• What is ProMark3 RTK?
• Base / Rover configuration
• Network configuration (rover only)
• Ashtech license-free radio
• FAST Survey option

What is ProMark3 RTK?

Q: What is ProMark3 RTK?
A: ProMark3 RTK is an easy-to-use and affordable GNSS equipment that includes RTK, post-processing and mapping capabilities. ProMark3 RTK is built upon BLADE?, the new outstanding generation of Magellan GNSS engine. ProMark3 RTK provides surveyors with centimeter accuracy in a real-time solution at less than half the price of dual-frequency receivers.
ProMark3 RTK offers two real-time survey modes including:
 

• Base + rover system using a "plug and play" radio modem, powered and configured via the receiver
• Rover only with network connectivity, via NTRIP or Direct IP

Q: What are the key features of ProMark3 RTK?
A: ProMark3 RTK provides surveyors with centimeter accuracy in a real-time solution at less than half the price of dual-frequency receivers.
The ProMark3 RTK system is a rugged survey solution including radio modems, software and all accessories. It is designed for field workers asking for reliability, simplicity and high performance:

• Lightest real-time positioning system on the market.
• Complete surveying and mobile mapping capabilities
• Rugged and ergonomic features for enhanced comfort
• Embedded monitoring, diagnostics and quality control tools to qualify the job before you leave the field.

Q: What is BLADE™ Technology?
A: BLADE technology is a GNSS engine developed by Magellan that concentrates years of extensive experience in GNSS technology. In particular, this new Magellan technology allows SBAS measurements to be involved in the RTK process. Additional GPS-like measurements are therefore used, improving satellite geometry and allowing centimeter-level accuracies to be achieved in a shorter time, compared to GPS-only algorithms.

Q: What are the main differences between ProMark3 RTK and dual-frequency RTK receivers ?
A: ProMark3 RTK is much smaller and portable. It comes in standard with an embedded mapping application as well as post-processing capabilities supported by a complete GNSS software suite. ProMark3 RTK is much cheaper than competing RTK system, it is ideally suited for short baseline surveys, such as construction site, stake out, cadastral and is highly performing in open sky environment.

Q: Is ProMark3 RTK a GNSS system?
A: ProMark3 RTK is a GNSS system in the sense that SBAS satellites are involved in the position processing, whether in post-processing or real time. This is part of the Magellan BLADE technology, which gives a unique advantage in terms of performance compared to other existing L1 receivers. The SBAS satellites used in the position processing mainly contribute to improving the RTK initialization time.

Q: Can I post-process the field data collected during a real-time survey job?
A: When setting a real-time job, you can choose to also log the raw data during the job. If you make that choice, then you will be able to post-process the collected raw data when back in your office. This will allow you to compare your field results with those of the post-processing and ensure the high quality level of your data.

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Base / Rover configuration

Q: What are the main advantages and constraints of ProMark3 RTK used as a system?
A: The ProMark3 RTK base-rover system is a very efficient, short baseline solution under full control of the operator. It requires more care than a rover only solution because the system consists of two units occupying different locations. ProMark3 RTK base / rover system is delivered with a set of two license-free radio modem.

Q: How to configure the radio modem?
A: The Magellan license free-radio modems are plug-and-play devices. They don't need prior settings to start operating. In some cases, you may need to select a new channel or change a parameter. This can be done directly from the ProMark3 RTK receiver using the Radio Configuration utility to access the main radio parameters.

Q: What is the operating time of a ProMark3 RTK connected to a Magellan license-free radio?
A: As the radio module is powered directly from the ProMark3 RTK receiver, the operating time of the receiver will be less when a radio is connected. The operating time is not that different between the base and the rover. Typically 8 hours or 6 hours with radio on, if the battery is new and fully charged.

Q: What can be done to perform long occupation times? (more than 8 hours)
A: With ProMark3 RTK systems, the occupation time should never exceed the operating time of a standalone ProMark3 RTK receiver (around 8 hours). For longer occupations, the radio modem should be connected to an external power source in order to be independent of the ProMark3 RTK receiver in terms of power supply. In this case, a specific cable should be used. For more details, please contact the Magellan Technical Support.

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Network configuration ( rover only)

Q: Can ProMark3 RTK work in a network?
A: Yes, ProMark3 RTK is compatible with VRS, FKP and MAC networks. Connected to a network via NTRIP or Direct IP, ProMark3 RTK can compute a real-time centimeter position in specific operating conditions (i.e. distance to the network station and network topology, inter-station distances). The performance specifications are then the following: - Centimeter accuracy achieved for ranges from the station less than 10 km. - In a VRS network: The VRS has to be good enough and the distances between stations should be less than 50 km to secure the results. In all other areas, ProMark3 RTK will deliver decimeter?accurate, real-time positions.

Q: What are the main advantages and constraints of a ProMark3 RTK used as a rover only?
A: The rover-only configuration may be regarded as simpler and cheaper than a rover-base configuration. However complexity may appear with network access and GPRS connection processes. Even as a rover connected to a network, ProMark3 RTK should be considered as a limited baseline solution (less than 10 kilometers from the station to get a fixed solution).

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Ashtech license-free radio

Q: Is the Ashtech license-free radio compatible with outdoor constraints?
A: The Ashtech license-free radio modules comply with the IP65 standard. This means they are totally protected against dust and water splashing from all directions. The Ashtech license-free radio module is therefore perfectly adapted to intensive usage in all outdoor conditions and environments (including extreme temperatures, from -20°C up to 70°C)

Q: How to check that radios operate correctly?
A: After connecting the radios to the base and rover and after having started to broadcast corrections from the base (cf. Base Station option in the Surveying menu), the rover's real-time measurement screen displays the current position, the status of the solution, and the age of corrections. If this value remains within a few seconds, this means corrections are received at a rate that is compatible with the system requirements. If this value increases, this means corrections are no longer received and the conditions to compute an RTK position are no longer met.

Q: What should I do when the radio connection fails?
A: The Ashtech license-free radio modem operates on a license-free radio bandwidth open to several types of applications. This band may sometimes be crammed with too many transmitters. To cope with this problem, a new channel can be selected (out of 5). Using the Radio Configuration Utilities, just change the channel value and try again. To optimize the radio range, the radio modems should be installed as high as possible both at the base and the rover. Make sure the operating time of the receiver batteries are good enough (on both sides) in order to maintain a functional radio link.

Q: What is the range of the radio ?
A: The range of the Ashtech license-free radio module is a few kilometers (up to 3 to 4 kilometers in quite flat areas (trees, small hills, etc.) and about 1 to 2 kilometers in suburban environments. This range can significantly be increased by installing the base radio module on top of a telescopic pole several meters high.

Q: Is there a way to operate the ProMark3 RTK system (Base + rover) over longer ranges?
A: For longer ranges, a more powerful radio should be used, such as the Pacific Crest for example. With such a radio, a specific cable and an external power should be used. Contact the Ashtech Technical Support for more details.
What is the maximum permitted length of the cable between the radio to the ProMark3 RTK?
A: The cable provided by Ashtech is 1.2 m long. Ashtech recommends that you do not use a longer cable. If you need a longer cable, make sure it is fully compatible with the ProMark3 RTK in terms of power and data transfer.

Q: Is there any risk of interference between radios and GPS reception?
A: The radio modem has to be located under the GPS antenna in order to minimize any risk of GPS signal obstruction. In view of the transmitted radio signal, there is no risk of interference between both signals as the frequency bands used are very far from each other. With the ProMark3 RTK system, Magellan provides a 25-cm long, 5.8" extension that allows you to install your radio between the GPS antenna and the tripod.

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FAST Survey option

Q: What are the advantages of FAST Survey compared with the RTK features provided in standard in ProMark3 RTK?
A: In ProMark3 RTK, a first level of real-time capabilities is provided through real-time survey screens and functionalities embedded in the surveying application. These RTK capabilities are limited to point or trajectory logging and basic stake out. FAST Survey brings a lot of new features including a large number of coordinate systems, high-end stake out, and extended compatibility to total stations.

Q: What is the process to upgrade ProMark3 RTK with FAST Survey?
A: The user should order a FAST Survey license for ProMark3 RTK and provide the receiver serial number to your Magellan Dealer. Then Magellan will deliver an activation code (a product key) that is only valid for this specific unit (it will fail in any other unit). The product key has to be entered in the Unlock FAST Survey utility program. Once FAST Survey is unlocked, the FAST survey icon appears on the desktop. Contact your local dealer for more info.

Q: What is the process to upgrade ProMark3 RTK with a FAST Survey license that includes the Total station and GPS options?
A: The options being inside the FAST Survey software, the user should first order a FAST Survey license for ProMark3 RTK and activate FAST Survey on his unit. After launching FAST Survey, the user should read the registration code (Equip/About FAST Survey/Change Registration) in order to send it to your Magellan Dealer. Then Magellan will deliver a Serial Number and a Change Key for the desired option that are only valid for this specific FAST Survey license (they will fail in any other unit). The serial number and change key have to be entered in the same FAST Survey menu. Contact your local dealer for more info.

Q: What should I do if I need to reinstall the real-time options? If I lost my activation codes?
A: Just re-enter your activation code in the unlock RTK and/or Unlock FAST Survey utility program. If you lost your activation codes, Magellan Professional will be able to give them back to you only after you have provided Magellan with the serial number of your equipment.

Q: Can the FAST Survey option be used on ProMark3 RTK to control a Magellan Z-Max.Net rover?
A: Yes. A ProMark3 RTK running FAST Survey can be used as a field terminal for the Z-Max.Net, provided the GPS option is activated in FAST Survey. With this option enabled, Z-Max.Net appears in the list of compatible equipment. And all monitoring capabilities are available from the ProMark3 RTK receiver. Upgrade a ProMark3 to ProMark3 RTK

Q: Can previous ProMark3 versions benefit from real time options?
A: The real-time options are available through a firmware upgrade compatible with the classic ProMark3. The V2.0 firmware is available on the Ashtech FTP site for download. In this firmware, all real-time capabilities are available but locked. In order to be able to unlock the real-time option, the user should buy the corresponding license from the Ashtech professional catalogue. Contact your local dealer for more info.

Q: What is the process to upgrade previous versions of ProMark3 to ProMark3 RTK?
A: Once the ProMark3 receiver has been upgraded to firmware version 2.0 (following the standard upgrade process), the user should order the real-time license from her/his Magellan dealer. By ordering the right license item and appending the serial number of the receiver, the user will in return receive an activation code (a product key) and a CD with the ProMark3 RTK documentation. The product key is only valid for this specific unit (it will fail in any other unit). The product key has to be entered in the Unlock RTK utility program. Once the RTK engine is unlocked, the real-time features will appear in the Surveying menu.

Q: What should I do if I need to reinstall the real-time options? If I lost my activation codes?
A: Just re-enter your activation code in the unlock RTK and/or Unlock FAST Survey utility program. If you lost your activation codes, Ashtech will be able to give them back to you only after you have provided Ashtech with the serial number of your equipment. Contact your local dealer for more info.

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