ArcPad10 and Trimble 6000 series GeoXT

[RichardReardon]

I recently purchased a Trimble 6000series GeoXT handheld which runs
Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional. I have the Trimble GPS Controller
program installed on it, and when I run it there are plenty of
satellites available highlighted in black to show that they are
providing a signal (which is strong). The problem is when I run the
evaluation version of ArcPad10 I can't get any GPS signal. Clearly I
can get a strong signal, something just seems wrong when I move to
ArcPad. Here are my "GPS Preferences" in ArcPad10:

Protocol: NMEA 0183
Port: COM2:NMEA Serial port
Baud: 4800

These were the settings I was told to used in the setup manual provided by
Trimble for the handheld when using ArcPad (if not using GPScorrect). When
I try to let ArcPad search for a GPS signal, I recieve an error message
telling me that No GPS Signal was detected. I checked online and even when
using just the Evaluation Mode of ArcPad, I should still be able to use
the GPS function.

Note: I do not have both the GPS Controller program and ArcPad running simultaneously.

Any ideas/information on how I may resolve this connectivity problem are
greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
    Mike

[TimHopper]

Mike,

Did you purchase the optional NMEA upgrade from Trimble?  The 6000 series device doesn't output NMEA by default without the upgrade.

If you did purchase the upgrade, did you activate it?  Activation for the NMEA upgrade is a little more challenging than the Floodlight technology, as you need to obtain an .xml file (which ties the NMEA upgrade to the specific serial number of your device) from Trimble which you then must point to on your device during the activation process.

If you did purchase the upgrade and it is activated, have you enabled NMEA output through the GPS Controller?

GPS Controller > Setup > GNSS Settings > NMEA Output > On

The new 6000 series device is a tricky one to get setup correctly.  Reply here if you have any additional questions.

[RichardReardon]

Tim,
     I have not purchased the NMEA upgrade because no where in any instructions for either the program or handheld mentioned it was necessary. I was under the impression that the Trimble device TSIP signal would work. While I was instructed to choose NMEA0183 as stated, I was never told that I must have the NMEA upgrade. Anyway, where can I obtain this upgrade?
I greatly appreciate your help!

-Mike

[TimHopper]

Mike,

I haven't received a good explanation as to why they didn't deliver the ability to utilize NMEA as they have in all of their previous mobile products.  It was a surprise to me when the 6000 was released.

You should be able to purchase the upgrade through the Trimble reseller that you bought the device from.  If you bought it in a bundle from Esri, I would imagine that you would need to contact the account manager that set you up with the bundle.  If you contact the person that you bought the bundle from and/or your customer service rep they should be able to help you out.

You don't have to use NMEA to connect to ArcPad, I should have been more specific before.  You can utilize the Trimble GPScorrect protocol with the GNSS serial port (COM3) to obtain a signal in ArcPad.

NMEA

Protocol: NMEA 0183
Port: COM2 NMEA Serial Port
Baud: 4800

GPScorrect

Protocol: Trimble GPScorrect
Port: COM3 GNSS Serial Port
Baud: 9600

Thanks.

[RichardReardon]

Tim, thanks for all of your help. I'll just purchase the Trimble GPScorrect extension then. Before I do that I must purchase ArcPad obviously. There is only one problem. Why can't I purchase ArcPad10 from the ESRI Store Online? I navigate to the software, click "add to cart", then the only thing that happens is that I am shown my cart containing a request for back-up media valued at $0.00 and there is no where to click to proceed to the checkout.

Sincerely,
Mike

[TimHopper]

Mike,

As a support analyst, I'm not too up to date on the procedures for purchasing new software.  I went to the website and experienced the same behavior that you did.

I'd recommend just giving customer service a call.  They will be able to either help you get it online, help you purchase it over the phone, or can direct you to the right representative who can help you get the software.

As you said you have the evaluation version (newest version is 10.0.2) all you'll need then is a registration number.  You find that after you enter the registration number on the evaluation version, it will unlock the full version.  The only actual limitation of the evaluation version is that it only runs for 20 mins at a time.

You can reach customer service @ 888-377-4575 option 5. 

Good luck!

[RichardReardon]

Thank you very much for all of your help!

[RichardReardon]

Actually, one more question if you would. I purchased a Tempest antenna from trimble to use also. Do I still need the Trimble GPScorrect extension for ArcPad10? From what I understand is that this only boosts the TSIP signal, it doesn't broadcast in NMEA. So the answer to my question would be "Yes, I still need the extension". Just wondering if you could verify.

Thanks again!

[PatrickMurphy]

Remember that when you collect data with GPSCorrect and ARcPad, if you don't post-process the data is only accurate to about 3m.  After you post-process it will be submeter.  A GIS department I worked for thought that the data collected with ArcPad were automatically submeter.  NOT, only if collected with Terrasync will you get that I think.

[DaveAlmond]

Richard-
  If you are not planning to post-process your data with ESRI's GPS Analyst Extension or Trimble's Pathfinder Office software, then you don't necessarily need the GPSCorrect extension. Also, the GPSCorrect Extension does not affect the antenna, only the selection of which protocol is used to decipher the GPS satellite signals received by the receiver/antenna.  The real time accuracy you can achieve with the new  6000 series XT should be submeter without post-processing, especially if you are using the external antenna. You can use the TSIP (Trimble Standard Interface Protocol) with ArcPad 10 with no problems. The real question is what type of accuracy does your project require. If you need better than 1-3 feet, then you will want to post-process your data and will need the GPSCorrect Extension plus either GPSAnalyst Extension for ArcGIS or Trimble Pathfinder Office Software to post-process your data.  If 1-3 feet is acceptable for your project, save your money and use the TSIP on ArcPad 10 without post-processing, thereby eliminating the need for GPSCorrect and GPSAnalyst/Pathfinder Office.