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.

i
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

ii

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.