GE 154 SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEMS

2nd Semester A.Y. 2019-2020

Laboratory Exercise 1: Familiarization of GNSS-based Equipment and Software
Prepared by: RVRamos

In this exercise, you will be provided an overview on how to conduct a Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-based survey
specifically on the use of different types of receivers. Be guided by the general workflow in conducting a GNSS observation and
computing for the receiver position:

1. Control point establishment and equipment set-up

2. GNSS receiver and accessories set-up
3. Setting of survey mode and parameters
4. Observation/Measurement
5. Ending observations and pack-up of equipment
6. Data downloading
7. Data processing

I. OBJECTIVE: To familiarize the student with equipment and software used in GNSS applications

II. DATA/MATERIALS:

• Equipment: Survey-grade GNSS receivers, Handheld receiver, Smartphone, Compass/Clinometer (if available)
• Software: Mobile-based application and RTKLIB
• Field sheets (GNSS Station Field Sheet and GNSS Station Satellite Visibility)

III. PROCEDURES:

Note: Steps 1-5 will be briefly implemented in this exercise. Remaining steps involve data processing techniques and will be fully
covered in the next exercises (i.e. Data Processing using RTKLIB)

A1. Using GNSS receivers

Control point establishment and equipment set-up

1. The control point MMA-39 located near the University Avenue will be utilized for your GNSS observations.
Set-up the tripod over this point.
2. Center the bubble in the tribrach by adjusting the legs of the tripod. When the bubble is within the center of the
bull’s eye, use the foot leveling screws of the tribrach to precisely center the bubble.
3. To check for the station visibility, use a compass for getting the directions of the obstructions (i.e. ground features
above the horizon) relative to your station. Use a clinometer (if it is available in the instrument room) to check the
obstruction elevation. If none is available make your own clinometer using a protractor. Check this website
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Clinometer for instructions.
4. Fill in the information required on the GNSS Station Satellite Visibility form

GNSS receiver and accessories set-up (Base station)

5. Mount the GNSS antenna on the tribrach over the provided steel plate. Secure the receiver on the tripod leg. Attach
cable connecting antenna and receiver. Refer to Figure 1 below for the set-up.
6. Measure the height of the antenna between the tripod legs from the point to the antenna reference plane. Do this
again for the other 2 sides. Input these heights on the GNSS Station Field Sheet.
7. Power on the receiver by pressing the power key for about 5 seconds. A green light will indicate that the receiver is
active and ready for observation/measurements.
8. Navigate through the receiver settings and parameters by pressing the arrow keys.
9. Turn on the controller for remote access in setting up the GNSS observation. Click on the SPSv3 application to start
configuring your observation (i.e. creating a job, setting the observation mode, etc.)

GNSS receiver and accessories set-up (Rover)

10. For the rover, mount the antenna on the pole. Use available mounting screws/clippers to secure the receiver on the
pole. You can use a smaller tripod to support the pole or user can support it when doing a kinematic mode of survey
(see Figure 2 below).
11. Attach radio wires on both antennas. See similar configuration below (Figure 3).
 Figure 1. Base station set-up at MMA-39 Figure 2. Rover receiver set-up (user or tripod-supported) Figure 3. Radio wire connected in antenna

Setting of survey mode and parameters

12. Use the controller to configure survey mode and parameter settings. Connect to each receiver (base station first then
rover) by selecting corresponding receiver serial number.
13. In the next windows showing specific parameters, you can use default values.
14. For the base station, use Static survey mode.
15. For the rover, use Static survey mode if tripod-supported and use Kinematic mode if user-supported.

Observation/Measurement

16. If all parameter settings are assigned, start observation. Note the time at the receiver display for the actual start of
observation and record in the field sheet. Keep a separate time-check using your watch.
17. The receiver should indicate that it is logging/recording data. Record other displayed values like the C/A Position
and the PDOP.
18. Make observation on your base receiver for a duration of 15 minutes.
19. For the rover in Static mode, do the same observation duration. For the rover in Kinematic mode, record
measurements from MMA-39 to the next control point (MMA-39A) and view point observations on your controller.

Ending observations and pack-up of equipment

20. End the observation after 15 minutes through stop logging options. Do this using the controller or by pressing the
power button in the receiver.
21. Record the actual time of the end of observation.
22. Turn off receiver and disconnect the cables and wires.

A2. Using handheld device

1. Using a handheld receiver, record the coordinates of your control points MMA-39 and MMA-39A. Do an average
measurement as you use the “mark waypoint” function.
2. Mark points at approximately 1-m interval along a line connecting the two control points. Take note of the
coordinates recorded on your handheld device.

A3. Using a Smartphone

1. Download any free application on Google Play or App Store and install it on your mobile phone.
2. Measure the position of your control points and the points marked at approximately 1-m interval between these two
controls. Note the coordinates displayed by your location-based application.
B. Using the RTKLIB Software

In this part of the exercise, you will be provided a general overview of an open-source GNSS data processing software. RTKPLOT
and RTKPOST is introduced in this section. Other extensions shall be further discussed in the next exercises.

1. Download the RTKLIB software in this website: http://www.rtklib.com.

2. Extract the files and run the executable files (file type is Application). Below is a sample interface of the RTKLIB package.
When a window of any executable application is displayed, just right-click on the icon and click expand to see the interface
below.

NTRIP Browser RTKNAVI RTKGET RTKVIDEO

RTKCONV RTKPOST
RTKPLOT STRSVR

3. Click on the icon of RTKPLOT. Use this to view observation and navigation data files resulting from GNSS surveys.
4. In RTKPLOT window, select File then select Open Obs Data. Select the trial data provided (roverdata.obs). You should be
able to see similar plot below.

5. Explore on the other plot options (Skyplot, DOP/NSat, etc.) by drogging the first drop-down menu. Check on the other two
drop-down menus. Take snapshots of the selected plot options.
6. Close the RTKPLOT window. Click on the RTKPOST icon to enable data processing and viewing of computed point
location on a base map.
7. The RTKPOST window will appear (similar to figure below).
8. Set input data per observation by clicking on the icon on the right portion of the window. Set the following:
a. RINEX OBS: Rover → <file directory>\rover.obs
b. RINEX OBS: Base Station → <file directory>\ref.obs
c. RINEX NAV → <file directory>\ref.nav
9. Set output position file in the same file directory of your input file and name as rover.pos
10. Click on Options button and this window will appear:

11. Click on the Setting1 tab and change settings to the following:
a. Positioning mode: Single
b. Elevation Mask: 15
c. Excluded Satellites: check only GPS

12. Leave other parameter settings to default. Click OK then click Execute to start computing receiver position.
13. Click the KML/GPX button to create an output file in KML/KMZ/GPX format that can be overlaid in Google Earth maps.
 14. Select the Output Format to Google Earth KML. Leave other settings to default.
15. In the Input/Output/GE Exe File section, select the .pos file created in the same file directory (for the Input box), set resulting
file to rover.kml (for the Output box) and look for the Google Earth executable file in your Program Files directory (for the
GE Exe box).
16. Click Convert. If conversion is done, click Google Earth button. You should be able to view your point overlaid on Google
Earth image.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION:

The following deliverables shall be submitted by pair:

1. Narrative report indicating your tasks and results in achieving the objective of this exercise
- Detailed report containing specific procedures learned in the demo survey
- Include illustration/photos/maps
- Results of each section of this exercise (equipment and software-based)
Submit pdf report in your personal google drive folder saved as GE154Lab1_Surnames.pdf
2. Accomplished form of GNSS Station Satellite Visibility (submit printed copy in class)
3. Accomplished form of GNSS Station Field Sheet ((submit printed copy in class)

DUE DATE: January 31, 2019 1130AM