Using ArcGIS for Windows Mobile with the Windows sensor/location API

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01-15-2013 02:24 AM
TimWroblewski2
New Contributor II
Hi,

A client has recently purchased a new Windows 8 Dell Latitude 10 tablet to use ArcGIS for Windows Mobile on.  Now I know that strictly speaking the official line is that ArcGIS for Windows Mobile is not supported on Windows 8 at present.  However, we have it up and running on another client's tablet also running Windows 8.  The difference between these two devices is the GPS configuration:-


  • The device we have it working on is using an external GPS plugged in via USB which is being connected to by ArcGIS for Windows Mobile using a virtual COM port.

  • The new tablet from Dell has a built in Broadcom GNSS location sensor with GPS capabilities.  However, it is configured to work with the OS via the Windows sensor/location (Not sure which one) API and as such, is not visible to the ArcGIS for Windows Mobile application which requires a COM port to connect to a GPS.

I guess I have two questions:-


  • Has anyone mangaged to get ArcGIS for Windows Mobile to connect to a GPS using the Windows sensor/location API?

  • If not, then does anyone know how to create a virtual COM port which relays the data from the built-in Broadcom GNSS location sensor via the Windows sensor/location API?

I really appreciate any time that people are able to put towards helping me out!  I'm a little but stuck!

Thanks,

Tim
66 Replies
ClasTernström
New Contributor
I can confirm that it works with the Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet 2 running ArcPad 10.1 in Sweden. No problem, accurate and stable. Using version 2.0.5.28. Just what we needed to get our tablets running as they should. Great work!!

Clas Ternström
Swedish National Heritage Board
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NickDeMerchant
New Contributor
Hey Geoff,

Thanks for your post.  So are you saying that since we have the Ericsson C5621gw model, there is currently no way that I can utilize the GPS on ArcGIS mobile 10.1.1 for example? 

Thanks for any info on this...

Nick


Pardon me for jumping in to this thread, but I think there is more information that you should be aware of.

In the US, the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 model that has Broadband capability is fitted with the Sierra EM7700 - Gobi Wireless device. As your screenshot shows, that device also provides an NMEA stream via a virtual COM port.

However, in Europe (and possibly elsewhere), Lenovo uses the Ericsson c5621gw hardware for Broadband. See http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?&DocID=DS033224

This hardware ONLY supports the Broadband function - it does not supply NMEA info via a virtual COM port. In fact, out of the box, a European ThinkPad Tablet 2 has no COM ports listed in Device Manager.

In both cases, GPS info is supplied via the Broadcomm chip, but the info is exposed via the Location Provider API. If the GPS application software isn't written to interface to this, but only to the legacy virtual COM ports, then it won't work.

See also http://gcoupe.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/microsoft-does-it-again/
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GeorgesMaalouf
New Contributor
Hi All,

is this problem solved in ArcGIS for Windows Mobile 10.2? I couldn't get a beta version for 10.2 to check it.
When ArcGIS for Windows Mobile 10.2 will be released?

Thanks
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GordonSumerling
Esri Contributor
Georges,

Esri are working on including the sensor API for GPS  at 10.2 ArcGIS for Windows Mobile. As a result it will be released shortly after the official ArcGIS 10.2 release. The date is not finalised as yet.

Cheers
Gordon
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GeorgesMaalouf
New Contributor
Thanks Gordon for your quick reply. Really appreciated.

Georges
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MarkTwyman
New Contributor
Hey Geoff,

Thanks for your post.  So are you saying that since we have the Ericsson C5621gw model, there is currently no way that I can utilize the GPS on ArcGIS mobile 10.1.1 for example? 

Thanks for any info on this...

Nick


Thanks RED_ZMAN for the shout out!


Localizer works directly with the sensor driver and detects whether or not raw NMEA data is available. If it is, it is delivered to the virtual comport directly. If it is not, Localizer creates standard NMEA GGA,GSA,GSV and RMC strings from the available platform data and  sends that to the virtual comport. The process is transparent to the consuming application. All data is "live", meaning that it is taken from the chipset (if available). No data is simulated.


The current version features automatic updates and improved performance. The next release will also provide language support for German, Russian,Spanish, Dutch and French.

Cheers!
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DustinEdge
Occasional Contributor
What GPS connection settings are you using in ArcPad.  I have trouble getting the 3682-22U to actually see GPS coordinates with the latest version of ArcGIS Windows Mobile 10.1.1.133385.  It finds and connects to the GPS on COM3 but the fix type stays "Invalid" or gets one coordinate shows PDOP for a second, and then no other updates.  Whereas I open a GPS testing app called "GPS device tester" and can see the coordinates coming through COM3 just fine.  Loading up ArcPad now to see if it works.


Hi Jason

I've been having a similar issue with a Trimble Nomad and ArcGIS Mobile 10.1.1
Still trying to work out a solution

Cheers
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BenjaminRogers
New Contributor
For all those still stuck on this
Try downloading centrfuse localizer from the link below
http://www.centrafuse.com/us/centrafuse-localizer
It's currently working for me on a Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet 2 (Wifi version only)
Just had to run the program as administrator to get it to run.

Hope this helps!!
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DustinEdge
Occasional Contributor
Georges,

Esri are working on including the sensor API for GPS  at 10.2 ArcGIS for Windows Mobile. As a result it will be released shortly after the official ArcGIS 10.2 release. The date is not finalised as yet.

Cheers
Gordon


Hi Gordon

can someone from ESRI please give us an update on the ETA for 10.2 AGM?

Thanks
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DustinEdge
Occasional Contributor
so AGM 10.2 is out. But no documentation regarding bug fixes and/or enhancements. Thanks ESRI....that's really helpful.

Anyone had a go as yet?

Cheers
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