Spectra Precision Epoch 25 L1 User manual

USER GUIDE
Spectra preciSion
®
Epoch™25 L1/L2 GpS SyStEm

Version 2.31
Revision B
Part number 58808-10
February 2007
Epoch™ 25 L1/L2 GPS System
USER GUIDE

Contact details
Spectra Precision
10355 Westmoor Drive
Suite #100
Westminster, CO 80021
[phone]
888-477-7516 (Toll free in USA)
www.spectraprecision.com
Legal notices
© 2006, Spectra Precision. All rights reserved.
Recon is a registered trademark of Tripod Data Systems Inc.
The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth
SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks is under license.
Microsoft, ActiveSync, Windows, and Windows NT are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
Release notice
This is the February 2007 release (Revision B) of the Epoch 25 L1/L2
GPS System User Guide. It applies to version 2.31 of the Epoch 25 GPS
receiver.
Product Warranty Information
For applicable product warranty information, please refer to the
Warranty Card included with this Spectra Precision product, or
consult your Spectra Precision dealer.
Features Disclaimer
Not all features are available in the Static Only variant of the Epoch
25 receiver.
Registration
To receive information regarding updates and new products, please
contact your local dealer or go to
www.spectraprecision.com/register. Upon registration you may
select the newsletter, upgrade or new product information you
require.
Notices
Taiwan – Battery recycling requirements
The product contains a removable Lithium Polymer battery.
Taiwanese regulations require that waste batteries are
recycled.
廢電池請回收
Notice to our European Union customers
For product recycling instructions and more information, please go
to www.spectraprecision.com/ev.shtml.
Recycling in Europe: To recycle Spectra Precision WEEE
(Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, products that
run on electrical power.), Call [phone], and ask for
the "WEEE Associate". Or, mail a request for recycling
instructions to:
Spectra Precision
c/o Menlo Worldwide Logistics
Meerheide 45
5521 DZ Eersel, NL

Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS Systems User Guide 3
Safety Information ii
Before you use a Spectra Precision®Epoch™ 25 L1/L2 GPS system, make sure that you
have read and understood this guide, as well as the safety requirements listed in this
chapter.
ii.1 Warnings and Cautions
An absence of specific alerts does not mean that there are no safety risks involved.
Always follow the instructions that accompany a Warning or Caution. The information
they provide is intended to minimize the risk of personal injury and/or damage to the
equipment. In particular, observe safety instructions that are presented in the
following formats:
CWARNING – A Warning alerts you to a likely risk of serious injury to your person and/or
damage to the equipment.
CCAUTION – A Caution alerts you to a possible risk of damage to the equipment and/or
loss of data.
ii.2 Rechargeable Lithium Polymer batteries
The Epoch 25 GPS receiver uses a rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery.
CWARNING – Do not damage the rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery. A damaged
battery can cause an explosion or fire, and can result in personal injury and/or property
damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– Do not use or charge the battery if it appears to be damaged. Signs of damage include,
but are not limited to, discoloration, warping, and leaking battery fluid.
– Do not expose the battery to fire, high temperature, or direct sunlight.
– Do not immerse the battery in water.
– Do not use or store the battery inside a vehicle during hot weather.
– Do not drop or puncture the battery.
– Do not open the battery or short-circuit its contacts.
CWARNING – Avoid contact with the rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery if it appears
to be leaking. Battery fluid is corrosive, and contact with it can result in personal injury
and/or property damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– If the battery leaks, avoid contact with the battery fluid.
– If battery fluid gets into your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes with clean water and
seek medical attention. Do not rub your eyes!
– If battery fluid gets onto your skin or clothing, immediately use clean water to wash off
the battery fluid.

Safety Information
4Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS Systems User Guide
CWARNING – Charge and use the rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery only in strict
accordance with the instructions. Charging or using the battery in unauthorized
equipment can cause an explosion or fire, and can result in personal injury and/or
equipment damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– Do not charge or use the battery if it appears to be damaged or leaking.
– Charge the internal battery of the rover only with the charger that is supplied with your
receiver. Be sure to follow all instructions that are provided with the battery charger.
– Discontinue charging a battery that gives off extreme heat or a burning odor.
ii.3 Cautions
CCAUTION – Operating or storing the receiver outside the specified temperature range can
damage it.

Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide 5
Contents
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Warnings and Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Rechargeable Lithium Polymer batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Cautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
About the Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Use and care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
COCOM limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Geofence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Related information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Technical assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Your comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2 Setup, Connection, and Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Parts of the base receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Ports and connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Parts of the rover receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Ports and connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Setup guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Environmental conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Sources of electrical interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Base setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Other system components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Rover setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Configuring the internal rover radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3 General Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Batteries and power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Rover receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Base receiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Charging and storing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Disposing of the rechargeable battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Panel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
LED behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
LED flash patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Logging data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Logging internally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Logging to a Spectra Precision Recon controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Resetting to defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

6Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide
4 Software Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
The WinFlash utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Installing the WinFlash utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Upgrading firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Radio configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5 Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Physical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Positioning specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
6 Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Default settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Default behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Resetting to factory defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7 Cables and Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Port 1 and 2 connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Power/serial data cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
A RTCM Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Generated messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Message scheduling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
B Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
LED conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Receiver issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

CHAPTER
1
Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide 7
Introduction 1
In this chapter:
QAbout the Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS
system
QFeatures
QUse and care
QCOCOM limits
QGeofence
QRelated information
QTechnical assistance
QYour comments
Welcome to the Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User
Guide. This manual describes how to install, set
up, and use a Spectra Precision®Epoch™25 GPS
receiver.
Even if you have used other Global Positioning
System (GPS) products before, Spectra Precision
recommends that you spend some time reading
this manual to learn about the special features of
your receiver.
This guide assumes that you are familiar with a
Microsoft®Windows®operating system and that
you know how to use a mouse, select options
from menus and dialogs, make selections from
lists, and refer to online help.

1Introduction
8Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide
1.1 About the Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS system
The Epoch 25 GPS receiver uses an external GPS antenna and is designed for GPS
surveying applications.
The base consists of a receiver, external PacificCrest PDL HPB radio, and external
battery. For information on the PDL HPB radio and the external battery please refer to
the documentation included with the radio kit.
The rover consists of a receiver, internal radio with receive option, and an internal
battery in a rugged lightweight unit.
Three LEDs on the receiver allow you to monitor the satellite tracking, radio reception,
file status, and power. Bluetooth®technology on the external wireless device enables
cable-free communications between receiver and controller.
The receiver provides 24 channels L1 C/A code, L1/L2 full-cycle carrier,
WAAS/EGNOS, and L1/L2 full-cycle carrier satellite tracking and supports logging of
raw GPS observables to the handheld controller.
1.2 Features
The receiver provides the following features:
•Unfiltered, unsmoothed pseudo range measurements data for low noise, low
multipath error, low time domain correlation, and high dynamic response
•Very low noise L1 and L2 carrier phase measurements with 1 mm precision in a
1 Hz bandwidth
•Low-elevation satellite-tracking technology
•24 channels L1 C/A code, L1/L2 full-cycle carrier, WAAS/EGNOS
•Highly accurate GPS L1/L2 technology
•RTCM SC-104 input and output
•CMR+™input and output
•GPS antenna cable connector
•Radio antenna connector
•Internal rover radio with a receive option

Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide 9
Introduction 1
1.3 Use and care
The receiver can withstand the rough treatment that typically occurs in the field.
However, the receiver is a high-precision electronic instrument and should be treated
with reasonable care.
CWARNING – Operating or storing the receiver outside the specified temperature range
can damage it. For more information, see Chapter 5, Specifications.
High-power signals from a nearby radio or radar transmitter can overwhelm the
receiver circuits. This does not harm the instrument, but it can prevent the receiver
from functioning correctly. Do not use the receiver within 400 meters of powerful
radar, television, or other transmitters. Low-power transmitters such as those used in
cell phones and two-way radios do not normally interfere with receiver operations.
For more information, contact your Spectra Precision dealer.
1.4 COCOM limits
The U.S. Department of Commerce requires that all exportable GPS products contain
performance limitations so that they cannot be used in a manner that could threaten
the security of the United States.
The following limitation is implemented on the receiver: Immediate access to satellite
measurements and navigation results is disabled when the receiver’s velocity is
computed to be greater than 1000 knots, or its altitude is computed to be above
18,000 meters (59,055 feet). The receiver continuously resets until the COCOM
situation is cleared.
1.5 Geofence
This product may contain a Geofence.
A Geofence is a virtual boundary which restricts the product from being used outside a
predetermined region. When the product is taken beyond the designated boundary
limit or is started beyond that same limit, the receiver cannot obtain a high precision
fixed integer solution and will only function in an autonomous mode.

1Introduction
10 Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide
1.6 Related information
An electronic copy of this manual is available in portable document format (PDF) on
the receiver CD. Use Adobe Reader to view the file.
Other sources of related information are:
•Registration – register your receiver to automatically receive e-mail notifications
of receiver firmware upgrades and new functionality. Register electronically at
www.spectraprecision.com/register/register.shtml.
•Contact your local Spectra Precision dealer for more information about the
support agreement contracts for software and firmware, and an extended
warranty program for hardware.
1.7 Technical assistance
If you have a problem and cannot find the information you need in the product
documentation, contact your local dealer. Alternatively, request technical support using
the Spectra Precision website at www.spectraprecision.com/support.html.
1.8 Your comments
Your feedback about the supporting documentation helps us to improve it with each
revision. E-mail your comments to [e-mail].

CHAPTER
2
Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide 11
Setup, Connection, and Cabling 2
In this chapter:
QParts of the base receiver
QParts of the rover receiver
QSetup guidelines
QBase setup
QRover setup

2Setup, Connection, and Cabling
12 Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide
2.1 Parts of the base receiver
The operating controls, serial ports, and connectors are on the bottom panel of the
base receiver. (The "bottom" panel is the panel underneath the receiver.)
•The power button controls the receiver’s power on or off functions.
•Three indicator LEDs show the status of power, satellite tracking, and radio
reception. See also LED behavior, page 22.
21.1 Ports and connectors
Figure 2.1 shows the two serial ports, one TNC radio antenna connector, and the
5/8-11 threaded insert.
Figure 2.1 Ports and connectors on the base receiver
•Port 1 is a DE-9 male connector that allows for full 9-pin RS-232
communications and external power input.
•Port 2 is a DE-9 male connector that allows for full 9-pin RS-232
communications and external power input as well as power output. For more
information, see Chapter 6, Default Settings and Chapter 7, Cables and
Connectors.
•Use the TNC connector to connect a GPS antenna to an L1/L2 Epoch receiver.
Serial ports
TNC connector
Indicator LEDs
Power button
5/8-11
threaded
insert

Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide 13
Setup, Connection, and Cabling 2
2.2 Parts of the rover receiver
The operating controls, serial ports, and connectors are on the bottom panel of the
rover receiver underneath the unit. (The "bottom" panel is the panel underneath the
receiver.)
•The power button controls the receiver’s power on or off functions.
•Three indicator LEDs show the status of power, satellite tracking, and radio
reception. See also LED behavior, page 22.
22.1 Ports and connectors
Figure 2.2 shows the two serial ports, one TNC radio antenna connector, one BNC
radio antenna connector and the 5/8-11 threaded insert
Figure 2.2 Ports and connectors on the rover
•Port 1 is a DE-9 male connector that allows for full 9-pin RS-232
communications and external power input.
•Port 2 is a DE-9 male connector that allows for full 9-pin RS-232
communications and external power input as well as power output. For more
information, see Chapter 6, Default Settings and Chapter 7, Cables and
Connectors.
Serial ports
Power button
5/8-11
TNC connector
BNC connector
Indicator LEDs
threaded
insert

2Setup, Connection, and Cabling
14 Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide
•Use the TNC connector to connect a GPS antenna to an L1/L2 Epoch receiver.
•Use the BNC connector to connect the rubber duck radio antenna.
2.3 Setup guidelines
23.1 Environmental conditions
Although the receiver has a waterproof housing, you must take reasonable care to
protect the unit from extreme environmental conditions. Do not:
•use or store the unit where temperatures are likely to rise above 60 °C (140 °F) or
fallbelow–20°C(–4°F).
•immerse the unit in water
•expose the unit to corrosive fluids and gases
23.2 Sources of electrical interference
Avoid the following sources of electrical and magnetic noise:
•Gasoline engines (spark plugs)
•Televisions and PC monitors
•Alternators and generators
•Electric motors
•Equipment with DC-to-AC converters
•Fluorescent lights
•Switching power supplies
2.4 Base setup
To set up a base receiver, you must:
1. Connect the TNC cable securely to the GPS receiver.
2. Set up the receiver on a tripod.
Step 1: Connect the TNC cable securely to the GPS receiver
1. Align the cable connector with the receiver receptacle.
2. Thread the cable connector onto the receptacle until it is snug.
Figure 2.3 on page 15 shows the base setup for the receiver.

Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide 15
Setup, Connection, and Cabling 2
Step 2: Set up the receiver on a tripod
Note – Take care to follow this procedure to ensure that the cable does not twist and the
antenna seats flush to the top of receiver.
1. Connect the GPS antenna cable to the Epoch L1/L2 GPS antenna and then
attach the antenna to the base receiver.
2. Connect the cable to the receiver.
3. Attach the antenna to the base receiver and place the antenna on the tripod.
4. Install the antenna, receiver, and extension pole onto the tribrach.
You can either place the receiver in the transport case or below the antenna on
the tripod.
5. Attach the external radio to the tripod.
6. Connect the antenna to the external radio.
7. Connect the radio cable between the radio and the receiver.
8. Connect the radio and the receiver to the external battery.
Figure 2.3 Epoch GPS receiver, base setup
Epoch 25 GPS antenna
GPS antenna cable
External radio
Base receiver
Tribrach
Extension pole
External battery
Radio cable

2Setup, Connection, and Cabling
16 Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide
20.1 Other system components
The base receiver requires the PacificCrest PDL HPB external radio.
2.1 Rover setup
CWARNING – The rover uses a rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery. To avoid personal
injury or equipment damage, make sure that you read and understand the Safety
Information on page 3 at the front of this manual.
The following guidelines apply whenever you set up the rover receiver:
•To securely connect a BNC cable, align the cable connector with the antenna
receptacle and then turn the antenna until the antenna fits snugly.
•To securely connect a TNC cable, align the cable connector with the receiver
receptacle and then thread the cable connector onto the receptacle until the
cable fits snugly.
Figure 2.4 on page 17 shows the pole-mounted setup for the receiver. To mount the
receiver on a range pole:
1. Attach the antenna to the GPS receiver and connect the GPS antenna cable to
the Epoch L1/L2 GPS antenna and the rover receiver.
2. Thread the GPS receiver onto the range pole.
3. Attach the controller bracket to the pole.
4. Insert the controller into the bracket.

Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide 17
Setup, Connection, and Cabling 2
Figure 2.4 Epoch GPS receiver set up as a rover receiver
20.1 Configuring the internal rover radio
To configure the internal radio in the Epoch 25 GPS receiver, use the field software on
the Recon controller.
For more information, see the documentation for the field software.
By default, the internal radio has only a few “test” frequencies installed at the factory.
To configure the frequencies of the base or rover, contact your Spectra Precision dealer.
For more information, see the documentation supplied with your base radio.
Epoch 25 GPS antenna
Rover receiver
Spectra Precision Recon
controller

2Setup, Connection, and Cabling
18 Epoch 25 L1/L2 GPS System User Guide