Module: GPS Guidance

The GPS module utilizes values emitted by GPS receiver devices to provide accurate positioning data.
This module communicates with most type of GPS devices, 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.
When used in conjunction with the Mapping module your exact location and moves are pinpointed on maps. Coupled with the other modules, it tracks your progress and even can guide you to your destination.

The GPS module is the basis of all GPS Pilot applications.
However, 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... These information are emitted by satellites and only readable by GPS receiver.

NMEA0183 compliant

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
 

GPS satellites signal status

Only available on devices supporting virtual graffiti area.
This area displays the current status of the satellites signal reception by showing the location and number of satellites in the sky overhead.
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 circles 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.
 

Automatic location positioning

Only available on devices supporting virtual graffiti area.
This area displays your current position on the worldwide satellite map.

Real life compass

The first 2 lines of the GPS screen displays real life compass data such as:

• Magnetic heading displayed on a graphical moving compass and on a numerical value form
• Magnetic variation gives the difference between True North Pole and Magnetic North Pole
• Speed information
• Altitude, and latitude and longitude of your current position

Set units preferences for speed, altitude and latitude, longitude coordinates by clicking on the title or unit labels.

Set a new location by clicking on the Lat/Long label, you will get the list of predefined POIs to select one or create a new one.

Universal time

The GPS Module displays your current time, offset for GMT and date based on the parameters you set for your PDA.

To modify time zone, date and time use the Palm predefined Preferences application available via the main screen.

To correct your PDA clock to satellites time, click on the small clock that appears when you have a GPS hooked up. The time correction is only available if your Palm time is incorrect within a 15 minutes space.
 

GPS initialisation

In order to get your GPS talks to your PDA, you must initialize the type of GPS you are using. Click on the upper area of the GPS bubble and select the entry corresponding to your device:

• Blue Tooth to automatically detect any NMEA blue tooth GPS devices in the surroundings such as the EMTAC, Fortuna GPSsmart, GPS Bluei, TomTom GPS ...
• IQUE Garm... for Garmin Ique smartphone
• NMEA for any NMEA GPS connected via the Cradle/Cable serial port at 4800 baups.
  The setting for major GPS devices: Rand Mc Nally StreetFinder and Magellan Companion clip on and also Delorme USB Earthmate.
• NMEA spe...  to define another NMEA connection port and speed.
  Select this option and then select the menu option GPS-Set connection to define a new one. For instance, if you are using a TRG compact flash GPS, init your GPS type to other NMEA and use the Set connection option to create a "Direct CF Serial" with correct connection port and speed.
• NavMan for NavMan devices.
  NavMan units are NMEA standard communicating at 57600 bps.
• Companion for Handspring GPS module.  
• Earthmate for Delorme Earthmate GPS.
• HandyGPS for Nexian HandyGPS Handspring module.
  The HandyGPS needs to be switched on prior to start GPS Pilot session via the HandyGPS program.
• Sony MS for Sony Memory Stick GPS
• Simulation allows to simulate the GPS functionality for demonstration purpose. 
  Simulation mode coupled with Tracking, Flying or Routing module allow to play your route travel before you go.

Clicking on the GPS bubble itself re-start the GPS initialization with the last GPS type entry.

GPS Stay on/ Auto Off/ Screen Off

These modes allow to define how the PDA device acts during GPS navigation. Notice, that in all three modes, the GPS device stays on except if the GPS is embedded to the PDA, such as for the Garmin Ique.

The mode Auto-off switches off the PDA after the time out specified by the standard Palm Auto-off value. In this case no tracking is anymore possible

The mode Stay on allows the PDA to stay switched on until a manually switch off action. This mode disables temporarily the standard Palm auto-off feature of the PDA during GPS Pilot sessions in order to avoid interruptions while tracking a route or a flight plan. The auto-off attribute is restored to the standard Palm Auto-off value when exiting from a GPS Pilot application.

The mode Screen off allows to the PDA to stay switched on, with the screen switched off until a manually switch off action. In this case, the PDA records tracks but does not display them to save PDA power life. This mode disables temporarily the standard Palm auto-off feature of the PDA during GPS Pilot sessions in order to avoid interruptions while tracking a route or a flight plan. The auto-off attribute is restored to the standard Palm Auto-off value when exiting from a GPS Pilot application.

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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.
   
• 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.
   
  Check time, offset GMT, and date. If one of them are wrong, modify time zone, date and time through Palm predefined Preferences application available via the main screen.
   
  Now, if the initialization phase is lasting more than 1 minute, the system need to get more information on your current location. Select a location close to your current location (within about 200 miles) to aid the GPS receiver to get its initial fix.
   
  Click on the Lat/Long bubble to get the list of predefined POIs , select a close one in the list or create a new one with your current coordinates. If you are using in conjunction the Mapping module, you can also center approximately the map to your current location.
  
• 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, ... are 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 to re-initialize the odometer and speedometer to zero at anytime

Units selection

In the GPS screen, change units of each geographical information, by selecting the unit label bubble. A pop up will appear allowing to change the unit for this information: Km/h can be changed to knots or mph, feet to meter, latitude, longitude can be display in ddºmm'ss'' or DD.dddd format...

You can also modify units via the menu Options-Preferences.
 

Hard key assignments

The PDA physical buttons are redefined as shortcut for GPS Pilot applications.

Button 2 allows to switch back and forth in the GPS details screen.

 

Contextual help

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

> GPS Guidance FAQ
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