engineering star manual new a5-1

Engineering Star Field Guide 1

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... 2

2 MAIN MENUS ............................................................................................... 3

MAIN SCREEN.............................................................................................3 JOB MENU ..................................................................................................8 SET MENU ..................................................................................................9 SURVEY MENU..........................................................................................12 TOOLS MENU............................................................................................13 HELP MENU ..............................................................................................17

3. GETTING STAR-8X BASE STARTED .................................................... 18

4. GETTING THE STAR-8X ROVER STARTED....................................... 19

5. BEGIN YOUR SURVEY WORK .............................................................. 24

1. CREATE A JOB AND SET ELLIPSOID AND PROJECTION PARAMETERS. ....24 2. CALCULATE TRANSFORMATION PARAMETERS（LOCALIZATION）......25 3. COLLECT FIELD DATA (STORE POINTS) .................................................32 4. STAKE OUT POINTS, LINE OR CURVE ....................................................35

6. APPENDICES.............................................................................................. 45

INSTALL ENGINEERING STAR....................................................................45 TROUBLE SHOOTING.................................................................................52 IMPORTANT EXPLANATIONS .....................................................................57


1 Introduction This manual explains how to implement and use Star-8x system in RTK, using the Engineer Star software installed on the handheld computer. Note that this manual focuses on two basic survey functions: Store Points and Stakeout Points (please refer to Engineer Star Manual for advance function and operation). Note also the functions supported by Engineer Star to control conventional systems are not discussed in this manual. Likewise, the procedure to download logged static raw data from your receiver to your desktop computer is not discussed in this concise manual. For more information on this procedure, please refer to the South Gps Processor User Manual provided on CD-ROM. This manual is useful for those who use Engineer Star for the first time but not for a veteran. If you need information to help you install the base and rover systems, please refer to the Star-8x System Fast Guide. In the last chapter (Appendices), you will find how to install Engineering Star, trouble shooting and important explanations that might be useful to you in case of problems when you operate Engineering Star.


2 Main Menus Main Screen

There is 5 menus giving access to the main functions of Engineer Star. The figure below summarizes all the functions available from that screen.

Figure 2-1 Job Menu

Coordinates Area

Radio Channel

and Strength

（9）：Satellite Numbers

Fixed: Position Solution Status

PDOP Value and Related Quality

of coordinates

Coordinates Library

Viewing all survey parameters

Detailed Status of Base,

Rover and Satellites

Graphic Display Area

Logging Point

Set Logging and

Display Mode


: Allows you to store coordinates in four different ways and display

stored points on screen.

: Allows you to enter Coordinates Library and provides you a utility to

add, edit, find or import coordinates file.

Figure 2-2 Set Save Type 改 Figure 2-3 Coordinates Library


: Reports you the parameters concerned with your ellipsoid, projection,

and transformation from WGS-84 to your local grid coordinates system.

Figure 2-4 Ellipsoid and Projection Figure 2-5 Four Parameters and

Correction Parameters

Figure 2-6 Elevation Fitting Figure 2-7 Seven Parameters


Click to store coordinates of your current position. If it doesn’t receive

signal from Base, it will give you a prompt as the following Figure 2-9 :

Figure 2-8 Store Points Figure 2-9 No Radio Signal

Reports you some information about Rover, Base, satellites sky plot

(including elevation, azimuth, signal to noise ratio, etc) and some useful tips about hot key.


Figure 2-10 Rover’s Detailed Status Figure 2-11 Satellite Sky Plot

Figure 2-12 Signal to Noise Ratio Figure 2-13 Base’s Detailed Status


Job Menu New Job: In generally, you need to create a new job and input some parameters of ellipsoid and projection before you start your surveying work. A job consists of a number of file such as survey parameters, transformation parameters and result coordinates file etc. Open Job: Opens an existing job. New File: This file is used for save the result, such as coordinates value N, E, H, time, data, and so on. The extension name is *.dat which can be opened by notepad. Figure 2-14 Job Menu

Select File: Selects a file in which you save field data. Delete Job: Deletes an existing job. Format Convert: Outputs result coordinates file with the format you want, such as: Pt ID,N, E, H, Code or Pt ID, Code, E, N, H, etc. Close Receiver: shuts down the receiver. Exit: Will exit the Engineer Star program.


Set Menu Survey Parameters: Allows you to input, browse or modify all survey parameters relevant to your job. Localization: Calculates transformation parameters between WGS-84 and your local coordinate system. Coordinates Library: Manages all grid coordinates. Lat/Lon Library: Manages WGS-84 coordinates (latitude, longitude, height).

Figure 2-15 Set Menu

Other Set includes: Store Set (Sets store type such as regular

store, average store, auto-store by time or distance, etc);

Broadcast Message Type (such as RTCA, RTCM, RTCM-3, etc);

Satellites Limit (sets satellite elevation); Rover Ant Height (uses to modify ant height); Time Zone (inputs time zone to adapt

your local time). Figure 2-16 Other Set


RTK/Static Mode: Allows you to select survey mode (the default mode is RTK). There are two ways for you to switch to Static or RTK mode: one is switching from here by handheld computer and another is switching receiver manually. Note: If you use Engineering Star to switch receiver to Static mode, you can log raw data as interval you set (Figure 2-18). If it is switched to Static mode manually by hearing beeps, it will log raw data at default interval 5 seconds. As for the site name and ant height, you can input or edit in the course of your downloading. If the receiver ID is S06821561, then the default raw data file name is 15612041.sth. The first 4 characters is the last 4 numbers of your receiver, the following 4 numbers is the consequence of the day you log data in a year, the last number is session. And what’s session? If it logs the second times on the same site, then the name will be S06821562. So session means the times it logs raw data on a site.

Figure 2-17 Survey Mode

Figure 2-18 Logging Set


Radio Set: switches radio channel and there is 4 channels available now. COM Port Set: Allows you to select right port (serial port with cable or Bluetooth port) for the connection between receiver and handheld computer. If handheld computer loses Bluetooth connection with receiver, you need to enter Set ＞COM Port Set and click Connect button to connect again. If it doesn’t work, you need to quit the Estar program and warm reset the handheld then launch it again. Net Reset: If you want to use the wireless communication between Base and Rover, such as GPRS or CDMA network, you need to set some parameters here.

Figure 2-19 Radio Set

Figure 2-20 COM Port Set


Survey Menu Store Points: Principal data collection

routine. Click icon you can select store

type (there is four different store types available). Stakeout Points: Allows you to stakeout a selected point by guiding you to the point with a series of commands and direction. Stakeout Line: Opens a secondary dialog where you can choose or define a stake line.

Figure 2-21 Survey Menu Stakeout Curve: Allow you to define and stake a circular curve or spiral curve if you have some elements of this curve. Stakeout Road: Will stakeout a predefined road. This function is similar with stakeout a line except that the later is a straight line and the former could be crooked. Profile Survey: Implements profile survey if you have defined a profile beforehand. Section Survey: Implements section survey if you have defined a section beforehand.


Tools Menu

Calculate Parameters: Provides you a tool to calculate transformation parameters, such as Four Parameters and Seven Parameters. COGO: Provides you a number of calculating tools for conventional survey requirement, including Point in Direction, Inverse, Offset Distance/Angle, Offset Point, Side Length Intersection, Intersection, Coordinate Convert, Space Angle, Space Distance, Middle Point, Map utilities, Antenna Height, Area, etc.

Figure 2-22 Tools Menu Figure 2-23 COGO Utilities Road Design: Provides you two methods to design a road: Elements Mode and Intersection Mode. In Elements Mode you need to know some key elements of a road curve, such as start point’s coordinates and station, length and azimuth of straight line, arc’s length, radius and direction, spiral’s length, etc. In Intersection mode, you only need to know the key intersection points’ coordinates to design a road. Also, you can do the above work in office with desktop PC and transfer the designed file to handheld as well as do it in the


field in your handheld computer.

Figure 2-24 Input Road Elements Figure 2-25 Road Design

Section Design: Design a section first if you want to do section survey, including profile section design and section design. Refresh Data: Before calculating transformation parameters (localization), you can also begin your field data collecting work. This way sometimes can bring you some convenience and spare your time spending on localization. But remember localization is dispensable, so do localization at your convenient time and then refresh data. It isn’t the recommended way yet. Reprocess: Supposes there is something wrong with known point’s coordinates or transformation parameters, the result coordinates you get is inevitably wrong. If this occurs and you happen to find the concrete error reason or you can manage to modify this error when you return to office，you can reprocess the wrong data with the right parameters you modified and then get the correct result.


Correction: This is very important function which can bring you the convenience and our characteristics of S8X RTK. For Base there is nothing needed to do with it but power on/off, it will transmit automatically when status is OK. All operations are done with Rover. Remember whenever you power off or move Base to a new location, you need to do Correction. What’s conventional usage? Set Base on a known point, then use handheld computer to give it the known point’s coordinates and make it transmit. Why you are required to do Correction? Because Base transmits automatically with a pair of WGS-84 coordinates which will be different from the last time it transmits, so you need to do Correction. For more details, refer to Important Explanations in Appendices. How to do Correction? ----if you set Base on a point with known coordinates: When Base is already transmitting, enter [Tool]> [Correction]> [Set Base on known point] and then enter Base’ known coordinates, click Correction. ----if you set Base on an arbitrary point: When Base is already transmitting, take Rover and handheld computer to a known point and make pole centered and leveled over the point, then enter [Tool]> [Correction]> [Set Base on unknown point] and then enter the point’s coordinates which Rover occupied, click Correction then OK.


Figure 2-26 Correction Mode Figure 2-27 Input Known Coordinates Note: Remembers in the course of your doing Correction, the current position solution must be Fixed. 图


Help Menu Register: Inputs license code (16 characters) to use this RTK system for ever or for period time. Memory: Allows you to browse program memory and storage memory. About: Reports you program version, receiver’s ID and expire data here.

Figure 2-28 Help Menu Figure 2-29 About Engineer Star


3. Getting Star-8x Base started Install all components of Base and switch on. Do nothing about it but wait until it transmits automatically.


4. Getting the Star-8x Rover Started After installing all components of Rover: 1. Switch on Rover and handheld computer. 2. On the controller, double click icon to launch the Engineering Star

software.

Figure 4-1 Application Program Figure 4-2 Main Screen

In the figure 4-2, you need to wait a few seconds to allow handheld computer to get connected with Rover by Bluetooth (the default connection between this two is Bluetooth, and a cable connection is also available). See lower right corner of screen, status will give a tip that means it is searching Bluetooth device in the Rover. When Search OK shows up, it means the connection has been set up and in a few seconds the coordinates and time will show up on the lower left side of screen. Note:


1. There is no Bluetooth device in Base, so only cable connection is permitted with handheld computer. 2. Handheld computer can’t get connected with Rover if Rover is in Static mode. You need to switch it from Static mode to RTK mode manually and get connected. 3. If you see no time and coordinates appear and status is No Data after you wait more than 30 seconds or another pop-up dialog box say “ Receiver Not Found! Check COM Port!” (figure 4-3 and figure 4-4), you need to check that if you have configure Bluetooth port for application program( Engineering Star) or if the Rover is now in Static mode.

Figure 4-3 No Data Figure 4-4 COM Port Error

Solutions: ----If Rover is in Static mode, switch it to RTK mode and try it again. ----If Rover is in RTK mode but Bluetooth COM Port is not configured successfully: Step1: Enter [My Computer]> [Control Panel]> [Power]: select [Built-in Devices] Tab, tick [Enable Bluetooth radio]. Then select [Bluetooth


Device Properties] from control panel, the pop-up dialog box appears as the following figure 4-6:

Figure 4-5 Bluetooth Device Properties Figure 4-6 Bluetooth Manager

Note: Another way to enter [Bluetooth Manage] is double click icon

as following figure 4-7.

Figure 4-7 Bluetooth Icon on Task Bar Figure 4-8 Scan Bluetooth Device


Select [Scan], it will scan Bluetooth device nearby in a few seconds. Figure 4-8 shows devices it detected and S06821464 is your Rover’s serial number (Sometimes it’s called receiver’s ID). Select it and then click service (or double click the Bluetooth device it detected), another dialog box is displayed:

Figure 4-9 Active ASYNC Figure 4-10 Bluetooth COM Port Double click ASYNC and a shortcut menu is displayed as figure 4-9, then select Active. You can see the port allocated to the device you detected (S06821464) is COM 7 from the figure 4-10 and click OK to close the dialog box. Step2: Launch Estar program, select [Set]> [COM Port Set]: Select [Input COM port] and input 7(according to the allocated COM Port for Bluetooth in Bluetooth Manager), then click [Connect] button. Remember not to click [Connect by]. 记住不要点 connect by


Figure 4-11 Input COM Port for Bluetooth Figure 4-12 Input COM Port

此处，连接方式，软件需要修改


5. Begin Your Survey Work

1. Create a Job and Set ellipsoid and Projection Parameters.

Figure 4-13 Job Menu Figure 4-14 Name a new job

Figure 4-15 Set Ellipsoid Parameters Figure 4-16 Set Projection Parameters


2. Calculate Transformation Parameters（Localization） Note: We provide two ways to transform WGS-84 coordinates to your local grid coordinates: Four Parameters Mode and Seven Parameters Mode. ---- Seven Parameters Mode At least 3 points with known coordinates (local grid coordinates) are required in this mode. First you should store the 3 points’ WGS-84 coordinates ( we call them raw coordinates). Now each of the points has two sets of coordinates. With this two sets of coordinates of the 3 points you can calculate Seven Parameters (including 3 offset parameters, 3 rotate parameters and a scale parameter).

Click icon on main screen and then select Seven tab, you can browse

these parameters as figure 4-17.

Figure 4-17 Seven Parameters


This Seven Parameters mode is widely used across the world and can guarantee the accuracies of your work in condition that you can have at least 3 points with known coordinates. ---- Four Parameters Mode In this mode, with only 2 points with known coordinates (local grid coordinates) you can get transformation parameters (we call it Four Parameters). Like the way you get Seven Parameters, Firstly this two known points’ raw coordinates are required. Now each of this two points has two sets of coordinates (raw coordinates and known coordinates). With the two sets of coordinates of the 2 points you can calculate Four Parameters (including 2 offset parameters, a rotate parameter and a scale parameter).

Click icon on main screen and then select Four tab, you can browse

these parameters as figure .

Figure 4-18 Four Parameters Compared with Seven Parameters mode it has some advantage because only


2 points with known coordinates is ok. As you know that sometimes it is difficult to find 3 or more known points in field to accomplish localization (coordinates transformation). How to do localization? We give an example of Four Parameters mode. Assume that we have point A and B, both have known coordinates, and we are going to collect data in the above area.

Step 1: Store the raw coordinates of A and B.

Figure 4-19 Store Coordinates

Work Area

A

B

C

Base


Note: The position solution should be Fixed during your storing period. Step 2: Enter [Set]> [Localization], click [Add] button and input known coordinates of A (you can also select it from coordinates library by click icon if these coordinates was logged earlier during the same job. After you OK it, the pop-up dialog box asks you to add relative coordinates. Here are five methods for entering relative raw coordinates, but the most used one is From Library. From Library means you logged the concerned control point’s raw coordinates then load it later from library (Control coordinates are also called local coordinates).

Figure 4-20 Add a Control Point Figure 4-21 Add Raw Coordinates


Figure 4-22 Add Raw Coordinates Figure 4-23 Have add Point A’s

Of Concerned Control Point two sets of coordinate

Now we have added control point A’s known coordinates and relative raw coordinates successfully and resume the previous steps until another coordinates involved in the localization process have been added.

Figure 4-24 Have Completed Adding


As shown above (figure 4-24), we have completed adding two sets of coordinates of this two points. Click Save button to save transformation parameters as a *.dat file. Remember to click Apply button to activate it at last.

Figure 4-25 Save it as *.dat file Figure 4-26 Four Parameters Tab

You can browse the parameters you get just now by click icon from

main screen (figure 4-26).


Note: From Library: Because before you use this Localization utility you have already store coordinates of A and B to library, so you can select their raw coordinates from library. We have given an example with this mode just now. Read From Rover Now: In this mode raw coordinates of A are stored and added to Raw Coordinates dialog box at the same moment of your clicking Read From Rover Now. In this case, the rover should be positioned over point A. Figure 4-27 Five Methods to

Add Raw Coordinates

Read From Base Now: If you set Base on a location (point A) which coordinates is known, in this case you can’t store the raw coordinates of A with Rover because the location is already occupied by Base station. So you need to store Base position’s raw coordinates by clicking Read From Base Now. Input Lat/Lon: If you known A’s raw coordinates (latitude, longitude and elevation), you can input it manually here. Input Geocentric Coordinates (X, Y, Z): If you have A’s geocentric coordinates, input manually here.


3. Collect Field Data (store points)

Click icon or press hot key A on your keypad to store points. If current

status is not good, a pop-up dialog box will be displayed and give a tips that the solution is not fixed or no radio signal is received.

Figure 4-28 No Radio Signal Received Figure 4-29 Surveyed Points List Anytime you can fast browse the coordinates you surveyed by double press key B on your keypad quickly. You can edit the name and ant height of surveyed points but not coordinates value.

: Fixed solution. : Float solution. : Single solution.


Space Dist: space distance between Base’s phrase center and Rover’s phrase center. Plane Dist: plane distance between Base’s phrase center and Rover’s phrase center. Dist to pre Pt: distance between current point and the previous point. Dh to pre: elevation difference between current point and the previous point.

Figure 4-30 Space/Plane Distance to Base Figure 4-31 Difference to Previous point


Output the result coordinates: Select [Job]> [Format Convert]: Select the format you want from the down-pull list (see figure 4-32) and select the file (*.dat) you want to convert then give the ultimate result file a name.

Figure 4-32 Format to Output Now you can see there is another new file in your handheld computer. The path is: \Flash Disk\Jobs\your job name\data.


4. Stake out Points, Line or Curve ----Stakeout Points

Click on the Survey menu and then select stakeout points. Click icon

to open Stakeout Points Library (see figure ).

Figure 4-30 Stakeout Screen Figure 4-31 Stakeout Point Library

You can see there is no point in the library so you need to add points to the library one by one in field by click Add or import a pre-edited coordinates file which contains a lot of points by click Import, as shown in the following figure .


Figure 4-32 Add Point Library Figure 4-33 Import Coordinates File

Figure 4-34 Add Point to Library Figure 4-35 Select a Point to Stakeout You can select add coordinates or overwrite them in library. Select a point you want to stake out then click OK. Click Save button can save all coordinates in the current stakeout point library as a *.ptb file. Output allows you to save all coordinates in a file (*.dat) which is the same format with result coordinates file.


The *.dat file format is: Pt ID, code, N, E, H or Pt ID, code, E, N, H, or Pt, E, N, H, code and so on.

Figure 4-36 Select a Point to Stakeout Figure 4-37 Select a Point to Stakeout Figure 4-36 reports you the distance and azimuth between your current location and target point and direction of your finding the target. Dx: S18.039 and Dy:W2.238 means you need to move to south18.039m and west 2.238m to find the target point PT3.

Note: You can click icon then select point you want to stake out or

press hot numerical key 2 on keypad to stake out the next (numerical key 8 for the previous point).


Figure 4-38 Stakeout Point Set

Alarm: When you get into or out the range you set, it will sound a beep to remind you that you’re near to the target now. Display: It can display all stakeout points in your stakeout library on screen and display surveyed point with the number limit.


----Stakeout Line Select [Survey] > [Stakeout Line]. This allows you to stakeout a line.

Figure 4-39 Stakeout Line Figure 4-40 Stakeout Line Library Add a line to line library by inputting start and end point’s coordinates or select them from coordinates library. Start Station means station (mileage) of start point of the line.

Figure 4-41 Add a Line Figure 4-42 Stakeout Line Library


Select a line from line library then click Ok: From figure 4-43, you can get some useful information to guide you to the line. Offset: The distance to the line. R23.385 means you need to move right (you stand with your back to start point and face to end point) 23.385m to the be on the line S Dist: Distance between your current location and PT1 (start point). E Dist: Distance between your current location and PT3 (end point). DX: S23.117 and DY:W3.532: It means you need to move south 23.117m and west 3.532m to the projection point of your current position.

Figure 4-43 Stakeout Line Screen Figure 4-44 Stakeout Line Library


Click icon you can find some useful

settings. Alarm: It will give you a beep sound when you enter or get out the range you set if you tick beep. Int. Station prompt: It will beep to remind you that you’re near the target at every integral station as you set.

Figure 4-44 Line Stakeout Set In display options: Surveyed Points: Allows you to display surveyed points on your stakeout screen. Number Limit can limit displayed points number. All Stakeout Lines: Allows you to display all lines in your line library, as showed in the figure 4-44. Projection: Shows distance between projection point of current location and start point or end point in the lower-right corner of screen (see figure 4-44).


----Stakeout Curve Select [Survey] →[Stakeout Curve]. This allows you to define and then stakeout a curve or spiral.

Click icon and then select Design Curve.

Figure 4-45 Stakeout Curve Screen Figure 4-46 Design Curve

Input curve elements to define a curve then OK, it will calculate some attributes of this curve. Give it a name then OK.


Figure4-47 Curve Set Figure4-48 Curve Attributes

Figure 4-49 Curve Display Figure 4-50 Select a Point to Stakeout Figure 4-49 shows the curve you defined just now.


Click icon and select a point from library. Other icon is the same as

described above.

Figure 4-51 Stakeout the Selected Point Now we convert stakeout curve to general stakeout point. Note: Another different stakeout mode is road stakeout. Road stakeout is similar with line stakeout except that the later is a straight line and the former could be crooked.


6. Appendices Install Engineering Star Method 1: Copy installation file to a SD

card and then insert the card to the SD slot of your handheld computer then copy these files to your Flash Disk. Launch PRTKPRO2.0 from: My Computer\Flash Disk\setup\ and then it will create a shortcut icon Estar2.0.

In this way only a SD card and card reader is needed.

Figure 6-1 Program Icon

Method 2: Install Microsoft ActiveSync to your desktop computer and then get your handheld computer connected with desktop computer by serial cable. Then double click installation file on your desktop computer and it will be installed to your handheld computer automatically.

Figure 6-2 Installation Files Important note: Considering the convenience and reliability we recommend you use method 1.


Here we give an example of method 2 Microsoft® ActiveSync® provides support for synchronizing data between a Windows-based desktop computer and Microsoft® Windows® CE based portable devices. Microsoft ActiveSync currently supports Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98 (including Second Edition), Windows ME, Windows 2000，Windows XP Professional Edition. Before you can install Engineer Star, your desktop PC must have Microsoft ActiveSync installed and running. If you do not have ActiveSync installed, insert the CD-ROM and Install ActiveSync firstly. You may also choose to download the latest version from Microsoft website. After the ActiveSync installation starts, follow the prompts. 1. Connection of Handheld Computer with PC Initial Connection To setup initial connection between PC and handheld computer: 1) Connect the handheld’s serial cable to an available COM port on PC

(usually this will be COM1).

On the handheld’s desktop screen, double click icon (or Start Menu and then select Programs > ActiveSync >Direct .


Figure 6-3 Direct Icon Figure 6-4 Direct Icon

The following message box appears:

Figure 6-5 Installation Files

2) On your desktop PC, start ActiveSync.


Figure 6-6 ActiveSync Screen From the File menu, select Connection Settings and select right COM Port then select “Get Connected”.

Figure 6-7 Select Right COM Port


The Checking COM Ports dialog box appears.

Figure 6-8 Looking for Mobile Device Click Next. ActiveSync will then attempt to connect to the handheld computer. If the system successfully establishes connection, the Set Up a Partnership dialog box will appear on the PC desktop.

Figure 6-9 Set Up a Partnership


On the Set Up a Partnership dialog box, select “No” and click “Next” (or select “Yes” then click “Cancer”). If a successful connection is made the following dialog box will appear and it displays connected and a green icon

:

Figure 6-10 Get Connected If the above figure appears, it means handheld computer is connected to PC. 2. Install Engineering Star After connect handheld computer to desktop computer successfully, Launch the installing file setup.exe on your desktop PC and click setup button:


Figure 6-11 Installing Engineering Star

Figure 6-11 shows it is being installing. When installation complete, you will see a shortcut of Engineering Star on your handheld computer’s desktop.

Figure 6-12 Installation Complete


Trouble shooting If you followed all steps to prepare the RTK system to perform a survey and the system is not working properly, this section will provide a resource to help determine the cause of the problem. Problems usually fall into one of two categories, something was forgotten or a component was not installed properly. In either case, the problem is normally remedied by either indentifying the components of the system causing the problem and re-executing the steps to set up the components or starting over with the setup process. Occasionally, components will fail and if this happens unfortunately, you need to contact your local South Surveying and Mapping dealer or SOUTH technical support for assistance. In this section, the goal is to provide guidance in determining the cause of a problem with this system. Commonly encountered effects are listed below. Probable causes of the effect are presented along with a remedy. If the steps outlined in the troubleshooting section fail to get you up and running, there is a chance that a component in your system has failed. You are required to explain detailed steps you have taken and phenomena occurred in your operating course if you contact us for solutions by call, e-mail or MSN.


1. Handheld computer can’t get connected with GPS receiver. If the following figure shows up, it means handheld computer doesn’t get connected with GPS receiver. ----If you want to make handheld connect to your Rover with Bluetooth, you need active Bluetooth built-in your handheld and find Bluetooth device receiver with your handheld computer first. For details please refer to chapter: Getting the Star-8x Rover Started.

Figure 6-13 COM Port Error Figure 6-14 Connection Not Prepared ----If you connect handheld to Base receiver, you must use cable, because there is no Bluetooth device in it. Step1: Connect handheld to receiver by cable and ensure GPS receiver is in RTK mode. Step2: Select [Set] > [COM Port Set] > [Connect by], select cable from the pull down list, then click Connect button. If there is no connection being set up when you do like this, warm reboot you handheld, then do the procedure again.


Figure 6-15 Select Cable Connection Note: If the time is continuing on the screen, it means you have already set up the connection and wait a few minutes, you’ll see coordinates displayed on screen.


2. Not fixed solution. Maybe it will sound a beep during your data collecting period. It means it is

not in good satellite or radio signal condition.

Figure 6-16 No Satellite Signal Figure 6-17 No Radio Signal

Figure 6-16 shows there is no satellite signal tracked and figure 6-17 shows there is no radio signal detected. You need to check if the components of the system amounted properly.


3. There is no radio signal on the handheld computer’s screen, but receiver shows it is receiving properly according to the indication on the front panel. If the base is transmitting and the rover is receiving radio signal properly, but no radio signal displays on screen. You need to check if the rover is receiving at suitable message type. The default message type for Base to broadcast is RTCA, so you need to check if the rover is at the same message type. Select [Set]> [Other Set]> [Message Type], then select the matching message type (figure 6-18).

Figure 6-18 Broadcast Message Type


Important Explanations 1. Application program disappears. If you have cold boot your PDA or after several days keeping the handheld computer idle with a discharged battery, the desktop icon “Estar” maybe disappear, in this condition, you must re-install the application software as the following step: Click “My Computer”, enter “Flash Disk” folder, then enter “setup” folder, double click “PRTKPro2.0” to re-install application software. Having finished re-installation, you can find “Estar” icon on desktop again. 2. Handheld computer can’t get connected with the base receiver by Bluetooth. There is no Bluetooth device inside the base receiver, so you can only get connection by cable. Remember to Select [Set] > [COM Port Set] > [Connect by], select cable from the pull down list, then click Connect button. As for the rover receiver, you can get connection between handheld computer and the rover both by Bluetooth and cable. 3. If the Bluetooth connection doesn’t work, how can I do? If Bluetooth (in receiver or in handheld) breaks down, you can use a cable we provide you along with the receiver to connect receiver and handheld. 4. How can I download static observation data? Post-processing software is needed to download static observation data from receiver and for this procedure please refer to South GPS Processor Manual.


5. How can I switch survey mode of receiver manually from the front panel? You can switch the receiver to different mode( RTK mode or Static mode) only by pressing Function key and hearing the beep sound. Switch on: Press and hold red POWER button on the front panel for 1 seconds then release, it will be switched on. Switch off: Press and hold red POWER button for at least 3 seconds, you will hear it beeps three times, and release the button, then it will be switched off. Switch to RTK mode: Press and hold red POWER button for at least 3 seconds. After 3 beeps, continue holding it for about 6 seconds and another beep will come, then release the button, and now the receiver is switched off. Power on again, and the RTK mode is ready. In other words, press and hold the POWER button, then release it after 5 beeps to return to RTK mode. Switch to Static mode: Press and hold red POWER button for at least 3 seconds. After 3 beeps, continue holding it for about 7 seconds and another 2 beeps will come, and then release the button, and now the receiver is switched off. Power on again, and the Static mode is ready. In other words, press and hold the POWER button, then release it after 5 beeps to return to Static mode. 6. Can I store static observation data in handheld’s memory? You can only store the static observation data in receiver rather than in handheld.


7. Why sometimes a Correction is required? Assume that Base transmits signal automatically with coordinates A: lat: 23.0709562, Lon: 114.4526812, H: 23.56m, then switch it off and switch it on, now with in a few minutes it will transmit again automatically with another coordinates B: Lat: 23.07104422, Lon: 114.4525903, H: 22.83. You can see there is some little difference between this two coordinates. Reduce to ellipsoid by Gauss projection, there will be two relative plane rectangular coordinates. And assume the difference between this two plane rectangular coordinates is: dx: 3.21m, dy: 5.23m, dh: 1.02m. If you don’t correct the difference, all coordinates you get during your second collecting period will all have the same offset. In two case, Correction is indispensably needed ----Every time it is switched off. Because when it is power on it will transmits automatically with a new coordinates got from sky, so Correction is required. ----Every time it is moved to another location when it is transmitting. Note: Both Four Parameters mode and Seven Parameters mode need do Correction if the above case occurs.


8. How does Four Parameters mode affect the height correction from ellipsoidal height to normal height? As we know, Four parameters includes 2 offset parameters, a rotate parameter and a scale parameter and all these parameters affect only plane transformation rather than height. Height transformation is realized by Correction: Assume that known points A and B is used for localization. Before you work start, raw coordinates of position A and B need to be stored already. Assume that: For point A: known coordinates: xa1, ya1, ha1 raw coordinates: xa2, ya2, ha2. and for point B: known coordinates: xb1, yb1, hb1 ,raw coordinates: xb2,yb2,hb2. Difference between ha1 and ha2 is dha and Difference between hb1 and hb2 is dhb. ha+b= (ha+hb)/2 Now ha+b is the correction value which will be applied to all surveyed raw coordinates together with four parameters.


9. What convenience can Auto-Base bring to us? Before discussing this we describe conventional way of setting up Base: ----Set Base on a point with known coordinates. ----Give Base the coordinates of the point it occupied and make it transmits by handheld computer. In the above description, a handheld computer is required every time you set up the base. Assume your people are divided into two teams, team A for Base, team B for Rover. Thus two teams have to get to the base station point to set up Base. So there will be a waste of time for team B, especially in the case Base location is hard and inconvenient to arrive in. In Auto-Base mode, team A can get to the base location, and team B can get to work area in the meantime. Thus the time for team B get to the base location and return can be spared. The cost of this convenience is do Correction.


10. How can I know whether the rover received signal from another Base? If the rover received another Base signal of the same frequency, it will give you a pop-up prompt.

Figure 6-19 Broadcast Message Type In two cases, it will show a pop-up this dialog box. 1. The rover has received radio signal from another Base of this frequency. In this case, switch radio channel of the base to another frequency as well as the rover. 2. Base is switched on again after being power off due to any reasons. Note: There are four channels available that could be switched to.

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