ProMark™ Field Software Getting Started Guide
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limitation of incidental or consequential damages may not apply. For further information concerning this limited warranty, please call or write: Ashtech LLC, El Camino Real 451, Suite 210, CA 95050, Santa Clara, USA, Phone: +1 408 572 1103, Fax: +1 408 572 1199 or Ashtech - ZAC La Fleuriaye - BP 433 - 44474 Carquefou Cedex - France Phone: +33 (0)2 28 09 38 00, Fax: +33 (0)2 28 09 39 39.
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Table of Contents Introduction to ProMark Field ........................................................ 1 Installing ProMark Field ................................................................ 3 Installation Procedure .............................................................. 3 Entering the Activation Code..................................................... 4 Getting Started With ProMark Field ................................................ 5 Connecting the External Antenna .......................
Adding Background Maps............................................................ 48 Georeferencing an Image File.................................................. 49 More about Background Maps ................................................
ProMark Field is a software program designed for generalpurpose land survey applications. ProMark Field runs on Windows Mobile 6.5. ProMark Field allows you to determine positions of points with centimeter precision through one of two types of projects: • Post-processed Project: Centimeter-accurate positions for your surveyed points will be computed at the office by specific post-processing software (Ashtech GNSS Solutions) after raw data have been collected in the field.
English ProMark Field can host a background map showing all the useful details of your working area. Background maps should be in osm, bmp, gif, tif, jpg or jp2 format. They can be viewed on the map screen in the background. Additionally, ProMark Field allows you to set the receiver as an RTK base, generating corrections data in one of the commonly used formats (RTCM, CMR, or ATOM).
This section describes how to install ProMark Field from the CD provided, using an office computer. If Windows XP (or older OS version) is used on your computer, you first need to install Microsoft Active Sync on your office computer. If Windows Vista is used, you don’t normally need to install an additional program on your computer. However, if the installation of the ProMark Field software fails, you will have first to install Windows Mobile Device Center and then resume the installation of ProMark Field.
English • On receiver side, tap OK after successful installation of Ashtech TTSBase.CAB. • Go back to your computer and click OK to close the message window and proceed. The installer on the computer then runs the same sequence as the previous one, this time to copy Ashtech Required Data.CAB to the receiver. • Again, a message on the computer tells you to check the receiver screen. • As previously, the receiver asks you to choose the location where to install Ashtech Required Data.CAB.
Connecting the External Antenna Connect your external antenna to the receiver. The following icon appears at the bottom of the screen, indicating that the antenna is properly connected to the receiver. If the external antenna is missing or not properly connected, then the message “No external antenna” will pop up on the screen. Launching ProMark Field Tap Start>ProMark Field or tap ProMark Field on the Today screen. The main ProMark Field window is described below.
English “BASE” permanently displayed if the receiver is used as a base, otherwise position computation status if the receiver is used as a rover. In the latter case, the position computation status may take one of the following values: Status Autonomous DGPS SDGPS FLOAT FIXED Operating Mode GPS only Conventional Differential GPS using corrections from a beacon or a base. SBAS Differential RTK, subfoot accuracy RTK, centimeter accuracy – Column #2: Current value of PDOP.
Menu Option Stop Pause Stakeout... Initialize Calibration Zoom In Zoom Out Job Configuration Options Status About Exit • • • • • • Dragging the Map on the Screen Function Use this option to stop the current logging. Use this option to pause the current logging. RTK only. Use this function to be guided to points you are requested to go to. Alternately, can be used for navigation purposes, whether in real-time RTK or post-processed projects.
• Drag the stylus in the desired direction. English A special routine is also implemented bringing your current position back to the center of the screen after 15 seconds of idle time on the map screen. Setting General Parameters 1. Tap Menu>Options.....This opens the Survey tab on which you should choose the type of survey you wish to perform. These settings only make sense if you are using your receiver as a rover. Ignore them if the receiver is used as a base.
Minimizing the ProMark Field Window Tap in the upper-right corner of the map screen. To re-open the ProMark Field window, either tap on “ProMark Field” on the Today screen or the icon at the bottom of the Today screen. Minimizing the ProMark Field window has no effect whatsoever on software operation. The receiver will continue to operate normally while the window is minimized. Quitting ProMark Field Use the Menu>Exit option to quit the program.
Creating a New Job English During your First ProMark Field Session After entering the activation code, ProMark Field displays the map screen. Do the following to create a new job. 1. Tap Menu>Job>New... 2. Enter the following parameters: • Name: Enter a name for your job using the virtual keyboard. • Folder: Choose a folder and storage location where to store the job file you are creating (see also Location parameter below).
Other geoid models may be downloaded to the receiver via the ProMark Field CD from the Ashtech website. Once downloaded, they are made available as possible choices in the Vertical Datum field. 8. Tap OK to complete the job creation procedure. The software closes the currently open job and opens the new one instead. NOTE: If none of the available horizontal systems and vertical datums are suitable, then you can create a specific coordinate system by tapping New on the coordinate system selection screen.
English Defining a User System • Tap on the New button. • Select the type of projection you wish to use in your coordinate system. Depending on that choice, you will have to enter a certain number of parameters. Remember every time you create a new projection and you have to enter the latitude and longitude of origin, or the central meridian, these must be expressed in degrees with eight decimal places (ddd.dddddddd).
• Finding a Point: Tap Find..., then successively type on Id and Description in the Attribute column to set your search criteria. Then tap Find. The search results are then displayed (one or more points; the list will be empty if none of the points meet your search criteria). At this stage, you can either edit or delete the selected point. • Editing a Point: Select the point you want to edit from the complete list of points, or from the list of searched points (see above). Then tap Edit.
English • Adjust the map screen (zoom, drag) to make visible on the screen the point you want to delete. • Tap on the point. This opens a new window showing its properties. • Tap on Delete in the lower-left corner of the window. The point is instantly deleted from the job (no user confirmation required). More About Job Files Job files are in “csv” format, a standard spreadsheet format that you will later be able to open using Ashtech GNSS Solutions, Microsoft Excel or Open Office.
A job file may also be used to hold points you would like to stake out. In that case, the file will usually be prepared separately (in GNSS Solutions for example), then downloaded to your receiver for use in ProMark Field. 15 English When a job is open in ProMark Field, all the points contained in that job can be seen on the map screen and the properties of each of these points can be displayed by simply tapping on their location.
Running a Post-Processed Project English Choosing the Survey Type/Mode and the System Setup Use the Survey tab on ProMark Field’s Options menu for this setting. Read the table below to choose the survey type and mode and the system setup suitable for your project. Your Project Setup Receiver and antenna mounted on a tripod: Collecting Raw Data on One Point: You want to collect raw data at the same location throughout the project. The receiver is used either as a base or a rover.
On a Tripod (static survey): • Place the receiver in its field bracket and mount the assembly onto one the tripod’s legs. • Insert the antenna vertical extension (a short pole provided along with the receiver) at the top of the tripod. • Secure the antenna provided at the top of this short pole. • Connect the antenna to the receiver antenna input using the coaxial cable provided. • Install the tripod over the chosen point (the reference point for a base, the surveyed point for a rover).
English Base Collecting Raw Data • Set up the base at its planned location as explained in Typical Setups on page 17. Measure the antenna height according to the slant measurement method, using the HI tape provided: – Insert the end of the tape into one of the three height marks located at the edge of the antenna radome (as shown). – Unfold the tap until you place the tip located at the other end of the tape on the reference point.
Rover Collecting Raw Data in Static • Set up the rover as explained in Typical Setups on page 17 and measure the antenna height according to the slant measurement method, using the HI tape provided: – Insert the end of the tape into one of the three height marks located at the edge of the antenna radome (as shown). – Unfold the tap until you place the tip located at the other end of the tape on the surveyed point. – Read the graduation directly on the tape: This is the slant antenna height.
English • On the GNSS tab, make sure the “Internal” GNSS receiver is selected. Ignore the Port field. • Tap on the Antenna tab, • Enter the antenna height you have just measured and select “Slant”, corresponding to the measurement method used. • Select the antenna type used.
Rover Collecting Raw Data in Stop & Go Kinematic In Stop & Go kinematic, the rover antenna is placed successively over several points and each time, a static occupation takes place for a preset time. Raw data are collected continuously in the background. • Set up the rover as explained in Typical Setups on page 17. • Turn on the receiver, run ProMark Field and create a job as explained in Creating a New Job on page 10.
English • On the Recording tab, make sure the Record raw data for post-processing function is enabled, check that the storage medium used to store the collected data is the one you really want to use (it is a good practice to use a Storage Card) and choose the recording interval (default: 1 second). To change the storage medium, see also Changing the Storage Medium for Raw Data Collection on page 39. • Tap OK to complete the rover configuration step. Tap OK again to return to the map screen.
Rover Collecting Raw Data in Continuous Kinematic In Continuous Kinematic, the rover is moved along a line, marking points at regular intervals of time or distance, and simultaneously and continuously collecting raw data. • Set up the rover as explained in Typical Setups on page 17. • Turn on the receiver, run ProMark Field and create a job as explained in Creating a New Job on page 10. • On the Options menu, select “Continuous Kinematic” and “Post-processing” on the Survey tab, then tap OK.
English • • • • graduation on this device, and then enter the read value in the Antenna Height field. Select the antenna type used. On the Recording tab, make sure the Record raw data for post-processing function is enabled, check that the storage medium used to store the collected data is the one you really want to use (it is a good practice to use a Storage Card) and choose the recording interval (default: 1 second).
• • Quick Start To Post-Processing Raw Data With GNSS Solutions Assuming GNSS Solutions has been installed on your office computer and the raw data files (G files) were collected directly on SD Cards, one by the base, another by the rover, do the following: • Insert the “rover” SD card in the local card drive. • Run GNSS Solutions. • Select Create a New Project. • Name the project. • Click on Modify Default Settings and choose a coordinate system.
English to the project folder, in the project folder otherwise) and lists their properties in tabular form. • Remove the SD card according to the safety rules and then insert the second one (from the base). • In GNSS Solutions, select Add Raw Data>Imported from Files or ProMark/ProFlex Devices and do the same as previously to add the new files to the Importing GPS Data table.
Choosing the Survey Type and Mode Use the Survey tab on ProMark Field’s Options menu for this setting. Read the table below to choose the survey type and mode suitable for your project. Your Project Setup Logging Points: You want to collect centimeter-accurate positions Receiver and antenna in real time on each of the mounted on a pole or bipod: surveyed points.
English All these facilities are platform features fully described in the Handheld Platform for MobileMapper 100, ProMark 100 & ProMark 200 Getting Started Guide. Once the SIM-card related connections have been set up, initiating a connection to acquire RTK corrections is entirely controlled from the Link tab in ProMark Field when configuring the rover. All the internal processes involved in the connection will be activated automatically.
• Wait until the receiver returns the “FIXED” indication in the status bar. • Taking care to keep the pole upright and the antenna unmasked, go to the first point of your project. • Tap Log. In the Site ID field, type the name of that point. If you use a purely numerical value for this field, then ProMark Field will automatically increment the Site ID 29 English • Tap Settings. • On the GNSS tab, make sure the “Internal” GNSS receiver is selected. Ignore the Port field.
English • • • • • • Logging Points along a Line name after each site occupation. Optionally, add a description in the field underneath. This may be one of the feature codes you defined earlier. On the Antenna tab, you may also check the antenna height and type entered previously and make last-minute changes. On the Settings tab, preset the time required on each point during which you should stay static (default: 5 seconds). Offset tab: See Line Offset on page 42.
31 English • On the GNSS tab, make sure the “Internal” GNSS receiver is selected. Ignore the Port field. • Tap on the Antenna tab, • Select “Vertical” and enter the antenna height, which in this case corresponds to the pole or bipod length. If you are using a fixed-height pole, just enter this height. if you are using a height-adjustable pole or bipod, read the graduation on this device, and then enter the read value in the Antenna Height field. • Select the antenna type used.
English • Wait until the receiver returns the “FIXED” indication in the status bar. • Taking care to keep the pole upright and the antenna unmasked, go to the start point of the line. • Tap Log. In the Site ID field, type the name of the start point of the line. If you use a purely numerical value for this field, then ProMark Field will automatically increment the Site ID name. Optionally, add a description in the field underneath. This may be one of the feature codes you defined earlier.
• • • • • • • • • Tap Menu and select Configuration... Select “Rover” from the Configuration drop-down list. Tap Settings. On the GNSS tab, make sure the “Internal” GNSS receiver is selected. Ignore the Port field. Tap on the Antenna tab, Select “Vertical” and enter the antenna height, which in this case corresponds to the pole or bipod length. If you are using a fixed-height pole, just enter this height.
English • Tap OK to complete the rover configuration step. Tap OK again to return to the map screen. • Select Menu>Initialize and choose your initialization method/ – If you select “On the Fly”, or “From Bar”, nothing else needs to be done at this stage. – If you select “From Known Point”, choose that point from the displayed list and stay there for a while.
(See also screen example) • Tap OK to close the window. • Select Menu > Stakeout to select the next stakeout point or quit the stakeout function.
English kind of project, the calibration step should then be performed in the first place. Using the Calibration function is a two-step procedure: 1. First you visit each of the known points with your rover, and when you are there, you enter the known coordinates in the unknown local system. In the background, the rover will associate the “fixed” RTK position computed in real time with the coordinates you enter. 2.
English • With the antenna pole still perfectly positioned over the point, tap OK to log the two sets of coordinates for that point. • Go to the next known point and stay static on that point. • Repeat the previous three steps until all your known points have been logged. As you go forward in the procedure, ProMark Field starts determining the local system, updating the residual columns as new points are added.
English You can view the Hor. correction and Ver correction tabs showing the characteristics of the local system, as currently determined by the process. • When you are pleased with the results of the process (i.e. all residuals are zero or close to zero), then you can make the local system the new coordinate system used in the job by tapping OK. Note that the coordinates displayed at the bottom of the screen now reflect the change of coordinate system.
Changing the storage medium requires that you temporarily disable the Record raw data for post-processing function and validate the configuration of the base or rover with this function disabled. When coming back to the settings of the base or rover, you will then be allowed to change the storage medium on the Recording tab. Don’t forget to re-enable the Record raw data for post-processing function afterwards.
Initialization English Post-Processed Projects In a rover, the initialization step is recommended at the beginning of the data collection phase to make sure GNSS Solutions will have enough data to post-process the field data and deliver the expected level of accuracy. Two initialization methods are possible in this case: Initialization Method From Bar From Known Point Real-Time RTK Projects It is assumed that you are using your own base.
Statically What You Are Supposed To Do English Initialization Method Start your survey from any point and remain static on this point until the “FIXED” position status is displayed on the screen.
Logging with Offsets English Point Offset N β d Line Offset Left d Right d 42 Use this function when you cannot position the antenna exactly over the desired point. The offset is defined as a bearing (β) and a horizontal distance (d) to that point from your current location. Set the horizontal distance back to 0 to cancel the point offset.
• Set up the base at its planned location. Measure the antenna height according to the slant measurement method, using the HI tape provided: – Insert the end of the tape into one of the three height marks located at the edge of the antenna radome (as shown). – Unfold the tap until you place the tip located at the other end of the tape on the reference point. – Read the graduation directly on the tape: This is the slant antenna height.
English You may also use the position last computed by the receiver and declare it as the base position by tapping on the Current Position button. You then have to enter a Site ID for this position. Also in that case, when leaving the Position tab, ProMark Field will ask you whether you wish to save that point to the job file or not. • Tap on the Link tab and select the device through which RTK corrections will be generated and delivered to rovers.
45 English function and validate the configuration of the base with this function disabled. When coming back to the settings of the base, you will then be allowed to change the storage medium on the Recording tab. Don’t forget to re-enable the Record raw data for post-processing function afterwards. • Tap OK to complete the base configuration step. Tap OK again to let the receiver operate on its own as an RTK base until the end of the survey.
Installing Geoids English Ashtech makes available a collection of geoids for use in many countries around the world. This collection is hosted on the Ashtech website and is regularly updated. To download a geoid, use the link Geoids (models & tools) in the welcome menu of your application software CD. In absence of the CD, you can still list and download the available geoids using your web browser to connect to the following URL: http://resources.ashtech.com/GEOIDS.
47 English The extracted geoid (also a *.geo file) should then be copied to My Device \Program Files\Geoids Data\ on the receiver.
Adding Background Maps English Background maps can be displayed on the map screen to help you better locate the different points found in the working area. Two types of background maps are supported: • Background maps in vector format (OSM files) • Background maps in raster format (bmp, gif, tif, jpg or jp2 files) In order to be used in ProMark Field, a background map must be properly georeferenced. OSM files are “naturally” georeferenced due to their very nature. (To create an OSM file go to http:// www.
ProMark Field then browses all the folders in search of all the image files stored in the receiver meeting the current Type selection. • Select the name of the image file you want to add. This automatically adds the file to the list of background maps. A message will warn you if you are attempting to add an already georeferenced background map that uses a coordinate system different from the one used in the open job.
English • Select the name of the background map from the list. • Tap on the Modify button. • Find the point on the image for which coordinates are known. Adjust the zoom setting and drag the stylus on the image if necessary. • Tap on the point location and then enter its ID and coordinates. If you are currently standing at that location and the receiver delivers a valid GPS position, you don’t need to enter any coordinates. The receiver will do that for you.
English When the original image file is in TIF format, some of these three files may not be created.
Index English Symbols G *.
Range achieved 20 Raw data collection along a line 23 Real-time RTK project 1 Recording 29, 31, 33 Recording interval 16 Required Data.
ProMark™ Field Software Getting Started Guide Survey Solutions Contact Information: In USA +1 408 572 1103 n Fax +1 408 572 1199 In South America +1 305 726 7813 Email surveysales@ashtech.com In France +33 2 28 09 38 00 n Fax +33 2 28 09 39 39 In Russia +7 495 980 5400 n Fax +7 495 981 4840 Email surveysalesemea@ashtech.com In Singapore +65 9838 4229 n Fax +65 6777 9881 In China +86 10 5802 5174 n Fax +86 10 5802 5135 Email surveysalesapac@ashtech.com www.ashtech.
