Chapter 5 Executing An Rtk Survey; Rtk Rover Initialization - Thales Z-Max Operation And Application Manual

Executing an RTK Survey
After connecting the hardware and configuring the receivers as described in the
previous two chapters, your Z-Max RTK System is now operational, and almost ready
to execute an RTK survey.
In this chapter we:
• discuss the important concept of Rover Initialization,
• provide step-by-step instructions on executing different types of RTK surveys
using the Front Panel User Interface, and
• provide procedures on downloading data from the SD memory card once the
survey is complete.

RTK Rover Initialization

Prior to performing any feature location or stakeout with the rover system, it must first
go through an initialization process. This initialization process has been given several
different names including fixing biases, ambiguity resolution and fixing integers. All of
these terms refer to the same process. Being aware of this process will help ensure a
successful RTK survey.
Prior to initialization, the rover system will compute positions at a degraded level of
accuracy. The accuracy prior to initialization could be anywhere from 0.15 meters
(0.5 ft) to several meters. The initialization process is required to maximize the
accuracy of the rover system. Once initialized, the rover system will function at its
specified level of accuracy until initialization is lost.
The initialization status of the rover can be determined by looking at the RTK
SOLUTION LED on the front panel of the GPS Receiver Module. If the LED is blinking
green, the receiver is initialized and computing fixed-integer, centimeter-level RTK
positions. If the LED is blinking yellow, then the receiver is not initialized, and the
accuracy of RTK positions will be degraded. If the LED is blinking red or if the LED is
not blinking at all, then the receiver is not computing RTK positions. In this case, the
problem is most likely a setup or configuration problem at the base or rover receiver.
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