Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

H.A. Nandalal, T.T.L.S.nanco@tstt.net.ttwww.survplan.com Sunday 5th May, 2013

Android: Your NextSurveying Instrument

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

Android is an Open SourceOperating System designed for,but not restricted to,Touchscreen Mobile Devices.

What is “Android”?

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

What DoesAndroid

Run On?

SmartPhones

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

What DoesAndroid

Run On?

Tablets

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

What DoesAndroid

Run On?

LargeScreen

Displays

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

What DoesAndroid

Run On?

Mini PC Boxesfor HiDef TVs

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

Why Should Land Surveyorsbe Interested in Android?

Let’s Look at an Example …

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

A Typical Surveying Exercise:Obtaining Azimuth from Solar Obs.

What Do We Need?

Solar Obs. (Theodolite)Geodetic Position (Ward Sheet/Map/Handheld GPS)Time (Watch)Sun’s Declination (Almanac/Calculator)Computations (Log Book/Calculator/Computer)

An Example ofMultiple Instrument Use

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Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

Obtaining Azimuth from Solar Obs.

What Do We Need?

Theodolite (Obs.)Android (Location/Time/Declination/Comps)

Now… with Android

+

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

How Established is Android Globally?

venturebeat.com

Android 68.4% iOS 19.4% Other 12.2%

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

How Established is Android on Tablets?

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

• Alarm Clocks / Watches• AM/FM Radios• Cameras / Video Cameras / Voice Recorders• CDs / DVDs / Blu-Rays / Film / Prints• Computers / Calculators / Modems• Hard Drives / Pendrives• Flashlights• Handheld GPS / Compass• Hardcover / Paperback Books / Newspapers• Dictionaries / Encyclopedias• Kindles / e-Readers• Landline Phones• MP3 Players / CD Players / DVD Players / Blu-Ray• Pagers• Printed Maps• Scanners / Fax Machines• TVs / Cable TV / Satellite TV• Walkie-Talkies

What Items Have BeenMade Obsolete by Android Devices?

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Read-Only Memory (ROM)

• Random Access Memory (RAM)

• Camera (Still/Video Imagery)

• GPS Chip / Antenna

• Touchscreen (I/O)

• Communication Chips (I/O)

• SD Card (Removable Mass Storage)

What ComponentsAre Found in Android Devices?

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

• Run Apps (Programmable using Java Language)

• Execute Computations / Draw Graphics

• Obtain Absolute Location (GPS)

• Make Phone Calls (SIM Card Enabled Devices)

• Send/Receive Texts (SIM Card Enabled Devices)

• Send/Receive Email (Wi-Fi / 4G Network)

• Upload / Download Data from Internet (Wi-Fi / 4G)

• File Management (Save / Copy / Delete)

• Import / Export / Store Files (SD Card Mass Storage)

What Can Android Devices Do?

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

What is Java?Java is a Computer Programming Language.It is the underlying technology that powers state-of-the-artprograms including web browser applets and consumer electronics.

A Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is a program whichexecutes Java Programs. JVMs are often implemented torun on existing operating systems like Windows but can also beimplemented to run directly on hardware like Smartphones.

Android runs on an Implementation of a JVM called “Dalvik”.

Dalvik, Iceland: Population 1800

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

How Do JVMs Work?

JVMs areInstalled onDifferentHardwareDevices

IdenticalJava AppsRun onAll with noModification

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

Applying Android to Surveying

Some Simple Applications

GPS Fix GPS/SMS Text HP48 Emulator Ward Sheet Calculators

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

Applying Android to SurveyingSome More Complex Applications

Google Maps Excel Spreadsheet AutoCAD WS

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

AutoCAD WS (Web Service)https://www.autocadws.com

AutoCAD WS is a free Website/Cloud Drive Service& Android App for Opening/Storing AutoCAD DWG/DXF Files

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

AutoCAD WS is Geographically Awarehttp://www.autocadws.com/tutorials/?portfolio=using-the-gps-with-autocad-ws

The AutoCAD WS GPS functionallows you to position yourself withinthe Drawing and use the built-inGPS functionality of yourSmartphone or Tablet to TrackYour location on the Design.

As you move around, you can addContextually relevant commentsat Precise Geographic Locations.

The advantage of this over GoogleMaps is you can physically positionyourself within a Proposed Designusing Android on a Site that hasnot yet been Setout or Mapped.

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

Android Brings Mobility to Surveying

Digicel’s T&T 2G/4G Network Coverage

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

Blink Wi-Fi vs Digicel 4G

Download = 1791 kbpsUpload = 631 kbps

Download = 5143 kbpsUpload = 1274 kbps

0.64 MB/sec0.22 MB/sec

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument

4G Means Fast Access to Data

Web BrowsersEmailDownload AppsGoogle MapsCloud DrivesAutoCAD WSPDF FilesCadastral Plans…

Android: Your Next Surveying Instrument