Magellan Z-Max User manual

THALES NAVIGATION
POCKET GUIDE
for the
Z-MAX SURVEYING SYSTEM

Printed in France.
Part Number: 630881-01, Revision B
September 2003
No part of this publication or the computer programs described in it
may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written per-
mission of Thales Navigation. Your rights with regard to this publi-
cation 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 jurisdiction in which you are
located. For information on translations and distribution outside
the U.S.A. please contact Thales Navigation.
© 2003 Thales Navigation, Inc. All rights reserved. Z-Max is a
trademark of Thales Navigation. All other product and brand
names are trademarks of their respective holders.

Introduction...................................................................................1
Module Description & Connection ................................................ 1
LEDs...........................................................................................10
Display Menu Tree .....................................................................13
Checking Receiver Status .......................................................... 15
Warning Messages.....................................................................16
Figure 1 GPS Receiver Module ............................................. 2
Figure 2 GPS Antenna Module .............................................. 5
Figure 3 Power Module and Charger ..................................... 6
Figure 4 Communication Module ........................................... 7
Figure 5 UHF Antenna Module .............................................. 9
Figure 6 Display Main Menu ................................................ 14
Figure 7 Static Setup............................................................19
Figure 8 Measuring Instrument Height (HI).......................... 21
Figure 9 Z-Max Front Panel Display .................................... 22
Figure 10 RTK Base Setup with Thales U-Link Radio ........... 25
Figure 11 RTK Base Setup with Pacific Crest PDL Radio ..... 26
Figure 12 Pole-Mounted RTK Rover Setup ........................... 29
Figure 13 Backpack-Mounted RTK Rover Setup ................... 30
Figure 14 SURVEY: RTK Rover Menu .................................. 31
Figure 15 COM OPTN: THALES Radio Menu ....................... 32
Figure 16 COM OPTN: PDL Radio Menu .............................. 33
Figure 17 COM OPTN GSM Rover Menu.............................. 34
Figure 18 COM OPTN: GSM Base Menu .............................. 35
Table 1 LED Indicator Functionality .................................... 10
Table 2 Control Keys in Display Mode................................ 12
Table 3 Control Keys in Edit Mode ..................................... 12
Table 4 Common Status Parameters.................................. 15
Table 5 Common Warning Messages................................. 16
CONTENTS

1
Introduction
This Pocket Guide is a quick reference guide to using
the Z-Max Surveying System. The guide provides a
short description of the modules and their
functionality including using LEDs, front panel display
menus. The Pocket guide also includes schematic
diagrams of system hardware setup for static,
kinematic and RTK surveys. This information does
not contain complete explanations for operation and
usage. More complete descriptions and additional
information can be found in the Z-Max Operation and
Applications manual.
Module Description &
Connection
The Z-Max is a modular system that uses intercon-
necting components called modules. There are five
important modules.

2Z-Max Surveying System Pocket Guide
GPS Receiver Module
The GPS Receiver module, Figure 1, is
essentially a specialized computer for processing
and manipulating GPS measurements. The GPS
receiver module has functionality similar to a
personal computer including keypad, display,
memory card, serial port, USB port, Bluetooth port
and power port.
Figure 1 GPS Receiver Module

3
Front Panel
The Z-Max front panel allows you to power on/off
the receiver, monitor basic receiver functions via
the four LED status lights, and control receiver via
the front panel LED Display.
SD Card Slot / USB Port
The SD Card slot and USB port are located
behind a small door below the four control keys.
Data recorded by the Z-Max is stored on an SD
Memory card.
Rear Panel
The narrow rear panel of the Z-Max Main module,
contains serial and external power ports for
connection to peripheral equipment.

4Z-Max Surveying System Pocket Guide
Serial Ports
The serial ports are used for communication
between the Z-Max and external equipment.
Serial A: Serial A is a two-way serial port
using RS-232 protocol, the protocol used by
personal computers
Serial B: Serial B is a two-way serial port
that can be toggled between RS-232 and
RS-422 protocols. RS-422 is a specialized
protocol for very long serial cables.
Power Port
The rear panel contains an external power
connector that allows you to power the receiver
externally with a DC power source. The input
voltage must be 10-28 VDC. External sources of
DC power include, battery, auto lighter or an AC/
DC converter. Special cables are typically needed
for external power sources.
GPS Antenna Module
The GPS antenna module, Figure 2, contains the
Max-Trac GPS antenna. The GPS Antenna module
connects to either the Receiver module, or to the top
of the UHF Antenna module if the UHF

5
Communication module is used. The Antenna
module fits into the antenna receptacle at the top of
either the Main module or the UHF antenna module.
Make sure the base of the Antenna module is
oriented so that the flattened side is lined up with the
flattened area of the receptacle, and the module will
push easily into place. Once in place, twist the
threaded collar on the Antenna module until the
antenna is securely locked in place.
Figure 2 GPS Antenna Module

6Z-Max Surveying System Pocket Guide
Power Module
The Power module, Figure 3, is the primary internal
power source for the Z-Max. To plug in the module,
insert the small ledge of the Power module into the
rear of the GPS receiver module housing first. This
will correctly align the module. Using the ledge like a
hinge, swing the module closed until the latch on the
Power module clicks into place. If you require
additional or backup battery power, external power
sources can be used in conjunction with the Power
module.
Figure 3 Power Module and Charger

7
Communication Module
The Communication module, Figure 4, contains the
data link(s) for transmitting or receiving data during
DGPS and RTK applications. The Communication
module can house a variety of wireless
communication devices or combinations of devices.
Communication devices will vary by application and
geographic location. In case the receiver is not
intended for real-time operation, an empty
communication module, or V-module will be supplied
in order to provide the moisture seal of the module
bay. Refer to packing list to identify which
communication device is being used.
Figure 4 Communication Module