Title: Creating and Transferring a Data Dictionary for Trimble Geoexplorer 3 GPS Units

 

Date: April 20th, 2001

 

Purpose: The purpose for creating a data dictionary prior to collecting data in the field aids in speeding up the field data collection, as well as providing the user of the GPS unit the features and types of information that are to be collected.  It serves as a data inventory and a database builder, so you can collect all possible types of information within the GPS unit.

 

Software/Materials Required: Pathfinder Office, GPS Receiver, and GPS Support Unit

 

Procedure:

 

v     Opening Pathfinder Office in AH 16

 

·       Make sure Pathfinder Office is loaded on the computer and that a Support Unit is attached

·       Double-click on the Pathfinder Office icon

·       When asked if you want to set time zone settings, you have three options:

·       No

·       Yes; enter Pacific Std. Time during winter

·       Yes; enter Pacific Day Time during summer

·       You may also change the time zone by selecting Options/Time Zone in Pathfinder Office

 

·       Then the Select Project dialog appears

·       Existing projects are listed;

·       Either: (1) Click on NEW, give an appropriate name to file and specify the folder to store the data (ex. C:\Temp\firemtn\dd)

·       OR: Select the file you wish to use, and click on the Modify button, and then Click OK

 

Note: It is easier to modify an existing data dictionary than to create a new one each time.

 

 

v     Creating a Data Dictionary

 

·       From the main menu list choose Utilities/Data Dictionary Editor to create a new data dictionary or to open an existing one.

·       By selecting File/New you can provide a name for the data dictionary; the Comment can be the name of who created the file (Chris Connell)

·       File/Open allows you to edit an existing data dictionary

·       When saving a modified dictionary, it is a good idea to change the name so you can return to the original dictionary if desired

·       To save a modified data dictionary with a new name, give the dictionary a name and select File/Save As to save it.

 

·       Two windows appear: Features and Attributes

 

·       To add a New Feature, press the New Feature button to display the feature dialog

 

·       Enter the Feature Name and select the Feature Type (point, line, or polygon), e.g. Vegetation Cover

·       Click OK to add the new feature to the features window.

 

 

 

 

·       To define Attributes of a feature, the feature must be selected

 

·       Press the New Attribute button to create attributes for the selected feature

·       Then select an Attribute Type from the dialog and select the type of attribute you want (menu, numeric, text, etc…)

 

·       Choose Menu then OK if you want to create a list from which you can choose from in the field

 

·       When the New Menu Attribute dialog appears, type in the Attribute Name, e.g. Tree Type

·       Click on New to enter the Attribute Values (could be a list of tree names – Click on Add after entering each value.)

·       Click OK when done creating the menu

·       There are edit/delete buttons if you need to edit the list

 

·       For Numeric Features choose the Numeric radio button

 

Some features will require numeric data

                                   

·       In the Numeric Attributes dialog, type in the name of the attribute, minimum and maximum values (number of decimal places), and assign a default value.

 

·       For Text Features choose the text radio button

 

Some features may require you to enter names

 

·       In the New Text Attribute dialog, type the name of the attribute, specify the length of the text (default is 30), and may choose the Required radio button if you want the name recorded at each location.

 

·       You can record the Date or Time a site was visited by selecting Date or Time (Attribute name may be date (or time) site visited)

 

·       Make sure the Auto Generate on Creation is checked, so the date will be recorded automatically.

 

·       Click on OK when done.  Repeat for as many attributes that you want to add for the feature.

 

Note: It is important to have at least one point line or area feature in your data dictionary, because you might find something of interest while in the field, and without the extra (undefined) features, you would not be able to record that feature of interest. 

 

v     Saving the Data Dictionary

 

·       To save the data dictionary, use File/Save As that gives a dialog which provides the file the Project name created in the beginning and the default location of the file (C:\Temp\firemtn\dd)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

v     Transferring the Data Dictionary to the GPS Unit

 

·       The unit must be placed in the Support Module and be connected to your computer.

 

·       Select Utilities/Data Transfer to display Data Transfer dialog

·       From the Data Type drop down menu, choose Data Dictionary (a list of available dictionaries will be shown)

·       Select the data dictionary you want to transfer and then click the Add button followed by the Transfer button.  The data dictionary will be transferred to the GPS Unit.

 

v     Before taking the GPS Unit out in the field make sure it is fully charged.  The GPS Unit is charged while it is in the Support Module – a 100% is shown next to the battery on the GPS screen when fully charged.

 

v     Deleting Data Dictionaries from the Trimble GeoExplorer 3 GPS Units

 

·       You can not delete the Generic Data Dictionary, and should not delete the Tutorial Data Dictionary already loaded in the GPS Unit.

 

·       Press the Sys button the GPS Unit until the Setup menu appears

·       Select Data Dictionaries from the list by scrolling down to it and pressing the Enter button.  A list of data dictionaries will be displayed.

·       Scroll to the data dictionary you want to delete and press the Option button.

 

·       Scroll to the Delete option and press the Enter button.

·       Press Enter again to confirm you want the data dictionary deleted

 

·       Repeat this process for any other data dictionaries you want to delete from the GPS Unit.

 

Conclusions:  The utility of creating your own data dictionary for use with the Trimble GeoExplorer 3 GPS Units, is that it provides for more rapid and accurate data collection while in the field.  It also helps you focus on the data to be collected in the field, and allows for pre-planning to take place.  It also serves as a “note-taker” because it can record any and all relevant information for a study, when a data dictionary is created prior to performing fieldwork.  Finally, through the creation of a data dictionary, one is more organized while collecting data and are less likely to make mistakes when deciding which features to capture for the purposes of their fieldwork.

 

Created by Chris Connell and Andy Freed, Geography 452: Advanced GIS Class. 

 

Adapted form Jim Talbot’s procedural outline on  “GPS Mapping With The Trimble GeoExplorer 3”, provided by Gene Hoerauf.