Alpha 5i User manual

Alpha 5i RTK User Guide
Alpha 5i GNSS RECEIVER QUICK GUIDE
Keep this manual safe for reference and future maintenance
Alpha Surveying and mapping
5
i

1、 GNSS Receiver
1.1 Alpha 5i Description
Indicator Lights
Power On/Off
)C-epyt(stroP gnigrahC
TNC Interface
Height-measurement Line
5
iSIM Card Slot

1.2 Indicator Light
Indicators color Description
Green light on: power 30%-100%
Green light flashing: power 10%-30%
Red light flashing:power<10%
Red light on:charging
Light off:no stars found
Red light flashing:few stars found
without positioning
Green light flashing: effective
positioning but don't get fixed
Green light on: fixed
Red light on:GNSS mainboard abnormal
Green light flashing: data transmission
Red light flashing: recording static
Red and green lights flash alternately :
record static and transmit data
green&red
green&red
green&red
Satellite
Data link
Power
Bluetooth
blue
Light off: no connection
Light on: being connected
Flashing: being connected and
downloading differential data
1.3 Self-test Function
The self-test is used to examine whether each module of the
receiver is working healthily. When the instrument is working
abnormally, you can use the self-test function to test the receiver.

2.1 Red Positioning Button
a.Turn on the DiMap: You can directly turn on the DiMap by
pressing the red button when the controller is powered on;
b.Measuring: When the DiMap is in the survey or stakeout
interface, press the red button to collect and store the data.(
1st press for gathering data, 2nd press for confirming the
storage coordinates.)
2、 Alpha Bi Controller
Operating instruction:
Two short press plus a long press until a long beep sound is heard,
the instrument will begin the self-test process. If there is nothing
wrong with the machine, there will be two short beep as a
reminder, otherwise, the warning alarm will sound for a longer
period of time.

2.2 Dat Button
a.Show point database. The Dat button is connected to the
point database when doing survey or stakeout work. The Dat
button coordinated with the red positioning button makes
possible a fast and direct interaction between measuring and
stakeout work.
b.Open the output folder. Press the Dat button can get quick
access to the data output folder once the user logs out the
DiMap.
2.3 Fn Button
The Fn button is used to switch the working mode of the key
2,4,6,8: Direction control mode / Digital mode.
When the Fn button is activated, there will be a start prompt at
the top of the controller.
The following instructions are easy-to-follow tips for new surveyors.
For detailed guidance,please read the user manuals. (Note:The
manuals can be downloaded on the official website:alpha-survey-
ing.com)
(1) Set up the base.
(2) Open the controller and DiMap, connect them to the base station
in a new project and set the parameters of the coordinate system
and base station for sending differential data.
(3) Connect the controller to the rover and prepare it for receiving
differential signals from the base and getting the fixed solution.
(4) Move the rover to a certain place in the measurement area to find
out the original coordinates of the place. Calculate and apply the
transfer parameters.
3.1 General Working Process Of Base & Rover:
3、 Guide For Outdoor Surveying

3.2 Detailed operation instructions of RTK:
Set up the base,and install the UHF antenna when using the radio
mode. Press the power button to turn on the receiver, and wait for
the base to target the satellite.
When the controller is connected to the reference station, click
[Device] - [Base Mode] to select the configuration set required in the
measurement work.
3.2.1 Set up the base
(5) Go to another known point to check whether the coordinates are
right after coordinate transformation.
(6) Start the work.
*If the start-up coordinate or the position of the base station change,
you need to perform a maker point calibration process.
(7) Finish the work and export the data file as required.

*E.g. Base station set at the top of a building
Requirements of the place you set up the base:
a. Cut-off angle larger than 15 degrees; Open area
without large obstructions.
b. No electromagnetic interference(No microwave
stations, radar stations, or cell phone tower within
200 meters; And no power lines within 50 meters.)
c. Base station should be set up in higher places. There
should be no large obstructions between the base
and the rover or the differential data transmission
distance would be shorter.
*Normally, it is recommended to set up the base stations in open
areas or on the top of high buildings.
Requirements of the place you set up the base:
a. Cut-off angle larger than 15 degrees; Open area
without large obstructions.
b. No electromagnetic interference(No microwave
stations, radar stations, or cell phone tower within
200 meters; And no power lines within 50 meters.)
c. Base station should be set up in higher places. There
should be no large obstructions between the base
and the rover or the differential data transmission
distance would be shorter.
*Normally, it is recommended to set up the base stations in open
areas or on the top of high buildings.

Open the DiMap, select [Project]-[Project management]-[New ] and
then name the new project;
Select the coordinate system in the“Preset coordinate system” to
confirm the new project in the new interface.
3.2.2 Create A New Project
Click the positioning button to get the local central meridian
in the Projection interface of the Coordinate system setting.
Then go back and click [Confirm] to keep the settings.

Click[Device]-[Connect Receiver], then search for correspond-
ing serial number to connect the receiver.
①Click [Search] on the bottom
left.
② Choose the corresponding
Alpha device.
③ Click[Connect] to connect the
instrument (bottom right)
(If there is only one Alpha device
nearby, click [Quick connect] on
the middle and the controller will
automatically search and connect
the receiver)
3.2.3 Connection Between Controller And Receiver
3.2.4 Setting Rover Mode
After bluetooth connectivity, click [Device]- [Rover Mode]. The
settings are as follows according to the datalink mode:
【Built-in Radio】 In this mode,
the radio antenna needs to be
inserted, click [Rover
Mode]-[Default:Rover UHF 1],
Click [ Apply] to open the
built-in radio. After setting,
the data link indicator light on
the recriver flashes once per
second, indicates that
differential data is received
normally.

【Network of the instrument】
The mode is connected to
the Internet by the network
of RTK. Open the rover mode
interface, click[New] to
create a new config set. As
for the data link, select the
NETWORK,connection mode
As for the CORS setting,
”motsuc“ esoohc redivorp -
type the right IP address and
ports, username and
password first and then click
[GET MOUNT COORDINATE
BY PHONE] to connect to
the network. Pick the correct
mount point and click
[Save&Apply] to begin
using the network. Wait for
the initialization process of
the rover. The datalink light
on the receiver is green and
flashes once per second,
indicating that the receiver is
able to receive differential

【Network of the controller】Insert the SIM card into the
controller, and select PHONE in the data link, the same
way as setting network for the instrument. In general,
when the rover gets differential solution and fixed
solutions successfully, it is suggested that the rover has
been set up.

3.2.5 Calculating Transformation Parameters
Taking four parameters as an example, the operational steps
are as follows::
1、Get fixed solution by setting the mobile station properly.
Click [Survey]- [Point survey] to get the coordinates of two
known controlling points.
Looking for the two already-known control points
Measuring the point to get its coordinates
2、Click [Project]-[Localization]-[Add] (bottom left) and input
the coordinates of the control point and the measuring point.
Known controlling point:
Northern :2909040.268
Eastern :480802.662
Altitude: 11.901
Measuring point
Northern:2909040.332
Eastern:480802.657
Altitude: 11.579

3、Repeat the above operation
and add another point. When two
points are recorded, the coordinate
calculation can be done.
Then switch back to the transforma-
tion parameters interface and click
[calculate] at the bottom, you will
get the transformation parameter
results. When there are 3 or more
points in the calculation, users can
not only check the horizontal or
altitude accuracy, but also take a
quick look at the accuracy of
transformation parameters in the
calculation result interface.

3.2.6 Data Exporting
When the measuring work is finished, the results can be
exported in the format that caters to the needs of the surveyor
by clicking [project]-[data export]. The export process is as
follows.
a. Connecting the controller to a computer by Type-C cable. Set
USB computer connection to MTP mode.The computer will read
the U disk mode in the controller, open and copy the recorded
results on the computer.
Note: Users need to export the results from the app to the
controller before connecting the controller to a computer by
USB.
b. When the recorded results have been exported to the control-
ler, a share prompt will show up for users to send the results to
a computer by wireless methods through WeChat, QQ, or
Bluetooth.
File will saved in the path

Alpha 5i with the inertial navigation system is able to offer
accurate inertial measurement in real-time even in the
condition of high inclination or in highly dynamic situations.
4、 Tilt compensation
4.1 Turn on/off the tilt compensation
When the rover gets the fixed solution, the measurement or
stakeout interface will display a turn on/off button. You can
press the button to turn on/off the function.
When the system is on, complete the initialization process
according to the pop-ups.
3.2.7 Point calibration
When the startup coordinates or position of the base station
has changed, users have to find a known measuring point in
the original measuring area for calibration if they
still employ the original transformation parameters.
Click [Project]-[panning and calibration] and employ the
4.2 Initialization of the INS
The inertial navigation system for measuring needs to be reset
or initialized when it encounters situations such as inversion or
intense shaking. You can complete the initialization process
following the pop-ups.
Please keep the device stationary

Guangzhou Alpha Surveying Technology Co.,Ltd.
NO.203 Kezhu Road,Science City Huangpu District, Guangzhou
www.alpha-surveying.com
info@alpha-surveying.com
+86-20-82108930
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