Mobile GIS Using ArcPad

MOBILE COMPUTING
Mobile computing is creating fundamental changes by
adding the ability to take GIS with you into the field and
interact directly with the world around you. Mobile GIS
comprises the integration of a number of technologies:
• GIS
• Mobile hardware in the form of lightweight devices
and ruggedized field PCs
• GPS
• Wireless communications for Internet GIS access
• Sychronization using GIS servers
inspections were often performed using forms that
were taken to the field, filled out on a clipboard, and
entered into a database upon returning to the office. Data
entry of paper information was inefficient, repetitive, and
prone to error.
Organizations have begun to replace their paper-based
systems with mobile applications. GIS-centric mobile
applications, such as ArcPad, provide GIS software
functionality that can be applied to a variety of field
mapping and editing workflows. ArcPad is widely used in
the GIS community for this type of fieldwork.
An increasing number of focused applications are also
being developed and deployed. In many situations, a
custom application is needed that focuses on specific tasks
and workflows and simplifies the efforts to learn and use
field-based GIS systems. ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS
Engine provide effective tools for building easy-to-use,
high performance mobile GIS applications.
ArcGIS offers a range of mobile solutions to meet these
and a host of other requirements.
MOBILE GIS EXAMPLES
• Street sign inventory
• Power pole maintenance
• Meter reading
• Road pavement management
• Military fieldwork
• Mineral exploration
• Habitat studies and wildlife tracking
• Toxic inventory
• Crop management
• Property damage assessment
• Field surveying
• Incident reporting and inspection
• Real-time wildfire boundary mapping
• GIS data validation
• Building and asset inspection
MOBILE GIS APPLICATIONS
There are many types of mobile GIS applications. Here
are some common examples:
Mapping and navigation systems—Provide lowaccuracy
and low-cost solutions for map-enabling a mobile
application such as map use in the field. This often
includes the ability to capture map notes.
Data collection systems—Provide accurate and
professional solutions for field data collection that ensures
the accuracy of your GIS data layers.
Survey systems—Provide highly-accurate and highercost
solutions for field survey data collection. Surveying
has not traditionally been considered a common part of
GIS workflows; however, this is rapidly changing.
Traditionally, spatial information has been taken to the
field using paper maps, often in the form of map books.
Information collected with a map book in the field was
sketched as notes on paper maps and entered into the GIS
when the field worker returned to the office. Field
inspections were often performed using forms that
were taken to the field, filled out on a clipboard, and
entered into a database upon returning to the office. Data
entry of paper information was inefficient, repetitive, and
prone to error.
Organizations have begun to replace their paper-based
systems with mobile applications. GIS-centric mobile
applications, such as ArcPad, provide GIS software
functionality that can be applied to a variety of field
mapping and editing workflows. ArcPad is widely used in
the GIS community for this type of fieldwork.
An increasing number of focused applications are also
being developed and deployed. In many situations, a
custom application is needed that focuses on specific tasks
and workflows and simplifies the efforts to learn and use
field-based GIS systems. ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS
Engine provide effective tools for building easy-to-use,
high performance mobile GIS applications.
ArcGIS offers a range of mobile solutions to meet these
and a host of other requirements.
MOBILE GIS EXAMPLES
• Street sign inventory
• Power pole maintenance
• Meter reading
• Road pavement management
• Military fieldwork
• Mineral exploration
• Habitat studies and wildlife tracking
• Toxic inventory
• Crop management
• Property damage assessment
• Field surveying
• Incident reporting and inspection
• Real-time wildfire boundary mapping
• GIS data validation
• Building and asset inspection


Mobile GIS using ArcPad and ArcGIS • 89
MOBILE WORK TASKS
Here are some common tasks performed using mobile GIS.
Field map use—This type of application provides a way
to take your geospatial information to the field as mobile
maps to help you accomplish tasks in the field. A simple
viewing application that enables query of asset
information using a map adds value to field decisions.
By adding navigational support using GPS, you can use
map locations to zero in on information for field tasks. In
these applications, users often add the ability to report
locations to the office (for example, capturing and
reporting the location of your mobile work force). This
enables the ability to create an operational picture for your
field workforce.
Field inspection—This type of mobile application helps
field crews inspect assets in the field (for example,
transformers, water meters, street signs, buildings, timber
stands, and so on). Mobile workers report on each asset’s
condition and operational status, often taking a picture of
the asset and using GPS to improve locational accuracy of
features in the GIS.
Field data collection—This type of application is used
to collect new information in the field with a streamlined
data collection workflow. Often, the information that you
collect and update in the field is only used to update one
or two layers in your mobile map. For example, you may
need to collect the locations of storm drains for a section
of a city. However, within the map you will need to view
the storm drains in association with other map layers that
depict the storm sewer network, street centerlines,
easements, block boundaries, and aerial photos. This
information helps provide background information to
support your data collection tasks. Building a mobile
mapping application that displays background information
and contains specific editing workflows helps to increase
field worker productivity and reduces the training
requirements for using the application.
Mobile developer tools can help organizations design,
build, and deploy custom field applications that focus on
helping each user get their job done.
GPS SUPPORT
A global positioning system (GPS) is a satellite-based
navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites
placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense.
GPS was originally intended for military applications, but
in the 1980s, the government made the system available
for civilian use.
GPS uses radio signals broadcast from orbital satellites to
calculate positions accurate to better than a centimeter
given the right hardware. GPS has become a vital global
utility, indispensable for modern navigation on land, sea,
and air around the world.
Differential GPS (or DGPS) systems provide corrections
to autonomous GPS positions supplying accuracies ranging
from 5 meters down to sub-centimeter. DGPS systems
rely on at least one GPS receiver located at a fixed point
to calculate locational corrections to coordinates.
DGPS corrections are disseminated either in real-time or
by post processing. Real-time DGPS is ideal for
applications in the field that require high accuracy to
navigate to features or to reposition them on the fly.
However, for applications that require the highest possible
accuracy, post processed DGPS is typically used.
ArcGIS Mobile products provide support for DGPS
integration and use in order to achieve any level of
accuracy that is needed in your mobile GIS applications.