GPS & Windows Mobile

[Hugh Janus]

Hi group,

Using an iPaq running Windows Mobile 2003. I have a need where I will
want to display a map and then using a bluetooth (or another form of
connectivity) GPS unit, receive the data and then store it on a db on
the device to later display points on my displayed map.

I have as yet to buy any hardware so this question is really one to see
if it is possible. So, is it possible to use VB2003 or VB2005 to
interface with a GPS device to receive data? If so, can anyone get me
started? Also, assuming it is possible, any other tips/hardware
recommendations etc?

Thanks in advance,
Hugh

[Dick Grier]

Hi,

>>

I have as yet to buy any hardware so this question is really one to see
if it is possible. So, is it possible to use VB2003 or VB2005 to
interface with a GPS device to receive data? If so, can anyone get me
started? Also, assuming it is possible, any other tips/hardware
recommendations etc?
<<

Yes. For VS 2003, you can download my CFDecodeGPS dll (see Software
Downloads on my homepage), or the SDF on www.opennetcf.org. These work with
all GPS receivers that output standard NMEA-0183 data, and yes, they work
with BT receivers. My CFDecodeGPS class works with VS 2005, too. VS 2003
does not have a built-in serial object, but the downloads that I suggested
above include serial connectivity.

For VS 2005, you can use the built-in System.IO.Ports class for serial
connectivity. There also is a GPS API included for Windows Mobile 5 devices
(though I haven't had any real success with it).

BTW, my book (see below) has example GPS source code for Compact Framework 1
and 2 (Pocket PC 2002/3 and Windows Mobile 5, and that can be used on a
variety of Windows CE platforms, too).

Dick

--
Richard Grier, MVP
Hard & Software
Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, Fourth
Edition,
ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages, includes CD-ROM). July 2004, Revised March
2006.
See www.hardandsoftware.net for details and contact information.

[Hugh Janus]

Yes. For VS 2003, you can download my CFDecodeGPS dll (see Software

Downloads on my homepage), or the SDF on www.opennetcf.org. These work with
all GPS receivers that output standard NMEA-0183 data, and yes, they work
with BT receivers. My CFDecodeGPS class works with VS 2005, too. VS 2003
does not have a built-in serial object, but the downloads that I suggested
above include serial connectivity.

For VS 2005, you can use the built-in System.IO.Ports class for serial
connectivity. There also is a GPS API included for Windows Mobile 5 devices
(though I haven't had any real success with it).

BTW, my book (see below) has example GPS source code for Compact Framework 1
and 2 (Pocket PC 2002/3 and Windows Mobile 5, and that can be used on a
variety of Windows CE platforms, too).

Dick

Thanks Dick. Rather than use a DLL, I want to do this using native
code that I have written, especially as I might want to distribute in
the future some/all of the the code. I plan to use VB2005 although I
am very tempted to stick with VB2003 because I have not yet used 2005
(however, the fact that 2005 has IO.Ports is very tempting). Am I
right in assuming that the 2.0 framework can be installed on CE, Pocket
PC and Windows Mobile?

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,
Hugh

[Dick Grier]

Hi,

>>

Thanks Dick. Rather than use a DLL, I want to do this using native
code that I have written, especially as I might want to distribute in
the future some/all of the the code.
<<

I assume by "native code" you simply mean the VB code? The license that I
provide allows you to freely redistribute the executables (dlls), but
retains the copyright for the source, which cannot be redistributed without
permission (basically, I'd like to do that via book sales). Naturally, you
can do whatever you want with your own code.

The source code from OpenNETCF.org may be redistributed, but I think the
license says that it cannot be sold.

>>

I plan to use VB2005 although I
am very tempted to stick with VB2003 because I have not yet used 2005
(however, the fact that 2005 has IO.Ports is very tempting). Am I
right in assuming that the 2.0 framework can be installed on CE, Pocket
PC and Windows Mobile?
<<

The 2.0 framework is limited to Pocket PC 2003 (and Windows CE 5) and later
devices (such as Windows Mobile 5). For PocketPC 2002 and Windows CE 4.x,
you must use the CF 1.x. Of course, you can use the CF 1.x on Windows
Mobile 5 or WinCE 5 devices, too.

Dick

--
Richard Grier, MVP
Hard & Software
Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, Fourth
Edition,
ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages, includes CD-ROM). July 2004, Revised March
2006.
See www.hardandsoftware.net for details and contact information.