Module: GPS Guidance

The GPS navigation module utilizes values emitted by GPS receiver devices to provide accurate positioning data.

This module communicates with most type of GPS devices (NMEA-0183), initializes the connection between the GPS and the PDA and manages the GPS information such as current position, altitude, speed, movements, and give odometer and speedometer information.

A GPS device is not required to use GPS Pilot software. Indeed, GPS Pilot software can be used as a digital hand held atlas with no GPS navigation assistance dimension.
But attention, with no GPS receiver, do not expect to get GPS data such as altitude, speed, heading, etc... This information is emitted by satellites and only readable by GPS receiver.

To save the PDA battery power while GPS tracking, your screen can be automatically switched off. See the GPS Stay-on option in the Preferences section.

When used in conjunction with the Mapping module your exact location and moves are pinpointed on maps.

Coupled with the Tracks modules, it tracks your progress and even can guide you to your destination.

Via the main menu option GPS→detail, you can access the GPS screen to initialize the GPS device as well as get GPS reading for the expert users.

Most GPS devices are supported. Any NMEA0183 v2.0 or higher compatible GPS devices as well as the Delorme Earthmate™ proprietary protocol.

Many GPS devices are available on the market.

• Integrated GPS : Garmin IQUE
• Blue tooth (BT): Emtac BT, Fortuna GPSmart BT, GPS Bluei, TomTom GPS BT ...
• Compact Flash (CF): Pretec CF, Transplant Computing CF, Crux II CF, ...
• Memory Stick (MS)
• Clip-on: NavMan, Rand McNally, Companion
• External GPS units: Magellan, Garmin, Eagle, EarthMate Delorme

Attention: In order to receive satellites, you must have a clear view of the sky. Satellites signals can not pass through solid materials (except glass) or dense overhead tree cover.

Choose the best device for your needs. Integrated or clip-on ones are best light solution for trekking as you carry one device only. For driving purpose, prefer 2 separate units, the GPS on the dash board in direct line of the sky and the PDA closer to you for best viewing.

Any questions specific to the hardware connection are answered in the GPS Support section

Connection to Bluetooth GPS

To connect your Bluetooth GPS to your PDA, exit the Tracker application, and check if the Bluetooth connection is triggered on your PDA.

Identify your Bluetooth GPS

If your GPS has not been identified yet, select the new partnership option.

The system then starts the blue tooth devices detection process. Once the Bluetooth GPS device detected, its name is displayed on the resulting list. Select its name and click on the next button.

On the next screen, enter the GPS connection password to allow secure communication between the 2 devices (usually it a sequence of 4 digits, please refer to the User Manual of your GPS device for details). Then select the next button.

Select the serial port option in the next screen, and click on the Terminate button.

Select your GPS communcation port

 Now click on the COM Ports tab, and select the new output port from the list.

Initialize your Bluetooth GPS to this new port and click on the next button.

Finally, select the port number that you wish to use for your PDA-GPS connection.

And click on the Terminate button to end this initialization.

You can now run the navigation program Tracker

Initialize your GPS

Two parameters need to be checked, to establish the communication between your PDA and your GPS device,

Communication port:

In the Preferences screen available via the main menu option Preferences, check if the GPS com (communication port) is initialized to the correct one

GPS activation:

Activate the GPS by pressing the GPS>Start option from the main menu

Trouble shooting:
If you are using a Pocket PC device with an integrated GPS, it is recommended to use this one, to avoid communication conflict. If you do wish to use an external GPS (GPS Bluetooth for instance) check that the communication port is different from the internal receiver (usually COM 7)

If the GPS is looking for satellites for a while, init the GPS with a default location by centering the current map to a close POI

GPS status

The GPS bubble gives the status of the connection with your GPS Receiver. A beep signals any changes in the connection status. The status of a GPS connection can be:

GPS disabled.

This happens only when there is no GPS plugged in. On the map, the position marker is a red cross.

GPS not found.

This means that your Palm is not receiving any information from the GPS.

• Either the connection between the Palm and the GPS is deficient,

• Or your GPS device is not recognized. In this case, set GPS type to another entry and re-select the right entry. If you still get Not Found status, check power and connection of your device. – details about hardware connection are listed in the GPS Support section –

On the map, the position marker is a red cross.

GPS init

At this stage, your PDA is receiving information from satellites but the number of satellites is not sufficient to get a fix.

On the map, the position marker is a red cross.

GPS OK

Your GPS device now gets valid signals and is now feeding continuously your PDA with location information. The number display underneath OK, represents the number of detected satellites.
When GPS status is OK, information such as magnetic heading, speed ... is displayed.

On the map, the position marker is at this time an arrow showing the current heading

GPS guidance in Map views

With GPS guidance, the  cross icon over the maps is replaced by a red arrow that shows your exact location and heading on the map.

Tracker™ system will also automatically move the map around and brings up new maps to adjust the display to new positions.

Current location, speed, altitude, direction will be displayed at the bottom of the map and if you are actually tracking, tracks will be shown as recorded and true position and elevation would be recorded.

At the top of the screen, in the Routing information panel, the information to navigate to the selected destination point will be updated in real-time with the current position and current speed.   

GPS reading for expert users

The GPS details screen displays expert location information detailed below from left to right, top to down:

Real life compass

The first 2 lines are dedicated to real life compass data with:

• Magnetic heading displayed on a graphical moving compass and on a numerical value form
• Speed information
• Altitude, and latitude and longitude of your current position.

Universal time

Then you can read timing information about current time, offset from GMT and date. This information is based on the parameters you initially entered on your PDA. If you wish to change these data, use the appropriate Windows Mobile native programs. From the Start Menu, and choose the Settings option, then select the tab System and the Time, Regional Settings programs.

GPS status

The GPS status icon gives information on the connection with your GPS Receiver. A beep signals any changes in the connection status.

The status of a GPS connection can be:

GPS disabled.

This happens only when there is no GPS plugged in.

GPS not found.

This means that your Palm is not receiving any information from the GPS.

• Either the connection between the Palm and the GPS is deficient,

• Or your GPS device is not recognized. In this case, set GPS type to another entry and re-select the right entry. If you still get Not Found status, check power and connection of your device. – details about hardware connection are listed in the GPS Support section –

GPS init

At this stage, your PDA is receiving information from satellites but the number of satellites is not sufficient to get a fix.

GPS OK

Your GPS device now gets valid signals and is now feeding continuously your PDA with location information. The number display underneath OK, represents the number of detected satellites.
When GPS status is OK, information such as magnetic heading, speed ... is displayed.

Odometer and speedometer

The GPS module offers odometer and speedometer functionality in order to measure distance traversed and time and average speed.

The reset button allows re-initializing the odometer and speedometer to zero at anytime

GPS satellites signal status

This sky view displays the current status of the satellites signal reception: by showing the satellites detected and their location.

The sky view array represents the positioning of the satellites in the sky overhead with your position in the center of the 2 circles. The outer circle indicates the horizon while the inner circle a position 45 degrees from the horizon. The number displayed indicates the number assigned to those satellites. The directional arrow at the center shows direction you are heading to.

The GPS receiver can from time to time lose satellites signals due to interference from tree cover, buildings, etc… a beep signals the lost and fix of satellites signals.

GPS fix Status

The GPS fix status informs about the acuity of the position fix. Upon to the number of satellites detected, the GPS receiver is able to collect the different data to calculate accurately the position.

No fix means that the GPS receiver is not acquiring enough satellites information to compute position coordinates.

2D means that GPS position fix is two-dimensional. The acquired data includes only horizontal coordinates (no GPS elevation). It generally requires a minimum of three visible satellites.

3D means that the GPS position fix is three-dimensional. The acquired data includes horizontal coordinates, plus elevation. It requires a minimum of four visible satellites.

GPS main Menu

By tapping anywhere on the GPS screen, you can bring up a pop up menu allowing the different GPS functions:

GPS reset.

 GPS→Reset enables to reset to zero odometer and speedometer data.

GPS activation

GPS→Start and GPS→Stop enable to activate and stop the GPS signals reception.

GPS→COM initializes the GPS communication port to the correct one. The Auto will allow the system to automatically detect the com port for you.

Units of measure

GPS Pilot supports International settings for units of measure. 

• Units for speed, altitude and latitude, longitude coordinates can be selecting Units in the GPS screen pop up menu.
• Altitude can be defined meters or feet
• Distance is supported in miles, kilometers, or nautical miles.
• Latitude/longitude can be entered and read in degree, minutes, seconds (N/S/W/E dd°mm’ss’’) format or in Degrees and decimals (+/- dd.dddd) formats or in Swiss coordinate system (for swissTopo maps with Oblique Mercator on an 1841 Bessel ellipsoid. map projection)
•  

Alternatively, you can defined the unit of measure through the Map main menu, option Preferences via the Options tab.

Exit

This option closes the GPS screen, and the user is back to the map view.

A first-aid tutorial that answers to most common questions is available via the menu Option-Help.
 

> GPS Guidance FAQ
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