Introduction to GPS

Introduction: The goal for this lab was to become familiar with the skills involved with using a GPS in the field and applying the data mapped with the GPS to software on the computer.  The objectives were to create a geodatabase and prepare that geodatabase for deployment to the GPS unit for field data collection using ArcPad Data Manager. After collecting data on the GPS unit, we checked the data back into ArcMap 10.2.  We learned how to collect point, line, and polygon features in the field using ArcPad on the GPS unit.  

Methods:  ArcMap 10.2 was used for this lab as well as ArcPad on the Trimble Juno GPS units.  The first step in this process was to create a brand new file geodatabase within a newly created folder.  I then created three new feature classes in that geodatabase with the coordinate system NAD_1983_HARN_Wisconsin_TM meters.  The three features were point, line, and polygon.  I then repeated this process to create three more of the same feature classes for practice purposes.  At this point, I now had three feature classes total.  Next, I imported the buildings shapefile for campus to my geodatabase.  The next step was to deploy the newly created geodatabase containing the shapefiles onto the GPS unit.  In order to do this, we need to show the ArcPad data manager toolbar from the customize menu.  I clicked the button saying Get Data from ArcPad, which opened up a wizard for getting data ready for the GPS unit.  In the Action menu, I changed the format to an AXF layer.  I also chose editing aloud for the background layer editing.  Under the Action menu I chose Checkout all Geodatabase layers.  Before clicking next, I double checked that all layers were set to check out.  The next step was to specify a name for the folder being created.  I changed the path to where my geodatabase file was stored and in the select deployment options window I clicked on create ArcPad data on this computer now. The data is now ready to be deployed.  Next I plugged in the GPS unit with a USB cable and made sure it appeared in Windows Explorer.  I navigated to my lab folder and cut the folder that I recently created to deploy.  I navigated to the correct folder for on the GPS and pasted the folder from the computer. We then wen't outside to collect point, line, and polygon features in the field using ArcPad on the Trimble Juno GPS.  We collected three polygons, six points, and one line.  After this collection was completed, we needed to check the data back out to the computer.  Using windows explorer, I copied my folder form the Juno and pasted it back into my folder on the computer.  I opened up the original file I created on the computer and went to ArcPad data manager. On the ArcPad data manager toolbar I clicked Get Data from ArcPad.  Locate the .axf file in the folder you just pasted the GPS data from and make sure all of the feature classes in the table are set to Check In.  I then clicked okay and the data mapped from the field is now data in ArcMap.  I then built a cartographically pleasing map of my collected data using appropriate map elements.  

Results:  The results consisted of Figure 1 below showing the collected data from the Trimble GPS units.  The map was created and edited in ArcMap 10.2.  The data consists of one line, six points, and three polygons.   

Figure 1