Using APIS with CHC Base and Rovers

By: Mark Silver, [email protected], 801-412-0011 x16

Date: 1 April 2016
APIS is a built-in CHC service that allows you to automatically broadcast
corrections from a base to one or more rovers via GSM (Cellular) data.
Using APIS requires provision GSM SIM cards in both the base and rover
receivers.
Here is how APIS works: 1

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BASE APIS SERVER 1 or more ROVERS

The base transmits corrections to an APIS server (in the cloud) which then
distributes the message to one or more rovers.
The base can be configured to automatically do a ‘Read GPS’ for the broadcast
position and then connect to the APIS Server when it is turned on.
The rover can be configured to automatically connect to the APIS server and get
corrections when it is turned on.
The serial number of the Base Receiver is used to tie the rover to the correct
base.

Configuring a complete system can be done via Bluetooth or from a computer

connected via serial port.
1. Get the latest version of Hcconfig. In this example, we will use a data collector
via Bluetooth for the configuration. So we need the latest version of Hcconfig for
Windows Mobile: http://x9gps.com/Tools/Utilities/HCConfig/index.html

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HCConfig is distributed as a .CAB file which you can load on a Windows Mobile
device and install by clicking on the .CAB file from the Explorer Window.
Once installed, Hcconfig will be listed under ‘Start: Programs’.

Configure the Base

Start HCConfig from the ‘Start: Programs’ menu selection, it will start and then
show a partial Main Menu:

Click on ‘Connection’:

Configure as shown (GNSS RTK, CHC BT, COM9), then click on ‘Search Device’:

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After a few seconds, all of the available Bluetooth devices will be shown. Click on
the ‘ok’ selection to clear the Information box, then select the correct device:

Click on ‘Connect’, after a moment:

Clear ‘Successfully connected’ by click on on ‘OK’, you will be at the Main Menu:

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Click on ‘Device Info.’:

Note the device Serial Number “921264”. This is the base id.
Click on ‘Back’ to return to the Main Menu.
Click on ‘APN’ settings to configure the GSM phone to connect to your local
provider:

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The settings above should work, click on ‘Set’ to push settings to head, then click
on ‘Back’.
From the Main Menu, click on ‘RTK’:

Configure as shown above (or set format and mask as you desire.) Then click on
‘More’ (to the right of ‘Auto Base’).

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If you choose ‘Distance 0’, then the base will automatically do a ‘Get Current
Position’. You can alternatively select ‘Fixed Position’ and enter a Lat (B), Lon (L)
and H (ellipsoid height).
You can also use the ‘Get Current Position’ button to manually do a ‘Read GPS’.
There is an internal list (click on List to see) which can be used to automatically
select the nearest location in the list if it is within the entered distance of current
position. (Otherwise, Read GPS.)
When configured, click on ‘Set’ and then ‘Back’ to return to the main menu.
From the Main Menu, click on ‘GPRS and Internal UHF’:

Drop down the ‘Server’ and select APIS1.

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Set Protocol to ‘APIS’.

The (Address, Port) will be set, check the ‘Save’ box.
Click on ‘Set’. The head will make the connection to the APIS server and begin
sending base corrections to the cloud.
This can take a while. If there is no cellular service, or the service is spotty, or it
is the first attempt you will see a ‘Failed to log on’ message:

Don’t worry (the cellular modem probably has not been initialized with the
correct APN settings yeat), clear the Warning, then click on Back, then Exit.
Turn the Base Head OFF, then turn it back ON again.
Wait 2-minutes for the GNSS engine to initialize, track SV’s, then the base will
log into the network and begin transmitting corrections.
When the head is successfully logged on, there will be a distinctive blink pattern
on the head.
If everything is connected correct, the Green LED will start to flash once per
second and the Yellow LED will flash a distinctive 10-second pattern:

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 3-seconds ON, followed by 7-seconds OFF
This YouTube video shows the blink pattern:
https://youtu.be/6fMDdSMvzHo

Configuring the Rover

Start HCConfig from the ‘Start: Programs’ menu selection, it will start and then
show a partial Main Menu:

Click on ‘Connection’:

Configure as shown (GNSS RTK, CHC BT, COM9), then click on ‘Search Device’:

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After a few seconds, all of the available Bluetooth devices will be shown. Click on
the ‘ok’ selection to clear the Information box, then select the correct device:

Click on ‘Connect’, after a moment:

Clear ‘Successfully connected’ by click on on ‘OK’, you will be at the Main Menu:

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Set the APN settings, click on ‘APN Settings:

Configure as shown (these settings typically work in the USA), then click on Set,
then Back.
Click on the RTK button from the Main Menu:

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Configure as shown (or match the base), then click on Set, then Back.
Click on the ‘GPRS and Internal UHF’ button from the Main Menu:

Choose ‘Work Mode’ GPRS, Mode Rover, drop down the Server dialog and choose
APIS1:

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Enter the BaseID as the full serial number of the Base. Click on Set.
You will probably see a ‘Failed to log on!’ message:

Clear the Warning by clicking ‘ok’, then click on Back, then Exit:

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Choose to ‘Exit Software Only’, click on OK.

Cycle the Rover head power OFF, then ON.
Wait two minutes. If everything is connected correct, the Green LED will start to
flash once per second and the Yellow LED will flash a distinctive 10-second
pattern:
3-seconds ON, followed by 7-seconds OFF

Connecting Carlson SurvCE

At this point, the Rover will have a fixed solution. We need to connect SurvCE to
the Rover without changing the APIS settings. Start SurvCE. If prompted to
make a connection, choose to ‘Continue without connecting’.

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From the Equip menu, click on ‘GPS Rover’:

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Make sure the correct device manufacture and device type is selected on the
Current tab, then make sure the correct device is selected on the ‘Comms’ tab:

Make appropriate configuration settings on the Receiver tab:

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IMPORTANT:
On the RTK tab, you must chose ‘Device: Cable or Generic Device’:

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And set the ‘Message Type’ to match the broadcast correction type. (If you make
another selection, SurvCE will disable the APIS connection which is already
established.)

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