New version ProMark 500 V4: More features, enhanced performance and a new price offer. Contact us today to learn more about the new capabilities of our GNSS receiver and its advantages.

The winning combination
The ProMark 500 rover and rover/base system offer GPS+GLONASS+20 years of field-proven technologies for surveying and geodesy. This powerful RTK survey solution delivers state-of-the art GNSS in a smart, compact, light and cable-free design that gives you maximum mobility and flexibility in the field.

BLADE Technology
In addition to the short time to fix, long-range RTK and solution reliability, ProMark 500 includes:

• Patented multi-constellation signal processing
• Use of SBAS and GLONASS ranging signals to strenghten the GPS solution
• RTK solution maintained if data link is dropped
• Interoperability with any vendor's reference station using GPS+GLONASS L1/L2
   

All-in-one Flexibility
ProMark 500 offers all-in-one communication capabilities. It is the most flexible GNSS surveying system available, offering multiple operating modes, configurations and communication modules (UHF, GSM/GPRS, EDGE) and protocols.

Feature-rich Surveying Solution
The ProMark 500 is available with a MobileMapper CX field terminal, a handheld sub-meter GPS receiver for additional work such as pre-survey and GIS data collection.

The ProMark 500 offers extensive equipment interoperability via comprehensive suite of software tools:

• FAST Survey^TM field software simplifies data collection and real-time operation.
• GNSS Solutions^TM office software provides powerful support to a wide range of applications, handling both real-time and post-processing data within the same project.
• Real Time Data Server Software (RTDS) is a new software offering land surveying companies the possibility of using GNSS equipment to build their own direct IP RTK corrections server.
• Grade Supervisor from Carlson Software is a powerful yet easy to use 3D site management system for day-to-day surface and grade management tasks. From concept to completion, Grade Supervisor, designed for both man and machine works either on the pole or in a vehicle.
   

The ProMark 500 innovative design, comprehensive user interface and wide range of communications will empower you to extend your survey horizons. Combined with the new FAST Survey field software on either a MobileMapper^TM CX or MobileMapper^TM 6 data controller, plus the highly regarded GNSS Solutions office software, the ProMark 500 represents a unique cost-effective offer.

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  ProMark 500 - Product Brochure

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FAQ

ProMark 500 FAQ

• What is ProMark 500?
• ProMark 500 Software Solutions
• Connectivity / radios
• Data format
• Power Characteristics
• Memory
• System or Software Upgrades

What is ProMark 500?

Q: What is ProMark 500?
The ProMark 500 GNSS receiver delivers state-of-the art RTK features in a light, cable-free rover that gives you maximum mobility and flexibility in the field. Our BLADE processing engine insures fast initialization, long-range accuracy, robust signal tracking, and secures future constellation evolutions.

ProMark 500 offers all-in-one communication capabilities. It is the most flexible GNSS surveying system available, offering multiple operating modes, configurations and communication methods (UHF, GSM/GPRS, CDMA, EDGE) and protocols.

The ProMark 500 is available with a MobileMapper^TM CX and Mobile Mapper 6 field terminal, both include sub-meter GPS receiver for additional work such as pre-survey and GIS data collection.

Q: What are the key features of the ProMark 500?

In addition to the short time to fix, long-range RTK and solution reliability, ProMark 500 includes:
- Patented multi-constellation signal processing
- RTK solution maintained if data link is dropped
- Interoperability with any vendor's reference station using GPS+GLONASS L1/L2
- All-in-one communication capabilities. ProMark500 is the only GNSS receiver with both UHF and GPRS embedded. Enabling the switch between both by software activation only.

Q: What is the BLADE technology?

BLADE is Ashtech's proprietary, state-of-art Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Differential GNSS (DGNSS) engine that is the core GNSS data processing technology in Ashtech's Professional products. BLADE contains patented techniques for the optimal combination of different GNSS signals. More info http://www.ashtech.com/en/products/technology.asp

Q: What is the exact number and allocation of channels in ProMark 500?

In terms of resources on ProMark 500, 75 channels are available. Among these:
- 5 are dedicated for low-sensitivity acquisition and tracking for better signal detection in difficult environment
- 70 are dedicated for standard satellite tracking.

Q: Can ProMark 500 be used with other Ashtech/Magellan equipment?

Compatibility with other legacy equipment is based on the radio link and RTCM versions, which must be compatible. Any equipment supporting RTCM 2.3 or 3.0 and using proprietary or Pac Crest radios should be compatible with ProMark 500. ProMark 500 can also use the older Ashtech DBEN format in rover mode, although in this case no GLONASS correction data will be available to the rover. More over ProMark 500 supports a virtual antenna witch makes possible to work with third party rovers.

Q: Is ProMark 500 compatible with GLONASS?

Yes, ProMark 500 is compatible with GLONASS. Actually, the ProMark 500 offers a unique optimal use of GLONASS to the end-user compared to competitors' system. Turning off GLONASS is often required with the competition's products. Some of them recommend deselecting GLONASS when working with a third party reference station as they don't handle well the GLONASS biases. Thanks to its unique BLADE technology, the ProMark 500 is able to resolve this GLONASS-related issues by calibrating the hardware biases introduced when a rover is connected to a third-party reference station. In this way the end-user can always fully benefit from the GLONASS availability.

Q: Is ProMark 500 Galileo compatible?

Ashtech's strategy is to deliver the right feature at the right time in order to offer the maximum return on investment to the end-user. We believe that customers should not pay today for future features and technology that are not soon available.

ProMark 500 is Galileo upgradeable. When sufficient Galileo signals are available to benefit the user, Ashtech will offer an upgrade kit (firmware version + GNSS module). Thanks to the modular design of the ProMark 500, this upgrade will be easily done at the dealer level.

Q: Is ProMark 500 compatible with L2C and L5?

ProMark 500 hardware is compatible with L2C. L2C compatibility is a new feature included in the ProMark 500 V4 version. Previous versions can be firmware upgraded to benefit of the L2C compatibility. L5 compatibility will require an upgrade of the GNSS module (see Galileo upgrade) as well as new firmware. Ashtech is planning to make this available in the second half of 2010.
L5 compatibility will require an upgrade of the GNSS module (see Galileo upgrade) as well as new firmware. Magellan is planning to make this available in the second half of 2010.

Q: Is a ProMark 500 system shipped in a hard case?

The hard case is available as an accessory and must be ordered separately. This hard case can accommodate a full system of 2 ProMark 500 receivers with accessories. Basic ProMark 500 receivers are delivered in soft bags.

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ProMark 500 Software Solutions

Q: What software is offered by Ashtech for the ProMark 500?

The ProMark 500 offers extensive equipment interoperability via a comprehensive suite of software tools:
- FAST Survey^TM field software simplifies data collection and real-time operation.
- GNSS Solutions^TM office software provides powerful support to a wide range of applications, handling both real-time and post-processing data within the same project.
- RTDS, Real-time data server, is a new software offering land surveying companies the possibility of using GNSS equipment to build their own direct IP RTK corrections server. The RTDS software will collect corrections sent by a GNSS base station and act as a gateway to make them available to any rover that connects to the software. Ashtech RTDS is a PC software allowing communication between one base and many rovers. The only specific requirement is that the RTDS software must be installed on a computer with a static IP address.

Q: Which Ashtech field software is compatible with the ProMark 500?

FAST Survey field software simplifies data collection and real-time operation. FAST Survey is a graphical, easy-to-use field solution. A scaleable map view displays points and lines as they are surveyed, offering large-print controls for rapid, reliable data collection, background maps and color lines could be defined. Menu access through an intuitive tab-based plus icons interface means that mission critical menus are visible from all screens and no time is spent scrolling through menus in the field.

FAST Survey software is included in the Ashtech MobileMapper CX controller package with the total station option also activated, allowing the user to use this controller with both the ProMark 500 and most total stations.

Q: Can the same version of FAST Survey field software control both a ProMark3 RTK and ProMark 500?

Not at this time. There are two different versions of FAST Survey without compatibility.

Q: Is there an office software included with the ProMark 500?

Yes, the GNSS Solutions office software is included. GNSS Solutions is comprehensive office software with all of the tools required to successfully process GPS, GLONASS and SBAS survey data. Focusing on simplicity, GNSS Solutions guides you through planning, processing, quality control, reporting, data exporting and more. The capability of handling both real-time and post-processed data within a single project opens up new horizons for the surveyor.

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Connectivity / radios

Q: What kind of communication capabilities are included with the ProMark 500?

ProMark 500 offers all-in-one communication capabilities, multiple communication modules (UHF, GSM/GPRS/EDGE) and protocols. Using Bluetooth, the ProMark 500 allows one to use an external cell phone (including CDMA technology) for RTK corrections. It is the most flexible GNSS surveying system available, offering multiple operating modes: RTK rover/base, post-processing, RTK network rover (VRS, FKP, MAC). It is the only receiver able to support at the same time without hardware swap, both UHF and GPRS.

Q: What is the ProMark 500 Bluetooth range?

Bluetooth implemented in ProMark 500 is Class II, with transmitting power of 2.5 mW (4 dBm) and a range of 15-20 meters. Two ports are available, allowing connection to both a controller and an external cell phone.

Q: What range does one get out of the Ashtech UHF radios?

Ashtech UHF radio power is max 4W. Thanks to unique design and technology the performances reached with these radios are very good and typical range is up to 4 miles (

Q: Could the ProMark 3 RTK license-free radios be used with a ProMark 500?

Yes, a new license free radio kit is available for ProMark 500. As for ProMark3 this radio is powered directly by the receiver without need of external power. This will impact by 10 to 15% the battery life of the receiver.

Q: Is the Pacific Crest to ProMark 500 cable the same as the Z-Max GNSS receiver?

Yes, this cable is the same as the one used with Z-Max (previous generation of L1/L2 Ashtech GNSS survey solution).

 

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Data format

Q: What are the different data formats used by the ProMark 500 rover?

_ RTCM 2.3, RTCM 3.1
_ CMR, CMR+
_ Ashtech proprietary format ATOM^TM
_ DBEN
_ NTRIP protocol

Q: What are the different data formats output by the ProMark 500 base or rover?

_ RTCM 2.3, RTCM 3.1
_ CMR, CMR+
_ Ashtech proprietary format ATOM^TM
_ NMEA 0183

Q: Can ATOM be converted to RINEX?

Yes. A new RINEX converter is available with GNSS Solutions 3.10.04. This new version supports ATOM and new versions of RINEX.

Q: Is ATOM directly compatible with OPUS or will we need to convert to RINEX first?

ATOM has to be converted to RINEX first.

Q: Is ProMark 500 backward compatible with previous proprietary DBEN data format?

Yes, but as a rover only and then without GLONASS corrections. For RTK the preferred format is RTCM 3.0.

Q: What is the best correction rate in RTCM 2.3?

When using the Ashtech radio the minimum rate must be 3s to avoid data drop outs. FAST Survey will automatically configure the receiver at 2s, so an update of the configuration will be required.

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Power Characteristics

Q: What is the battery used by the ProMark 500 RTK system?

The battery is a standard camcorder battery readily available in most countries. It is a Li-ion battery, 4400 mAh. 6-28 VDC.

Q: What is the battery life of the ProMark 500 RTK system?

Battery life is better than 6 hours (UHF rover @20?C).

Q: How does one charge the ProMark 500 battery?

- High-speed charging through the external battery charger (less than 1 hour).
- Low-speed charging when the battery is inside the receiver: 9 to 10 hours to reach full charged battery. An optional cable is available to connect the power adapter to the Fisher connector on the receiver.

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Memory

Q: What is the internal memory capacity available for raw data recording?

ProMark 500 has a 128 MB internal memory. More than 80 MB are dedicated for data recording. This represents more than 400 hours of recording with a time interval of 15 seconds.

Q: Is there any limitation in the external memory to be connected through USB?

In order to increase the storage capacity it is possible to connect a USB key to the ProMark 500 receiver and expand the capacity to the size of the USB key without limitation.

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System or Software Upgrades

Q: How does one upgrade ProMark 500 firmware?

New firmware versions are periodically made available for free at ftp.ashtech.com. Upgrade instructions are also posted on this ftp site as release notes. Customers who register their product on Ashtech website may receive the product news notifying them of the availability of the upgrade. https://www.ashtech.com/en/users/login.asp

Q: How does one upgrade GNSS Solutions?

New versions of GNSS Solutions are periodically made available. These versions are available for free upgrade at ftp.ashtech.com.

Q: How does one upgrade FAST Survey?

New versions of FAST Survey are periodically made available. In order to upgrade your current version of FAST Survey to the new one you need to download this new software from ftp.ashtech.com , and follow the instructions available in the release note.

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