REDcatch Mono User manual

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Base Station Mono
User guide
This manual provides instructions for using the REDcatch Base Station Mono. We place high value in
this documentation, but it is impractical to discuss all the possible applications of this product.
Therefore, this manual and related tutorials do not replace professional training, but should help to
prepare for training sessions and act as a reference thereafter.
Please contact your local distributor or us directly if you have need for a training session and
workflow integration at your place of work.
Do not hesitate to contact our support team directly if any questions arise on the topics described in
these documents.
REDcatch GmbH
Tschaffinis 14
6166 Fulpmes
Austria
office [at] REDcatch.at
www.REDcatch.at
[phone]

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When using material from this document, please respect CC - BY - SA 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ and mention our company REDcatch GmbH,
Austria and re-link our webpage.

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Contents
Short instructions .................................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction............................................................................................................................................. 5
Use within photogrammetry workflow................................................................................................... 6
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Interpreting LED indicators ................................................................................................................. 7
LED 1 – On/error.............................................................................................................................. 7
LED 2 – Satellite indicator................................................................................................................ 7
Saving data .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Advanced maintenance........................................................................................................................... 8
Firmware updates ............................................................................................................................... 8

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Short instructions
1. Select a site for your base station that is clear of buildings and trees, has a clear view of the
sky, and is in the vicinity of your project.
2. Mount the Base Station on a tripod by screwing gently onto the thread at the base of the
unit. This should be done before switching on your ImageVector/rover device.
3. Turn on the base station by pressing the silver button. LED 1 will light up, indicating that it is
running (see figure below).
4. Allow the GNSS system to warm up for 5 minutes, or a full 12 minutes if you are in a new
location or have not recently used the base station. Your ImageVector/rover can also be
switched on to go through initialisation during this period.
5. LED 2 will blink periodically (see figure below). The number of blinks in each cycle indicates
the number of satellites from which the Base Station is receiving signal.
6. Once you have finished your project and switched off your ImageVector/rover unit, turn off
the base station by pressing the silver button. Both LEDs should turn off.
7. Gently unscrew the unit from the tripod and pack it away.
8. Retrieve data from the Base Station back at the office by connecting to your PC with the USB
cable included.

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Introduction
The REDcatch Base Station Mono is designed to operate in conjunction with a PPK compatible GNSS
rover device, such as a REDcatch 3D ImageVector. This combined system allows for precise position
measurements through kinematic post processing (PPK).
Function
The Base Station Mono records GNSS RINEX data (or corrected GNSS position data), which can be fed
to postprocessing software (such as REDtoolbox) for correcting the position of a rover GNSS device.
For this to be possible, the rover must also record GNSS RINEX data, and the base station data must
be recorded from before the beginning of the project until after its end.
Data logging
Data recorded by the base station is saved onto an onboard memory card, which must then be
copied to your PC via USB cable (included). There is no wireless link or display to save the data
elsewhere in real time.
Delivery
The following products are included in the purchase of the REDcatch Base Station Mono:
•Base Station Mono unit
•charger
•USB data cable
•geotagging and PPK software: REDtoolbox
•protective carry case

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Use within photogrammetry workflow
There are five main tasks involved in completing a photogrammetry project with the Base Station
Mono and 3D ImageVector Mono (or equivalent rover GNSS device). These are shown in the image
below.
Preparation
1. Charge ImageVector, camera and Base Station.
2. Delete old files from ImageVector and Base Station.
3. Prepare SD memory card for camera.
4. Make a plan for photographing the object.
5. Ensure that expected environmental and weather conditions are suitable.
Recording in the field
6. Select a site for your Base Station that is clear of buildings and trees, has a clear view of the
sky, and is in the vicinity of your project
7. Mount the Base Station on a tripod by screwing gently onto the thread at the base of the
unit. This should be done before your ImageVector/rover device.
8. Turn on the Base Station by pressing the silver button. One of the LEDs will light up,
indicating that it is running.
9. Set up the ImageVector in a location with good GNSS reception.
10. Wait for 3-12 minutes to initialise the GNSS system.
11. Record your images.
12. After recording, leave the ImageVector switched on for approximately 2 minutes.
13. Wait a further 2 minutes and then switch off the Base Station.
14. Save data on your PC using the provided USB cable.
Postprocessing
1. Save the Base Station RINEX data (.ubx) to your PC.
2. Save the ImageVector/rover RINEX data files (.ubx, .MRK, .obs) to your PC. Refer to your
device’s manual or the REDtoolbox manual to determine which files are needed.
3. Perform postprocessing and geotagging with the REDtoolbox software (if you do not have
the software, please contact REDcatch GmbH). Refer to the REDtoolbox manual for
instructions.
4. Check the validity of the output.
Photogrammetric processing
•Import images and image reference files that were created using the REDtoolbox, or
•Open the project file created by the REDtoolbox (e.g. Agisoft Photoscan.psx)

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Troubleshooting
Interpreting LED indicators
There are two LEDs on the front of the Base Station Mono that indicate its status. These are labelled
LED 1 and LED 2 in the figure below.
LED 1 – On/error
This LED should stay on steadily whenever the base station is switched on. It is always useful to check
that this LED is on, as sometimes you may mistakenly think you have turned on the base station. This
can occur if for example, you do not press the silver button in far enough when attempting to switch
on the unit.
The LED also indicates if there is an error by blinking rapidly. If this occurs upon start-up, try
switching the unit off and then on again. If this does not work, please contact REDcatch support at
[e-mail].
LED 2 – Satellite indicator
This LED blinks periodically to indicate satellite reception. The number of blinks in each cycle
indicates the number of satellites from which the Base Station is receiving signal.

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Saving data
•Use the USB cable to connect the Base Station to your PC. At least one LED should blink. If
not, please check the connection or try another USB port. If there are still no LEDs blinking,
give extra power to the Base Station by switching it on (press the silver button).
•A mass-storage device is detected by your operating system. It can take 10 seconds or more
until the new drive letter is shown in Windows Explorer, please be patient.
•Save the correct log file on your hard disk, noting that:
oThe log files are named according to the format “year month day”.000.ubx. Eg.
20171209.000.ubx is a file from 9th of December 2017,
•When you save files to your PC, remove them from the Base Station. This will avoid confusion
on future projects.
•Unplug the Base Station from your PC and recharge it using the included charger.
Advanced maintenance
Firmware updates
You should only update the firmware after consultation with the REDcatch support team. If you need
to update the firmware, you can do so through the following procedure. Read through these
instructions completely before attempting the process. If you are unsure whether you need to
update the firmware, or if anything in these instructions is unclear, contact REDcatch BEFORE
attempting to do it yourself.
Update firmware
1. Contact REDcatch support to receive a download link for new firmware
([e-mail]).
2. Connect your Base Station to your PC with the USB cable, in the same way as for copying
data.
3. Copy the new firmware file named firmware.dat onto the Base Station.
4. Disconnect the Base Station, then reconnect. The LEDs should flash. This indicates that the
firmware has been installed.