The systems worked well when vehicles or infrastructure were available nearby to store additional batteries and equipment used during the day.
In the past, hardware systems (computer, cables, batteries, pens, backpacks, GPS, and possibly a laser rangefinder) weighed in excess of 7 kg and had limited battery life. Hardware SystemsField-mapping systems have been around for several years (Brodaric and Fyon, 1989 Kramer, 2000 Schetselaar, 1995). These parameters were identified in earlier tests of field-mapping equipment.
#Arcpad data manager arcgis 10.3.1 portable#
The research goal was to find a mapping system that is truly portable and capable of data storage, data processing, data capture, location, and digitizing, and a software package to allow the geologist to map field observations in much the same way as pen and paper methods. MAPPING SYSTEMSPlacer Dome's answer was that digital geologic mapping is the integration of computer technology with GPS or other location devices for building a GIS-based geologic data set in real time. This paper is a brief reporting of those results and changes. Placer Dome hired me as a consultant to review their efforts and make changes or recommendations as needed. Due to these innovations, Placer Dome Exploration began to research the practicality of digital field mapping and what is needed and currently available to accomplish the task. Recent advances in computer technology and geographic information system (GIS) software have allowed for more complex data models to be captured digitally on personal computers (Kramer, 2000). A mapping system was needed that captured and then displayed geologic features in real time. Both of these methods required extensive processing in the office to produce a spatial map, negating any time savings gained by digital field capture. Early attempts at digital data capture were designed to input field data straight into database tables (Brodaric and Fyon, 1989) or into data collectors from early GPS units and other types of survey equipment (Walsh and others, 1999). Currently, digital geologic maps are produced after the field geologist completes a map on paper and in notebooks, where the type of information to be captured is extremely varied.ĭigital capture of geologic data in the field requires very complex graphical and database-management models. To do so, spatial relationships and detailed notes regarding lithologies, alteration, structure, and stratigraphy must be recorded, often requiring very detailed observations. A geologic map must represent in two dimensions the four-dimensional relationships defining Earth history. Geologic mapping, however, has specific requirements. Workers in the surveying and utilities industries have used this technology since the late 1980's to input data or to correct, modify, or build maps directly in the field, saving large amounts of time needed to postprocess or input hard-copy data into a digital format. INTRODUCTIONInnovations in computer and global positioning system (GPS) technology have allowed for digital data capture and mapping in the field. Field testing has shown the hardware-software systems to be effective field-based solutions for the Earth sciences.
ArcPad provides the user with the functionality needed to build a geologic map in the field and with data-capture methods to allow mapping to fit the needs of the project. These systems would incorporate ArcPad, a scalable, customizable field-based data-capture software package.
#Arcpad data manager arcgis 10.3.1 Pc#
Systems identified consist of a wearable PC or handheld computer (PDA) and lightweight GPS systems that can be used for a variety of tasks. The focus of the research was to minimize the size and weight of computer systems. The goal of the research was to find a lightweight hardware-software system that allows the user to build a digital map from field observations in much the same way as pen and paper methods. EdmondoĮ-mail: ABSTRACTResearch into the practicality of digital mapping by Placer Dome Exploration identified hardware and software solutions to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of field work. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-370 Digital Geologic Field Mapping Using Arcpad By Gary P. USGS OFR 02-370: Digital Geologic Field Mapping Using Arcpad Digital Mapping Techniques '02 - Workshop Proceedings