Topcon TopPad User manual

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POSITIONING SYSTEMS
To p PA D
Reference Manual
Part Number 7010-0731
Rev B
©Copyright Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
May, 2006
All contents in this manual are copyrighted by Topcon Positioning Systems,
Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein may not be used,
accessed, copied, stored, displayed, sold, modified, published, or distributed,
or otherwise reproduced without the expressed written consent from Topcon
Positioning Systems, Inc.

ECO#2775

P/N 7010-0731
TOC
i
Table of Contents
Preface .................................................................. v
Terms and Conditions ...................................................... v
Manual Conventions ........................................................ viii
What’s New with TopPAD .................................... ix
Chapter 1
Introduction .......................................................... 1-1
Surveying Overview ........................................................ 1-2
GPS Overview ........................................................... 1-2
Calculating Positions .......................................... 1-3
GPS Positioning .................................................. 1-4
Conclusion .......................................................... 1-4
DGPS Overview ........................................................ 1-5
RTK DGPS Service ............................................ 1-5
Coastal Navigation Beacons DGPS Service ....... 1-6
OmniSTAR DGPS Service ................................. 1-6
WAAS/EGNOS DGPS Service .......................... 1-7
TopPAD and GIS Systems .............................................. 1-8
Installing TopPAD ........................................................... 1-9
Uninstalling TopPAD ...................................................... 1-10
Starting TopPAD ............................................................. 1-11
Chapter 2
TopPAD Getting Started Guide ........................... 2-1
Pre-Survey Configurations .............................................. 2-1
Setting TopPAD Options .......................................... 2-2
Applying Survey Configurations .............................. 2-4
Selecting a Configuration ................................... 2-4
Creating a Configuration .................................... 2-5
Creating a New Layer (Shapefile) ............................. 2-13
Importing Waypoints ................................................ 2-16

Table of Contents
TopPAD Reference Manual
ii
Creating a Custom File Format .................................. 2-18
GIS Mapping Using TopPAD .......................................... 2-19
Setting up Hardware .................................................. 2-20
Set up the Base Station for PP DGPS Surveys or
User Base RT DGPS Surveys .......................... 2-20
Set up a Rover System for GIS Mapping ............ 2-22
Verifying Satellite Status in RT DGPS Surveys ........ 2-23
Logging Raw Data in PP DGPS Surveys .................. 2-25
Using TopPAD with a GMS-2 Camera ..................... 2-26
Chapter 3
TopPAD Software Reference .............................. 3-1
Security ............................................................................. 3-1
Main Screen ...................................................................... 3-2
TopPAD Toolbar ....................................................... 3-2
GPS Configurations and Options ..................................... 3-4
TopPAD Options ....................................................... 3-4
Protocol ............................................................... 3-4
GPS ..................................................................... 3-5
Quality ................................................................. 3-5
Capture ................................................................ 3-5
Alerts ................................................................... 3-6
Location ............................................................... 3-6
Surv Config ................................................................ 3-6
Configurations ..................................................... 3-7
Config: Survey .................................................... 3-8
Config: Base Receiver ......................................... 3-9
Config: Base Radio (For RT/Network DGPS) .... 3-10
Base Modem Config ........................................... 3-11
Config: Base Antenna ......................................... 3-15
Config: Rover Receiver ....................................... 3-16
Config: Modem (Modem Connect) ..................... 3-19
Config: Modem (Internet Info) ........................... 3-20
Config: NTRIP .................................................... 3-20
Config: Modem (Receiver Info) .......................... 3-21
Config: Rover Radio ........................................... 3-22
Config: Beacon .................................................... 3-23
Config: WAAS .................................................... 3-24

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P/N 7010-0731 iii
CDGPS Radio ..................................................... 3-25
Config: EGNOS .................................................. 3-25
Config: OmniSTAR ............................................ 3-26
Config: Rover Antenna ....................................... 3-27
Config: Survey Parameters ................................. 3-27
Config: Advanced ............................................... 3-28
Additional TopPAD Options ..................................... 3-29
Starting the Base .............................................................. 3-30
Start Base .................................................................. 3-30
Feature Attributes ............................................... 3-32
Find ..................................................................... 3-33
Field Browser ..................................................... 3-34
Raw Data Logging ........................................................... 3-35
Status ................................................................................ 3-36
OmniSTAR Status ..................................................... 3-36
Beacon Status ............................................................ 3-37
Import Waypoints ............................................................ 3-38
Type and Format ....................................................... 3-38
Import From <Format> ............................................. 3-39
Text File Format ................................................. 3-39
Custom Style ....................................................... 3-40
Coordinate System .............................................. 3-41
Choose Projection ............................................... 3-42
Shape Folder ....................................................... 3-42
Import Status ....................................................... 3-43
Shapefile Creation ........................................................... 3-43
Feature – Attributes ................................................... 3-43
Code .......................................................................... 3-44
Attributes ................................................................... 3-45
New Layer ................................................................. 3-47
Customizing Data Entry Forms ....................................... 3-48
Select Shapefile ......................................................... 3-48
Select Fields to Include ............................................. 3-48
Field: Name ............................................................... 3-50
Point Information ............................................................. 3-54
Points – Attributes ..................................................... 3-54
Points – Antenna ....................................................... 3-54
Points – Image Capture ............................................. 3-55

Table of Contents
TopPAD Reference Manual
iv
Image Capture ..................................................... 3-56
Radio Configuration ......................................................... 3-57

P/N 7010-0731
Preface
v
Preface
Thank you for purchasing your Topcon receiver, survey product or
accessory (the “Product”). The materials available in this manual (the
“Manual”) have been prepared by Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
(“TPS”) for owners of Topcon products. This Manual is designed to
assist owners with the use of software (the “Software”) to be used
with the Product and its use is subject to these terms and conditions
(the “Terms and Conditions”).
Terms and Conditions
USE This product is designed to be used by a professional. The user
should have a good knowledge of the safe use of the product and
implement the types of safety procedures recommended by the local
government protection agency for both private use and commercial
job sites.
COPYRIGHT All information contained in this Manual is the
intellectual property of, and copyrighted material of TPS. All rights
are reserved. You may not use, access, copy, store, display, create
derivative works of, sell, modify, publish, distribute, or allow any
third party access to, any graphics, content, information or data in this
Manual without TPS’ express written consent and may only use such
information for the care and operation of your Product. The
information and data in this Manual are a valuable asset of TPS and
are developed by the expenditure of considerable work, time and
money, and are the result of original selection, coordination and
arrangement by TPS.
NOTICE Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully.

Preface
TopPAD Reference Manual
vi
TRADEMARKS Topcon, HiPer, TopPAD, GMS-2, TopSURV, Topcon
Link, Topcon Tools, and Topcon Positioning Systems are trademarks
or registered trademarks of TPS. Windows® is a registered trademark
of Microsoft Corporation. Bluetooth® is a registered trademark
owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Topcon Positioning
Systems, Inc. under license. Sokkia Corporation and the names of
Sokkia Corporation products referenced herein are either trademarks
or registered trademarks of Sokkia Corporation. Satel is a trademark
of Satel, Oy. Other product and company names mentioned herein
may be trademarks of their respective owners.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY EXCEPT FOR ANY
WARRANTIES IN AN APPENDIX OR A WARRANTY CARD
ACCOMPANYING THE PRODUCT, THIS MANUAL, THE
PRODUCT, AND ANY ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE ARE
PROVIDED “AS-IS.” THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES.
TPS DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR
USE OR PURPOSE. TPS AND ITS DISTRIBUTORS SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS OR
OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN; NOR FOR INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE
FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE OR USE OF THIS MATERIAL,
THE SOFTWARE, OR THE PRODUCT. SUCH DISCLAIMED
DAMAGES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF
TIME, LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF DATA, LOSS OF PROFIT,
SAVINGS OR REVENUE, OR LOSS OF THE PRODUCT’S USE.
IN ADDITION, TPS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR
DAMAGES OR COSTS INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH
OBTAINING SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS OR SOFTWARE,
CLAIMS BY OTHERS, INCONVENIENCE, OR ANY OTHER
COSTS. IN ANY EVENT, TPS SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY
FOR DAMAGES OR OTHERWISE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER
PERSON OR ENTITY IN EXCESS OF THE PURCHASE PRICE
FOR THE PORDUCT.

Terms and Conditions
P/N 7010-0731 vii
LICENSE AGREEMENT Use of the Software and any other computer
programs or software supplied by TPS or downloaded from a TPS
website (the “Software”) to be used with a Topcon Product constitutes
acceptance of these Terms and Conditions in this Manual and an
agreement to abide by these Terms and Conditions. The user is
granted a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use
such Software under the terms stated herein and in any case only with
a single Product or single computer. You may make one (1) backup
copy of the Software. Otherwise, the Software may not be copied or
reproduced. You may not assign or transfer the Software or this
license without the express written consent of TPS. This license is
effective until terminated. You may terminate the license at any time
by destroying the Software and Manual. TPS may terminate the
license if you fail to comply with any of the Terms or Conditions. You
agree to destroy the Software and manual upon termination of your
use of the Product. All ownership, copyright and other intellectual
property rights in and to the Software belong to TPS. If these license
terms are not acceptable, return any unused Software and the Manual.
CONFIDENTIALITY This Manual, its contents and the Software
(collectively, the “Confidential Information”) are the confidential and
proprietary information of TPS. You agree to treat TPS’ Confidential
Information with a degree of care no less stringent than the degree of
care you would use in safeguarding your own most valuable trade
secrets. Nothing in this paragraph shall restrict you from disclosing
Confidential Information to your employees as may be necessary or
appropriate to operate or care for the Product. Such employees must
also keep the Confidentiality Information confidential. In the event you
become legally compelled to disclose any of the Confidential
Information, you shall give TPS immediate notice so that it may seek a
protective order or other appropriate remedy.
WEBSITE; OTHER STATEMENTS No statement contained at the
TPS website (or any other website) or in any other advertisements or
TPS literature or made by an employee or independent contractor of
TPS modifies these Terms and Conditions (including the Software
License Agreement, Disclaimer of Warranty and limitation of
liability).

Preface
TopPAD Reference Manual
viii
SAFETY Improper use of a Topcon Product can lead to injury to
persons or property and/or malfunction of the Product. The Product
should only be repaired by authorized TPS warranty service centers.
Users should review and heed the safety warnings in the manual
accompanying the Product.
MISCELLANEOUS The above Terms and Conditions may be
amended, modified, superseded, or canceled, at any time by TPS. The
above Terms and Conditions will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without reference
to conflict of laws.
Manual Conventions
This manual uses the following conventions:
Example Explanation
FileExit tap the File menu and tap Exit.
Enter Indicates the button or key labeled Enter.
Notes Indicates a field on a dialog box or screen, or a tab
within a dialog box or screen.
Topo Indicates the name of a dialog box or screen.
NOTE Further information to note about the configuration,
maintenance, or setup of a system.
TIP Supplementary information that can help you
configure, maintain, or set up a system.
NOTICE
Supplementary information that can have an affect
on system operation, system performance,
measurements, or personal safety.

P/N 7010-0731
What’s New
ix
What’s New with
TopPAD
This chapter briefly describes new features and functions for the
TopPAD software.
DThe manual has been arranged into the following chapters:
• An introduction chapter that includes a general discussion on
the differenttypes of surveying (GIS mapping), a brief look at
the Topcon systems available to use TopPAD with for GIS
mapping, an installation section, and a discussion of the
Security screen.
• A user’s chapter and getting started guide that includes basic
setup and usage information for TopPAD and GIS mapping
projects.
• A reference chapter (formally the various chapters of a
separate reference manual) that lists all available screens and
fields of the TopPAD software.
DInformation for a point can be quickly added from the main
screen using a pop-up menu. See “Point Information” on
page 3-54.
DWhen TopPAD is installed on a GMS-2, a picture can be taken of
the waypoint. See “Points – Image Capture” on page 3-55 or
“Using TopPAD with a GMS-2 Camera” on page 2-26 for more
information.
DThe connected modem can be configured using a new Modem
Config toolbar button. See “Radio Configuration” on page 3-57
for details.

What’s New with TopPAD
TopPAD Reference Manual
x
DVarious types of Base radios for RT DPGS configurations can be
configured using TopPAD. See “Config: Base Radio (For RT/
Network DGPS)” on page 3-10.
DVarious modem types can be configured. See “Surv Config” on
page 3-6 for more information.
DA Network DGPS survey can now be created. See “Surv Config”
on page 3-6 for more information.

P/N 7010-0731
Chapter 1
1-1
Introduction
TopPAD is a field data collection software used on a hand-held
controller for GIS surveys. TopPAD is structured to provide the
surveyor with capture and update functions for geographical data in a
wide range of GIS-related applications.
TopPAD uses the ArcPad shell from ESRI as the basis of features
designed for Topcon receivers and controllers. TopPAD includes
features for creating survey configurations, starting a Base station,
viewing tracked satellites, and switching between Bluetooth®
devices.
Figure 1-1. TopPAD on Controller (Topcon’s GMS-2)
TIP
Before continuing with the TopPAD manual,
review the ArcPAD 6.0.2 or higher manual for
details on using the ArcPAD software (browse to
the Knowledge Base page of the ESRI support
website: http://support.esri.com/).

Introduction
TopPAD Reference Manual
1-2
Surveying Overview
Surveying with the right GPS receiver can provide you with accurate
and precise positioning, a requirement for any surveying project.
This section gives an overview of GPS and receiver functions to help
you understand and apply GPS principles, allowing you to get the
most out of your receiver.
GPS Overview
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based line-of-
sight radio navigation system run by the United States Department of
Defense (DoD). This system offers a global, all weather, 24-hour
positioning, velocity, and time service to any user equipped with a
GPS tracking receiver on or near the Earth’s surface. At any one time,
with a standard 15° angle, up to 10 or 12 GPS satellites are visible
from any point on earth. The Global Navigation Satellite System
(GLONASS) is run by the Russian Federation Ministry of Defence—
a counterpart to GPS.
For information on current GPS constellation status, visit the U.S.
Naval Observatory website (http://tycho.usno.navy.mil)/) or the U.S.
Coast Guard Navigation Center website (www.navcen.uscg.gov). For
information on the current GLONASS constellation, visit the
GLONASS website (http://www.glonass-center.ru).
Despite numerous technical differences in the implementation of
these systems, both GPS and GLONASS have three essential
components:
• Space – GPS and GLONASS satellites orbiting approximately
12,000 nautical miles above Earth and are equipped with a clock
and a radio. These satellites broadcast digital information
(ephemerides, almanacs, time frequency corrections, etc.).
• Control – Ground stations located around the Earth that monitor
the satellites and upload data, including clock corrections and
new ephemerides (satellite positions as a function of time), to
ensure the satellites transmit data properly.

Surveying Overview
P/N 7010-0731 1-3
• User – The community and military that use GPS/GLONASS
receivers and the corresponding satellites to calculate positions.
Calculating Positions
Each GPS satellite continuously transmits signals on two carrier
frequencies known as L1 and L2 carriers. The L1 carrier is modulated
with a Coarse Acquisition Code (C/A code) and a Precise Code
(P code). The L2 carrier is modulated only with the P code. Also, a
navigation message is modulated and transmitted on both
frequencies.
Once the receiver locks on to a satellite, it starts recording
measurements and receiving the various digital information
(ephemeris, almanac, and so on) the satellites broadcast. To calculate
a position, receivers use the following formula:
Velocity x Time = Distance
Where Velocity is the speed at which radio waves travel (that is, the
speed of light) and Time is the difference between the signal
transmission time and signal reception time.
To calculate absolute 3D positions (latitude, longitude, altitude) the
receiver must lock onto four satellites. In a mixed GPS and
GLONASS scenario, receivers must lock on to at least five satellites
to obtain an absolute position.
To provide fault tolerance using only GPS or only GLONASS, the
receiver must lock onto a fifth satellite. Six satellites will provide
fault tolerance in mixed scenarios. Usually, the number of GPS and
GLONASS satellites in view does not exceed twenty (20).
Once hooked onto a satellite, the receiver collects ephemerides and
almanacs, saving this information to its NVRAM (Non-Volatile
RAM).
• GPS and GLONASS satellites broadcast ephemeris data
cyclically, within a period of 30 seconds.
• GPS satellites broadcast almanac data cyclically with a period of
12.5 minutes; GLONASS satellites broadcast almanac data
cyclically within a period of 2.5 minutes.

Introduction
TopPAD Reference Manual
1-4
GPS Positioning
Achieving quality position results requires the following elements:
• Accuracy – The accuracy of a position depends upon the number,
signal integrity, and placement (also known as a Dilution of
Precision, or DOP) of satellites.
– Differential GPS (DGPS) strongly mitigates atmospheric and
orbital errors, and counteracts anti-spoofing signals the US
Department of Defense transmits with GPS signals.
– The more satellites in view, the stronger the signal, the lower
the DOP number, providing more accurate positioning.
• Availability – The availability of satellites affects the calculation
of valid positions. The more visible satellites available, the more
valid and accurate the position. Natural and man-made objects
can block, interrupt, and weaken signals, lowering the number of
available satellites.
• Integrity – Fault tolerance allows a position to have greater
integrity, increasing accuracy. Several factors combine to provide
fault tolerance, including:
– Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) detects
faulty GPS and GLONASS satellites and removes them from
the position calculation.
– Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) creates and
transmits DGPS correction messages.
– Five or more visible satellites for only GPS or only
GLONASS; six or more satellites for mixed scenarios.
– Current ephemerides and almanacs.
– Several algorithms to detect and correct faulty information.
Conclusion
This overview simply outlines the basics of GPS and GLONASS
positioning. A number of differential positioning implementations
exist, including post-processing surveying, real-time kinematic
(RTK) surveying, maritime radio beacons, geostationary satellites
(such as OmniSTAR service), and the wide area augmentation system
(WAAS/EGNOS) service.

Surveying Overview
P/N 7010-0731 1-5
DGPS Overview
DGPS, or Differential GPS, typically uses the measurements from
two or more remote receivers to calculate difference (corrections)
between measurements, thus providing more accurate position
solutions.
With DPGS, one receiver is placed at a known, survey location and is
referred to as the reference receiver or base station. Another receiver
is placed at an unknown, location and is referred to as the remote
receiver or rover/ The reference station collects the range
measurements from each GPS satellite in view and forms the
differences (corrections) between the calculated distance to the
satellites and the measured pseudo-ranges to the satellites.
These corrections are then built up to the industry standard (RTCM or
various proprietary standards) established for transmitting differential
corrections and broadcast to the remote receiver(s) using a data
communication link. The remote receiver applies the transmitted
DGPS corrections to its range measurements of the same satellite.
Using this technique, the spatially correlated errors—such as satellite
orbital errors, ionospheric errors, and tropospheric errors—can be
significantly reduced, thus improving the position solution accuracy
of the GPS. The maritime radio beacons system is one example of this
approach to connection GPS solutions.
Another DGPS approach employs the geostationary satellites for the
distribution of the corrections. One of the most widely used
applications is the OmniSTAR Worldwide DGPS positioning service.
RTK DGPS Service
The real-time kinematic (RTK) method is the most precise method of
real-time surveying. RTK requires at least two receivers collecting
navigation data and communication data link between the receivers.
One of the receivers is usually at a known location (Base) and the
other is at an unknown location (Rover). The Base receiver collects
carrier phase measurements, generates RTK corrections, and sends
this data to the Rover receiver. The Rover processes this transmitted
data with its own carrier phase observations to compute its relative

Introduction
TopPAD Reference Manual
1-6
position with high accuracy, achieving an RTK accuracy of up to 1
cm horizontal and 1.5 cm vertical.
Coastal Navigation Beacons DGPS Service
The maritime radio beacons system improve the accuracy of maritime
navigation around harbors and critical waterways. These signals also
cover some inland areas in proximity to the radio beacon station.
In the United States, the coastal navigation beacons are managed by
the United States Coast Guard and provide differential correction
service in coastal areas and in much of the interior of the United
States.
In other parts of the world, coastal navigation beacons modeled after
the US Coast Guard system are available. Check with your local
maritime authority to learn more about services available in your
area. The Beacon system is provided free of charge in the United
States.
• For detailed information on the coastal navigation beacon system
in the United States, visit the US Coast Guard’s Navigation
Center website (www.navcen.uscg.gov).
• For detailed information on the coastal navigation system in other
parts of the world, visit the International Association of Marine
Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities website (http://
www.iala-aism.org/web/index.html).
OmniSTAR DGPS Service
The OmniSTAR system provides differential corrections for all GPS
satellites in view. Permanent ground stations compute corrections,
forward these corrections to the Network Control Center which
uploads the data to the OmniSTAR geostationary satellites. GPS
receivers with OmniSTAR boards and a subscription to the
OmniSTAR service can then receive these differential corrections for
sub-meter survey accuracies.
OmniSTAR is an international service company offering worldwide,
real-time, DGPS services. Visit the OmniSTAR website for more
information (www.omnistar.com).