ashtech MobileMapper 100 User manual

MobileMapper™100
Getting Started Guide
DRAFT#1, July 28, 2010

Table of Contents
What is MobileMapper 100?........................................................1
First-Time Use ...........................................................................2
Unpacking ............................................................................2
Charging the Battery for the First Time ....................................2
Inserting the Battery Into the Receiver.....................................3
Turning the Receiver On.........................................................3
Adjusting Backlight Level .......................................................4
Setting Backlight Idle Time ....................................................4
Power Management................................................................4
Regional Settings ..................................................................5
Locking the Screen and the Keypad.........................................5
How to Hold the Receiver .......................................................5
Switching to Suspend Mode....................................................6
Turning the Receiver Off ........................................................6
System Description.....................................................................7
Receiver Front View ...............................................................7
Receiver Rear View ................................................................8
Receiver Side View (Left)........................................................8
Receiver Bottom View ............................................................9
Docking Station .....................................................................9
Special Features ......................................................................12
Power Modes.......................................................................12
LED Indicator......................................................................13
Internal Battery ...................................................................13
GPRS Connection Using the Internal Modem..........................14
CDMA Connection Using an External Mobile Phone.................16
Using the Camera ................................................................19
Making a Video....................................................................20
Using Windows Mobile 6.5 ...................................................22
Using MobileMapper Field Software ...........................................23
Installing MobileMapper Field...............................................23
Getting Started With MobileMapper Field...............................24
Creating a New Job ..............................................................28
Creating New Layers ............................................................29
Adding Existing Layers to a Map Job......................................35
Adding Background Maps .....................................................35
Logging New Features ..........................................................38
Revisiting Features ..............................................................46
Upload/Download Functions .................................................48
Coordinate Systems .............................................................49
Voice Setting.......................................................................50
Post-Processing Option and MobileMapper Office........................51
Unlocking the Post-Processing Option in the Receiver .............51
Logging Raw Data................................................................51
Installing MobileMapper Office Software ................................52

Post-Processing With Mobile-Mapper Office Software ..............53
Quality Control in Post-Processing .........................................57
Export Function ...................................................................57
More About MobileMapper Office ..........................................58
Post-Processing Demo..........................................................61
GNSS Toolbox..........................................................................62
Options...............................................................................62
GNSS Settings ....................................................................63
Differential Mode.................................................................63
NMEA Output......................................................................64
GNSS Status .......................................................................64
Reset..................................................................................65
Troubleshooting ...................................................................66
About .................................................................................66
Turn Off GNSS ....................................................................67
Installing Geoids ......................................................................68
Platform Specifications.............................................................69
GNSS Characteristics ...........................................................69
RMS Horizontal Accuracy Figures..........................................69
Processor ............................................................................69
Operating System ................................................................69
Communication ...................................................................70
Physical Characteristics........................................................70
User Interface .....................................................................70
Memory .............................................................................70
Environmental Characteristics ...............................................70
Power Requirements ............................................................71
Multimedia & Sensors ..........................................................71
Standard Accessories ...........................................................71
Optional Accessories ............................................................71

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What is MobileMapper 100?
Thank you for purchasing a MobileMapper 100 from Ashtech.
This guide will provide useful information about your receiver.
It will also guide you through your first steps of using
MobileMapper 100 in the field.
Designed for GIS data collection and mapping, the
MobileMapper 100 integrates an open operating system,
built-in communications and the Ashtech’s powerful BLADE
technology.
BLADE allows the MobileMapper 100 to operate in extreme
GNSS environments while maintaining high levels of
accuracy most GIS professionals are seeking.
Ashtech MobileMapper 100 delivers state-of-the art features
in a smart, compact, and lightweight handheld concept that
will give you the ultimate field experience.
Combined with MobileMapper Field proprietary software or
Ashtech Business partners’ offerings, MobileMapper 100 will
bring the openness, flexibility and scalability needed to
answer all your mobile GIS requirements.

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First-Time Use
Unpacking Open the receiver box and unpack the following items:
• Receiver
• Battery
• Docking station
• Universal AC adapter
•USBcable
Charging the
Battery for the First
Time
The fastest way to charge the battery before first use is to plug
it directly onto the back of the docking station and leave it
there for less than 4 hours until it’s fully charged. Follow the
instructions below.
• Prepare the AC adapter:
– Remove the protective cover [1] by pushing the button
then sliding the cover forward.
– Choose the plug that fits your country’s AC outlet
standard (see [2]) and slide it into the AC adapter [3}.
(A “click” must be heard when fully inserted.)
– Connect the AC adapter to an electric outlet.
• Put the docking station [4] on a horizontal plane.
[1]
[2]
[3]
[5]
[4]
[6]
[7]

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• Connect the output cable [5] of the AC adapter to the
docking station.
• Insert the battery [6] vertically, label inwards, into the slot
located at the back of the docking station.The light
indicator [7] turns red, meaning the battery is being
charged.
• When the light indicator [7] turns green, this means the
battery is fully charged and you can remove it from the
docking station.
Inserting the
Battery Into the
Receiver
When the battery has been charged, do the following:
• Turn over the receiver and rotate the finger screw counter-
clockwise a quarter turn and pull the trap door open.
• Insert the battery as shown. The label must be outwards
and the right way up.
• Put the trap door back into place by first inserting the two
clips located at the top of the trap door.
• Then push the door against the case and rotate the finger
screw clockwise by one-quarter turn for a secure and
sealed closure.
Turning the
Receiver On
Press the Power button [8] until the screen lights up.
Then let the receiver run its boot sequence. Wait until the
screen displays the Windows Mobile 6.5 Start screen.
[8]

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Adjusting
Backlight Level
The screen backlight may be adjusted to match the ambient
light for optimized visibility. You don’t need the same level of
screen backlight in dark areas than in hot sun.
• From the Start screen, tap successively on Start, Settings,
System and Brightness.
• Drag the cursor to the right or left to set the screen
backlight to the desired level (between 0 and 10). The
resulting brightness is obtained when you release the
cursor.
•TapOK to save your setting and return to the Start screen.
Setting Backlight
Idle Time
One way of saving the battery is to avoid those periods of time
during which the screen backlight is unnecessarily on.
As the receiver automatically counts the time during which
neither the keypad nor the touch screen is active, you can set
the receiver to turn off the backlight automatically after a
certain idle time.
• From the Start screen, tap successively on Start, Settings,
System and Backlight.
• Choose the idle time before the backlight is turned off
(10 seconds, 30 seconds or 1 to 5 minutes). For
maximum power saving, you may clear the option that re-
activates the screen backlight on touching the screen or
pressing a key.
Different settings may be made for these two parameters
depending on the power source used (battery or external).
•TapOK to save your settings and return to the Start screen.
Power
Management
A more radical way of saving the battery is to turn the receiver
off automatically after a certain period of inactivity.
• From the start screen, tap successively on Start, Settings
and Power.
• Tap on the Advanced tab. This tab allows you to ask for the
receiver to switch automatically to Suspend mode if it
stays idle for the period of time you choose. You may
choose a different setting depending on whether the
receiver is powered from the internal battery or from an
external power source.
•TapOK to save your settings and return to the Start screen.

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Regional Settings
It’s a good idea to customize your receiver so that it complies
with a number of local preferences, such as country’s
currency, decimal point representation, time and date
formats, etc.
• From the Start screen, tap successively on Start, Settings,
System and Regional Settings.
•OntheRegion tab, select your country.
• Use the other tabs to set your local settings:
– Number format
– Currency choice
– Time and date formats
•TapOK to save your settings and return to the Start screen.
Locking the
Screen and the
Keypad
At some stage in your work, you may need to lock the receiver
to make sure no user intervention from the screen or keypad
can affect the work in progress.
• From the Start screen, tap on Start.
• At the bottom of the screen, tap Lock. As a result, the
touch screen and keypad are made inactive.
• To unlock the touch screen and keypad, just drag the on-
screen slide button either to the left or right. This will take
you back to the Start screen.
How to Hold the
Receiver
Tracking satellites with your receiver requires that you hold it
in an appropriate manner.
The receiver will have the best view of the sky when you hold
it at an angle of 45 degrees from horizontal and not too close
to your body.
You can check that your receiver is tracking enough satellites
by running the GNSS Toolbox, and more particularly the
GNSS Status function (see GNSS Status on page 64). When

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enough satellites are tracked, you can start using your
receiver and run your application software.
Switching to
Suspend Mode
Switching the receiver to Suspend mode is the right thing to
do when you need to make a short pause in your work. In
Suspend mode, the receiver is idle, using the minimum of
energy required to save the use context.
To switch to Suspend mode, just press briefly on the Power
button [8].
To wake up the receiver, hold the same button pressed ntil the
screen wakes up. This will instantly restore the use context in
which the receiver was before entering the Suspend mode.
Turning the
Receiver Off
After you have finished your field work, turn off your receiver
by holding the Power button [8] pressed until the message
“Saving Parameters..” is displayed on the screen.
The power shutdown will be effective after about 25 seconds.
Tapping OK in the upper-right corner of the screen will not
affect the progress of the power shutdown sequence but
simply close the message window. There is indeed no way of
shortening or canceling the power shutdown sequence.
[8]

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System Description
Receiver Front
View
Display Screen
The display screen [1] is a 3.5-inch QVGA color touch screen
(240 x 320 pixels).
Keypad, Scroll and Enter Buttons
The keypad [2] consists of the following buttons:
The Enter button [3] is used to accept highlighted input and
initiate various functions.
The Scroll button [4] is the ring around the Enter button. It
is used to move the cursor on the screen, from one data field
to the next on a parameter screen, from one option to another
in a menu, from one geographical location to another on a
map screen.
Stylus and Stylus Holder
The stylus [5] can be used to work directly from the touch
screen. When not used, the stylus can conveniently be stored
in the receiver by inserting it into the dedicated holder [5].
Built-in GNSS Antenna
The receiver incorporates a built-in antenna [6]. The receiver
should be held properly to optimize satellite reception.
Microphone
A microphone is used by the voice recorder. Keep the small
aperture [7] clear when recording a vocal comment.
[6]
[7]
[2]
[1]
[8]
[5]
[3] [4]
[9]
Button Function
The keypad includes two of these buttons, one on the right,
the other on the left.
Each of them is a convenient alternative to tapping on the
functions appearing just above in the task bar at the bottom
of the screen (e.g. Menu, Log, etc.). These buttons are
active only for those software applications specifically
designed to use them.
Use this button to enlarge the map displayed on the screen
(zoom in).
Use this button to reduce the map displayed on the screen
(zoom out).
In some software applications, use this button to cancel the
last action performed or return to the previous screen.
Use this button to show or hide the virtual keyboard on the
screen.

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Built-in GSM Antenna
[8]: Location of the built-in GSM antenna used for mobile
communications.
Built-in Bluetooth Antenna
[9]: Location of the built-in Bluetooth antenna for wireless
communication with nearby Bluetooth-fitted equipment.
Receiver Rear
View
Camera Lens
Keep the camera lens [10] clear when taking pictures or
recording videos.
Loudspeaker
As a multi-media device, the receiver includes a high-quality
loudspeaker [11], which can be used by any voice-based
software application.
Battery Compartment
The receiver makes use of a rechargeable battery pack.
Loosen the quarter-turn finger screw [12] to access the
battery compartment [13],
Receiver Side
View (Left)
Power Button
• With the receiver off, pressing the Power button [14]
briefly will turn on the receiver.
• After the receiver has completed the boot sequence,
another short press on the Power button will put the
receiver in Suspend mode. Please refer to Power Modes on
page 12 for more information on the Suspend mode.
• To quit the Suspend mode, hold the Power button pressed
for a few seconds until the screen wakes up. The receiver
will then restore the context in which it was before being
switched to Suspend mode.
• With the receiver on, holding the Power button pressed for
about 3 seconds will result in a receiver being turned off
after about 30 seconds. In the sequence before effective
receiver shutdown, the screen will display the message:
“Saving Parameters...”.
[10]
[12] [13]
[11]
[17]
[14]
[16]
[15]

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Power & Battery LED
The three-color LED [15] gives indications on the receiver
power status, and on the battery state, in relation with the use
of the docking station. Please refer to LED Indicator on
page 13 for more information on the LED indications.
SD Card Slot
Gives access to an SD card slot [16], protected by a rubber
flap. Use a finger nail or the tip of a pen to open the flap.
Whenever possible, keep the flap close.
Inserting an SD card: Push the SD card in until you hear a
“click”.
Removing an SD card: Push a bit further in and let go.
External Antenna Input
Use the external antenna input [17] to connect an external
antenna to the receiver. When an external antenna is
connected, the built-in antenna is automatically
disconnected from the receiver input.
The antenna input connector is protected by a rubber flap.
Warning! Always keep the flap close when no external
antenna is used.
Receiver Bottom
View
Power/Data Connector
This connector ([18]) is used to connect the receiver to the
docking station. This is achieved by simply inserting the
receiver in an almost vertical position into the docking
station. A secure connection is obtained once the receiver
naturally rests on the docking station.
There is also a threaded hole in the middle of the connector
allowing you to secure the connection of the POGO cable to
the receiver.
Docking Station The docking station basically is a holder for the receiver. It
may be used at the office for various and combined purposes:
• As a safe and convenient tool for temporary receiver
storage. The receiver is held firmly minimizing the risk of
fall or scratches.
• As a battery charger once powered by the AC adapter. The
docking station can charge the battery inserted in the
[17]
[14]
[16]
[15]
[18]

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receiver as well as an additional battery placed at the back
of the docking station.
When two batteries are charged simultaneously, fast
charging (< 4 hours) is for the battery in the receiver and
slow charging (about 11 hours) for the spare battery
located at the back of the docking station.
Charging for the spare battery switches to fast charging
once the receiver battery is fully charged or the receiver is
removed from the docking station.
• As an interface with a computer for office work, using a
serial data line and Microsoft ActiveSync.
Top View
The top view of the docking station shows the slot [19] in
which to insert the receiver from above the docking station.
At the bottom of the slot is the 16-contact connector [20].
When resting on the docking station, the receiver is
automatically powered from the AC adapter (if connected)
and the charging status of its internal battery tested.
[19]
[20]

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Rear View
The following elements can be found at the rear of the
docking station:
• Back slot [21] for charging a second battery
• Charging indicator [22] for back slot:
– Steady red: Battery charging in progress
– Steady green: Battery fully charged
– Off: No battery connected
– Blinking red, every second: Battery internal
temperature exceeds upper limit. Charging suspended
until temperature is back to normal. If persisting,
remove battery and resume charging later. If this
occurs several times with the same battery, consider
changing the battery. Dispose of the battery according
to regulations.
• Mini USB connector [23]: Use this connector to let the
receiver communicate with your computer through
Microsoft ActiveSync.
• USB connector [24], Use this connector to plug a USB
key.
• RS232 SubD 9-C connector [25]: Use this port to connect
the receiver to an external device.
• Power input [26]. Connect the output of the AC adapter to
this input.
[21] [22]
[23] [24] [25] [26]

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Special Features
Power Modes The receiver can be powered from one of two different
sources:
• Its internal battery (typically for field operations)
• The power line, through the AC adapter and the docking
station (typically for office work). These two items are part
of the basic supply.
The receiver can operate in two different power modes:
•Full power mode: This is the normal power mode used
during field work for which all the receiver functions are
active.
•Suspend mode: This is a power saving mode typically used
in the field to allow a quick restart after a pause. In this
mode, only some parts of the receiver are powered for the
sole purpose of restoring the context of use in which the
receiver was when it was switched to Suspend mode.
GNSS reception is not however maintained in that mode.
The receiver can also enter the Suspend mode
automatically after an idle time that you can set through
Start, Settings, Power (Advanced tab) (See also Power
Management on page 4) or in case of a very low battery
after dismissing successively the two “low battery” alerts.
Please note the following points whenever the receiver is
connected to a docking station powered by the AC adapter:
• If the receiver is currently on, the power input is switched
automatically from the internal battery to the AC adapter.
• Whether the receiver is on or off, the internal battery is
tested for its charging status. If it is discharged, a
charging sequence is started automatically. The end of
charging is also automatically detected, meaning you are
allowed to keep the battery and/or the receiver on the
docking station without any risk of overcharging.
• The AC adapter and docking station are designed to
provide power to the receiver while ensuring the charging
of two batteries (one in the receiver and the other
connected at the back of the docking station).
• The receiver can also be switched to Suspend mode while
being connected to the docking station.

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LED Indicator The tables below summarize the different statuses reported
by the Power/Charging LED [1]:
Internal Battery When used in the field with its internal battery, the receiver
will automatically inform you of the battery discharging status
as follows:
Table 1. Standalone Receiver
Power
Mode
LED
Indication
On Green a few seconds at power on, then off.
Off Off
Suspend Green flash every 5 seconds.
[1]
Table 2. Receiver on Powered Docking Station, Normal Statuses
LED Indication Power Mode Internal Battery Status
Steady red On or off Charging
Steady red with green
flash every 5 seconds Suspend Charging
Steady green On, off or Suspend Charge complete
Table 3. Receiver on Powered Docking Station, Abnormal Statuses
LED
Indication
Power
Mode
Internal Battery
Status Comment
Blinking red at
1-sec. time
interval On or off
Battery charging
suspended
because battery
temperature too
high.
This should be a temporary
situation. Charging will be
resumed as soon as the
temperature drops below the
upper limit. If a persisting sit-
uation, consider using a new
battery and disposing of that
one.
Blinking green
then orange at
1-sec. time
interval
On or off
Charge complete,
battery tempera-
ture too high.
Remove the receiver from
the docking station. The bat-
tery may be suspect. If this
happens later with the same
battery, consider using a
new battery and disposing of
that one.

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• At the top of the screen in the title bar, a permanently
displayed icon (top right) gives a rough indication of the
battery status. When the battery is high, the battery icon
looks like this:
• At any time you can read more in detail the battery status
by selecting Start, Settings, Power (see screen example).
• When the remaining charge drops below 1/3rd of full
charge, you will see the message “Main Battery Low”
prompting you to replace or recharge the battery. Tap
Dismiss in the task bar. You may continue using the
receiver for a while.
You will also see this icon in the title bar:
• About an hour later, with only about 1/5th of remaining
charge, a new message will pop up: “Main Battery Very
Low”. Tap Dismiss in the task bar to continue using the
receiver. Ashtech however recommends that you turn off
the receiver and replace the battery. Place the low battery
at the back of the docking station at the office so that it
can be quickly recharged.
At this stage, if you persist in using the receiver with its
low battery, it won’t be long before the receiver is forced
to switch to Suspend mode, meaning the battery is no
longer charged enough to ensure proper operation of the
receiver. Ashtech recommends you do not go that far in
the use of the internal battery as this may irreversibly
damage it.
In case of long-time storage, remember Li-Ion batteries must
always be recharged regularly, about every six months. This is
to prevent irreversible damage of the batteries.
GPRS Connection
Using the Internal
Modem
Using the internal modem requires that you purchase a SIM
card from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and you get some
information from this provider to use it. With the SIM card
inserted in the dedicated slot and the built-in Phone function
enabled, the receiver will be able to perform an Internet
connection via that provider.
GPRS
Internet

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Inserting a SIM Card
Remove the battery door and the battery to access the SIM
card holder. Refer to the figure below to insert the card. The
holder should be opened before you can place the SIM card.
Make sure you properly lock the SIM card holder before
putting back the battery and locking the battery door.
Enabling the Phone Function
•TapStart, Settings, Connections, Wireless Manager. This
opens the Wireless Manager window.
• Tap anywhere on the blue Phone bar. This turns on the
Phone function. The color of the Phone bar turns dark
blue with a phone icon showing up on the right.
•TapDone (at the bottom of the screen) to close the window
and return to the Start screen.
Setting the GPRS Connection
•TapStart, Settings, Connections and Connections.
• Tap on the hyperlink: Add a new modem connection.
• Name the new modem connection you are creating.
• Select “Cellular Line (GPRS)” from the Select a modem
field.
[1] [2] [3]
[4]
[5]

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•TapNext (bottom of the screen).
•EntertheAccess point name. This information should have
been passed on to you by your ISP.
•TapNext.
• Enter the following information, also passed on to you by
your ISP when purchasing the SIM card:
–User Name
–Password
–Domain (if required by your ISP)
•TapFinish. This takes you back to the initial Connections
screen on which a new hyperlink is now displayed (Manage
existing connections).
You will use this hyperlink to re-access the connection
profile you have just created (see below).
Activating the Internet Connection
•TapStart, Settings, Connections and Connections.
• Tap on the hyperlink: Manage existing connections.
• Tap and hold the name of the connection profile you have
just created (e.g. “My Connection”) and select Connect.
• Take a look at the Start bar and check that the Connect
icon looks like this after the GPRS connection has been
established:
A click on this icon will show you the active connection(s).
CDMA Connection
Using an External
Mobile Phone
Connecting the receiver to a CDMA network requires the use
of an external mobile phone compatible with this type of
network.
The receiver will communicate with the CDMA network via
the mobile phone, and a Bluetooth connection with be used
between the receiver and the mobile phone.
Bluetooth
CDMA
Internet