Magellan FAST Survey User manual

FAST Survey™
Getting Started Guide
www.thalesnavigation.com
THALES NAVIGATION

Printed in France.
Part Number: 630887-01, Revision B.
No part of this publication or the computer programs described in it may be repro-
duced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior
written permission of Thales Navigation. Your rights with regard to this publication
and the computer programs are subject to the restrictions and limitations imposed
by the copyright laws of the United States of America (“U.S.A.”) and/or the juris-
diction in which you are located. For information on translations and distribution
outside the U.S.A. please contact Thales Navigation.
© 2004 Thales Navigation, Inc. All rights reserved. Z-Max and FAST Survey are
trademarks of Thales Navigation. All other product and brand names are trademarks
of their respective holders.

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Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................1
Main Screens ...................................................................1
MENU Screen ..................................................................... 1
File tab....................................................................................... 2
Equip tab.................................................................................... 3
Surv tab...................................................................................... 4
COGO tab.................................................................................. 5
Road tab..................................................................................... 6
MAP Screen......................................................................... 7
RTK Surveying ...............................................................8
Opening a New Job ............................................................. 8
Connection to the Receiver ................................................. 9
Getting the Z-Max Base Started ........................................ 12
Getting the Z-Max Rover Started ...................................... 15
Logging Points................................................................... 20
Staking Out Points............................................................. 21
Logging Points in Continuous Mode................................. 24
Localization (or Calibration, or Local Grid) ..................... 25
Post-Processing Surveying ...........................................28
Static Mode........................................................................ 28
Kinematic Mode ................................................................ 29
File Management ............................................................... 30

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1
1. Introduction
This manual explains how to implement and use the Z-Max system in RTK or post-
processing surveying modes, using the FAST Survey software installed on the
handheld computer.
Note that this manual focuses on two basic survey functions: Store Points and
Stakeout Points. Note also that the functions supported by FAST Survey to control
conventional systems are not discussed in this manual. For more information on
these functions, please refer to the FAST Survey Reference Manual provided on CD-
ROM.
Likewise, the procedure to download land survey projects from the GNSS Studio
software is not discussed in this manual either. For more information on this proce-
dure, please refer to the GNSS Studio Office Software User Manual provided on
GNSS Studio Office Software CD-ROM.
If you need information to help you install the base and rover systems, please refer
to the Z-Max Surveying System Pocket Guide.
In the last chapter (Appendices), you will find a number of installation and re-in-
stallation procedures that might be useful to you in case of problems with your
handheld computer.
2. Main Screens
MENU Screen
This screen shows 5 different tabs giving access to the main functions of FAST Sur-
vey. Although all function titles on each tab are self-explanatory, a more detailed
definition of these functions is provided in the next pages.
The right arrow located in the upper-right corner of the MENU screen allows you
to access the MAP screen (see page 7).

2
File tab
Job: Allows you to select an
existing coordinate file for
your job or to create a new co-
ordinate file. A job consists of
real-time data only. Several
types of files are associated
with a job (.crd, .rw5,.inf,
etc.).
Job Settings: Allows you to
set configuration options for
data collection
List Points: Lists all of the
points in the current coordi-
nate file (.crd)
Configure Reading: Allows you to select settings and preferences that apply to ob-
servations taken in the field
Feature Code List: Used to define feature code lists
Data Transfer: Prepares FAST Survey for transferring data to and from a PC
Import/Export ASCII: Allows you to import an ASCII file to job data or export
job data to an ACSII file
Delete File: Allows you to remove any existing file from any directory to free up
memory on the handheld computer
Add Job Notes: Allows you to enter job notes as ASCII text
Exit: Will exit the FAST Survey program.

3
Equip tab
Instrument: Allows you to set
the equipment type that you
will be using (Z-Max, Z-
Xtreme)
Configure Base: Sets up the
base antenna and record the
correct antenna height, the an-
tenna type and the methods
used for localizing
Configure Rover: Used to set
the rover receiver to the cor-
rect parameters and to instruct
the receiver that it is a rover
Receiver Utilities: Resets and/or troubleshoots the GPS receiver. Sets radio/GSM
parameters.
Localization: Allows you to align on a local coordinate system
Monitor/Skyplot: Allows you to review position and quality of data
Tolerances: Allows you to set operating tolerances
Comm Setup: Allows you to specify communication parameters for the handheld
computer to be able to communicate with the GPS receiver (serial cable, Bluetooth)
About FAST Survey: Allows you to view information about FAST Survey and
change your registration.

4
Surv tab
Store Points: Principal data
collection routine (gives ac-
cess to the Point Logging
function)
Stakeout Points: Allows you
to stakeout to a selected point
by guiding you to the point
with a series of commands and
directions (Point Stakeout
function)
Stakeout Line/Arc: Opens a
secondary dialog where you
can choose between Stake
Line, Stake Centerline, Stake Arc (3 points) and Stake Arc (PC, R, PT)
Offset Stakeout: Will stake out up to 2 user defined horizontal offsets to a center-
line at any station as well as an unlimited number of offsets per station if you are
using a predefined Cutsheet Station and Offset List
Elevation Difference: Will report a cut/fill in comparison with your current loca-
tion to a design surface at any location within a project
Auto by Interval: Allows you to acquire and store data at a set interval value of
either distance or time (Point Logging performed at regular intervals of time or dis-
tance)
Log Static Data: Allows you to log static raw data to the data card for use with
GNSS Studio Post Processing software.

5
COGO tab
Keyboard Input: Allows you
to manually enter or edit coor-
dinates in the current job file
or the current control file
Inverse: Reports the bearing
and horizontal distance be-
tween any two user specified
points that are contained with-
in the current job
Areas: Calculates the area of a
closed figure that is defined
internally by user-entered
point numbers contained
within the current job or by a
polyline picked from the screen
Intersections: Allows for the calculation and storing of points based upon standard
surveying practices of Bearing-Bearing, Bearing-Distance, or Distance-Distance
Intersection calculations
Point Projection: Allows you to calculate the station and offset of any entered or
surveyed point relative to a known centerline or baseline
Station Store: A pure calculation routine that will create point numbers based on a
station and offset from an alignment
Transformation: Allows you to translate, rotate, and/or scale points in the current
job
Calculator: Eliminates the need to carry a separate calculator in the field. The cal-
culator can be used to do scientific computations, standard calculations, conver-
sions, triangle calculations including angles, and curve calculations.
Process Raw File: Creates a raw file (.RW5) that contains various lines of survey
data similar to a surveyor’s field book
Point in Direction: Allows for manual entry of angles and distances and calculates
sideshots or traverses from a known occupied point.

6
Road tab
Input/Edit Centerln: Used
to enter new centerlines and
recall/edit existing centerline
files
Draw Centerline: Draws the
selected centerline on the
screen
Input/Edit Profile: Allows
field entry of vertical align-
ment files for roads, sewers
and other types of alignments
Draw Profile: Draws the se-
lected profile on the screen
Input/Edit Template: Used to enter templates, for roads, levees, ditches and other
such earthwork
Draw Template: Draws the selected template on the screen
Slope Staking: Used to calculate and stake out the location of the “catch point”
where fill slopes or cut slopes contact the original ground
Cross Section Survey: Collects as-built cross sections of roads or other alignments
and stores them as points
Road Utilities: Converts centerlines, profiles and cross sections from other formats
to the formats used by FAST Survey
Template Stakeout: Designed to stakeout specific stations and offsets along a cen-
terline.

7
: This icon, located at
the top of the screen, indi-
cates the type of survey
equipment selected (GPS
or Conventional). Click-
ing on this icon allows
you to access the Instru-
ment window (see oppo-
site) in which you may
either save the current
FAST Survey configura-
tion or recall a previous
one. Clicking on the Cur-
rent tab allows you inden-
tify the survey equipement (Type, firmware version, etc.).
MAP Screen
This screen provides a
graphic representation
of your job. It also
shows the points you
have to stake, the points
that have already been
logged and receiver sta-
tus data. The right ar-
row located in the
upper-right corner of
the screen allows you to
return to the MENU
screen.
Battery life indicator
Back to MENU screen
Viewing
parameters Graphic Display area
Zoom
settings

8
3. RTK Surveying
Opening a New Job
After installing the base system as described in the Z-Max Surveying System Pocket
Guide:
1. Switch on the Z-Max GPS receiver and the handheld computer
2. On the handheld computer, launch the FAST Survey software by clicking the
FAST Survey icon using the stylus. A message is displayed asking you whether
you wish to continue the last open job, select an existing job or create a new job.
3. Choose Select New/Existing Job. A new screen is now displayed.
4. In the Name field, type in the name of the job you wish to create. For example,
type in “tuto1.crd” (figure 1).
5. Then click OK to create the job. The screen then displays the Units tab (figure 2).
6. On the Units tab, set the desired units and parameters for the job.
Figure 1- Naming a job Figure 2- Choosing the units

9
7. Click on the GPS tab.
8. On the GPS tab, choose the coordinate system to be used in the job as well as
the geoid model. Note that the coordinate system and the geoid model may have
been uploaded earlier to the handheld computer using one of the GNSS Studio
tools (see GNSS Studio Office Software User Manual for more information). A
large number of coordinate systems are stored in FAST Survey. To select one of
them, click on the Edit Projection List button and then Add Predefined.
9. After selecting all the desired parameters, click OK (located on top of the
screen).
Connection to the Receiver
In this step, FAST Survey will try to connect to the receiver using the communica-
tion parameters last used. If no receiver is connected to the field terminal or if you
are using bad communication settings, FAST Survey will return the following mes-
sage:
In this case, you will have to check that you are using the right port to communicate
with the Z-Max receiver. You will do this by clicking on the Equip tab and then se-
lecting the Comm Setup function (see figure 4 on next page).
1. If you are using a serial data cable, select the port on the handheld computer that
is connected to the Z-Max receiver.
2. If you are using a Bluetooth device, we recommended that you first search for
all Bluetooth devices. This will significantly speed up the procedure.
• Turn on your Z-Max receivers.
• Click on Set Port to Bluetooth so that FAST Survey can automatically detect
the communication port assigned to the Bluetooth device. Once the port is
detected, a message is displayed giving you the identification of this port
(see below):

10
• Click OK to close this message box. You can now set the serial port on the
Communications Port Setup window (see figure 3):
• Click OK after setting the port. FAST Survey will then open the Bluetooth
connection window (see figure 4).
• Click Find Receiver. FAST Survey then starts searching for the devices
located in the vicinity of the handheld computer that are equipped with a
Bluetooth communication system (see figure 5). FAST Survey then lists all
these devices.
• Click on one of the detected Z-Max (see figure 6). Click on the Select button
to add the selected Z-Max in the list.
Figure 3- Setting the Serial Port Figure 4- Bluetooth Connection Window
Figure 5- Bluetooth Receiver Detection screen Figure 6- Detected Z-Max

11
• Repeat the previous step for all your Z_Max receivers (see figure 7).
• Then enter the Receiver PIN for each of the detected devices. Click on the
receiver for which you want to enter the PIN. Click Set Receiver Pin and
enter the Receiver PIN. The factory-set default PIN value is 12345.
• If the PIN has been changed, you can read it from the Z-Max by sending the
$PASHQ,BTH command to the Z-Max receiver via a serial data cable. The
command can be sent from GNSS Studio's WinComm utility (refer to the
GNSS Studio Office Software User Manual for more information on this
utility).
• You may also change the receiver name in order to better recognize the
receiver you want to connect to.
• Click Cancel on the top of the Bluetooth Receivers window.
Figure 7- Z-Max List Window

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Getting the Z-Max Base Started
1. Select the Equip tab, then the Instrument function, and finally select “Thales/Ash-
tech” from the scroll-down menu. Typing the “T” key would also automatically
select “Thales/Ashtech”.
2. Select the Configure Base function and choose “Z-Max” from the Receiver Type
scroll-down menu (see figure 8).
3. Enter the antenna height and the measurement type (vertical or slant) (see figure
8)
4. Select the type of GPS antenna used, i.e. “[Z-Max GPS] Thales Navigation” if
you are using the Z-Max antenna directly connected to the receiver.
5. Click on the Ports tab. Assuming the Thales Navigation radio is used, check the
following parameters (see figure 9):
• Data Port: “A” if you are using a serial data cable between the handheld and
the receiver; “C” is selected automatically if you are using Bluetooth.
• Radio Port: “B” necessarily (this port is reserved for the radio transmission
modem)
• Message Type: “Ashtech (CPD)” is the recommended choice for communi-
cations between Ashtech-type products (base and rover).
If a PDL radio is used, check for the correct radio baud rate (19200 baud) on
port B.
Figure 8- Initialization parameters of the base station Figure 9- Choosing the type of radio link

13
6. Click OK to send these parameters to the Z-Max receiver. A new menu appears
asking you to enter the initialization position for the base. Several options are
possible to enter this position as prompted on the screen (figure 10).
7. Choose the option that suits you and enter this position. When you are done
with entering the base position, FAST Survey then displays the WGS84 coordi-
nates of this position (figure 11), after making the transformation to WGS84 if
necessary.
8. Click the Yes button. FAST Survey then asks you to enter a point ID (4 charac-
ters max.).
9. Enter a Point ID and click Yes. Then FAST Survey asks you whether you want
to verify the radio parameters or not.
10.Click Yes to display the current radio parameters (see figures 12 and 13). In the
US, a channel/frequency table will be shown. In Europe, a single channel will
be displayed along with the corresponding frequency.
Figure 10- Entering base coordinates Figure 11- Base position in WGS84 coordinates
Figure 12- Thales Navigation Radio Parame- Figure 13- Pacific Crest Radio Parameters

14
11.a) If you are using a UHF radio:
- Select the desired frequency channel
- Click the Set Radio button to configure the radio.
b) If you are using the integrated GSM modem:
- Check the selected band (see figure 14): For North America and some other
countries, you should select “1900”. For Europe and some other countries,
you should select “900/1800”.
- If the GSM band is not the right one, click the Turn Off button to turn off the
GSM module. Select the right band depending on the GSM network in your
country and enter the pin code if necessary . Then click the Turn ON button.
After GSM initialization, you may check the GSM signal strength.
Base configuration is now complete. You may save your base configuration
parameters as previouly described in this manual. You can check the LEDs on
the Z-Max front panel to make sure the system is functioning correctly.
Figure 14- Base GSM Setup

15
Getting the Z-Max Rover Started
After installing the rover system as described in the Z-Max Surveying System Pocket
Guide:
1. Switch on the Z-Max GPS receiver and the handheld computer
2. If you quit FAST Survey after configuring the base, then launch that program
again and select Continue Last Job. In the next window, select the receiver you
want to configure as a rover or click Cancel.
3. Click on the Equip tab and select Configure Rover
4. If you are using the pole-mounted setup, in the Rod Hgt field, type in “1.226” m
and check the Vertical option (figure 15).
5. Click on the Receiver tab and check that the receiver used is the Z-Max. Also,
select the “[Z-Max GPS UHF] Thales Navigation” antenna in the Antenna Type
field.
6. Click on the Ports tab and check that FAST Survey is configured to work with
the right communication parameters and the selected radio type is the right one
(figure 16).
Port “A” should be selected if you are using a serial data cable between Z-Max
and the handheld computer. Port “C” should be selected if you are using Blue-
tooth. Port “D” is for internal use between the Z-Max and the radio receiver
(Thales or PDL) or GSM.
Figure 15- Setting rover parameters Figure 16- Selecting the radio link

16
7. Select the desired communication type in the Type field.
In GSM mode, you may predefine a list of GSM base stations. To do so, click
the Add button. In the window that opens (see figure 17), you are prompted to
enter the base station name, the band, depending on the available GSM network
in your country, the PIN if necessary and the base phone number (up to 20 dig-
its). Click the OK button to save the new station paramaters. The new station
name will then be displayed in the Base Config pull-down menu.
Note that the GSM parameters cannot be modified after selecting a predefined
GSM base station. You have to select “Manual” in the Base Config pull-down
menu to be allowed to edit the parameter fields.
8. Click the OK button located on top of the screen. If you get the following mes-
sage on the screen and a serial cable link is used, check that the Z-Max receiver
is powered on. Check that the connection between the handheld computer and
the receiver is correct (i.e. check that you are using the right Com ports on both
sides).
Figure 17- GSM Setup Menu