 2.1.1	Version 2.1.1 April 6, 1999 [Tac32Plus ONLY] Corrections: Corrected two bugs in TIC log file name parsing: Now accepts A-F in the sequence number character of the name. Now operates correctly for day number less than 100.
Version 2.1.0	Version 2.1.0, March 22, 1999 Features: Two new Special Purpose Modes have been added to the Set PC Clock screen. They may be used individually or in combination to accommodate special requirements. Override TRAIM (No 1PPS) allows you to set the PC clock from the GPS receiver messages when there is no 1PPS. This is not very accurate but can be useful especially with a GPS receiver that has no 1PPS signal. Override Integrity check (too few satellites) allows you to set the PC clock even if there are too few satellites in view for the selected mode (3-D, 2-D, or 0-D). This can be useful when operating in 3D mode but you need to keep the PC clock synchronized even when the receiver automatically switches to altitude hold or position hold because of too few satellites. This can also be used to synchronize the PC clock in a screen room environment after first locking the receiver to the satellites outside. This will produce good results for a few hours, depending on the GPS receiver characteristics. A new Advanced Receiver Command has been added, the Manual Satellite Selectcommand. This command can be used to force one or more GPS receiver channels to each track only a selected satellite or to disable the channel. Satellite PRNs between 1 and 37 can be selected to accommodate both real and pseudo satellites. See the Help file or the documentation for more information. This command only works with the Motorola Oncore VP receiver operating in binary mode. Corrections: Local PC time now updates correctly when time zone information changes. Now reports time zone names correctly for zones without daylight saving time on Windows NT.
Version 2.0.6	Version 2.0.6, March 16, 1999 Corrections: Revised the handling of many internal structures to increase efficiency and security, thereby reducing CPU loading and improving stability. Plugged a leak in the GDI resource pool that caused program instability after a time if the satellite view chart was left open.
Version 2.0.5	Version 2.0.5, March 7, 1999 Features: Disabled “Set Timing Parameters”, “Set GPS Receiver Parameters” and “Manual GPS Receiver Commands” when in Generic NMEA mode. Updates: Expanded the description of the Setup section of the Averaging Parameters Dialog Box in both the Help and Documentation files.
Version 2.0.4	Version 2.0.4, March 4, 1999 Corrections: Corrected a sign error in the local time zone bias offset. This effected the new local time feature in version 2.0.3 only.
Version 2.0.3	Version 2.0.3, March 1, 1999 Features: Allows Motorola GPS receivers operating in binary mode to be set to output Local Time rather than UTC. This feature is provided to support the generation of Local Time by the new optional IRIG-B interface and has no effect on Tac32 or the local computer’s clock.
Version 2.0.2	Version 2.0.2, February 18, 1999 Features: The Satellite Az-El Chart has been extensively reworked to eliminate problems some users were having and to reduce CPU and resource loading. In addition a new “Sky Hole” line has been added to complement the “Horizon Line”. This traces the highest elevation any satellite has been tracked at any azimuth. This hole can grow quite large for users close to the North or South Poles. Corrections: Corrected an error on the GPS Mode Selection Screen that prevented the Satellite Activation grid from operating correctly. This bug was introduced in Version 2.0.1 and does not effect other versions.
Version 2.0.1	Version 2.0.1, February 13, 1999 Corrections: Corrected an error that prevented the “El” button from being activated by the left mouse button if the focus was on the “Prn” button.
Version 2.0.0	Version 2.0.0, December 8, 1998 Features: Time:UTC Offset (Motorola UT+ receivers only) and leap second pending status (Motorola only) are now shown in the “UTC from GPS Time” box on the main screen when available. Satellites: The satellite view chart now includes a horizon line. This line is traced as satellites move and so takes at least 12 hours to fully form. The horizon line can be used to show blockages in satellite coverage. See the program Help for more information. The data is saved and retrieved between sessions and is cumulative. A reset button is available to initiate a new horizon survey. Display: Display of the receiver operational mode on the status bar. Logs: All logs are now opened in shared, read-only mode and automatically updated once per minute. Thus, logs may be read or copied without closing them. A new log file type, the “NMEA Common Format PVT log”. The NMEA Common Format PVT log saves data in a common NMEA-0182 format regardless of the operating mode or type of GPS receiver. This allows for data collected simultaneously from multiple receivers to be compared without regard to the format of their specific messages. The message specification is included in Help under the “What is…” section. GPS Receivers: A new receiver type, “Generic NMEA”, has been added. This supports a listen-only mode at any data rate for use monitoring any NMEA receiver. No control functions are supported in this mode. li>Motorola Receivers: Operator initiated self test for Motorola receivers (BIN mode only). Motorola VP: Added PVT6 (6-channel) emulation for the Motorola Oncore VP receiver to allow the VP to be set up for use with legacy software programs. Motorola GT, GT+, UT, UT+: Antenna status is displayed on the status bar (BIN mode only). Motorola UT+: 100 PPS support (BIN mode only). Support for GPS receiver internal self-survey (BIN mode only). Garmin: Added support for 9600 baud. Trimble: Added support for Trimble NMEA mode as part of the “Generic NMEA” interface. This is still “receive only”. Implementation of the TAIP and/or TSIP protocols, to provide full support, is planned. XNTP: The $GPRMC message is now active in NMEA 2D and 3D modes to support xntpd (time server) interfaces. Help: Improved and updated the content of the Help files. Also made many improvements to the corresponding documentation (available as hard copy or in Adobe PDF V3 format). Windows NT Service Mode (Tac32Plus and Tac32H only): Tac32 is now able to run as a Windows NT service. It can register itself as a service. Documentation is in Help/Contents/How Do I… Updates: Setup: The GPS receiver type search is now only performed when specifically requested. Thus the program will stay in the requested mode even if a receiver of that type is not found. This allows testing with similar receivers that do not conform to the program’s command structure. Tac32 is no longer restricted to running only one copy of the program at a time. Screen: The maximized position of the main screen is now saved and restored (WinNT only). This allows you, for example, to resize the normal screen to show only the clock and use the maximized screen to show the full page. Coax Calculator: Addition of various LMR series coax cables. Settings: Settings are now saved when they are made instead of waiting for program shutdown. This eliminates problems if the program is terminated unexpectedly (say if your laptop battery fails). This also corrected an error in the geoid-ellipsoid calculation on the Manual Reference position screen when entering non-local reference positions for addition to the data base. Internals: Replaced the internal inter-task communication mechanism with a new high efficiency mechanism. This improves performance. PC timekeeping is improved through dynamic process priority management. Manual Commands: The “xx” characters shown in some of the parameter fields have been removed. The Manual Command Dialog’s command dropdown list now operates correctly (implemented case sensitive operations). Now allows manual commands in Generic NMEA mode. Passwords: The password field in the Help/About box now supports cut and paste to make it easier for a registered user to move the password from the e-mail announcement to the program. Corrections: Passwords: Implemented an encrypted password master list so the program doesn’t have to carry around the unencrypted password in its .exe file where hackers can find it. Status: The status line now correctly reports “PVT6” instead of “VP” for these early Motorola receivers. Raw Data Views: Improved the operation to reduce flicker and improve performance. Serial Ports: Revised the operation of serial port initialization, port probing and dialog box initialization to improve the reliability of these functions. Time: Corrected a timekeeping error that occurred when manual 1PPS offsets were non-zero. This effected the Motorola VP when the offset was negative and the UT+ when the positive offset exceeded about 140 msec. NMEA Message Processing: Made substantial changes to the NMEA processing to improve compatibility and performance. Logs: Corrected errors in the Binary and Rinex logs that occurred when the @Ea/Ba is disabled. Also for the Rinex log, when the @@Ek/Bk is disabled. These conditions occurred only during logging for special purpose post-processing experiments.
Versions 2.7.4 ‑ current 1.0 ‑ 1.2.8	For other release notes click the links on the left.