AMW DITCH User manual

DITCH
AMW Automated Ditcher Control Solution
User Guide
Revision 1.0
October 2018

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Table of Content
Table of Content ............................................................................................................1
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................4
List of Figures .................................................................................................................5
Preface ...........................................................................................................................6
Copyright ............................................................................................................................... 6
Safety Warnings..................................................................................................................... 6
FCC Interference Statement .................................................................................................. 6
Warnings and Cautions.......................................................................................................... 6
Regulations and Safety .......................................................................................................... 7
Use and Care.......................................................................................................................... 7
Technical Support .................................................................................................................. 7
Disclaimer.............................................................................................................................. 7
User’s Comments .................................................................................................................. 8
1Introduction ...........................................................................................................9
1.1 Application.............................................................................................................. 10
Internal GPS..................................................................................................................... 13
2Option Menu........................................................................................................14
2.1 Connect To An External Device............................................................................... 14
2.1.1 Different Connection Types............................................................................. 14
2.1.2 Finding External Device Serial Number ........................................................... 15
2.2 GNSS Quality Levels................................................................................................ 15
2.3 Starting A Project.................................................................................................... 17
2.4 Control Points.......................................................................................................... 19
2.4.1 Use Existing Control points.............................................................................. 19
2.4.2 Create Control Points ...................................................................................... 19
2.4.3 Align Current Location With A Control Point................................................... 20

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2.4.4 Save Control Points.......................................................................................... 20
2.5 Topo Points.............................................................................................................. 21
2.5.1 Use Provided Topo .......................................................................................... 21
2.5.2 Create New Topo............................................................................................. 21
2.5.3 Resume Previous Topo.................................................................................... 21
2.5.4 Using A Profile Graph With Your Topo............................................................ 22
2.6 Surface..................................................................................................................... 23
2.7 Line Drawing ........................................................................................................... 24
2.8 Background Image .................................................................................................. 25
2.9 Refresh .................................................................................................................... 25
2.10 Settings.................................................................................................................... 25
2.10.1 General Settings .............................................................................................. 26
2.10.2 Display Settings................................................................................................ 27
2.10.3 Connection Settings......................................................................................... 28
2.10.4 Advanced Settings ........................................................................................... 28
2.10.5 Machine Control Settings ................................................................................ 29
2.10.6 About AMW DITCH.......................................................................................... 30
3Checking Grade In DITCH .....................................................................................31
3.1 Grade Checking ....................................................................................................... 31
3.2 Resume Grade Checking......................................................................................... 32
4Machine Control...................................................................................................32
4.1 When To Use Machine Control............................................................................... 32
4.2 Connecting To Machine Control ............................................................................. 33
4.3 Set-Up And Using Machine Control To Grade ........................................................ 33
5DITCH....................................................................................................................35
5.1 Creating A Ditch Plan .............................................................................................. 35
5.2 Drainage Parameters .............................................................................................. 35
5.3 Preparing To Ditch................................................................................................... 37
5.4 Ditching ................................................................................................................... 38
6Out-of-Application Resources .............................................................................41

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6.1 Gmail ....................................................................................................................... 41
6.2 E.S File Explorer....................................................................................................... 41

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List of Tables
Table 1: DITCH main screen descriptions................................................................................ 11
Table 2: DITCH Menu Option descriptions.............................................................................. 13
Table 3: Internal GPS description............................................................................................ 14
Table 4: GNSS quality levels description. ................................................................................ 17
Table 5: Steps For Creating A New Project.............................................................................. 18
Table 6: General Settings Options........................................................................................... 27
Table 7: Display Settings Options............................................................................................ 28
Table 8: Connection Settings Options ..................................................................................... 28
Table 9: Advanced Settings Options........................................................................................ 29
Table 10: Machine Control Settings Options........................................................................... 30
Table 11: About Page Options................................................................................................. 31
Table 12: Offset Color Indicator .............................................................................................. 31
Table 13: Parameters Options................................................................................................. 37

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List of Figures
Figure 1: Ditch Main Screen .................................................................................................... 10
Figure 2: DITCH Menu Options Screen.................................................................................... 12
Figure 3: DITCH using Internal GPS.......................................................................................... 13
Figure 4: Location of GNSS receiver's serial number. ............................................................. 15
Figure 5: Topo Overlay On Google Maps ................................................................................ 22
Figure 6: Showing a NEZ surface over the created topo......................................................... 23
Figure 7: Grid Surface in a Topo .............................................................................................. 24
Figure 8:Line drawing created from a topo............................................................................. 25
Figure 9: All Settings................................................................................................................ 26
Figure 10: Grading Interface.................................................................................................... 31
Figure 11: Completed Survey .................................................................................................. 33
Figure 12: Design Surface........................................................................................................ 34
Figure 13: Machine Controlling............................................................................................... 34
Figure 14: Ditch Drainage Design Interface............................................................................. 35
Figure 15: Drainage Parameters.............................................................................................. 36
Figure 16: Path Width.............................................................................................................. 37
Figure 17: Path Width Examples ............................................................................................. 38

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Preface
Copyright
Copyright 2018-2018
AMW | Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. AMW is a trademark of Shanghai Huace Navigation
Technology Limited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Trademarks
All product and brand names mentioned in this publication are trademarks of their
respective holders.
Safety Warnings
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is operated by the U.S. Government, which is solely
responsible for the accuracy and maintenance of the GPS network. Accuracy can also be
affected by poor satellite geometry and obstructions, like buildings and heavy canopy.
FCC Interference Statement
This equipment has been designed to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
under part 15 of the FCC Rules in the Portable Mode. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
The operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause
Warnings and Cautions
The absence of specific alerts does not mean that there are no safety risks involved.
A Warning or Caution information is intended to minimize the risk of personal injury
and/ or damage to the equipment.

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WARNING - A Warning alerts the user to a potential misused or wrong setting of
the equipment.
CAUTION - A Caution alerts the user to a possible risk of serious injury to user’s
person and/ or damage to the equipment.
Regulations and Safety
The GNSS receivers contain a built-in wireless modem for signal communication
through Bluetooth® wireless technology or external communication datalink.
Regulations regarding the use of the wireless modem vary greatly from country to
country. In some countries, the unit can be used without obtaining an end-user license.
However, in some countries, the administrative permissions are required. For license
information, consult user’s local dealer. Bluetooth® operates in license-free bands.
Before operating a GNSS receiver, determine if authorization or a license to operate
the unit is required in user’s country. It is the responsibility of the end-user to obtain
an operator's permit or license before operating the receiver at the location or country.
Use and Care
This GNSS receiver is designed to withstand the rough environment that typically
occurs in the field. However, the receiver is high-precision electronic equipment and
should be treated with reasonable care.
CAUTION - Operating or storing the receiver outside the specified temperature
range can cause irreversible damage.
Technical Support
For technical support related issues, check the AMW Machine Control Solutions, Inc.
website (www.amwgps.com), or contact your local dealer.
Disclaimer
Before using the GNSS receiver along with the DITCH software, please make sure that
you have read and understood this User Guide, as well as the safety information. AMW
holds no responsibility for the losses incurred by incorrect operation or misuse of the

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equipment. However, AMW reserves the rights to update and optimize the contents
of this guide regularly. Please contact your local AMW Machine Control Solutions, Inc.
dealer for new information.
User’s Comments
User’s feedback about this user guide will help us to improve it. Please email user’s
comments to [e-mail].

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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing AMW Machine Control Solutions DITCH product. This user’s manual
will guide you through the setup and running of the program. For additional support, please
contact your AMW Dealer or AMW Technical Support via email: [email protected]
Based on years of experience in water management by managing surface Drainage, AMW
DITCH provides assistance in cutting drainage ditches used to control surface water. The
program will calculate the elevation and grade of the ditch and will control the rotary or
conventional scraper and box blade scrapers in cutting the ditch. Design and build farmable
drainage ditches to remove surface water. Control standing water on any terrain to increase
yields and reduce nitrogen loss. Control moving water to minimize phosphorus and potassium
loss and keep applied fertilizer where it is needed. Eliminate erosion of any terrain and valuable
soils utilizing customized designs, for improved soil quality and crop yields. The design for a
ditch can be imported or created in the field by driving the intended route while capturing the
existing surface. Based on the topography and on certain parameters input by the user,
including minimum-slope, minimum-depth, optimum-depth, DITCH will calculate a plan of
elevations where the ditch should be cut, display the design, and control the ditcher or blade.
Without violating minimum slope, the program will attempt to place the ditch at the optimum
depth, creating an effective and efficient ditch integral to your overall water drainage system
and plans.
*DITCH includes full GRADE II and DIRT functionality for surveyor accurate topographic mapping, grade
checking, RTK Control Point management, and machine control.

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1.1 Application
DITCH displays information and direct interface ability along the left margin of the app screen and
provides easy access to menu options along the right margin, as shown in the following pictures.
Figure 1: Ditch Main Screen
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

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Interface Item
Description
1
Software Name
The name of the software you are using
2
Fix quality
Quality from a receiver (currently not connected)
2
Connect
Select to connect to the GNSS Receiver
3
3GRD
Topo point label
4
Cut/Fill Indicator
Real time indication of how close you are to desired cut/fill
5
Grade Offset
Set your own grade by adding “+” or subtracting “-“
7
Machine Control
Select to connect to machine control
8
Show Profile
Select to switch to profile graph view
9
Capture Path
Select to create a ditch
10
Parameters
Select to change ditch parameters
11
Options Menu
By pressing the stacked dots (⋮) in the upper right-hand
corner of the app screen.
Table 1: DITCH main screen descriptions

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Figure 2: DITCH Menu Options Screen
Interface Items
Description
1
Connect
Connect to a GPS
2
Project
Open or create a project (file)
3
Control Points
Reference points, benchmark
4
Topo Points
Specific points in a topography map
5
Surface
Triangulated Irregular Network
6
Line Drawing
Lines drawn featuring a curve
7
Background Image
Image uploaded to create a map
8
Drainage Plan
A plan created of ditches
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

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9
Refresh
Map and system reboot
10
Settings
Application information
11
Exit
Exit the app
Table 2: DITCH Menu Option descriptions.
Internal GPS
DITCH offers Internal GPS that gives current location if the user is not connected to a GPS network.
All devices come equipped with the Internal GPS and the ability to view multiple different map
formats:
•None
•Normal
•Satellite
•Terrain
•Hybrid
To determine if connected to Internal GPS, look for Internal GPS near in the upper left margin on
the app screen shown in Error! Reference source not found.
Figure 3: DITCH using Internal GPS

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Options
Description
1
Internal GPS
Connect to the internal GPS on the Tablet
Table 3: Internal GPS description
2 Option Menu
DITCH provides easy access to options menu by pressing the stacked dots (⋮) in the upper right-
hand corner of the app screen shown in Error! Reference source not found.
2.1 Connect To An External Device
External means devices that are not in the program already. They require knowing information
about each individual device to a strong understanding. Connecting to external devices is
essential for accurate GPS and machine control.
2.1.1 Different Connection Types
To connect to Bluetooth:
a. In your device, go to Bluetooth settings
b. Find and pair the receiver and controller using their respective serial numbers
c. Start DIRT application, go to settings and select Connection Settings
d. Select GPS Connection Type
e. Make sure to select Bluetooth
f. If you weren’t connected to Bluetooth already, restart app.
g. Return to home screen and select Connect
h. Choose paired device.
To connect to Wi-Fi:
a. Get receiver I.P. Address (Refer to Receiver Manual for help)
b. Get receiver Port Address (Refer to Receiver Manual for help)
c. Start DITCH, go to settings and select Connection Settings
d. Select GPS Connection Type
e. Make sure to select Wi-Fi

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f. Return to Connection Settings screen
g. Select Wi-Fi GPS Address
h. Input I.P. Address followed by Port Number with a “:” symbol between obtained in steps
a and b
a. Example: 192.168.0.1:5010
i. Restart application
j. Connects automatically
After you switch connection type make sure to restart the app.
2.1.2 Finding External Device Serial Number
The external device serial number can typically be found on the bottom side of the device, as
shown below.
Figure 4: Location of GNSS receiver's serial number.
2.2 GNSS Quality Levels
There are 6 levels of GPS fix quality that are identified by color, shown along the upper margin as
follows:
Levels of GNSS
Description
1
White – Not Connected: No
GNSS signal or not connected.

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2
White – Internal GPS:
Connected to the Tablet’s
internal GPS. 2 – 5 m accuracy.
3
Red –Autonomous GNSS: No
RTK, WAAS, or differential
correction available. 2 m
accuracy.
4
Orange –Only DPGS 3D
position, decimeter accuracy

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5
Yellow –RTK Float, centimeter
accuracy
6
Green –RTK Fix,
Horizontal: ±(8 mm + 1 ppm)
RMS Vertical: ±(15 mm + 1
ppm) RMS
Table 4: GNSS quality levels description.
2.3 Starting A Project
Selecting Project allows the user to open an existing project or create a new project. Save as
creates a new project name.

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Naming a project allows you to identify and separate data as you are working. It keeps you
organized and allows for easy retrieval when looking for a project. Creating a project allows you
to make multiple jobs inside of one project folder.
Jobs (or .jobs) are file extensions used to identify specific projects. You use (.jobs) to pick up
where you left off. When you select the (.job) extension, it will open all files created for that job.
Upon exiting DITCH, you will be prompted to create a project file. If it is a new project, select
New Folder and type in desired name, then select OK. Next, name your job while keeping the
(.job) extension and select OK again.
Steps for a new project
Description
1
Select New Folder to be
brought to a new pop-up
screen where you will create
the project name. This will be
where all the jobs in this
location are stored.
2
Name your project. It is
recommended to choose
something general like the
location, a client name, or a
big site.
3
After creating your project
name, you will then be
prompted to create your first
job. Keep the (.job) extension
and name the job a specific
name.
Example: Smith Area 1
Table 5: Steps For Creating A New Project

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Example: Name project folder Smith and select OK. Then when you work in a smaller section of
Smith, add another word to further distinguish it from Smith, call it Smith Area 1. Make sure to
keep the (.job) extension.
Select Save As when creating a project. To open a previously made project select Project, then
Open and find the project.
2.4 Control Points
A control point is a collection of averaged points set to be the known horizontal and
vertical(elevation) coordinates. usually tied to a reference datum. Control point information is
either supplied with a design or is created as needed. The (.CTL) extension is automatically
attached to the job name to match with data sets already created. Control points sent to you
must be downloaded, unzipped and moved to a findable location. Make as many control points
as needed.
2.4.1 Use Existing Control points
a. Select Control Points from the settings menu.
b. Select Open.
c. Find desired control point file then choose it.
d. For quick results, go to settings and select Refresh.
2.4.2 Create Control Points
a. Move the GPS antenna to a location where you want to create a control point.
b. Choose Control Points and then Add Point from the Options menu (⋮).
c. Enter a Name and Description for the new control point.
i. Name the point a memorable name or in numerical order for easy
reference.
ii. The description line is where you put a detail to help you find the
control point in the future such as: front of field, near rock in middle
of field, etc.