Z-Max®.Net GETTING STARTED GUIDE www.thalesgroup.
English Copyright Notice Copyright 2003-2006 Thales Navigation. All rights reserved. Trademarks All product and brand names mentioned in this publication are trademarks of their respective holders. FCC Notice Z-Max.Net Receiver complies with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to the Part 15 of the FCC rules when it is used in Portable Mode. See Note below related to Class B device.
Introduction .......................................................................... 1 System Components Overview ............................................... 1 Locating the Basic Components.............................................. 3 Z-Max.Net Front Panel............................................................ 3 Bluetooth® Port................................................................. 4 Status LEDs .......................................................................
English Case #2: Rover Using a GSM/GPRS Data Link............. 30 Saving Base and Rover Settings ........................................... 32 Running an RTK Survey ....................................................... 32 Logging RTK Points ....................................................... 33 Logging RTK Points in Continuous Mode ..................... 34 Staking out RTK Points .................................................. 35 Downloading RTK Results to GNSS Solutions....................
English 1. Introduction Congratulations! You have just acquired your new dualfrequency Z-Max™.Net GNSS Surveying System from Thales! GNSS (or Global Navigation Satellite System) has revolutionized control surveys, topographic data collection and construction surveying. Purchasing the right tools for a professional job is essential in today's competitive business environment. Learning to put these tools to work quickly and efficiently will be the focus of the present guide.
English Basic GPS Receiver Module Post-Processing V-Module (1) (Void module) Rover, RTK Communication Module Rover, Backpack Backpack UHF Antenna Module (2) Range Pole RF Adapter Range Pole Max RF Adapter Mounting Bracket Field Terminal Radio USB Cable Thales MobileMapper CE Thales U-Link transmitter Serial Data Cable Juniper Allegro CX Pacific-Crest UHF Transmitter Static, Base Software RF Cables HI measurement tool GNSS Solutions CD GPS-RF cable eHI Measurement Plate FAST Survey C
English Locating the Basic Components 2. GNSS Antenna Module 3. Power Module 4. Communication Module or V-Module 1. Receiver Module As you are facing the front panel of the GPS receiver module, the power module attaches to the left-hand side of the receiver module and the communication module (or Vmodule) to the right-hand side. Z-Max.Net Front Panel Z-Max.
English Bluetooth® Port This device allows you to communicate with the Z-Max.Net through a Bluetooth wireless connection. This port is identified as “port C” on the Z-Max.Net. Status LEDs From left to right, the LEDs are: • RTK Solution. This LED is only operational when the receiver is configured as an RTK rover. Color Off Blinking green Blinking orange Blinking red Meaning Not a RTK rover Fixed solution Float solution No RTK solution • Communication.
The front panel display is an 8-character, alphanumeric LED display that is used to monitor receiver status, set receiver parameters and configure the receiver to perform different types of surveys. The screen displays up to eight characters at one time. Messages or parameters longer than eight characters are scrolled from right to left. Control Keys Enter key The four control keys are used in conjunction with the front panel display.
English Power Key Power key This key is used to power up, power down or initialize the unit (see page 10). SD Card Reader and USB Below the four control keys is a small door fastened by two thumbscrews. Unscrew the attaching screws and open the door to reveal the SD Card slot and the USB port. The SD card slot holds the SD card that serves as the receiver's data storage memory. All data recorded by the unit is stored on the SD card. Warning! Use exclusively SD cards sold by Thales.
English GNSS Antenna Configurations In all cases of use, the GNSS antenna module must be connected to the receiver module. But there are three different ways of doing this, as explained below. (A) Base (B) The GNSS antenna module (A) is directly attached to the receiver module (B). (A) Pole-Mounted Rover (C) The GNSS antenna module (A) is attached to the receiver module (B) via a UHF antenna module or a Void UHF antenna module (C).
English 2. Preparing For First-Time Use Charging the Power Module To charge the power module: • Plug in your charger and connect the power module to the charger as shown opposite. • Charge for a minimum of five hours or preferably overnight (even if the charger indicates that the battery is full). • Verify that the battery is fully charged by pressing the button on the back side of the power module. The four LEDs should light up green.
English Attaching the Lateral Modules Whatever the type of module you are attaching to the receiver module, i.e. a power module on the left, or a communication or V-module on the right, do the following: Please take all precautions to keep connector pins clean and avoid touching them. • Insert the small ledge of the module into the rear of the housing first as shown opposite (left and right). This will correctly align the module. • Using the ledge like a hinge, start swinging the module.
English • Once in place, twist the threaded collar on the GNSS antenna module until the antenna is securely locked in place. Inserting a Memory Card A memory card is required if you want to run a post-processing survey or more generally, when you want to log raw data with your Z-Max.Net. To install the SD Memory Card into the reader: • Orient it so that the chamfered corner of the card is oriented downwards, as shown opposite. • Gently push the card into the reader until you feel a soft “click”.
Initializing the system is recommended the first time you use your system to: • • • • Clear the internal memory Reset the user settings to their default values Clear ephemeris and almanac information in memory Re-format the SD card. Note that initialization should also be performed every time you prepare your SD card for a new survey project. It’s always better to delete files from the SD Card by running an initialization sequence rather than using any other method.
English Checking that Z-Max.Net Receives Satellites Please go outside after initialization and make sure your system has a clear view of the sky in all directions. 12 If the GPS antenna has a reasonably good view to the sky, within a few minutes, the receiver should begin to track satellites. This is indicated by the SV/Power LED: 1. It should blink red once per second to indicate that power is on, and blink green several times between each red blink. 2.
English 3. RTK Surveying RTK Surveying Method Requirements Key information is provided below. 1. 2. When the base setup is under your responsibility, make sure the base is sited in a clear area giving the best possible view of the sky! 3. When this is possible, avoid trees, buildings or any high obstacles in the vicinity of the base. Two units are needed: one (the base) is operated on an accurately known position while the other (the rover) is used in the working area.
English RTK Base Setup A typical base setup is described in this section in which: • A conventional tripod is used • A Thales U-Link radio is used for the data link • RTK corrections data are transmitted in Ashtech CPD (DBEN) format • An external 12-V DC battery is used for powering both the Z-Max.Net base and the U-Link transmitter • A Bluetooth-enabled field terminal (MobileMapper CE) is used, running the FAST Survey software, to set up the base.
“Hb” read on tape (A) (C) (D) (B) (E) HI measurement plate and screw the adapter/plate into the 5/8” threaded receptacle in the bottom of the Z-Max.Net receiver module. 4. Carefully place the Z-Max.Net assembly into the tribrach mounted on the tripod over the point. 5. Use the tape to measure from the reference point on the ground to the measurement point of the Z-Max.Net (see Hb opposite). Later on, you will have to enter the value read on the tape (see point 5. on page 25). 6.
English The diagram below summarizes the different connections described previously. Use exclusively a 12-V DC battery to power the U-Link transmitter. Using a 24-V DC battery is only allowed for powering the Z-Max.Net. U-Link Transmitter Z-Max.Net A B Power P/N 730476 P/N 430477 External 12-V Battery RTK Rover Setup Two typical RTK rover setups are described: • Rover Setup #1: RTK rover using a UHF radio data link to communicate with an RTK base such as the one described in the previous chapter.
2. 3. Hr 17 English The rover setup procedure is the following 1. Connect the system components (power module, GNSS and UHF antenna modules, com module) as explained on page 9, taking into account the following: - Rover Setup #1: Because a UHF radio is used as the data link, a UHF communication module, and not a V-module, should be attached to the right side of the receiver module.
English Establishing Bluetooth Communication with Z-Max.Net Introduction Base Bluetooth Manager COM3 COM4 Rover Field Terminal This section explains how to control the Z-Max.Net system from a Bluetooth-enabled field terminal (Thales MobileMapper CE). Please carefully read these preliminary notes: • When using Bluetooth communication, you will be asked repeatedly to enter the Z-Max.Net PIN number while setting up the base or the rover. By default, the PIN number for all Z-Max.Net units is “12345”.
It is assumed that the base and rover you have set up are next to each other. 1. First of all, turn on each of the Z-Max.Net units you will be using (a base and a rover, or simply a rover) by pressing the power button for about two seconds until a beep is emitted. 2. Press the red Power button on the MobileMapper CE until the Power LED lights up (green). Detecting Bluetooth-Enabled Devices In this step, you will run Bluetooth Manager to find the Bluetooth-enabled devices within range of the field terminal.
English Finding Bluetooth Services In this step, you will list the services available from the detected Bluetooth-enabled devices. For each detected Z-Max.Net unit, do the following: 1. Tap and hold the now green Z-Max.Net icon in the list and then tap Find Services from the pop-up menu. Wait until a “+” sign appears before the icon. 2. Expand the Z-Max.Net icon by tapping on the “+” sign. This unveils Bluetooth Serial Port that is currently red crossed.
You will save much time when next starting your system if you follow the procedure below the first time you set up the required Bluetooth connections. For each detected Z-Max.Net unit, do the following: 1. Tap and hold Bluetooth Serial Port and then tap successively Auto Connect and then Save Settings.
English Defining/Saving Bluetooth Settings for FAST Survey FAST Survey can communicate with only one Z-Max.Net unit at a time. This step provides the procedure to let FAST Survey communicate with the desired Z-Max.Net unit via Bluetooth and save these settings in a configuration file so these settings can quickly be restored whenever necessary. 1. Run FAST Survey on the field terminal 2. In FAST Survey, tap on the Equip tab and then on the Comm Setup function. 3.
Now that you have saved the two ways FAST Survey can communicate with your Z-Max.Net system, it’s easy to toggle Bluetooth communication from the base to the rover or the other way around: 1. Tap on top of the screen 2. Tap on the name of the configuration corresponding to the unit you wish to communicate with and then tap Select. As a result, FAST Survey automatically updates the settings in the Comm Setup function to let you communicate with the chosen unit.
English 6. Tap on the GPS tab. 7. On the GPS tab, choose the coordinate system to be used GPS tab screen in the job as well as the geoid model. Note that the coordinate system and the geoid model may have been uploaded earlier to the field terminal using one of the GNSS Solutions tools (see GNSS Solutions Reference Manual for more information). A large number of coordinate systems are stored in FAST Survey. To select one of them, tap on the Edit Projection List button and then Add Predefined. 8.
point 5. page 15) as well as the method you used for this measurement. If you used the method described on page 15, check Slant. 6. Select the type of GPS antenna used, i.e. “[Z-Max GPS] Thales Navigation” as you are using the Z-Max.Net antenna directly connected to the receiver. 7. Tap on the Ports tab. With Bluetooth and the Thales radio used, make the following choices: • Type: “THL” (Thales Radio) • Data Port: “C” (Bluetooth connection to field terminal) • Radio Port: “B” • Message Type: “Ashtech CPD”.
English 9. Choose the option that suits you best. For example, to enter the coordinates of the base: - Tap successively on From New Position, then Enter Lat/ Lon Base coordinates screen - Type in the latitude, longitude and altitude and then tap OK. FAST Survey then displays the WGS84 coordinates of this position after making the transformation to WGS84 if necessary. - Tap Yes. 10. FAST Survey then asks you to enter the Reference Station ID (4 characters max.). 11.
sure the system is functioning correctly (refer to page 4 to read the meaning of each LED). Typically, two LEDS should blink green as shown opposite. You can also monitor the Z-Max.Net rover from the MobileMapper CE screen using FAST Survey’s Equip tab>Monitor Skyplot function (see figure below). Current position Computation uncertainties GPS constellation geometry Number of received satellites Tap Back to return to the menu. 16.
English Alternately, you can tap on the Comm Setup button on the Equip tab and then, in the Port Number field, select the port you assigned to communicate with the rover (see point 2. in Assigning Virtual Ports to Bluetooth on page 20). Also, enable “This is a Bluetooth port” and select “Other” as the Bluetooth Driver. Then tap OK. Case #1: Rover Using a UHF Radio Data Link 1. Tap on Configure Rover 2. In the Rod Hgt field, type in the height mentioned earlier (Hr; see point 3.
English 6. After a few seconds, another message is displayed prompting you to check the radio settings: 7. Tap Yes. In the US, a channel/frequency table will be shown. In Europe, a single channel will be displayed along with the corresponding frequency. 8. For example, if the frequency must be set to 444.125 MHz (it’s always a multiple of 12.5 kHz), type in “444.125” in the Frequency to Set field and then tap Set Radio. 9. Wait a few seconds. A beep is emitted by the Z-Max.
English Case #2: Rover Using a GSM/GPRS Data Link Reminder: You do not need to install and run your own base as in this case you will be using RTK corrections data from a provider using the NTRIP protocol. This means you just have to set up and use your rover. Below is the key information you need to know in this case of use: • A GPRS data link is used to receive RTK corrections data from an NTRIP caster.
31 English - Type: “NTRIP” - Data Port: “C” 5. Tap the Add button located at the bottom of the screen. 6. Enter the properties of the GPRS provider. The screen opposite only gives examples of what these properties might be. By appropriately naming this set of information (Name field on top), you will be able to directly select this configuration from the Base Config field on the previous screen. 7. Tap the NTRIP Settings button and enter the properties of the NTRIP service you want to use.
English 12. Tap OK. After a while, The GSM STATUS switches to ONLINE (see screen opposite) and the Z-Max.Net should start receiving corrections data. After a few seconds the RTK Solution LED (far left) should blink green meaning that the RTK position solution is fixed and so you can start surveying. 13. Tap Close and proceed with the survey as such (see next chapters). You can monitor the Z-Max.Net rover from the field terminal screen using FAST Survey’s Equip tab>Monitor Skyplot function.
1. Tap on the Surv tab and then on Store Points. The screen now displayed allows you to log all your points. The figure below summarizes all the functions available from that screen.
English 6. After logging all your points, tap MENU in the upper- right corner of the screen to return to the menu. Logging RTK Points in Continuous Mode 1. On the Surv tab, select the Auto by Interval function. Two different modes are possible: Time or Distance. 2. If you choose Distance, enter the horizontal and vertical increment value respectively in the X/Y and Z fields, according to the chosen unit. If you choose Time, enter the increment value, in seconds. 3. Enter a point Id.
Staking out RTK Points 1. Tap on the Surv tab and then select Stakeout Points. The screen now displayed allows you to stake out your points. 2. On this screen, FAST Survey asks you to choose the point you want to stake out. You can either type in its coordinates in the Northing, Easting and Elevation fields, or select a pre-defined point from the points list (see File>List Points).
English 3.
Downloading RTK Results to GNSS Solutions Back at the office, do the following to download and view the RTK results stored in the job you have just finished. 1. Prepare your field terminal for data downloading. With MobileMapper CE, do the following: - Clip the I/O module at the back of the unit. - Connect the MobileMapper CE’s I/O module to the PC using the USB cable provided. 2. Switch on the field terminal and then launch FAST Survey 3. Select File>6. Data Transfer>Carlson SurvCadd/Carlson Survey.
English 4. On the PC: - Launch GNSS Solutions and then click Create a new Project - Name the project and click OK - Select the spatial reference system that was used during your RTK survey, select the appropriate time zone and then click OK - Click Do Not Import Anything Now. A new empty project opens in GNSS Solutions.
This chapter only discusses the static mode of surveying. For more information on Continuous (Trajectory) or Stop&Go kinematic methods, please refer to the Z-Max.Net Reference Manual. Reminder on the Static Surveying Method Typical Use: Surveying a New Control Point. Base Make sure the base is sited in a clear area giving the best possible view of the sky! When this is possible, avoid trees, buildings or any high obstacles in the vicinity of the base.
English Running a Static Survey A typical survey is described in this chapter using a conventional tripod. No field terminal is used as controlling system operation from the Z-Max.Net front panel is quite easy in this case. Equipment Setup The equipment setup instructions are the same for both the base and the rover. Install and run the base first. In both cases, the installation site should offer the best possible GPS reception conditions.
the point, and the tribrach adapter and HI measurement plate are attached to the receiver module, carefully place the assembly into the tribrach mounted on the tripod over the point. 7. Use the tape measure to measure from the center of the point to the measurement point of the Z-Max.Net (see Hb opposite). Later on, you will have to enter the value read on the tape (see point 4. on page 42). “Hb” read on tape Getting the Z-Max.Net Unit Started in Static 1.
English 3. Enter the Site ID: • Press the Cancel key to return to SURVCONF • Press the Down key until the screen displays SURVEY:STATIC Up key Down key Enter key Cancel key 42 • Press the Enter key. SITE ID:??? is displayed. You can now enter the site ID: • Press the Enter key again • Enter the first of the four characters making up the Site ID pressing the Up or Down arrow until the desired character is displayed, then press Enter. Set the second character using the same Up or Down key, etc.
Starting Data Collection 1. Start raw data logging as follows: • Return to the root menu and then press the Down key until SESSIONS is displayed • Press Enter. START SESSION is now displayed. • Press Enter again. Start Session? is now displayed. • Press Enter again. DONE is displayed for a few seconds. Data logging is now in progress as indicated on the Data Log LED which should blink green once at the frequency of the data recording interval. End of Data Collection 1.
English 2. Let the Z-Max.Net rover collect data until this parameter goes down to “000 km”. A message is then displayed informing you that you can stop data collection. But always use your own judgement to decide the moment when to stop data collection.
After downloading your field data, do not forget to re-insert the SD card into the Z-Max.Net before taking it back to the field! The easiest and fastest way to download your field data is to use the card reader attached to the office PC. This procedure is described in the present section. It is assumed that GNSS Solutions has already been installed on your PC. If you don’t have a card reader, you can download your field data directly from the Z-Max.Net via a USB or RS 232 link.
English Files resulting from the downloading of an observation file are named as follows: X where prefix X = “E” for Ephemeris Data, “B” for Position Data, “D” for GPS Raw Data and “W” for SBAS Data. The left side of the Download window then lists the files present on the SD card. - Select the files you want to download. If necessary, hold down the Ctrl key to make a multiple selection. - Press the F5 key. A Copying file dialog appears during data transfer.
6. At the bottom of the window, define which of the sites is the control point (base) and enter or check its known coordinates. You can also fix the control point if necessary by selecting one of the options available in the Fixed column. If you select , the point won’t be fixed. 7. Click OK>To Import to import the data into the project. Depending on the type of survey, you can go even faster by running, in one operation, the Import, Process and Adjust functions.
English 5.
A Access Point Name 30 Auto connect (Bluetooth) 21 B Backpack 2, 13 Baseline 13, 39 Baseline length 43 Bluetooth 18 Bluetooth icon 21 Bluetooth port 4 G Geoid model 24 GNSS antenna module 2, 7 GNSS Solutions CD 2 GNSS Solutions software 45 GPRS 13, 30 GPS receiver module 2, 3 GPS-RF cable 2 H Handle 6 HI measurement plate 2, 15, 40 HI measurement tool 2 C I Caster IP address 30 Cellular modem 13 Charger 2, 8 Charging the power module 8 Collar (threaded) 10 Communication LED 4 Communication module 2 Co
English R Range pole 2 Range pole RF adapter 2 Range-Pole 13 RTCM 3.
ZMAX®.NET GETTING STARTED GUIDE Thales Survey Solutions Contact Information In USA +1 408 615 3970 • Fax +1 408 615 5200 Toll Free (Sales in USA/Canada) 1 800 922 2401 In South America +56 2 273 32 14 • Fax +56 2 273 31 87 Email surveysales@thalesnavigation.com In Singapore +65 6235 3678 • Fax +65 6235 4869 In China +86 10 6566 9866 • Fax +86 10 6566 0246 Email surveysalesapac@thalesnavigation.
