MobileMapper CE

MobileMapper CE - Network Generation - Frequently Asked Questions

What is MobileMapper CE?
MobileMapper CE is the next generation handheld GIS mobile mapping device from Magellan (formerly Thales Navigation). MobileMapper CE offers integrated Bluetooth® wireless technology, sub-meter real-time and sub-foot post-processed GPS positioning and is built to withstand extreme environmental conditions. An open platform design with embedded Microsoft® Window® CE .NET, MobileMapper CE supports off-the-shelf Windows CE software for GIS and many other mobile mapping applications.

What do I get when I purchase MobileMapper CE?
The standard MobileMapper CE package includes the following items:

  • MobileMapper CE handheld GPS receiver
  • Universal A/C adapter
  • Clip-on I/O module with external power, USB and serial ports
  • Removable, rechargeable Li-ion battery
  • 128 MB Secure Digital memory card
  • USB data cable
  • Two stylus pens
  • Carrying case
  • Hand strap
  • MobileMapper CE Companion CD
  • Getting Started Guide

What accessories are available?
Optional accessories include:

  • MobileMapper Beacon - Bluetooth technology enabled beacon differential GPS correction receiver
  • External GPS and beacon antennas
  • External power cable with cigarette lighter adapter
  • USB data cable
  • 3.7 VDC Li-ion rechargeable battery
  • Battery charger
  • Carrying case
  • Stylus pen

What features does MobileMapper CE offer?
Key features of MobileMapper CE include:

  • Integrated GPS with real-time, sub-meter accuracy
  • Integrated Bluetooth wireless technology
  • Full color, daylight readable, transflective TFT display with 320 x 240 resolution and touch screen
  • Integrated Secure Digital memory card slot
  • Rugged and waterproof design
  • Built-in alphanumeric keyboard
  • Built-in speaker and microphone
  • Advanced power management
  • All-day rechargeable, removable Li-ion battery
  • Embedded Microsoft Windows CE .NET operating system
  • Off-the-shelf industry standard mobile GIS software applications support

What is Windows CE .NET?
Windows CE is a Microsoft Windows operating system designed for small devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) or handheld PCs. The Windows CE graphical user interface (GUI) is very similar to desktop Windows operating systems. MobileMapper CE is embedded with the latest version, Windows CE .NET 4.2. Like most Windows CE devices, MobileMapper CE has a touch screen. To interact with the MobileMapper CE, use the stylus to tap on the touch screen.

What software is standard with MobileMapper CE?
MobileMapper CE standard software includes:

  • GPS control tool set for GPS setup, status and initialization, DGPS configuration and mission planning
  • Bluetooth Manager for configuring wireless connectivity
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer®, Windows Explorer, Terminal and WordPad
  • Microsoft Inbox
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player
  • Voice Recorder for recording and playing back voice files

What mobile mapping software comes with MobileMapper CE?
An open-platform Windows CE device, MobileMapper CE allows you to choose the software that is right for you. We are working with various system integrators to provide turnkey mobile mapping solutions. The MobileMapper CE Software Development Kit (SDK) and GPS Application Programming Interface (API) allow systems integrators to develop customized Windows CE applications.

How accurate is MobileMapper CE?
MobileMapper CE provides real-time, sub-meter accuracy through DGPS corrections*. Several DGPS modes are possible: SBAS, Beacon, Direct IP, NTRIP or other RTCM. The optional MobileMapper Beacon receiver provides beacon corrections to MobileMapper CE via Bluetooth technology. MobileMapper CE can provide sub-foot accuracy (less than 30cm) through post-processing. With the optional post-processing module GPSDifferential and with the use of a precision external antenna, sub-foot accuracy can be achieved. See the Achieving Sub-Foot Accuracy White Paper for details.

* Sub-meter real-time performance is subject to satellite and environmental conditions. See the MobileMapper CE datasheet for details.

What are the Direct IP and NTRIP modes?
These are two additional real-time GPS differential modes where differential corrections are taken from the Internet, either from a reference station at a fixed IP address (Direct IP), or from a DGPS correction provider using the NTRIP protocol (Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol).

How are these two types of GPS differential corrections routed to MobileMapper CE?
In both NTRIP and Direct IP case, GPS differential corrections are routed to MobileMapper CE via a GSM/GPRS cell phone and Bluetooth. See MobileMapper CE Getting Started Guide for more details.

Can I post-process MobileMapper CE data?
For Business Partners and SW software integrators, Magellan is providing “a GPSDifferential Module” that is a self-contained software extension for MobileMapper CE. GPSDifferential can easily be integrated into 3rd party GIS software in order to provide raw GPS data for post-processing by the MobileMapper Office suite.

What is the battery life?
MobileMapper CE’s removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 12 hours with minimum backlight level and use a typical level of user interaction, and about eight hours of with continuous runtime backlight and the user interactionwith GPS. Additional batteries may be carried for convenient replacement in the field.

How rugged is MobileMapper CE?
MobileMapper CE was designed for extreme outdoor and industrial environments. Fully submersible in 1 m of water, MobileMapper CE is waterproof in accordance with IEC-529 IPX7. MobileMapper CE is designed to survive a 1.5 m (4.9 ft) accidental drop on concrete and operates from -10°C to +60°C.

What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth wireless technology is an open specification for short-range wireless connectivity between different devices. Bluetooth wireless technology eliminates cumbersome cables in the field.

What devices can MobileMapper CE communicate with via Bluetooth?
The integrated Bluetooth wireless technology in MobileMapper CE allows you to connect to Bluetooth enabled PCs, desktop or laptop computers, cameras and cell phones. Example: MobileMapper Beacon - Bluetooth enabled, belt-mounted beacon differential correction receiver.

How many Bluetooth connections can I have at once?
MobileMapper CE supports point-to-multipoint connectivity, which allows up to seven mobile devices to simultaneously connect when within range. For example, users may connect to MobileMapper Beacon and receive differential correctional messages while using a Bluetooth cell phone to communicate externally via the internet.

What is the difference between MobileMapper CE and MobileMapper Pro?
MobileMapper Pro is a handheld, real-time GPS receiver running Magellan proprietary operating system. MobileMapper Pro provides full navigation and GIS data collection features and office support software. With real-time WAAS/EGNOS corrections, MobileMapper Pro GPS accuracy is between 2 and 3 meters. The latest MobileMapper Pro release with post-processing option is able to deliver sub-meter accuracy on baselines up to 50 km.

MobileMapper CE is an open-platform Windows CE GPS handheld with sub-meter in real-time* and sub-foot in post-processing GPS performance. MobileMapper CE supports Windows CE off-the-shelf mobile GIS software applications. Enhanced features including integrated Bluetooth, touch screen, built-in alphanumeric keypad and replaceable SD card memory offer users convenience and flexibility.

*Sub-meter real-time performance is subject to satellite and environmental conditions. See the MobileMapper CE datasheet for details.