ArcPAD on Getac PS336

[GavinJackson2]

Hi,

We have recently purchased Getac PS336 devices and are experiencing difficulties when we try to run ArcPad 10.2 on them.  More specifically, ArcPad appears to have difficulty connecting to the GPS unit as the GPS status panel constantly displays 'No Fix'.

The settings we use are as follows:

Program Port: GPD1

Hardware Port: COM4

Baud: 4800

Mode: NMEA

Access: Manage GPS automatically

We also have Nautiz X7 and Trimble Nomad devices which use the same settings and run perfectly in the same environment and conditions.

So my question is, has anybody else had issues or successes running ArcPAD on Getac PS336 devices and/or can anybody suggest a fix?

Cheers,

Simon

[StephenQuan1]

Hi Simon,

ArcPad port selection only allows you to select "COMn" from a drop down list. You could possibly select something, including COM4, then manually edit ArcPadPrefs.apx and see if you can coerce ArcPad to open GPD1. That would be preferred. Using the program port could allow the GPS to operate with a number of applications, including ArcPad, and, usually, Baud Rate, Parity settings needn't be set to a correct value.

If you cannot get ArcPad to use GPD1, then, with the COM4 port you do need the correct Baud and Parity settings. In the older days, we had devices, even ones from the same vendor, requiring differing Baud and Parity settings. The true test of success is if you're getting GREEN messages in GPS Debug Window occurring at least once a second. For a good result, the we need to see if ArcPad is receiving coordinate, accuracy and satellite information. The GPS Debug window is your friend.

You could also see if you can capture a GPS Log and attached it here.

Stephen

[GavinJackson2]

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the reply.

I have changed the program port of the GPS unit to COM4 and the Hardware to COM2.  

In the ArcPadPrefs.apx I have set ArcPAD to COM4 (see response in comment below for sample code settings) but this still does not seem to work.  

When I run the GPS/Rangefinder Debug the windows opens/turns black but nothing else happens.  Having tested this on other devices (X7) i see that it updates at least every second.

I think I may need to get the Baud and Parity settings from Getac (if they respond).  Unfortunately this is not provided in the user documentation that comes with the devices.....

[GavinJackson2 · Accepted solution]

Success!

It turns out that if you manage to create an Error (in this case 55 - port in use) then ArcPad will let you do the autodetect.  After playing about somewhat I have managed to get the GPS to work in ArcPad using COM4 and Baud 9600.  The actual GPS in the system settings is now set to Programs - COM4 and Hardware - COM6 Baud 9600.

Thanks for the help and advice guys.

Cheers,

Simon

[AdrianWelsh]

Simon,

Just to ask some probing questions: Does the GPS in your Getac work without using ArcPad? Have you tried changing your settings to directly access the hardware port on COM4?

[GavinJackson2]

The Getac works with it's native TacLink software which is a very basic GPS tracker.  

I have modified both the program and hardware ports in the GPS settings (i.e. outside of ArcGIS) and have changed them both to COM ports (COM 4 and 2 respectively) but still am having no luck.  In the ArcPadPrefs.apx file we have coded the GPS protocols as follows:

<GPS protocol="NMEA" datum="D_GDA_1994" initialize="" logfile="\My Documents\GPS.log" northreference="true" priority="highest" delay="1000" autoactivate="true">
<COMPORT port="4" baud="4800" dtrcontrol="enable" rtscontrol="enable"/>
<HEIGHT units="9001" geoidseparation="0" antennaheight="0"/>
<QUALITYCONTROL level="0">
<MODE/>
<PDOP/>
<EPE/>
</QUALITYCONTROL>
<AVERAGING point="10" vertex="5"/>
<STREAMING interval="1" distanceinterval="10"/>
<DISPLAY coordys="dms" height="altitude_m" quality="PDOP" cog="true"/>
</GPS>

These setting were originally applied to Nautiz X7 devices and I am beginning to think, based on Stephens response above, that I need to get the Getac specific Port and Baud.

I have also tried using the automatic configuration tool in ArcPAD but this does not find anything.

[AdrianWelsh]

Simon,

I think you're right that you need to find the right ports. Does the TacLink software give you that info? Also, if the auto-baud does not find the port, maybe it's already open somewhere else? Can you restart your device, then only open ArcPad, then do the autobaud search thing?