Novatel ProPak-G2plus Quick Start Manual

SPAN Technology
QUICK START GUIDE
This guide provides the basic
information you need to set
up and begin using your
SPAN Technology system.

BOX CONTENTS

In addition to this Quick Start
Guide, the following is
provided in your SPAN
package:
• 1 DL-4plus, ProPak-G2plus or ProPak-LBplus receiver
and its Quick Start Guide
• 1 IMU (if you do not already have one)
• 1 IMU to receiver interface cable
• 2 serial cables (1 straight through and 1 null modem)
• 1 I/O cable
• 1 DB9 to USB cable (ProPak-G2plus and DL-4plus only)
• 1 12 V power cable
• 1 CD containing PC Utilities and product documentation

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

The following additional equipment is needed for a basic setup:
• A Windows-based PC with an RS-232 DB9 or USB port
• A power supply of +12 to +18 VDC (DL-4plus\ProPak-
G2plus) or a max. of +15 VDC for the ProPak-LBplus.
• A quality dual frequency GPS antenna such as the GPS-
702, or GPS-512 for airborne/high speed applications.
For L-Band corrections use the GPS-702L antenna.
• A TNC to appropriate antenna connector RF cable

SPAN HARDWARE SET-UP

Complete the following steps to set up and power your SPAN
system where the example graphics show the connections on
the back of a DL-4plus or ProPak-G2plus receiver. Refer to your
ProPak-LBplus Quick Start Guide for graphics of its connectors.
1. Mount the IMU and antenna securely to a vehicle. Ensure
they cannot move due to dynamics and that the distance
and relative direction between them is fixed. See also Step 3
in the SPAN IMU Configuration section of this guide.
2. Connect the IMU to the receiver using the IMU cable
provided. For the Propak-LBplus, the IMU cable plugs into
(the COM3 port). For the DL-4 and Propak-G2 receivers, the
IMU plugs into the port labelled AUX. See also Steps 1 and 2
in the SPAN IMU Configuration section of this guide.
3. Connect COM1 of the receiver to a computer COM port
using a null modem cable.
Null
modem
IMU cable
cable
4. Connect the GPS antenna to the antenna port on the
receiver using an appropriate antenna cable.
5. Apply power to the receiver and in the case of the DL-4plus,
push its power button to turn it on. It is recommended that a
back-up battery is placed between the receiver and its
voltage supply to act as a power buffer if installed in a
vehicle. When a vehicle engine is started, power can dip to
9.6 VDC or cut-out to ancillary equipment causing the
receiver and IMU to lose lock and calibration settings.
-
+
You may also have a user point device such as video equipment.
Connect the device to the receiver's I/O port using a cable that is
compatible to both the receiver and the device. Refer to your
device's documentation for information on its connectors and
cables. The arrow along the cable in the figure indicates a MARKIN
pulse, refer to Volume 2 of the OEM4 User Manual set, from the
user device on the right to the DL4plus I/O port.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE SPAN SYSTEM

Once the receiver is connected to the PC, antenna, and power
supply, install NovAtel's GPS PC Utilities (GPSolution, DL4Tool
and Convert). You can find installation instructions in your
receiver's Quick Start Guide. (Alternatively, you can use a
terminal emulator program such as HyperTerminal to
communicate with the receiver. Refer to Volume 1 of the OEM4
User Manual set for details.)
Start GPSolution4 on your PC to enable communication:
1. In the GPSolution menu, select Device | Open.
2. Select the New... button in the Open dialog box.
3. Enter a name for the new device configuration in the Name
field of the New Config dialog box.
4. Select the Settings button.
5. Select the PC serial port the receiver is connected to from
the PC Port drop-down list, 57600 from the Baud Rate list
Voltage
Supply
and uncheck the Use hardware handshaking checkbox.
6. Select OK to save the settings and OK again to close the
New Config dialog box and return to the Open dialog.
7. Select your configuration (Name) in the Open dialog and
click on the Open button.
8. Select View | Logging Control from the menu to control the
GPSCard's logging to files and serial ports. Refer to
GPSolution4's on-line Help for more information.
9. Use the Console window to enter commands.
See also the Post-Processing section of this guide.
If you have to power down your receiver, ensure that all windows,
other than the Console window, are closed in GPSolution and then
use the SAVECONFIG command.

SPAN IMU CONFIGURATION

You must use COM3 for the ProPaks and AUX for the DL-4
when inputting commands that require a port name. This is true,
even if the port is labelled differently.
a a
SPAN Enclosure Port Label Port Name for Software
ProPak-G2plus AUX COM3
ProPak-LBplus COM3
DL-4plus AUX AUX
a. This is the name given to the port when described in a
command or output in a log
Follow these steps to enable INS as part of the SPAN system:
1. Issue the INTERFACEMODE command to specify the
receiver port that is connected to the IMU:
Receiver Type INTERFACEMODE Command
ProPak-G2plus
interfacemode com3 imu imu off
ProPak-LBplus interfacemode com3 imu imu off
DL-4plus interfacemode aux imu imu off
a. Enter this command even if the port is labelled AUX on
the ProPak-G2plus
a
a