DCI DigiTrak Falcon F5 iGPS Owner's manual

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iGPS Module
Supplement A

DIGITALCONTROLINCORPORATED
ii DigiTrak Falcon F5 iGPSSupplement A
403-1820-00-B, printed on 7/26/2018
© 2018 by Digital Control Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
The DCI®logo, Falcon F5®, iGPS®, and DigiTrak®are U.S. registered trademarks.
Patents
Patent pending.
Limited Warranty
All products manufactured and sold by Digital Control Incorporated (DCI) are subject to the terms of a Limited Warranty. A copy of the
Limited Warranty can also be obtained at www.DigiTrak.com.
Important Notice
All statements, technical information, and recommendations related to DCI products are based on information believed to be reliable.
However, DCI does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. Before using any DCI product, the
user should determine the suitability of the product for its intended use. All statements herein refer to DCI products as delivered by DCI
for use with horizontal directional drilling in the ordinary course, and do not apply to any user customizations, third-party products, or
any usage of the DCI product outside of the ordinary course. Nothing herein shall constitute a warranty by DCI nor will anything herein
be deemed to modify the terms of DCI’s existing Limited Warranty applicable to all DCI products. DCI may update or correct the
information in this manual from time to time. You may find the most recent version of this manual on DCI's website, www.DigiTrak.com.
Under Service & Support, click Documentation and select from the Manuals drop-down menu.
Watch our DigiTrak Training Videos at www.youtube.com/dcikent

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Table of Contents
Important Safety Instructions 1
Acronyms 1
Introduction 2
Connecting iGPS 3
GNSS Signal Quality 3
GNSSDuring DataLog 4
How GNSS Affects DataLogging 5
White Lining (WL) 6
White Lining Menu 6
Set up White Line Job 7
Setting a White Line Flag 8
Upload White Line to PC 9
Delete White Line Job 10
View or Delete White Line Flags 10
Viewing GNSSData on Google Earth 11
Removing White Lines 12
iGPSInformation 12
Troubleshooting 12

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Important Safety Instructions
Always operate your DigiTrak locating system properly to obtain accurate depth, pitch, roll, and locate
points. If you have any questions about the operation of the system, please contact DCI Customer Service
for assistance.
This document is a companion to your Falcon F5®guidance system operator's manual, which contains a
more thorough list of warnings regarding the potential for serious injury and death, work slowdowns, property
damage, and other hazards and warnings regarding the operation of horizontal drilling equipment. Please read
and understand your system operator's manual completely before operating the equipment described in this
manual.
The GPS receiver contained within DCI’s iGPS module was designed, by a third-party manufacturer, to
operate at up to sub-meter accuracy (according to the manufacturer’s design specification, limited to North
America, with WAAS correction). However, the accuracy of GNSS readings may in some cases be less
than the design specification due to a variety of factors such as the weather, obstruction from trees, buildings
and other impediments, interference from other signals or from solar activity, geographic location, inability to
read from a sufficient number of satellites for proper triangulation and error correction, whether the datum of
the GPS receiver matches up with the datum used by mapping tools such as Google Earth, other
environmental conditions, and other factors. Accordingly, DCI does not warrant or guarantee, and disclaims
liability for, the accuracy of GNSS data. It is also possible that satellite signals may be unavailable in some
cases. DCI does not assume responsibility for the operation or failure of satellite-based positioning systems
or the lack of availability of satellite-based positioning signals.
The iGPS module is designed to provide GNSS coordinates at up to sub-meter accuracy (in North America)
for your DataLog and convenient White Lining of the bore site. It is not intended for use as a bore planner, for
high-precision as-builts, or to guide the drill head during drilling. Accurate guidance of the drill head requires
accurate tracking of the transmitter locate points as discussed in the Falcon F5 guidance system operator's
manual.
Monitor GNSS signal quality carefully using the iGPS LEDs and do not use GNSS readings unless at least
one of the three LED signal quality indicators is solid green (see GNSS Signal Quality on page 3).
Data logged, displayed, obtained, stored, and used by the Falcon F5, iGPS module, and LWD 3.04 is not
guaranteed to be accurate or complete. Human review and judgment is required. The accuracy and
completeness of data generated by HDD locating systems may be impacted by active or passive
interference and other environmental conditions, failure to calibrate or use the device properly, as well as a
variety of other factors.
The iGPS module is for use with DataLog files generated by a Falcon F5 receiver only. It is not compatible
with classic F5 or its DataLog files. Users of classic F5 or Eclipse receivers should continue using
LWD2.12.
Acronyms
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
GPS Global Positioning System
iGPS Integrated GPS
KML Keyhole Markup Language (used for Google Earth maps)
SBAS Satellite Based Augmentation System (increases GPSaccuracy)
WAAS Wide Area Augmentation System

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Introduction
iGPS Module on Falcon F5
The DigiTrak iGPS module is the newest companion to DCI's flagship Falcon F5®guidance system. It is a
lightweight and fully integrated GNSS receiver that provides positioning information directly to the DigiTrak
Falcon F5 walkover receiver. It is purpose-built for HDD field applications where above-ground location data
must be seamlessly integrated with underground locating data.
With iGPS, you can add GNSS coordinates to the entry, exit, and rods of any bore recorded with the
DataLog®feature. And welcome to White Lining:walk your completed bore with iGPS, or trace the outline of
a substation or utility crossing, and all these recorded paths transfer automatically onto a Google Earth
map—without ever picking up a tape measure or pen.
Capturing an accurate representation of the bore location is a requirement for public utilities and private
companies that install underground assets. The iGPS module powers up immediately upon attachment to the
Falcon F5 receiver and adds GNSS data to every logged depth reading. The data is viewable in table format
and can be exported as a KML file for overlay in Google Earth.
Attach or remove the iGPS module from your Falcon F5 receiver at any time; no need to shut down and
restart. Your receiver knows when the iGPS is attached and will collect GNSS data automatically with up to
sub-meter accuracy. The iGPS module is only compatible with specially-equipped Falcon F5-G receivers.
The GNSS data collected by the iGPS module appears in the data of a bore recorded using the DataLog
feature, as well as on Google Earth maps. For detailed information on recording your bore with DataLog, read
the operator's manual located on the flash drive that accompanied your LWD kit and also at
www.DigiTrak.com/CustomerService/Downloads.

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Click Support and then Software on our website for information on:
Cloud Manager Store and manage DataLogs from all your receivers in one convenient
place.
LWD Live Watch your bore profile in real time on your Aurora®touchscreen display.
Import a Vermeer BoreAssist file.
LWD Mobile Use your smart device to view and save a real-time profile of your bore.
Upload a Falcon F5 DataLog to your subscription cloud account for instant
viewing and analysis company-wide.
Importing White Lines to a DataLog requires Log-While-Drilling (LWD) version 3.04 or later. Please contact
DCICustomer Service if you need to update your LWD software.
Connecting iGPS
When installing the iGPS module on the Falcon F5 receiver, angle the module down and seat the front on the
receiver first (1), then press down the back of the module (2). You will feel and hear a click as it snaps into
place. To remove the module, lift the back first. Store the module safely in its carry case when not in use.
1. Install the front first
2. Press the back down second
iGPS Module
If the connectors on the iGPS module or receiver are wet prior to installation, proper power-on
may not occur. Gently dry the connectors before connecting the module, after which it will
perform well even when exposed to rain.
GNSS Signal Quality
Reception of signals from GNSS satellites requires an open view of the sky. The more satellites the iGPS
module can receive signals from, the more accurately it can determine its position. Signal strength and
quality will be reduced if obstructed by trees, buildings, rugged terrain, or inclement weather.
There are four LED lights at the front of the iGPS module. The leftmost light, when it is blue, indicates the
module is powered. If the blue changes to green, the iGPS is receiving corrections from an SBAS satellite
that provides additional accuracy.

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The next three green lights indicate signal quality. A flashing green light means satellite signals are still being
acquired. As the iGPSacquires more satellite signals and increases in accuracy, the light will turn solid, and
the next light to the right will flash, indicating the module is continuing to search for more satellite signals for
increased accuracy. Three solid green lights indicates the best signal reception and highest accuracy. Using
iGPS is still possible with fewer satellite signals, but response may be slower and accuracy will be reduced.
Signal quality is also reflected as green lights on the Record Depth/Pitch button on the DataLog recording
options screen (see GNSSDuring DataLog on page 4).
Monitor GNSS signal quality carefully using the iGPS LEDs and do not use GNSS readings
unless at least one of the three LED signal quality indicators is solid green.
What is SBAS?
SBASstands for Satellite Based Augmentation system. It supports wide-area or regional
augmentation through the use of additional satellite-broadcast messages. An SBAS is
commonly composed of multiple ground stations located at accurately-surveyed points. These
stations take measurements of one or more of the GPS satellites, the satellite signals, or other
environmental factors which may affect the signal received. Based on these measurements,
they send information messages to one or more satellites for re-broadcast to end users to
increase GPS signal accuracy.
GNSSDuring DataLog
When the iGPS module is attached while DataLog is enabled, it adds additional signal reception information
to the Record Depth/Pitch button on the DataLog recording options screen:
1. Record depth/pitch button
showing best GNSSsignal
strength
DataLog Recording Options Screen

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The green lights on the Record Depth/Pitch button mimic the three right-most solid green lights on the iGPS
module. A flashing green light on the module will not appear on the depth/pitch button.
Zero green circles means
poor accuracy.
Two green circles means
good accuracy.
One green circle means
moderate accuracy.
Three green circles means
best accuracy.
If the iGPS module is not connected or no GNSS data is available, this menu will use the standard
depth/pitch button with no GNSS strength information.
If the iGPS module is connected and the record button is still solid red, or if the green lights on
the record button do not match the three right-most solid green LEDs on the module, remove
and reconnect the iGPS module.
Depending on your work environment, occasional cleaning may be required: power off the
receiver, remove the iGPS, and clean the contacts on both it and the receiver with a cotton
swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. If necessary, first gently use an eraser to clean off the
contacts. After the contacts dry, reattach the iGPS and ensure the iGPS LED count matches
the receiver display.
How GNSS Affects DataLogging
Keep the following points in mind when capturing GNSS data with a DataLog.
lTo accurately log GNSS data points, record LWDdepth and data at the Locate Line only, not at a locate
point.
lRecording a data point at the FLP will save the iGPS data, but since it is not above the head where the
point will be graphed, iGPS latitude/longitude data will be hidden on the LWD report. You can individually
unhide these points later in LWD.
lTechnical note: since the FLPdata is recorded beyond the location of the drill head, the GNSS X-
Distance on the report will indicate where the iGPS point was recorded in relation to the X-Distance
position of the drill head.
lRecording data points as pitch-only or blank will not save any GNSSdata for latitude/longitude.
lWhile Rod 0 is a pitch-only recording, it does log the Rod 0 iGPS point, so record it with the receiver
positioned at the entry.

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White Lining (WL)
Turning on WL and marking features at the drill site is just like removing the cap from a marker and drawing
on a map, with the added bonus of being able to store White Lines and adding them to your Log-While-Drilling
(LWD) report or overlaying any number of them on a map of your bore. It does not use DigiTrak transmitter
data. To get started with WL, toggle up once (or down three times) in the Main menu and select White
Lining.
White Lining on Main Menu
White Lining Menu
The White Lining menu is very close in appearance and function to the DataLog menu.
1. Set up White Line Job
2. Upload White Line to PC
3. Delete White Line Job
4. View or Delete White Line
Flags
5. Exit
White Lining Menu
Since White Line jobs are saved on the Falcon F5 receiver independent of DataLog jobs, it is important to
make note of which WL is related to which DataLog job. The files are merged when you import (see page 9) a
White Line into an existing DataLog job in LWD on a computer. Using White Lines requires LWD version
3.04 or later.

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Set up White Line Job
Just like with DataLogs, select whether to Append to an existing White Line or Create a new one.
When you create a new White Line, the receiver immediately creates a sequentially-numbered White Line job
number (see caption #4 below).
When appending to a White Line, the previously logged path will not appear on the screen.
1. Drawing window
2. Logged path
3. A set flag
4. Job number
5. Recording duration
6. Number of flags set
7. Direct line distance from
start
8. Start or pause a White Line
9. Set a flag
10. Stop this White Line
White Line Live Screen
Select Start on the White Line Live screen to start or resume recording and walk the receiver on the path
you want to record. Click again to Pause the recording, which allows you to move to another part of the
bore site without recording data. At any time while White Lining, set a Flag to mark a feature you can
annotate later in Google Earth (see page 7). When you're done recording, select Stop . The next screen
lets you Close the White Line or Cancel to return to this Live screen.
While creating a White Line, the path will draw in real time on the drawing window, which will automatically
scale to show the entire path.

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Setting a White Line Flag
Set a flag on a White Line to mark a point of interest, like the drill rig location, utilities, obstructions, or
landmarks. Flags appear on the Live screen as a small red circle.
To set a White Line flag, toggle right in the Live screen (see previous section) and select . The receiver
displays the following flag information:
1. Flag number
2. Distance to previous flag
3. Cumulative distance of all
flags
Flag Set Screen
The information on this screen is not editable. Select to set the flag or to cancel.
Distances are measured in a straight line from flag to flag, not along the actual White Line path.

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Upload White Line to PC
Upload a white line to a PC in much the same way you upload a DataLog file:
1. In LWD 3.04, open the desired LWD job.
2. Click Manage GNSSWhite Lines .
3. Click Import.
4. On the receiver, select a White Line job from the list.
5. In LWD, click Connect to Device to upload the job.
6. Repeat for each White Line job. Multiple White Lines can be attached to one LWD file and
selectively displayed later on Google Earth maps.
7. To exit the job list on the receiver, toggle up at the top of the list.
If your version of LWDdoes not have a Manage GNSSWhite Lines icon, contact DCI customer service for a
software upgrade.
White Line Job List
LWDand WL (White Line) job numbers on the receiver are simply sequential; they do not
correspond and are not connected to each other. Ensure you upload White Lines to the correct
DataLog in LWD, or the White Line and bore will display in different geographic locations. To
view a White Line without associating it to any drill data, import it into a new blank LWD job.

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Delete White Line Job
From the Main menu select White Lining, Delete, and select whether to delete one White Line or all.
1. Delete one White Line job
2. Delete all White Line jobs
Delete White Lines Screen
For a single White Line Job, select it from the list.
At the next screen, toggle left and select Yes to delete.
View or Delete White Line Flags
From the Main menu select White Lining,View White Line, and select a White Line job from the list. The
subsequent table has three columns:
1. Flag ID number
2. Cumulative distance
3. Distance to previous flag
View White Lines Screen
ID is the flag number.
Cumulative distance is the total straight-line distance between all flags, starting from flag #1.
Distance to previous flag is the straight-line distance from the last flag.
To delete a flag, simply toggle to it, click to select, then select to confirm. Deleting a flag causes the
remaining higher-number flags to be renumbered so there is not a gap in the sequence.

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To exit the table of flags, toggle left or right.
If no flags were entered, this table will be blank.
If only one flag exists, the distance will be zero.
Viewing GNSSData on Google Earth
When you open your DataLog in LWD3.04 or later, you have the option of viewing the bore and/or White Line
as a Google Earth map overlay. To view your bore on Google Earth, do the following:
1. Install Google Earth on your computer from https://www.google.com/earth/.
2. In LWD, open the desired job.
Optional:If you haven't yet added an existing White Line to the bore, see Upload White Line to PC on
page 9 to do so, then save the job.
3. Select File >Export to KML....
4. Use the suggested file name or create your own, select your desired destination folder, and click
Save. This creates a separate KML file containing GNSS rod-by-rod data and all White Lines
imported into this job.
5. Locate and double-click the new .kml file to open in Google Earth.
The Google Earth interface has several options for moving around the map, changing views, and editing
viewing preferences. Please refer to the Google Earth application Help for details.
The following table lists some common functions in Google Earth.
To Do this
Move the map Drag the map
Rotate the map Ctrl+mouse wheel
Zoom in/out Use the onscreen + and - buttons at the right of the screen, or the slider
between them
Print the map Click the Print icon
Save the map Click the Save icon
Use street-level view Drag the orange person icon above the zoom control to a point on the
map; to exit, click the "Exit Street View" button at the top right of the
screen
Change direction in street
view Drag the map
Move in street view Click the map near the left or right edge
Google Earth provides minimal editing abilities that allow you to remove or hide a latitude/longitude point, but
hiding or showing the GNSSpoint in LWD3.04 prior to saving the KML file may produce better results.

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Removing White Lines
To view the bore in Google Earth without White Lines or other elements, expand the Places menu at the left
of the Google Earth screen:
Select or clear boxes as desired to show or hide different elements on the map.
iGPSInformation
When the iGPS module is attached to the Falcon F5, toggle down to the third page of the System Information
screen for details about the module itself.
System Information Screen
Troubleshooting
If GNSS data does not appear, or if the receiver responds as though the iGPS module is not connected, try
one of the following:
lRemove the iGPS module, wait five seconds, then re-install it.
lRemove the iGPS module, dry the contacts on both the module and receiver, and re-install it.
lRestart the receiver.
In most cases, restarting the receiver with the iGPS module connected will correct connectivity issues.
– End of Supplement –