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Recent advances in mobile GPS/GIS mapping technology
Data Collectors Traditional Units for data collection The traditional units for GPS data collection use either an onboard storage memory or an external data logger. In most cases, the software on these units is extremely complicated and difficult to learn. The data collectors are vendor specific to GPS engines only and cannot be used for any other applications. The units come with a proprietary operating system which makes modifications or difficult to incorporate. These units have slower processors thus making the manipulation and processing of data and maps impossible or very slow. Also, the small screen size limits the display of data without scrolling down or panning often. The units have very low battery life and are expensive to replace. New Generation Data Collectors With the introduction of Palm Pilots followed by Microsoft's launch of a pocket PC operating system, a new generation of handheld Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's) have flooded the market. It is now possible to use these lightweight handheld PDA's , with GPS/GIS data collection software, for field applications. In addition, regular windows based laptop PC's are now available in ruggedized waterproof versions. One can use these PC's for mapping applications in tough outdoor environments. Some of the new units available are manufactured by Casio, Hewlett Packard, Sharp, Compaq, Fujitsu, Panasonic, and Walkabout Computers. (See Fig. 2) Advantages of New Generation Data Collectors The new data collectors are economically priced between $300 - $6000. Widespread familiarity with the Palm, Pocket PC, and Windows operating systems has resulted in a quick and easy GPS/GIS integration with these devices. As these units can be used with or without GPS, other field data collection applications can be handled. They have a longer battery life, 14-16 hours, and are lightweight, thus making it easier for the user to carry the units all day in the field. In addition, most data collectors have touch screens and come with a color display. Almost all have voice activated systems which comes in handy if one wants to dictate notes. Most devices have 2 serial ports, USB ports, and infrared ports. Some of them have built-in modems, and offer extended memory and Compactflash card options.  Figure 2 Software Traditional Field Data Collection Software The traditional Data Collection software is difficult to learn and is vendor specific to their GPS engine only. Also the software available operates only on a Windows operating system and is expensive. New Generation Software Some of the new software introduced during the past year or so are: Fieldworker, Solo, ArcPad, Sitemate, Patchworks, and Composer. Advantages of New Generation Software Today, the new generation of software offers the user various options that can be used for his or her applications. The software is very economically priced, between $50-$3000, and has the capability to add background maps or digital orthophotos. Most of the new generation software allows the user flexibility to use any type of GPS engine beginning from a low priced recreational type unit to a high accuracy survey grade unit. The software has the capability of reading from 2 serial ports allowing the user to use a GPS receiver as well as an additional sensor, such as a laser range finder. The software can also accept digital camera input allowing the user to capture not only the location data but also the actual picture of the feature. Once the location, features and attribute data have been collected, all of the data can be exported in different GIS formats, such as ArcView shape files. Most of the new generation of software has a version available for Windows as well as a Pocket PC operating system. This results in a much shorter learning curve. (see Fig. 3)  Figure 3 |