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Mobile GIS

Mobile GIS (geographic information systems) is an integrated software/hardware framework to allow users access to geospatial data and GIServices through mobile devices (e.g., iPhones, pocket PCs [personal computers], Smart phones, notebook computers, and personal digital assistants [PDAs]) via wired or wireless networks. There are two types of mobile GIS applications: field-based GIS and location-based services (LBSs). Field-based GIS focuses on GIS data collection, validation, and update in the field, such as adding or editing map features or changing the attribute tables in an existing GIS data set. Location-based services focus on business-oriented location management functions, such as navigation, street routing, finding a specific location, tracking a vehicle, and so on. The major differences between the field-based GIS and LBS are the data-editing capabilities. Most field-based GIS applications need to edit or change the original GIS data or modify feature attributes. LBS rarely changes original GIS data sets but rather uses them as background or reference maps for navigation or tracking purposes. Most field-based GIS software packages are cross-platform and independent of hardware devices, such as ESRI's ArcPAD and Mapinfo's MapXtend. On the other hand, LBS technologies focus on creating commercial value from location-based information, as does Google's mobile map on iPhone applications. Most LBS applications, such as GPS navigation systems and smart phones, are using proprietary operating systems, which are not interoperable across different platforms.

This entry first describes the components and communication systems of mobile GIS. Next, it examines both LBS and field-based GIS applications and the limitations of mobile GIS. Last, this entry discusses the future directions of mobile GIS.

Components and Communication

The architecture of mobile GIS follows the concepts of client-server architecture as in traditional Internet GIS applications. Client-side mobile GIS components are the end-user hardware devices that display maps or provide analytical results of GIS operations. Server-side components provide comprehensive geospatial data and perform GIS operations based on a request from the client-side components. Between the client and the server, there are various types of communication networks (e.g., hardwired cable connections or wireless communications) to facilitate the exchange of geodata and services. There are six basic components of mobile GIS: (1) positioning systems, (2) mobile GIS receivers, (3) mobile GIS software, (4) a data synchronization and wireless communication component, (5) geospatial data, and (6) GIS content servers (Figure 1).

Mobile GIS can provide geospatial information and GPS coordinates for field-based personnel conducting remote-field (in situ) GIS tasks. To enable comprehensive mobile GIS, wireless communication is essential for connecting mobile GIS devices and GIS content servers. Recent progress in broadband wireless technology is the major momentum for the integration of mobile GIS and Internet GIS. The wireless service coverage (availability) and the bandwidth (speed) are the two key issues for wireless communication. There are many different wireless technologies, ranging from a walkie-talkie to high-speed WiMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access) to satellite phone systems. Based on the speed of data transfer, current wireless technologies can be categorized into two groups: narrowband wireless systems and broadband wireless systems. To communicate between mobile GIS and Internet GIS, broadband wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi or WiMAX, are a better choice because most geospatial information and remote-sensing data are very large and complicated, which requires broadband wireless communication. The size of wireless coverage area is also an important criterion for mobile GIS applications.

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