KQ GEO Technologies M8 User manual

i
M8
Hardware Operating Instructions
KQ GEO Technologies Co., Ltd.

ii
Preface
Thank you for choosing KQ GEO’s M8. The M8 is a high-accuracy and high-performance
multi-frequency GNSS RTK and mapping system professionally designed for surveying
fieldwork by KQ GEO.
Please read the instructions especially the notes and reminding items before you start the
fieldwork!
The below contents of M8 are introduced in sequence: the appearance and technical
specifications, the basic operations, the external radio instructions, and troubleshooting.
Regards to the K8 as the controller for M8, the detailed information will be introduced in
their corresponding manuals.
To make sure the optimal performance of the instrument, please use the original
accessories in the standard package, or the recommended accessories by KQ GEO referring
to the KQ GEO instructions or manuals. Any damage caused by improper operations or
unspecified accessories, users should bear all the consequences.
This instruction is aimed to guide users how to use the M8 correctly for best performance.
The pictures attached are only for reference. And any update is without notice. Users can
visit our company website www.kqgeo.com or contact the local distributor directly for
more lasted information.
ILLUSTRATIONS, DESCRIPTIONS AND TECHNICAL DATA IN THIS USER MANUAL ARE NOT
BINDING, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

iii
Content
Overview.....................................................................................................................................................................1
M8 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Function Feature ................................................................................................................................... 2
Technical Specifications......................................................................................................................... 3
Note....................................................................................................................................................... 4
M8 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................5
Control Panel......................................................................................................................................... 6
Lower Cover......................................................................................................................................... 10
Radio Module ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Battery................................................................................................................................................. 11
M8 Base Standard Configuration List................................................................................................... 12
M8 Rover Standard Configuration List................................................................................................. 13
M8 Operations......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Power On and Power Off..................................................................................................................... 15
Power Management ............................................................................................................................ 15
Radio Module Installing....................................................................................................................... 18
SIM Card Installing............................................................................................................................... 18
Audio Broadcast .................................................................................................................................. 19
Register ............................................................................................................................................... 19
Controller connecting (standard K8)...................................................................................................................... 20
K8 Controller Connecting..................................................................................................................... 21
Common Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................................... 25
M8 Common Troubleshooting............................................................................................................. 26
Appendix: Built-in Radio Instructions .................................................................................................................... 27
Built-in Radio Module Introduction ..................................................................................................... 28
Factory Default Frequency List (Built-in radio module)........................................................................ 28
Contact Us................................................................................................................................................................ 31

1
Overview
M8 Overview
Function Features
Technical Specifications
Notes and Reminding Items

M8 Hardware Operating Instructions
2
M8 Overview
The M8 is a high-accuracy and high-performance multi-frequency GNSS RTK and mapping
system professionally designed for surveying fieldwork by KQ GEO. With the most
advanced high-precision real-time kinematic positioning technologies, M8 is able to
search and track all the GNSS satellites signal in view so as to provide users with
high-accuracy, high-efficiency and most reliable RTK survey performance. Being an
outstanding assistant and tool in different fields such as electric power, transportation,
agriculture, forestry, and land survey, it can do high-accuracy RTK, wide-range control
survey, construction stakeout, topographic mapping, high accuracy marine survey and
etc.
Together with the K8 as the standard packaged controller, M8 system is the professional
RTK while completes the data collection and processing both during fieldwork, providing
powerful and flexible solution for various GNSS applications. It does greatly improve the
fieldwork efficiency.
Function Feature
Dual power supply design, industry's highest large capacity Li-ion battery,
supports hot plug power battery replacement
Configured with software supporting GPS, GLONASS, and BDS
Seamless compatible with various CORS systems
Linux intelligent system
Support GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo
Support WASS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN
Fast initialization and satellite tracking technology
Intelligent fault diagnosis and audio reminder function
Built-in high-performance processor can process 20Hz data
Built-in transmitting-receiving UHF radio, 3G/GPRS, Bluetooth
Support one-key setup for base
Standardized design, exchangeable base and rover

M8
3
Technical Specifications
Processor
454MHz industrial level processor
Memory capacity
256M Byte DDR2 SDRAM
Saving capacity
2G Byte NAND Flash
GNSS technical parameters
Mother
board type
PCC BD970/NovAtel OEM 628
Tracking
channel
220 channel (BD970）:
-GPS: L1 C/A, L2E, L2C, L5
-GLONASS: L1 C/A, L1 P, L2 C/A, L2 P
-GIVOVE-A/B
-BD-2: B1/B2
-SBAS
120 channel (OEM628):
–GPS: L1, L2, L2C
–GLONASS: L1, L2
–Galileo: E1、GIVOVE-A/B
–Compass
–SBAS
Positioning
accuracy
Single point positioning: 2-3 m
Static network post-processing:
horizontal: ±(2.5 mm＋1ppm)
height: ±(5 mm＋1ppm)
PPP(static) post-processing: 5cm
PPP(dynamic) post-processing: 10cm ~ 20cm
Dynamic route post-processing: 5cm ~ 20cm
RTK:
horizontal: ±(10 mm＋1ppm)
Height: ±(20 mm＋1ppm)
Communication parameters
GSM/3G
WCDMA(850/900/1700/1900/2100NHz)
GSM（850/900/1800/1900MHz）
Bluetooth
2.4GHz V2.0+EDR
U disc
Support U disc storage extension up to 64GB, support hot plug
Built-in UHF
Adjustable 0.5W/2W, support 5 km working distance, 9600 or 19200bps
Indicator led
Power led, satellite led, communication led
Key
One power key, two function keys
Port
USB 2.0/ RS232 serial port, debugging port /TNC UHF antenna port
Application function
Speaker for voice broadcast
Power supply
Battery
Dual power supply + assistant battery design (6800mAh×2+650mAh), the
main battery supports hot plug, changing battery without powering off
Power supply
Support 9~36V DC battery as power supply;
Support 220V AC as power supply

M8 Hardware Operating Instructions
4
Hardware physical
Size
ф184.5×105mm
Weight
1.5kg (with battery)
Working circumstance
Working temperature
–45°C~+65°C
Memory temperature
–55°C~+85°C
Water/ dust-proof
IP67
Note
Although M8 is made of corrosion-resistant and impact-resistant materials, this kind of
sophisticated instrument still needs careful usage and maintenance. Please preserve it in
dry environment as possible. To improve the stability and service life, the M8 should
avoid being exposed to extreme environment, such as being used in damp, high
temperature, low temperature, corrosive gas or liquid, etc.
To ensure the continuity and quality of the satellite tracking, the space over observation
site should be as open as possible, without large obstacles over 15° elevating angle. To
reduce various electromagnetic interference to GNSS satellite signal, please make sure
no strong electromagnetic interference in 200m range around the observation site, such
as TV tower, microwave station, high-voltage transmission. To avoid or to reduce the
multi-path influence, the site should be set far away from the terrain and ground
features where the electromagnetic wave signal reflection is strong, such as high
buildings, large area waters, etc.
Note:
This equipment contains ESDS (Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive Device), with level
C of electrostatic anti-interference test. To touch, move, or plug the equipment
please follow the ESD (electro-static discharge) instructions.
Must be used and preserved in the stipulated temperature range. For details,
please refer to the previous chapter: Technical Specifications。

5
M8 Introduction
Control Panel
Lower Cover
Radio Module
Battery
M8 Base Standard Configuration List
M8 Rover Standard Configuration List
CHAPTER
2

M8 Hardware Operating Instructions
6
Control Panel
Indicator
Indicator
Explanation
Power indicator
Flash in red: in charging
Slow flash in green: low battery
Green: normal status, full battery
Communication
indicator
On in yellow: 3G connected/waiting for data from server
Flash in red/green: Receive or send data
Off: no data transmission in procedure
Satellite indicator
On: satellites tracked
Flash (in static collection mode): the flashing times stands for
the tracked satellites number
Off: no satellites tracked
Button
Button
name
Operation
Explanation
Power
button
Long press for 3
seconds
Long press for 3 seconds in turned-off status to turn
on the receiver; long press for 3 seconds in turned-on
Communication
indicator
Satellite
indicator
Power
indicator
Power
button
Function
button F1
Function
button F2

M8
7
status to turn off the receiver.
Single click
Confirm setting
Function
button F1
Single click F1
Select working mode, or check current working mode
Double click F1
Enter working mode configuring
Long press F1
Set selecting built-in radio channel in clockwise or
counterclockwise way
Function
button F2
Single click F2
Working parameters configuring, or check current
working mod
Double click F2
Enter working parameters configuring
Long press F2
One-key setup base
Note: single click time is 100ms～1000ms, double click means two single clicks whose
interval is 100-200ms, long press time is about 5s.
Working mode configuring
Button operation flow
Double click F1 -------> single click F1 -------> single click power button
Audio broadcast process
Double click F1:
“Please select working mode”
Single click F1:
“3G base”
“External radio base”
“Internal radio base”
“3G rover”
“External radio rover”
“Internal radio rover”
“Static”
Single click power button:
“Configure successfully” or “Configure failed”
Working parameters configuring
Button operation flow
Double click F2 -------> single click F2 -------> single click F1 -------> single click
power button
Audio broadcast process (in accordance with the current working mode)
Double click F2:

M8 Hardware Operating Instructions
8
“Working parameter configuration”
Single click F2:
“Channel configuration” (in internal radio base/rover mode)
“Radio power configuration” (in internal radio base mode)
“Elevation angle configuration” (in static mode)
“Collection interval configuration” (in static mode)
Single click F1:
When select the radio channel: “Channel 1”, “Channel 2”, “Channel 3”, “Channel
4”, “Channel 5”, “Channel 6”, “Channel 7”, “Channel 8”
When set radio power: “High”, ”Low”
When set elevation angle: “5 degrees”, “10 degrees”, “15 degrees”
When set collection interval: “1 second”, “5 seconds, “10 seconds”, “15 seconds”
Single click power button:
When set the radio channel:
“Radio channel configured” or “Radio channel configuration failed”
When set radio power:
“Radio power configured” or “Radio power configuration failed”
When set elevation angle:
“Elevation angle configured” or “Elevation angle configuration failed”
When set collection interval:
“Collection interval configured” or “Collection interval configuration failed”
One-key setup base
Button operation flow
Super-long press F2
Audio broadcast process
“One-key setup base”
“One key setup base successful”
“One key setup base failed”
Working status audio broadcast
Button operation flow
Single click F1 or F2
Audio broadcast process
In CORS working mode through 3G:
“3G rover”
In base working mode through 3G:

M8
9
“3G base”
In rover working mode through 3G:
“3G rover”
In base working mode through built-in radio:
“Internal radio base”
“High radio transmission power” or “Low radio transmission power”
Radio channel: 1～8,
In rover working mode through built-in radio:
“Internal radio rover”
Radio channel: 1～8,
In base working mode through external radio:
“External radio base”
In rover working mode through external radio:
“External radio rover”
In static mode:
“Static”
Elevation angle: “5 degrees”, “10 degrees”, or “15 degrees”
Collection interval: “1 second”, “5 seconds”, “10 seconds”, or “15
seconds”
Satellites number: 1～22
Automatical audio broadcast process
“Satellite locked” or “Satellite losing-lock”
“Remote server connected” or “Remote server disconnected” (in 3G
base/rover working mode)

M8 Hardware Operating Instructions
10
Lower Cover
Radio module slot: for radio module installation
Radio module connector: connecting point between radio module and
receiver mainframe
Speaker: audio broadcasting receiver working mode, working status, etc.
Connecting screw hole: for fixing receiver to the pole or tri-branch
Seven-hole port: for power supply cable, USB connection cable, or user’s
serial port connection
USB Port: Support U disc storage extension
Battery slot: for battery installation
SIM card slot: for SIM card inserted
Battery fixing slot: for fixing battery well when installing battery
Radio Module
Built-in radio module
M8 is designed with built-in GSM modem, and with internal radio module in standard
package shown as below figure. The transmission power of internal radio module is
0.5W/2W adjustable and air baud rate is 9600, 19200bps, whose working rang can be
as good as 3km.
Radio module slot

M8
11
电台模块连接点
电台天线接口
External radio
For even longer working range, users can use the external radio for M8. Using the
transmitting radio with 35W/2W transmission power for M8 base while the receiving
radio with 2W/0.5W transmission power for M8 rover, both of which are already
packed in the standard M8 RTK set package (base and rover), the working distance can
be as good as 10km or more.
For more details of external radio, please look into the chapter Appendix: External
Radio Instructions
Battery
电池正极
电池负极
OPEN
CLOSE
Radio module connector
Radio receiving
antenna port
Battery +
Battery -
Open
Close

M8 Hardware Operating Instructions
12
M8 Base Standard Configuration List
Product name
Quantity
M8 receiver
1
Built-in radio module (transmitting-receiving)
1
Charger adapter
1
Data cable (power port + USB + D-sub9 female serial port)
1
Extension pole for Tribrach
1
Battery
2
Battery charger
1
Stud connector
1
high-power transmitting radio
1
transmitting radio antenna
1
Transmitting radio connecting cable (for communication link
between transmitting radio and M8 base)
1
Transmitting radio power charging cable (for power supply
for transmitting radio)
1
Transmitting radio antenna telescopic pole
1
Transmitting radio antenna round bracket
1
Fuse (installed in transmitting radio power cable)
5
Tape (3m)
1
Carry case
1

13
M8 Rover Standard Configuration List
Product name
Quantity
M8 receiver
1
Built-in radio module (transmitting-receiving)
1
Battery
2
Data cable (power port + USB + D-sub9 female serial port)
1
Battery charger
1
Charger adapter
1
Radio receiving antenna
1
K8 handheld GPS as controller
1
K8 controller bracket
1
K8 battery
2
K8 charger
1
Adapter for K8 charger
1
K8 USB data cable
1
Micro SD card (2G)
1
Touch pen
1
K8 bag
1
Stud connector
1
Centering pole
1
Centering Pole Bag
1
Tape (3m)
1
KQ GEO CD
1
Carry case
1

M8 Hardware Operating Instructions
14
M8 Operations
Power On and Power Off
Power Management
Radio Module Installing
SIM Card Installing
Audio Broadcast
Register
CHAPTER
3

15
Power On and Power Off
Operation
Description
Power on
In power-off status (no indicator on), long press power
button for 3 seconds. Then the receiver will be turned on,
with power indicator on.
Power off
In power-on status (power indicator on), long press power
button for 3 seconds. Then the receiver will be turned off,
with all indicators off.
Power Management
M8 is adopted with dual-battery design, which is the largest battery capability in GPS
receiver market, one 6800 mAh Li-ion battery as the main battery and while with one
internal 650 mAh Li-ion battery as the assistant battery to support uninterruptable hot
plug when changing battery. Before the main battery is used up, the assistant internal
battery is in stand-by status; only when the main battery has been used up or
disconnected from the receiver, the assistant one will automatically supplying the power
without any interruption. Furthermore, there are two main batteries in the standard
package to guarantee the whole day continuous fieldwork.
Battery cover installing
Installing: insert the battery cover matching the two cover slots as above
figure until the cover is totally fill the slot, then press it to make sure it covers
well. Finally turn the metal buckle 90 degrees counterclockwise to lock the
cover well.
Uninstalling: lift up the metal buckle on the battery cover and turn it 90
degrees clockwise, then the cover can be easily taken off.

16
Battery installing
Installing: put the battery into the battery slot with the “Close” end pointing to
the inserting holes, and then push it towards the inserting hole to lock the
battery well. Finally install the battery cover.
Uninstalling: take off the battery cover first, push the battery towards to
“Open” direction, and then take it out.
Charging
Please use the special charger in the M8 standard package to charge the battery in the
allowed certain temperature range 0℃～40℃. For the first time using, please do not
charge the battery until using up the remained power in it. And then charge it 12 hours
each time for the first three times. After the first three times, the charging time should be
enough as long as 8 hours every time normally. And make sure only charge the battery
after it has been used up. Furthermore, if the battery is not used for a long time, it should
be charged once every month to keep it active.
The M8 charger can charge two batteries at the same time. Please put the battery onto
the charger with the “Close” pointing to the indicator led of the charger as below figure,
and then push it until it is locked well.
When the “Charging” indicator is on in red, it means the battery is being charged; when
green, it means the battery is charged full. But now please keep charging the battery for
more 1~1.5 hours, then take the battery off.