ACS-GPS gauges family for FS98/FS2000/FS2002
By Alain Capt / [email protected] / Switzerland
URL: http://www.acsoft.ch ("Produits" chapter)
-----------------------------------------------

**********************************
* VERSION 2.00 / November - 2001 *
**********************************


PRELIMINARY REMARKS
-------------------

Please read "install.txt" for installation instructions. DON'T TRY TO INSTALL
BEFORE YOU READ THIS FILE !!!

Version 1.90 and upper has three different sets of GPS gauges for FS98, FS2000
and FS2002. It include now also a full FS2000 database files set, thanks to
Olivier Guth and Jean-Pierre Bonnefon precious work. This release also include
now the GNC250XL GPS model which was made for the famous and well known Pilatus
Porter made by authors Jim Goldman, Yannick Lavigne, Steve Small and Fred Banting.

For FS2000 and FS2002, versions 1.90 and upper include now a COUPLING TO AVIONIC
POWER BUS. for all GPS gauges (with the exception of Concorde gauge). This mean
that if avionic power bus fall under a certain voltage, GPS gauge will have a
power failure (GPS stop working and all electrical display disappear). This
function was already implemented, via IPC COM block in previous versions.
It remain also in this one. IPC power failure has the priority.

For FS2000 and FS2002, versions 2.00 and upper correct the following weakness:
Power failure, due to avionic power bus low voltage, do not happen anymore at
A FIXED VOLTAGE, but when avionic power bus voltage fall under the half of the
maximum voltage measured during normal operation. This avoid GPS never powered
on aircraft using low voltage system.

ATTENTION !!! Flight Simulator 98 users, to work properly, ACS-GP98 gauges
family need a FULLY UPDATED FS98. This mean you must have installed the two
Microsoft official updates: "FSCONV98" and "Patch Set No1". You can freely
download these stuffs on Microsoft Internet site or several other Internet
sources. No special requirement is needed for FS2000 or FS2002 version.

Concorde version is included in the form  of a separate package "Concorde.zip".
Please refer to included "readme.txt" within this archive to know all about
this version, especially how to install it within your Concorde panel.
ATTENTION, this set of gaugeS IS NOT for the FS2000 Concorde !!!

Usage of the Data Manager is described into file "acsgpsDA.txt".

Developers will found interesting information's in "FINAL REMARKS" section.



DESCRIPTION
-----------

ACS-GPS is a versatile set of GPS gauges. You should find a version suitable
for almost every kind of aircraft. V1, V2, V4 are CRT-like gauges. V3 is a
replacement gauge for the standard FS98 Bendix Transponder gauge which offer
both transponder and GPS functions. KLN90B is a custom gauge which was
developed for Seneca panel of Alexander Lawrence, but, of course, suitable
for many other aircraft of this category. Same for the LEARJET version and
the GNC250XL. At last, CONCORDE version is a special version divided in 3
differents gauges. I made it for the commercial version of the FS98 Concorde
aircraft add on.

ACS-GPS is a full featured programmable GPS. Up to 99 destinations can
be loaded into GPS memory from a data file, in an easy editable text format.
This is done automatically, when gauge is loaded by FS.

These datas for the GPS gauge can be managed with "ACS-GPS Data Manager".
You can run this extension direct from GPS gauge or from outside FS. Data
Manager will let you create, modify etc... as many programs for the GPS as
you want. These programs can be then loaded into GPS memory, directly from
the Manager.

Data Manager include a database with all Airports and Navaids of FS98 and
FS2000 that you can use to create your GPS Program's. This database is made
of a set of text files. Therefore user should be able to modify database
contain with a simple text editor or more powerful programs like Access
or Excel. Data Manager database call buttons can be also fully customized.

GPS can work in two modes: A "tour" mode, where all loaded destinations are
considered as a sequence of "Wpts" for the flight, or a "Single-Destination"
mode. In this last mode, GPS will not switch automatically to next waypoint,
when destination reached, but execute the selected destination behavior:
Simply switch GPS to "standby" (disconnected from autopilot) and continue,
circle over destination or switch to "standby" and activate "pause" of FS.
Of course, in "tour" mode, destination behavior will occur on last waypoint.

GPS always display current airplane coordinates (long/lat) and current waypoint
coordinates. Display of them can be toggled between standard mode (Deg Min Sec)
or FS98 mode (Deg* Min.decimal). GPS also display, of course, the heading to
waypoint, the distance to waypoint in [nm], the ETA (Estimated Time to Arrival).

All GSP gauges master wind drift compensation. This feature is built around
a true mathematical model (no use of some well known approximate simple
equations). The model will assume all cases, even such "Kamikaze" situations,
like a wind of 120 KNOT with an ULM flying at 40 KNOT! This mean, of course,
that GPS have to manage cases where the compensation is not anymore possible.
You will see how in chapter "WIND DRIFT COMPENSATION USAGE AND BEHAVIOR".

External applications can communicate with ACS-GPS using IPC shared memory
block technic. ACS-GPS use two of these blocks for this purpose. These
communication channels can be used not only to read all GSP datas, but also
to remotely control the GPS, including forcing a program reload. Even power
failure can be simulated through this channel. You can test these features
with the included "IPCTest.exe" program. For more details, also please
consult file "IPC_com.h".



HOW TO IMPLEMENT ACS-GPS GAUGES INTO PANELS
-------------------------------------------

If you are not an experienced user on the matter of panel modification, I
recommend to you to download the Microsoft Flight Simulator SDK. This
"Software Development Kit" will give you all the information you need to
manage panel modifications.

With this version, I made the effort to include a basic "Tutorial.txt" which
should put a newcomer on the right track about what to do to include new
windows and gauges into a panel. Sorry, but this document is not a complete
detailed course on how to modify panels! However, with the basic information's
it contain, you should normally be able to discover the rest on your own.

If you do not have the courage to plunge into panel editing, you can found
a lot of nice panels on Internet which feature ACS-GPS.

Gauge V3 was designed with the meaning to facilitate implementation in the
case it can take the place of FS98 "Bendix_King_Radio.Xpndr.gau". Here after,
an example on how to do that:

Let say we want implement ACS-GPS98-V3 on the FS98 Cessna Skylane 182S panel:

Please open file "panel.cfg" for this aircraft with a simple text editor
like the NotePad (File location: YOUR-FS98-INSTALLDIR\AIRCRAFT\C182\PANEL).

Seek for the line:
gauge04=Bendix_King_Radio.Xpndr, 0, 188

Edit the file this way:
;gauge04=Bendix_King_Radio.Xpndr, 0, 188
gauge04=ACS.GPS98-V3, 0, 188

Save your work and go on !!!

Now, when you will fly your Cessna Skylane 182S and you press on the button
to display the radio stack, you will see ACS-GPS98-V3 instead of the Bendix
Transponder. To know how to use it, read chapter "USAGE OF ACS-GPS98-V3".

This simple way of doing should always work. The only problem, with custom
panels using a very small sized version of Transponder will be you cannot
read anymore the GPS gauge.

IMPORTANT !!! Do not forget a gauge is NOT ACTIVE if the windows using it is
not displayed. Therefore, when GPS is linked to autopilot, THE RADIO STACK
WINDOW MUST REMAIN OPEN IN ORDER THE GPS CAN CONTINUE TO CONTROL AIRCRAFT.

You may also test ACS-GPS KLN90B with the same method on the same panel:

This time, seek for the line:

gauge01=Bendix_King_Radio.Nav_Comm_2, 0, 57


Edit the file this way for original CRT version:

;gauge01=Bendix_King_Radio.Nav_Comm_2, 0, 57
gauge01=ACS.GPS98-KLN90B_CRT, 0, 57


Or for alternative LCD version, this way:

;gauge01=Bendix_King_Radio.Nav_Comm_2, 0, 57
gauge01=ACS.GPS98-KLN90B_LCD, 0, 57


Of course, this implementation remove an important gauge. But this is just a
test to let you try the gauge.



WIND DRIFT COMPENSATION USAGE AND BEHAVIOR
------------------------------------------

Wind drift compensation is fully integrated into GPS computation. As soon as
the plane enter into a wind layer, GPS will start to include wind parameters
into all calculations.

GPS behavior will depend on the GPS status. If GPS is ACTIVE (linked to AP),
status display of GPS will immediately reflect that wind drift compensation
has been activated. GPS heading display will continue to show the "theoretical"
heading to destination, but you will remark that the heading sent to autopilot
by the GPS is compensated.

For all cases where it is impossible to compensate wind action, in order to
be able to join destination, status display will start to blink between
green and red color. But the GPS will continue trying to do its best. This
mean in fact the plane will be maintained toward the wind (plane take the
wind heading [Note: the direction from where the wind is coming]).

Suppose you are flying to a destination with a very heavy wind coming from
right behind. Obviously, GPS will compensate with an increase of the
theoretical heading to destination (turning plane to right). Suppose now
you reduce more and more power. The will reduce airspeed and therefore the
plane will compensate more and more to the right, in direction toward the
wind. When plane reach the wind heading, we have the maximum possible
compensation. If speed continue to decrease, "GONE WITH THE WIND !!!"
warning will start to blink, to let you know destination cannot anymore
be reached.

If GPS is on STANDBY when entering into a wind layer, nothing apparent occur
on GPS. But you have a mouse spot, which let you toggle heading display
between destination heading (red color) and compensated heading (orange color).
This may be useful for those who want to fly manually. When compensated heading
start to blink, this mean of course, compensation is not anymore possible.
This heading toggle spot obviously work only if you are inside a wind layer.

ETA calculation TAKE CARE OF WIND DRIFT COMPENSATION. Obviously, when aircraft
fly into a wind layer, speed to destination do not simply correspond to plane
speed. A further mouse spot will show, for 4 seconds, the true ground speed
to destination, instead of ETA time display. This is the speed used to
compute ETA. This new mouse spot always work, when you have a valid ETA
displayed. It does no matter if you are or not into a wind layer.

Refer to gauge usage description to precisely locate these mouse toggles.



USAGE OF THE GPS GAUGES V1, V4
------------------------------

V1 is the first GSP gauge I have created. V4 is the last one and is identical
to V1, but designed for my new MD-11 version 2.0 package. V4 use the "pixel
to pixel" technic and should be used only in panel with 1024x768 full screen
resolution. Magnification factor in gauge definition must be set to 186.

The first line on the GPS gauge is the title. It is also the hidden button
to launch the ACS-GPS data Manager extension, which let you create and
manage as many GPS program you want. Read "readmeDA.txt" for a full detailed
description of this extension. In the case you uninstall the data Manager,
this hidden button will let you simply reload data file. When the gauge
is loaded by FS and if a valid ACS-GPS.dat is found, data will be already
be automatically loaded.

If the data file was not found or contain syntax error, the gauge will be
in data error mode. This mean all data fields will be invalid and the GPS
cannot be activated.

the id: field will indicate "ERROR" and the following line, which normally
contain the name of waypoint destination, will indicate the error. For syntax
errors, "item number" and "line number" of item will be indicated followed
by an "error number" (see here after syntax error description).

Then, we have a first group of information, between two lines. In this first
block are grouped destination waypoints information's. You can see "id:" of
waypoint, followed by a full line to indicate the "name" of waypoint. "Wpt:"
indicate which waypoint is now active (displayed). You can toggle between
"Tour" mode and "Single-Destination" mode by clicking on "Wpt:". You will
know which mode is selected by looking on how waypoint is indicated. If
indicated with the format "01/08" THIS INDICATE TOUR MODE and will also tell
you that you are on first waypoint of 8 waypoint in all. If the format is
"03-SD", you will know YOU ARE IN "SINGLE-DESTINATION" MODE with the third
item of the data file. Under the name of waypoint, two last lines of this
group, labeled "Long:" and "Lat:" indicate coordinates of waypoint. "Long:"
and "Lat:" text's are also hidden button to navigate back and forward into
GPS memory of waypoints.

Following, is the central group indicating the heading to waypoint destination
and the ETA (Estimated Time to Arrival). "HDG" label is a mouse toggle
to change between destination heading (red color) and compensated heading
(orange color) in case of wind drift compensation. "ETA" label is an other
mouse spot to display during 4 seconds, ground speed used to calculate ETA.

In the next group, we have first the distance to waypoint ("Dist to Wpt:"),
followed by the actual plane position. You can use the hidden button over
text "Long:" and "Lat:" of this group, to toggle the display mode of
coordinate between "Standard" or "FS98" formats.

The last group let you switch GPS between "STANDBY" and "ACTIVE" by
clicking on label "GPS status:". When GPS is in "standby", it is simply not
connected to FS98 autopilot. When switched to "active", GPS will take the
control on autopilot. Therefore you will not be able to change heading
on autopilot nor to deactivate autopilot heading. You can still switch
off autopilot. In this case, GPS will automatically be set in standby
mode. When you switch GPS back to standby, using hidden "GPS status:"
button of GPS, autopilot WILL NOT BE SWITCHED OFF. All remain "in the state"
except that now, GPS is not anymore connected on autopilot.

At least, on the right down corner, you will found the indicator of
"destination behavior". "Of" indicate "Off mode" where the GPS will be
simply returned automatically to "standby" when destination reached. "Ps"
behavior will also put GPS in "standby" but also activate FS98 "Pause".
"Ci" behavior will let the plane circle over destination. To switch
between those different modes, simply click on the indicator.



USAGE OF GPS GAUGE V2
---------------------

This gauge is a compact version of basic V1. Therefore usage is almost
the same, except the following:

To gain place, this gauge suppress the two lines display for destination
coordinates. But this information is not lost, because the two lines
which display in V1 version, only the actual position coordinate, can, in
this version, also display the destination coordinate.

Over this coordinate, you will found a virtual button which let you toggle
between local or destination coordinates display. In order you do not confuse
which coordinate is displayed, the coordinate will turn in orange color
(same as destination string color) when displaying destination.

In V1, label for destination coordinates was also virtual buttons to change
waypoints (increment or decrement waypoints). As these two lines disappear,
the virtual buttons to change waypoints are now over the waypoint name string.
On left decrement waypoint, on right increment.



USAGE OF GPS GAUGE V3 (Bendix like GPS-Transponder with buttons)
----------------------------------------------------------------

Functionality's are the same like for GPS V1 or V2. Like for V2, coordinates
of actual position or destination are in toggle on the same display position.
To gain more place, this GPS V3 toggle also line with "Wpt No" and "Ident"
and line with "Wpt Name". Every mouse click spots are obviously on buttons
for this version which is not a CRT display.

As this version is intended to take the place of the standard FS98 Bendix
Transponder gauge, ACS-GPS98-V3 include this functionality too.

Some of the buttons (NXT,PRV and numeric buttons 1 to 7) have a different
usage, depending if you are in GPS mode or in Transponder setting mode. I
had to make it this way to not have too much buttons.

Schema of buttons:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 -----
| NXT |
 -----
 -----                                                              -----      -----
| PRV |                                                            | HDG |   /       \
 -----                                                              -----   | XPONDER |
                                                                    -----   |   CMD   |
                                                                   | SPD |   \       /
                                                                    -----      -----
 -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----
|  0  | |  1  | |  2  | |  3  | |  4  | |  5  | |  6  | |  7  | | AP  |
 -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to set the Transponder code:

By default, the gauge is in GPS mode. GPS calculated heading is displayed in
the up right corner, just over the XPONDER round button.

If you click on the round button, up right corner will display the transponder
actual setting for 4 seconds. Then display return to GPS heading display.

If you click the round button again, BEFORE display has returned to heading
display, you will enter into Transponder setting mode. The Transponder code
will turn to green color and the first digit (left most) will blink in the
waiting of your input. Doing nothing will let return automatically the gauge
to GPS mode after 16 seconds.

When in Transponder setting mode, clicking on one numeric button will set the
blinking digit to this value, while the next digit start to blink. Therefore,
you will need only 4 mouse clicks to set you code. You can also use buttons
NXT / PRV to change selected digit up or down. 16 seconds out-timer is rearmed
every time you click one of these buttons used for transponder setting.

Supposing you have now the right needed code displayed, this code is STILL NOT
ACTIVATED. Therefore, if you wait 16 seconds, gauge will exit automatically
the Transponder setting mode WITHOUT HAVING MODIFIED THE PREVIOUS SETTING.
To ACTIVATE IT, you must simply press the round button, when still into
Transponder setting mode.


GPS mode, where are the functions ?

I will not here after describe the purpose of every functionality's, but just
tell you on which buttons they are set. Please consult basic V1/V4 GPS usage
documentation for this purpose

NXT / PRV buttons
This pair let you select next or previous program waypoint or destination.

BUTTON 0
Select the destination behavior mode which is displayed just over the button.

BUTTON 1
Toggle first display line between ["Wpt No" / "Ident"] and ["Wpt name"].

BUTTON 2
Only if first line display ["Wpt No" / "Ident"], will let you toggle between
"Tour" mode or "Single destination" mode.

BUTTON 3
Toggle the two coordinates display between standard MN/DEG/SEC and FS98
MN/DEG.DECIMAL modes.

BUTTON 4
Toggle the two coordinates display between "actual position" (red color) and
destination position (orange color).

BUTTON 5
No function for GPS.

BUTTON 6
Reload data file function (if Data's Manager not used). Call the Data manager
before to reload data file when this extension is available.

BUTTON 7
No function for GPS.

BUTTON AP
GPS Mode toggle between ACTIVE (this version display "ON" or "ON W") and
STANDBY.

BUTTON SPD
Display 4 seconds ground speed instead of ETA only if a valid ETA is displayed.

BUTTON HDG
Toggle Heading display between theoretical heading to destination (red color)
and compensated heading (orange color). Will work only if aircraft is inside
a wind layer.



USAGE OF GPS GAUGE KLN90B
-------------------------

This GPS is proposed in two versions: With a "CRT" like display (bright
green characters over black background), conform to original GPS and with
a more spectacular "LCD" like display (Black characters over enlightened
green background).

Functionality's are the same like for GPS V1, V2. Like for V2, coordinates
of actual position or destination are in toggle on the same display position.
To gain more place, this GPS KLN90B toggle also line with "Wpt No" and "Ident"
and line with "Wpt Name". Every mouse click spots are obviously on buttons
for this version which is not a CRT display.

This version display coordinates only in standard notation "DEG/MIN/SEC",
Therefore no toggle button exist to change coordinates to FS98 "DEG/MIN.DECIMAL"
notation. 

THIS GPS MUST BE SWITCHED "ON" BEFORE TO BE OPERATIONAL. Use button "GPS ON"
for this purpose. Doing this will lit the display. Switched OFF, really mean
the GPS is OFF. Internally, no more computation occur. Except button "GPS ON",
all other buttons don't work.

Schema of buttons:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         ---  GPS
                                                                        |   | ON
                                                                         ---

   ------                                                               ------
  | CRSR |                                                             | CRSR |
   ------                                                               ------
   -----                                                                 -----
 /       \                                                             /       \
|   MODE  |                                                           |  PREV   |
|  SELECT |   -----       -----       -----       -----       -----   |  NEXT   |
 \       /   | MSG |     | ALT |     |  D  |     | CLR |     | ENT |   \       /
   -----      -----       -----       -----       -----       -----      -----
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Main purpose of this version is to "look like" the real Bendix KLN90B GPS. But
it remain first an ACS-GPS, in term of functionality's of the gauge. We think
ACS-GPS is better adapted to what remain a simulator games, than a strict and
pure simulation of the real GPS would be. The consequence of this, is that button
labels have almost no meaning in regard to the ACS-GPS functions which have
been allocated to them. But after all, most of the time these labels are so
small on panel that they are in fact unreadable.

Where are located ACS-GPS KLN90B functions ?

I will not here after describe the purpose of every functionality's, but just
tell you on which buttons they are set. Please consult basic V1/V4 GPS usage
documentation's for this purpose.

ROUND BUTTON "GPS ON"
Let you switch ON or OFF the GPS gauge.

ROUND BUTTON "PREV/NEXT"
This pair let you select next or previous program waypoint or destination.

BUTTON "CLR"
Select the destination behavior mode which is displayed just over the button.

ROUND BUTTON "MODE"
Toggle first display line between ["Wpt No" / "Ident"] and ["Wpt name"].

LEFT BUTTON "CRSR"
Only if first line display ["Wpt No" / "Ident"], will let you toggle between
"Tour" mode or "Single destination" mode.

RIGHT BUTTON "CRSR"
Toggle the two coordinates display between "actual position" and "destination
position". You will know when destination coordinates are displayed, as values
will not changes until you select an other waypoint.

BUTTON "D"
Reload data file function (if Data's Manager not used). Call the Data manager
before to reload data file when this extension is available.

BUTTON "ENT"
GPS Mode toggle between ACTIVE (button will lit) and STANDBY (button is not lit).

BUTTON "ALT"
Display 4 seconds ground speed instead of ETA only if a valid ETA is displayed.

BUTTON "MSG"
Toggle Heading display between "theoretical" heading to destination (label HDG)
and compensated heading (label WHG). Will work only if aircraft is inside
a wind layer.



USAGE OF GPS GAUGE LEARJET
--------------------------

Gauge "ACS.GPS98-LEARJET.gau" is not documented in this package. Just here
for upgrade purpose. Please refer to http://www.virtual.icom-web.com, the
Web site of Alexander Lawrence. You will found there the famous Lear Jet
panel for which this gauge was built.



USAGE OF GPS GAUGE GNC250XL
---------------------------

Gauge "ACS.GPS98-GNC250XL.gau" is not documented in this package. Just here
for upgrade purpose. Please refer to http://www.flightsim-developers.com, the
Web site of the Pilatus Porter or the documentation of this aircaft add'on.



USAGE OF GPS GAUGES SET FOR THE CONCORDE
----------------------------------------

This gauges set is included in the form  of a separate package "Concorde.zip".
Please refer to included "readme.txt" within this archive to know all about
this version, especially how to install it within your Concorde panel.



DATA FILE FORMAT, SYNTAX AND ERROR MESSAGES
-------------------------------------------

Data file is a simple text file. It must be named "ACS-GPS.dat" and placed
into installation directory of FS98 (alternatively also C:\ root).

The file can contain a maximum of 32 records, each records is composed of
four items for waypoint parameters (one per line), followed by a "blank" line
(separator line).

Here is the record description:

IDENT   waypoint identification (max 5 char, will be truncated if longer)
NAME    waypoint name (max 20 char, will be truncated if longer)
LONG    Longitude of waypoint into FS98 format (see syntax here after)
LAT     Latitude of waypoint into FS98 format (see syntax here after)
SEP     A maybe blank separation line (line is ignored)

Syntax for LONG and LAT:

- First character must be "E" or "W" for longitude "N" or "S" for latitude
  (must be capital).
- All further non numeric characters are then skipped.
- First numeric character to next non numeric character taken as degree,
  must be under or equal to 180, for longitude and under or equal to 90,
  for latitude.
- Then skip again to next numeric char.
- All next numeric char taken.
- Then, if a "." char is found it will also be taken and almost one numeric
  char must, in this case, follow the point. Further more numeric characters
  taken, until first non numeric char (if any). This second numeric value
  is taken as "minutes.decimal" (FS98 format). Must be zero if previously
  specified degrees was 180 for longitude, or 90 for latitude.
- Rest of the line will be ignored (if any).

Every line of file must be not longer than 255 characters.

this syntax mean that all following examples are legal:

E0 0
W115* 12.123456 Minutes // high precision
South latitude: 23 degree 34.28 minutes-decimal
N 46* 23.45
W118*3.8
etc...

Here are the meaning of error messages that might be returned:

ER_LineIsTooLong        100    Encounter a line over 255 char

ER_InvalidOri           101    First char of longitude different of "W" or "E"
                               or different of "N" or "S" for latitude.
ER_PrematureEndOfLine   102    A longitude or latitude line ended before all
                               needed data found.
ER_DegLongInvalid       103    Invalid degree for longitude.
ER_DegLatInvalid        104    Invalid degree for latitude.
ER_MinInvalid           105    Invalid minute.
ER_DegNotFound          106    On longitude or latitude line, no numeric char
                               found for degree.
ER_MinNotFound          107    On longitude or latitude line, no numeric char
                               found for minutes.
ER_NotNumAfterPoint     108    point is followed by non numeric.
ER_TooMuchRecords       109    32 records limit overpass.
ER_PrematureEndOfFile   110    File end encountered inside a record.
ER_SystemIO             999    System read file error occur.


FINAL REMARKS
-------------

ATTENTION, like every other gauges in FS, if the window which carry the gauge
is not displayed, THE GAUGE IS NOT ANYMORE ACTIVE.

Gauges and Data Manager were written in Visual C++ 5.0 using the Microsoft
panel SDK reference. Internal design was programmed to be as less as possible
computing consuming and FS drawing refreshing. For example, 3D vectors
computation for heading is "ticked" to occur only every second instead of
standard 18 Hertz FS ticker.

Unfortunately, "strings" in gauge, especially with 3DFX full screen mode, are not
fully proportional. I mean, depending on the magnification factor of the gauge,
string may vary in size and placement onto gauge area. Therefore, for a successful
panel implementation I recommend the following method:

First of all, seek the magnification factor for the gauge, according to the
resolution used in the panel, in order to have an optimal looking gauge (all string
with the good size and well placed). This will determine the size the gauge must
have. Then you can design (or modify) you panel to receive the gauge.

ACS-GPS98-V1 is optimized on 1280x960 panel resolution with a magnification factor
of 250 and for ACS-GPS98-V2 (compact version), factor is 240.



COPYRIGHTS
----------

ACS-GPS PACKAGE IS FREEWARE AND NO MONEY SHOULD EVER BE MADE WITH IT !!!

WRITTEN PERMISSION OF AUTHOR IS NEEDED TO COPY THIS PACKAGE OR PART(S) OF IT, ON
EVERY MEDIA LIKE CD-ROM, DISKETTE, BBS, INTERNET SITES ETC..., IN THE CASE USERS
MUST PAY TO ACCESS THIS MEDIA OR HAVE TO BUY IT.

I DO NOT GIVE THE RIGHT TO ANYBODY, WITHOUT MY PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION, TO USE
ANY ACSOFT PRODUCTION COPYRIGHTED FILES (SEE FILE PROPERTY OR DOCUMENTATION),
EXECUTABLE OR NOT, IN ITS ORIGINAL STATE OR MODIFIED WITH UTILITY SOFTWARES
LIKE GAUBMP.EXE, GAUMOD98.EXE ETC..., INTO A PANEL OR OTHER APPLICATIONS
INTENDED TO BE PUBLISHED, EVEN IF PUBLICATION WILL BE A FREEWARE.


CREDITS
-------

Thanks to Thierry HEEB, a really "big mathematics head" who create for me,
a mathematical model for the computation of GPS heading, based on "analytic
geometry in space" theory, plus a true model for wind drift compensation.

Many thanks to Olivier Guth and Jean-Pierre Bonnefon, authors of all FS2K
database files now officially integrated in this release. I am sure this
is an enhancement which will be much appreciated by all user.

Microsoft Corporation, for the publication of Flight Simulator 98+FS2K SDK.


AUTHOR
------

Alain Capt
35 ch. des Passiaux
CH-1008 PRILLY
SWITZERLAND
Tel + Fax: 41-21/ 648 38 37
E-Mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.acsoft.ch  (look on "Produits" chapter to found FS98 pages)


Have nice GPS flight with ACS-GPS !!!