Telonics Data Converter

Telonics Data Converter (TDC) is used to convert raw data from Telonics transmitters into data reports and to display locations on Google Earth and Google Maps. You can review TDC reports in any spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel, and you can also use your own custom software to process reports electronically. Location data exported to Google Earth can viewed there and can be saved as "kml" files and used in other mapping programs. TDC maintains a list of your transmitters and their data-conversion settings so you can generate new data reports efficiently throughout your study.

TDC supports Telonics' GPS units (Iridium, Globalstar, Argos, store-on-board, and spread-spectrum), Argos-only (no GPS) transmitters, and VHF transmitters with data-logging options.

Telonics Data Converter works in concert with Telonics Product Programmer (TPP) to provide you with complete control over your transmitters and your data. TDC retrieves all required data-conversion settings for your transmitters from the TPP Parameter File(s) used to program them. Any programming changes you make using TPP become available to TDC directly through the parameter files.

Telonics Data Converter converts raw data and creates reports (formatted as comma-separated values, CSV) from the following sources:

  • Argos files in Full DS format (.ds) or Argos Web Services files (.aws)
  • Iridium files (.idf)
  • Globalstar data
  • Datalog files as stored in a unit (.tdf)
  • Spread-spectrum files (.tsf)
  • Uplink Receiver log files
  • An Uplink Receiver directly connected to the PC

In addition to converting raw data, TDC also performs the following tasks:

  • Download programming parameters from a unit (.tpf files)
  • Download data from a unit (.tdf files)
  • Erase data from a unit
  • Download Iridium data from a dedicated email account
  • Download data over a spread-spectrum link
  • Download data from Argos Web Services
  • Log messages from a connected uplink receiver

Screenshots

Convert Data Files
Convert Data Files

Generated CSV Report (in Excel)
Generated CSV Report (in Excel)

Generated File Displayed by Google Earth
Generated File Displayed by Google Earth

Download

There are two ways to download and install Telonics Data Converter. Most users should use the online installation, since it is faster and easier to install. To use the online installation, you must be connected to the Internet when you run the setup program. If you need to install TDC on a computer that does not have Internet access, you should download and burn the CD image. You can then use this CD to install TDC without an Internet connection. Remember, a Telonics license permits you to run TDC on only one computer at any given time. Concurrent use of the program on more than one computer is not permitted unless you purchase multiple licenses.

Download v2.93, 2024.01.17 (setup-TDCv2.93.exe 14,827,752 bytes) - Online Installation (Recommended)

Offline Installer for v2.93 (offline-setup-TDCv2.93.exe 65,180,392 bytes) - Offline Installation

Driver Installation Instructions

Telonics Data Converter requires an authorization code for complete functionality. Without an authorization code, TDC operates in demonstration mode. Demonstration mode prevents you from generating reports, logging uplink messages, and communicating with your transmitters. You may install and evaluate TDC before purchasing a license and corresponding authorization code. TDC will assume complete functionality when you enter your authorization code in the Help->About window. If you would like to see reports that TDC generated, you may download the following sample reports:

Sample Report for Argos Transmitter

Sample Report for GPS Transmitter

Sample File for Google Earth

Purchasing TDC

When you purchase Telonics Data Converter, you receive an authorization code that enables TDC support for specific Telonics product models. Listed below are the authorization codes currently available. TDC will not convert data for models that you are not authorized or licensed to use. If you require TDC support for additional Telonics product models, you must purchase an additional authorization code or upgrade to the authorization code that supports all models. However, you won't need to download or install additional software. Please contact Telonics for pricing.

Authorization CodeSupported Models
TDC-GPSAll Gen4 GPS models:
Store-On-Board, GPS-Argos, Spread Spectrum (SST), Globalstar, and Iridium
TDC-RECONGPS-RECON (Globalstar) models only
TDC-ARGOSArgos transmitters (without GPS)
TDC-VHFMK-11 & MK-12 VHF transmitters with data logging options
TDC-ALLAll models as listed above

System and Hardware Requirements

Configuring Argos Services

Telonics Data Converter requires specific Argos processing options. Before your deployment begins, please contact Argos and request the following settings for your Argos Technical File:

  • 32 8-bit sensors for Argos IDs less than 32768; 31 8-bit sensors for all other Argos IDs (including new IDs).
  • Message length is variable, so length should not be checked.
  • Decimal/A1 (recommended) or Hexadecimal/A2 formatting.

Telonics recommends that you use ArgosDirect (formerly known as Argos Automated Distribution Service or ADS) to receive your data. When you contact Argos, please request ArgosDirect service with the following settings:

  • Select the "DS" data format, which includes all validated locations and all messages collected by all satellites.
  • Select the "Attached text file (.txt)" output format.
  • You may optionally choose to have your data "compressed".
  • Do not request data encryption.
  • Select email as your delivery option and specify an email address.

Version History

2024.01.17 What's new in version 2.93?

  1. Supports new models.

2023.10.27 What's new in version 2.92?

  1. Supports new models.
  2. Updates the depth layers listed in report headers to account for all TPF files for that unit.

2023.10.09 What's new in version 2.91?

  1. Fixes a bug that had prevented previous TDC versions from downloading data from large TelonicsWeb accounts.
  2. Adds support for TGAVS-830-4 model.

View full version history

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