GPS Setup Check GPS Baud Rate
Setting COM Port
Parity Data Bits and Stop Bits
Testing GPS
Setting Coordinate System
Lat\Long Projections
UTM Projections
State Plane Projections
Entering Points
Color/Symbol
Point Display Mode
Point Position Averaging
Date of Point Acquistion
gpsXtended is designed to bring additional functionality to GPS. This program that can store unlimited points, calculate areas, provide navigation and enhanced travel statistics and display raster bitmaps of aerial photos and topo maps.
GPS SetupgpsXtended software reads GPS data from GPS units that are either connected to an expansion slot or serial cable.
Read your GPS documentation to find your models to find the BAUD rate. The default setting in gpsXtended is 4800 this is common for many models of GPS.
GpsXtended is set the standard setting by default. These generally do not need changed.
To test the GPS connect and power on the GPS unit. Push the test button. If the GPS is connected and configured correctly a stream of NEMA sentences will be displayed in the listbox below.
Tip: If you have trouble getting a signal from your GPS try these two settings first. Change the baud to the default of 4800 then try the next baud settings. Check your GPS manual for baud settings.
COM ports will vary depending upon the system configuration. Generally a GPS cable connected by a cable will be COM1. GPS cards will vary check your Pocket PC manual and instructions with your GPS card for configuration.
gpsXtended supports Lat\long, Utm and State Plane projections in NAD27 and NAD83 datums.
To select a projection system go to the Projections dialog box. This dialog box can be reached through GPS>Projections or 
. From the pull down boxes select the projection system you want to work in. If you select a UTM or State Plane projection a second pull down box appears for you to select your UTM zone or State Plane Zone.
Information on UTM and State Plane Zones
gpsXtended uses decimal latitude and longitude with a positive value for x in the western hemisphere. Both NAD27 and NAD83 datums are supported.
Western Hemisphere UTM projections 1-60 are supported for UTMs. UTM projections are in meters only. Both NAD27 and NAD83 datums are supported.
For areas within the United States state projections are supported. State plane projections are in feet and both NAD27 and NAD83 datums are supported.
gpsXtented uses the Point Editor to display and control captured point information. The Point Editor can be used to enter points or points can be captured from the map view by double clicking on the screen.
With the GPS connected and with good GPS coverage press the New button. This captures the the point and displays it in the coordinate boxes and assigns a numerical name to the point. You can change this name in the box at the top. If these points values are acceptable press the Add button. This will add the point to the list.
You can also enter points into the point editor without the GPS connected. Press the New button and enter the coordinates for the point. Enter points in the same projection/coordinate system that you selected in Coordinates Projections. When you have finished entering the coordinates and naming the point push the Add button to add the point to the list.
The Color/Symbol Control allows the user to select different colors and symbols for point display in Map/View. The colors on the list correspond to AutoCADs 7 primary colors. The symbols are 7 simple geometric symbols. Colors and Symbols are selected from the Color\Symbol dialog box. Push Color/Symbol button to set point properties.
Colors Available
1 Red
2 Yellow
3 Green
4 Cyan
5 Blue
6 Magenta
7 Black
Symbols
Cross
Diamond
X
Box
Circle
Double Circle (D Circle)
Diamond Cross (D Cross)
The point display mode is indicated by the light bulb icon in the list. Points that are turned on are displayed in the Map/View and points turned off are not displayed. The current point is used in the navigation modes. This is the GoTo point for navigation. The Current Point and On Off buttons control the display mode. To change a condition of a point, select it from the list and push the appropriate button. A point can also be made the current point by double clicking the selection.
Position averaging is a way to improve GPS position accuracy. Accuracy is improved with sample many points over time. gpsXtended will you to sample a single point for up to30 minutes.
To use position averaging click the check box labeled Enable Pt. Avg. To change the default sampling time which is 1 minute, use the spin control next to the check box.
The date the point was acquired is stored and displayed as a date. The current system date and time is recorded for each point captured. A calander of the date can be displayed by clicking on the date.
The area calculator allows the user to calculate the area enclosed by any group of acquired points. The calculator will display perimeter in meters or feet based upon the selected projection and calculate areas of the following units.
Square Feet
Square Meters
Acres
Hectare
Square Kilometers
Square Miles
To calculate area select from the points list points which form the boundary of the polygon. Select the unit you wish to use from the Units pull down menu.
