GeoMax GNSS Zenith25 Series Installation Guide

1 Introduction

This guide provides complete step-by-step instructions for preparing the Zenith25 GNSS series for measuring work. The instructions cover all the required installation tasks for the Zenith GNSS receiver, Getac PS336 handheld and FieldGenius/ Layout Pro software. Only the tasks required for the initial setup of a new Zenith10/20 system are described in this document. For further information regarding the operation of the Zenith10/20 components, please refer to the respective User Manuals. The User Manual for the GNSS receiver is available from the Zenith10/20 CD and also from the GeoMax Partner Area. The Getac PS336 User Manual can be downloaded from Getac's website, at http://en.getac.com/support/downloads.html.

2 General Preparation

2.1 Copy Zenith25 Firmware on MicroSD Card

Visit GeoMax Downloads to check for the current versions of both System and GNSS firmwares. Download the files and store them on the provided MicroSD card in the SYSTEM folder.

2.2 Battery Charging

2.2.1 Zenith25 receiver

Before using the receiver, the included ZBA201 batteries should be charged. Insert a battery into the ZCH201 charger and plug the adapter into an AC supply. Do not disconnect from power until the green FULL indicator flashes, indicating that the battery is fully charged.

2.2.2 Getac PS336 handheld

The PS336 handheld is supplied in a cardboard box which includes the handheld device, battery, charging adapter and EU power cable. A suitable AC power cable may need to be sourced locally to suit country specific plugs. All AC voltages are supported by the adapter. Insert the supplied battery into the handheld's battery compartment. Charge the internal battery with the supplied adapter as shown below. While charging, the circled indicator on the front of the PS336 glows amber. Do not disconnect from power until the indicator glows green, indicating that the battery is fully charged.

The diagram shows two charging setups. One illustrates a Zenith25 receiver connected via a cable to a charger unit plugged into an AC outlet. The other shows a Getac PS336 handheld connected via a USB cable to a charging adapter, which is then plugged into an AC outlet.

3 Preparation of the GNSS Receiver

3.1 Connecting to the PC

Locate the Serial-to-USB cable in the yellow container. Insert a fully charged battery into the GNSS receiver and switch it on. Connect the cable to the Lemo port of the receiver. When connecting the cable to a USB port of the PC, the cable drivers will automatically be installed. If the Windows Found New Hardware Wizard starts, click the Close button.

Download the USB cable driver installer CP210xVCPInstaller_x86.exe from GeoMax Downloads. For 64-bit versions of Windows use the installer named CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.exe. Run this file to install the USB port to Serial converter software by following the instructions of the Windows installer wizard.

A laptop computer is shown connected via a USB cable to a GeoMax Zenith25 GNSS receiver. The USB cable connects to the receiver's Lemo port (labeled 4), and the other end connects to a USB port on the laptop (labeled 5).

A software installer window titled "CP210x USB to UART Bridge Driver Installer" is displayed, with the message "Welcome to the CP210x USB to UART Bridge Driver Installer. This wizard will help you install the drivers for your CP210x USB to UART Bridge device."

3.2 Receiver Connection with GeoMax Assistant

Installation of GeoMax Assistant. Locate the GeoMax Assistant software from Geomax Downloads in the Zenith25 folder and save to your PC. Run GeomaxAssistantZenith.exe and following the instructions of the Windows installer wizard.

The installation of the USB cable driver converted the USB port of your PC to a Serial type. The assigned COM port number can be checked on the PC by selecting START → Control Panel → Device Manager. In the Ports (COM & LPT) category, look for Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge. Here the COM port number of the USB port is provided, as shown in the example below (COM5). Please remember the displayed COM port assigned to your receiver.

A screenshot of the Windows Device Manager shows the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category, listing "Intel(R) Active Management Technology - SOL (COM3)" and "Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COM5)", and "Standard Serial over Bluetooth link (COM11)".

With the receiver connected to the PC, launch Assistant by clicking the respective icon in your Windows desktop. From the menu bar, select File...Connect and choose the COM port number as defined in Device Manager. The COM Port defaults are Baudrate 115`200, 8 databits, 1 Stopbit, Parity None.

3.3 Checking the Receiver Firmware Version

Before using the receiver, it should be checked that the loaded firmwares are the latest versions. Once connected with Assistant, the installed firmwares can be seen when selecting Information from the side menu.

A screenshot of the GeoMax Assistant interface displays firmware information under an "Information" tab. It lists "Result type", "Device SN", "System firmware" (e.g., 1.60), "GNSS firmware" (e.g., 6.113), "GNSS SN", "Battery status" (e.g., 60%), and "GSM type". Buttons include "Information", "Download data", "Antenna management", "Radio settings", "Sensor firmware", "Radio firmware", "Upload key", and "Exit".

If the firmware is older as the one downloaded from the GeoMax download Area it is recommended to perform an update. To update the receiver firmware, download the respective *.FW files, copy to the SYSTEM directory on a microSD card and insert it into the Zenith25 receiver. Select Sensor Firmware from the side menu. The contents of the SYSTEM directory are displayed. Choose the required file and click Upgrade to install the firmware onto the receiver.

The upgrade takes a while. After the upgrade the receiver switches on and off automatically. Once this is done a message will be shown on the Zenith25 status panel, that the instrument is connected successfully. To check whether the latest version has been successfully installed, select Information on the righ sidebar. The new firmware version should be displayed in the info panel.

3.4 Changing the UHF Radio Settings

To meet country radio licence requirements, the internal UHF radio must be set before use to legally allowed local frequencies as defined by local or governmental authorities. Use of forbidden frequencies may lead to prosecution and penalties.

The following procedure defines the configuration of the internal UHF radio. With the receiver connected to Assistant, select Radio Settings from the side menu. The Internal Radio window is now displayed where up to 15 different frequencies can be set. A choice of required frequencies can be entered into the channel table. Check with your country specific local authorities, what frequencies and channel spacing may be used. At the Radio Settings field the internal radio can be configured with default channel, protocol type, channel spacing, transmission power and identifying number. Click Upload Settings to update the defined radio configuration onto the receiver.

A screenshot of the GeoMax Assistant's "Radio Settings" window displays a table for configuring up to 15 channels with frequencies (e.g., Channel 0: 445.000000 MHz, Channel 1: 434.000000 MHz). It also shows fields for "Radio settings" like Channel, Protocol (e.g., Pacific Crest GMSK), Channel spacing (e.g., 25 kHz), Power (e.g., 0.5 W), and Unit ID. Buttons include "Upload settings", "Current settings", and "Exit".

3.5 Installation of Licences

If optional receiver licenses such as 20Hz output frequency were additionally ordered, they are not activated before delivery. Therefore when the equipment is first received, the licences still need to be installed onto the receiver. These options are activated by means of a NovAtel licence key file that would have been emailed to you at delivery of the Zenith25.

The licence key file can be installed onto the receiver by using GeoMax Assistant. With the receiver connected to Assistant, select Upload Key from the side menu. Select the key file (for example L_xxx.key where xxx is the receiver serial number) and click Upload. A confirmation message will be shown once the option has been activated.

Note: The microSD card must be in the receiver when uploading the key file. A manual entry of the license key is NOT supported. The files must be uploaded!

3.6 Disconnecting from the PC

Once the receiver is completely configured, it can be disconnected from the PC. From the Assistant menu bar, select File...Disconnect. The USB cable may now be removed and the Zenith25 is ready for use.

4 Preparation of the Handheld

4.1 Setting up Windows Mobile

Once the battery is fully charged or while connected to AC power, press the power button of the handheld. Follow the steps of the wizard to setup Windows Mobile. The Windows Mobile software on the supplied Getac PS236 is only available in English language. Microsoft restricts the installation of alternative languages with this operating system.

4.2 Connecting to the PC

To establish communication between the handheld and your PC, the Windows Mobile Device Centre needs to be installed. For Windows XP the communication software Microsoft ActiveSync is required. These softwares can be downloaded from Microsoft's website. After the software installation, connect the handheld to your PC with the USB cable supplied with the Getac as shown below.

A Getac PS336 handheld is shown connected via a USB cable to a PC. The diagram illustrates the physical connection points, showing the USB cable connecting to the handheld's port and the PC's USB port.

The device drivers will now automatically be installed. If the Windows Found New Hardware Wizard starts, click the Close button. After the drivers are installed, the Mobile Device Centre or ActiveSync will automatically start. The contents of the PS236 internal memory can be seen with Windows Explorer and are defined as a drive named Portable Device.

4.3 Installation of FieldGenius/ Layout Pro

Download the latest version of GeoMax FieldGenius/Layout Pro from GeoMax Website at http://www.geomax-positioning.com/Downloads.htm?cid=15613. Here the latest installation version and Release Notes of FieldGenius/Layout Pro is available. Download the Devices Installation and save onto your PC.

With the handheld connected to your PC, run the installer file fieldgenius-devices-v.v.v.v-xxu.exe where v.v.v.v is the version number and xx the language. The PC will attempt to connect to the handheld and install the FieldGenius/ Layout Pro software. Follow the instructions of the Windows installation wizard. At the Device Selection window, select the data collector type as Windows Mobile 6.

A "GeoMax FieldGenius 7 Setup" window is displayed, prompting the user to "Please select your data collector...", with "Windows Mobile 6" as an option.

When prompted by the handheld for where to install, choose Device. Once the installation process is completed, the FieldGenius/ Layout Pro software can be started by selecting it from the Windows Mobile Start Menu.

4.4 Registration of FieldGenius/ Layout Pro

When FieldGenius/Layout Pro is started, a registration window with the Device ID is displayed as shown below. It is possible to use FieldGenius/Layout Pro without registration by tapping Run Demo Mode. This provides full functionality, but is limited to the storage of 30 points.

A "FieldGenius" registration window shows fields for "Device ID" and "Key", with buttons for "Run Demo Mode", "Apply Key", and "Cancel". It also indicates an "Invalid key. Please check the entered keys." message.

To register your version of FieldGenius/ Layout Pro, an activation key needs to be entered. The displayed Device ID together with the GUID (Global Unique Identity) is used to obtain the key. The GUID can be found on the printed FieldGenius/ Layout Pro card that was supplied together with your Zenith25 equipment.

A web browser window displays the MicroSurvey License Maintenance System, prompting the user to "Please enter the serial number value that you were supplied with when you purchased your software." It provides an example format and a "Submit" button.

4.5 Connection to the GNSS Receiver

When starting FieldGenius, the Project Manager screen is displayed each time. Create a new project by tapping the appropriate icon and enter a project name. The onscreen keyboard can always be accessed by double tapping on the editable field. The screens that follow are used to set the default settings for this project.

The "Project Manager" screen of FieldGenius is shown, listing existing projects with their dates (e.g., Mirko1, mirko, zoom, FG Sample, deutsch).

At the Instrument Selection screen that follows, a connection to the receiver can be made. Ensure that the receiver is switched on and select either GPS Rover or GPS Reference. In the Instrument Profile window, tap Add and enter a name for your receiver. Save the name and then tap Edit to configure the profile.

The "Instrument Selection" screen in FieldGenius allows choosing between "Instrument Type" options like "Total Station", "GPS Rover", and "GPS Reference". An "Instrument Profile" window is shown with fields to "Add", "Delete", or "Edit" profiles, containing equipment settings and measurement tolerances.

To ensure that measured heights are computed correctly, it is important to define the receiver type. At the Antenna Height panel, choose the Model as Zenith25. The Measured Height is the default length of the telescopic pole.

The "Antenna Height" panel in FieldGenius allows setting the "Model" to "Zenith25" and the "Measured Height" (e.g., 2.000m), with the "Measure Point" specified as the "Bottom of antenna mount".

At the Model & Communication panel, select the Make as GeoMax, Model as Zenith25 and Port as Bluetooth. Tap Bluetooth Search to find all available devices and choose the required receiver by its serial number. Once a connection has been made, you will be prompted for a PIN which is 0000.

The "Model and Communication" panel in FieldGenius allows selecting the "Make" (GeoMax), "Model" (Zenith25), and "Port" (Bluetooth). It shows the "Status: Not Connected" and a "Device" field. Buttons include "Bluetooth Search", "Connect", and "Close".

The "Link Configure" panel in FieldGenius presents options for "Link Device" such as "Other Device", "GSM Module", "Microhard nL400", and "Data Collector Internet". It also shows settings for "Link Communication" like GPS Port, Baud Rate, Parity, Data Bits, Stop Bits, and Flow Control. Buttons include "Connect" and "Close".

Set the Data Format with the required RTK base message type. When selecting GSM Module or Data Collector Internet, tap Setup to define the NTRIP parameters. Once an internet connection is established, a suitable mountpoint can be selected.

When everything has been configured as required, tap Connect. The map view is shown next and you are ready to measure. For further information on using FieldGenius/ Layout Pro for GNSS measurements, refer to the FieldGenius/ Layout Pro instruction manual in the GPS REFERENCE chapter.

5 Equipment Setup

5.1 Rover Setup

For a RTK rover, the Zenith25 equipment can be setup on a pole as shown below.

The diagram illustrates a typical RTK rover setup on a pole. It labels the components: a) Zenith25 instrument, b) ZBA200 battery, c) UHF antenna, d) ZPC200 pole, e) ZHR200 holder, and f) Getac PS236 handheld.

To use as a network rover, a SIM card needs be inserted into the slot located in the battery compartment. Note: The PIN must be disabled before using the SIM card.

When working with the UHF radio, ensure the correct frequency and protocol are set as described in section 3.5. Attach a radio antenna suitable for the set frequency. The following UHF antennas can be ordered from GeoMax: 760259 ZRA100, Gainflex UHF Antenna - frequency range 435-470 MHz; 766906 ZRA101, Gainflex UHF Antenna - frequency range 400-435 MHz.

5.2 Base Setup

The Zenith25 equipment can also be setup as a base station for the transmission of RTK corrections as shown below.

The diagram shows a base station setup, featuring the Zenith25 instrument, a UHF antenna mounted on an arm, and an optional external radio unit.

Attach the UHF radio antenna to the 760275 ZAR200 antenna arm. The arm has a 5/8" thread for mounting onto a telescopic pole or a tripod setup with threaded carrier. The antenna is connected to the Zenith25 using the 760266 ZDC202 cable. The required RTK output message can be configured using GeoMax Assistant or FieldGenius.

For long range RTK, a high powered radio can be used at the base station. Available from GeoMax is the 789359 Satel EASyPro 35W radio. This radio is connected to the receiver and an external power supply, with the 797024 ZDC225 cable. The cable needs to be connected to the Lemo port of the receiver. When other UHF radio types are used, a suitable cable needs to be obtained from the respective radio supplier.