ashtech ZY-12 Owner's manual

Z-Xtreme™
GPS Receiver
Opern nca
www.thalesnavigation.com
THALES NAVIGATION
ZY-12
GPS Receiver
Information Supplement
www.thalesnavigation.com
THALES NAVIGATION

USER NOTICE
This manual comes as a supplement to the Z-12 Operation and Technical Manual
(Part No. 630810-01) to cover all operating aspects of the ZY-12 GPS receiver.
Chapter 1 is a copy of chapter 1 from P/N 630810-01 with two additional sections:
• a Back Panel section describing the ZY-12 back panel and the pin-outs for the
Power and Port X connectors
• A Specifications section gathering a number of ZY-12 specific features.
Chapter 2 is a copy of chapter 2 from P/N 630810-01 with an additional section about
RTCM differential at the end of the chapter (plus revised screen 4).
Chapter 3 is a copy of chapter 3 from P/N 630810-01 with an additional section about
the SEC. Module subscreen.
Chapters 5 and 6 are brand new chapters specific to the ZY-12.
Appendix A is a mere copy of Appendix E from P/N 630810-01.

Table of Contents
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Screen Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Back Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Power Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RS-232 Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Upgrading Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Automatic Power-Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Self-test Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Direct-Y Acquisition and Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
C/A Acquisition and Y Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Direct Y with L2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Selective Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Zeroizing Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Operating the Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Receiver Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Saving and Resetting User Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Resetting Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Creating a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Closing a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Downloading a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Deleting a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
System-Level Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
RTCM Differential Set Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Setting RTCM Format Type 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Screen Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Screen 0 - Skysearch Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Screen 1 - Orbit Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Screen 2 - Navigation Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Screen 3 - Tracking Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Screen 4 - Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Position Fix Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Differential Mode Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Session Program Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Receiver Control Subscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Serial Port Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Port A/Port B/Port C/Port D Parameter Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
External Frequency Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Pulse Generation Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Datum Select Subscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Modem Setup Subscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Subcommands Subscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SEC. Module Subscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Screen 5 - Differential Information/Residuals Error/MSK Status .47
Range Residuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
MSK Status Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Screen 6 - Waypoint Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Screen 7 - Satellite Selection Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Screen 8 - File Display and System Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Screen 9 - Site and Session Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Screen 10 - All-in-View Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Screen 11 - Visibility Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Screen 12 - Bar Code Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Serial Port Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Real-Time Data Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Setup for Real-time Data Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Contents of Real-time Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Security Function Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Key Loading Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Receiver Firmware Upload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Initial Self Test & Crypto Board Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
KYK13 Load Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Datums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

General Information 1
1
General Information
This manual describes the features of the ZY-12 GPS receiver, Figure 1.1, telling you
how to set up the receiver, how to collect data, and how the receiver operates. Many
field procedures, such as kinematic surveying, are also described.
The ZY-12 GPS receiver, making full use of the Navstar Global Positioning System,
provides state-of-the-art precision surveying and navigation. The ZY-12 is the first to
offer true all-in-view automatic tracking. With 12 independent channels, it
automatically tracks all the satellites in view, eliminating the need for manual,
programmed, or pre-programmed selection of common satellites between survey
sites.
The system includes a microstrip antenna mounted on a precision machined platform
for accurate positioning above the survey mark.
Figure 1.1. ZY-12 Receiver

2ZY-12 GPS Receiver
The ZY-12 receiver is easy to operate. After you position your tripod, you need
only turn the power on. Operating controls are on the front; input and output
connections on the back.
Screen Summary
The receiver functions are accessed through various screens, as summarized in
Table 1.1. Information in the title of a screen means display only. Control in the
title indicates a screen you interact with, such as Screens 4 and 9. Screens are
described in detail in Chapter 3, Screen Descriptions.
Table 1.1. Screen Summary
Screen Display Function
0Skysearch Information
1Orbit Information
2 Navigation Information
3Tracking Information
4Mode Control
5Differential Information
6Waypoint Control
7Satellite Selection Control
8System Control
9Site and Session Control
10 All-in-View Information
11 Visibility Information
12 Bar Code Control

General Information 3
General Information
Front Panel
The receiver front panel, Figure 1.2, includes an 8-line x 40-character backlit LCD
display, and various keys for controlling the receiver and entering data.
Table 1.2 describes the keys that activate the receiver's functions.
Figure 1.2. Front Panel
Table 1.2. Keys and Functions
Key or Function Description
0 - 9 Pressing a number key calls up a specific screen directly. The lower right corner
of the screen displays the screen number. Whenever the manual discusses a
screen, it identifies the screen by number (e.g., Screen 1, Orbit Information).
The number keys are used to enter alphanumeric data such as latitude, antenna
height, site name. Depending on the particular screen, number keys may have
other functions; for example, the [8] key for ‘yes'.
ccUse the ckey to cancel the current entry.
ePress the ekey to enter data-entry mode, to save values you have entered, and
to go back to higher level displays. (It functions much like the <ENTER> key on a
computer.)
E F In display mode, use the right arrow E key or the left arrow F key to change to
the next higher or lower numbered screen or subscreen. In data-entry mode,
use the left and right arrow keys to move the cursor to highlight a field or to flash
in a character position where your next entry will go.
G H The up and down arrow G H keys are used to scroll through the different pages
of a screen, or to raise and lower the contrast when only one page is available
and the receiver is in display mode.
G
H
E
F

4ZY-12 GPS Receiver
HIGHLIGHT: To highlight a parameter, use an arrow key to move the cursor until
that field displays in inverse video and a character position in that field is flashing.
SELECT: To select a parameter, highlight it and press the [e] key.
TOGGLE: To toggle a field, highlight it and press the +or -key until it displays the
setting you want. For example, below Screen 4, on the Port A/B Parameter
Selection screen, you can toggle through various baud rates. Use the right arrow
key to highlight the BAUD RATE indicator and press the +key or -key to scan
through 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200 to
the desired baud rate.
BACKLIGHTING: After two minutes of keyboard inactivity, the backlighting
automatically turns off to extend the life of the battery. To restore the display, push
any key. The ekey is recommended, since it does not change the display.
Back Panel
Figure 1.3 shows the connectors and power switch on the back panel. The
receiver operates with an input voltage between 10 and 32 Vdc from an external
power supply.
Two POWER-IN sockets let you use two external batteries. When only one
battery is connected and it comes close to discharge, a continuous tone indicates
that the voltage has dropped below 10 volts.
You can connect the second battery to the second connector and continue
recording data without interruption. Or you can connect two batteries at once for
long unattended observations; the receiver operates from the battery with the
higher charge. Table 1.3 describes the items on the back panel.
Figure 1.3. Back Panel

General Information 5
General Information
Table 1.3. Back Panel
Item Description
ON/OFF Power switch turns the receiver on and off.
EXT REF BNC connector for optional external reference frequency input.
CAMERA IN BNC input connector lets you record an accurate event time with a photogram-
metry camera-input option and cabling
1PPS BNC connector outputs a one-pulse-per-second signal synchronized with GPS
time.
POWER Two power connectors in parallel to apply input voltage to ZY-12 (see previ-
ously)
PWR OFF Toggle switch for Power
Red LED Crypto not keyed
Green LED Crypto successfully keyed
ZEROIZE Pushbutton used to zeroize the security key.
ANT Connector for the GPS antenna cable.
PORT 1 and PORT 2 Four RS-232 serial ports are available, embedded within two 16-pin connectors
labeled PORT 1 and PORT 2. Port 1 corresponds to software ports A and C.
Port 2 corresponds to software ports B and D. All four ports can be used for all
functions.
KYK-13 Connector for Crypto Fill Device

6ZY-12 GPS Receiver
Power Connectors
Use at least 22-gauge wire for external power cables.
• Pin A is the positive 10-32 VDC connection.
• Pin B is ground.
• Pin C: open.
Figure 1.4 below shows one of the two power connectors located at the back of
the receiver.
RS-232 Connectors
The RS-232 cables used with the ZY-12 receiver should mate with the female 16-
pin circular connectors on the receiver (see Figure 1.5 below).
Figure 1.4. Power Connector
Figure 1.5. RS232 Connector (Port 1, Port 2)

General Information 7
General Information
Figure 1.4 below lists pin assignments.
Port A/B is configured for full handshake, while port C/D is not.
Upgrading Firmware
The receiver can be upgraded with new firmware without opening the unit. The
receiver contains flash EPROMs which can be uploaded with new firmware from
your computer. Updates are shipped on a 3 ½-inch disk accompanied by
appropriate instructions. Contact Customer Support for more information.
Automatic Power-Down
The receiver automatically turns itself off if input voltage drops below 10 volts. A
beep sounds to indicate low battery, at which time you must shut down and
connect a fresh battery.
Table 1.4. RS232 Connector Pin-Out
Pin Number Description Abbreviation
1Ground GND
2Transmit data port A/B TXD0
3Receive data port A/B RXD0
4Request to send port A/B RTS0
5Clear to send port A/B CTS0
6Data set ready port A/B DSR0
7Ground GND
8Data carrier detect port A/B DCD0
9Data terminal ready port A/B DTR0
10 +5 VDC +5V
11 Ground GND
12 Transmit data port C/D TXD2
13 Receive data port C/D RXD2
14 Request to send port C/D RTS2
15 Clear to send port C/D CTS2

8ZY-12 GPS Receiver
Specifications
Accuracy
Static, Rapid Static or Pseudo-Kinematic Survey: 5 mm + 1 ppm
Real-time Differential Position: <1 m (PDOP <4)
Static occupation time: 2 seconds (typ)
Sub-centimeter accuracy with longer occupation time.
Azimuth: 0.15° + 1.5/baseline length in km
Self-test Procedure
Self-test is automatic on power-up. Reacquisition is automatic if loss of lock
occurs.
Direct-Y Acquisition and Tracking
Automatic when keyed.
C/A Acquisition and Y Tracking
Automatic when keyed.
Direct Y with L2
Automatic when keyed.
Selective Availability
Selective Availability (SA) is removed, if it is active, when the ZY-12 is keyed.
When it is not keyed SA will degrade the accuracy. Currently SA is not active.
Zeroizing Procedure
The ZY-12 is operational when keyed. The zeroizing key will put the ZY-12 into Z-
tracking mode.
There are two ways to zeroize:
1. Front Panel, Screen 4, Sub-screen SECURITY MODULE, Zeroize Y/N
2. Serial Command $PASHS,ZER.
3. Push PWR OFF Zeroize on back panel.

Getting Started 9
2
Getting Started
Operating the Receiver
Set up the receiver and start operation as described in the following procedure.
1. Connect one end of the power cable to a 10-32 VDC power source (generally
a battery pack) and the other end to either of the two POWER connectors on
the rear panel of the receiver (Figure 2.1).
Figure 2.1. Receiver Setup
Receiver
DC Input 10-32 VDC
POWER
GPS Antenna
Antenna
Cable
ANTENNA

10 ZY-12 GPS Receiver
2. Connect one end of the antenna cable to the GPS antenna and the other end
to the ANTENNA connector on the rear panel of the receiver.
3. Measure and record the antenna height (HI, Height of Instrument).
4. Start data collection by setting the ON/OFF switch on the rear panel to ON.
This initiates a self-test. If the receiver finds a problem, it stops and displays
an error message. If the receiver detects no problems, it briefly flashes the
copyright, and then displays Screen 0 (Figure 2.2).
In theory, no further interaction with a receiver is required for a static survey.
When the receiver is turned on, it automatically:
Searches and locks onto all available satellites
Makes GPS measurements and computes its position
Opens a file and saves all data into this file
When the receiver is turned off after a survey, it automatically saves the
collected data and closes the file. At this point, the data stored in the receiver
must be transferred (downloaded) to a PC for post-processing.
There are two primary screens for specifying information for a survey. These
screens are Screen 4 and Screen 9, described later. To operate the receiver
after it has been turned on, continue as follows:
5. On Screen 0, adjust contrast by pressing the up or down key.
You do not have to enter any information for your survey if the default
parameters are suitable. For a static survey, accept the defaults and go to
step 8.
Figure 2.2. Screen 0

Getting Started 11
Getting Started
6. Go to Screen 4, Mode Control (Figure 2.3) where you can change operational
parameters. To access Screen 4, press the [4] key.
7. The default values work very well for static surveys. However, if you choose to
alter a value, press [e] to shift to data entry mode. Use an arrow key to move
the cursor to the desired parameter, and change its value. Press the [e] key to
save the changes or the [c] key to abandon changes.
8. Call Screen 9, Site and Session Control (Figure 2.4) by pressing the [9] key.
Like Screen 4, you do not have to alter information to successfully conduct a
static survey. However, entering information now assists in automatic
processing.
Site information can be entered during data collection and do not affect or
interrupt the data collection process. The site data is output as an ASCII file
when the data is downloaded from the receiver.
Figure 2.3. Screen 4 - Mode Control
‘
Figure 2.4. Screen 9 - Site and Session Control

12 ZY-12 GPS Receiver
9. When it is time to conclude data collection, turn off the receiver by setting the
ON/OFF switch on the rear panel to OFF. The receiver automatically saves
the collected data, and closes the data file.
Receiver Configuration
To check the factory installed receiver configuration, go to Screen 8(Figure 2.5).
Issue command 888 by pressing the [e] key, the [8] key three times, then the [e]
key again. The configuration of your receiver appears on the display (Figure
2.6). You need this information when contacting Customer Support.
Figure 2.5. Screen 8
o
Figure 2.6. Receiver Configuration

Getting Started 13
Getting Started
S/N is the serial number of the receiver.
OPT is a list of option codes, as listed in Table 2.1. The order is important. A
dash (-) means your receiver does not have the corresponding option.
OPT SLOT NO indicates how many times options have been reloaded into the
receiver
SLP indicates the version of the sleep mode firmware, and its release date
NAV indicates the version of navigation firmware and its compilation date.
CHAN indicates the version of channel firmware and its compilation date.
Saving and Resetting User Parameters
When the values of most parameters are modified, they are not saved
automatically in the internal memory overriding the defaults, and resets after a
power cycle of the receiver.
Modified parameters can be saved by using the command 555. To use this
command, from Screen 8, press the [e] key, enter 555 and press [e] again. The
message "user parameters saved" displays.
To set parameters back to their original default values, use command 550. To use
this command, in Screen 8, press the [e] key, enter 550, and press [e] again. The
message "default parameters being restored" displays.
Table 2.1. Option Codes
Code Installed Option
D or U D = differential
U = remote only
PPhotogrammetry
1P1
2P2
MRemote monitoring
XExternal frequency
-Reserved
-Reserved
LSleep mode
-Reserved

14 ZY-12 GPS Receiver
This command updates some parameters to their default values and does not
clear the complete internal RAM.
Resetting Memory
A reset of the internal memory clears the receiver to the factory defaults,
including almanac and ephemeris data. To reset memory:
1. Turn the receiver off.
2. While pressing the up arrow key, turn the receiver on.
3. Keep pressing the up arrow until the message "Test of internal RAM. Will
clear all data. Press YES within 10 seconds to continue" displays.
4. Press [8] (YES), and the message "Push any key to continue" should
appear shortly. Press any key to continue with receiver normal operation.
A reset of the external memory of the receiver erases all data files displayed on
Screen 8 and stored in the memory. To complete this reset:
1. Turn the receiver off.
2. While pressing the right arrow key, turn the receiver on.
3. Keep pressing the right arrow until the message "Test of external RAM. Will
clear all data. Press YES within 10 seconds to continue" displays.
4. Press [8] (YES), and the message "Push any key to continue" should
appear after several seconds. Press any key. The receiver is now ready for
use.
Creating a File
Each time the receiver is turned on, a new file is created. The name is the site
name that was entered last. This name is preserved when the power is turned off.
The receiver can store up to 100 files.
Upon tracking a minimum of three satellites, data records in the last file shown on
Screen 8.
If more than 10 files are in memory, files are stored on a different "page" of the
screen. To scroll through the pages of files, press the up and down arrows. When
the memory is full, the receiver stops recording. Previously recorded data are not
overwritten or lost.