The new Leica SmartRover is a lightweight all-on-the-pole RTK GPS component of Leica's System 1200. Consisting of the SmartAntenna and its RX1250 controller, the SmartRover is a cable-free on-the-pole solution using Bluetooth wireless technologies. It can use the SmartAntenna from the SmartStation and work as a GPS rover, proving a valuable additional tool to the total station. Analogous components reduce time wasted by survey teams in maintaining and locating equipment for the job.
Improved tracking and stability of the Glonass system, and a firm promise to extend the current constellation has finally led to the inclusion of Glonass satellites in the System 1200. The SmartRover can support both GPS L2C signals and Glonass satellites. Users of these solutions will benefit immediately by having more satellites available than just GPS. The ability to track and use 17 operational Glonass satellite signals now enables work in environments where it was previously not possible with only GPS signals. The extra satellites will also reduce frustrating down time and consequently increase productivity in applications in urban areas and large open cut mines.
Additionally, these systems are designed to track future GNSS signals, such as GPS L5 and Galileo, guaranteeing the investment that users make now into the future. The System 1200 will be upgradable to the new signals as they become available.
The SmartRover includes SmartTrack and SmartCheck technology. The SmartTrack measurement engine acquires all visible satellites within seconds, tracks to low elevations, often tracking under trees and in areas of interference. Strong signals, highly effective multipath mitigation and advanced anti-jamming guarantee top GPS performance. The built-in ground plane suppresses multipath.
SmartCheck is one of the most important and powerful features of the SmartRover. It resolves GPS ambiguity independently twice within eight seconds, providing reliability of 99.99 per cent for baselines up to 30 kilometres. Icons on the screen continually verify position.
System 1200
Leica Geosystems released the System 1200 in 2004. It combines survey and software technology to form a single range of survey equipment with common software and databases with many shared components. The range consists of three newly developed and fully co-ordinated basic modules: the Leica GPS1200 family of receivers; the total stations in the Leica TPS1200 series; and the common Leica System 1200 database and software, including the Leica Geo Office package.
SmartStation
In 2005 the range was extended to include the SmartStation and the lightweight SmartRover. The SmartStation is a total station with integrated GPS.
Key Features of the SmartRover
It no longer requires survey control on the ground. The addition of the SmartAntenna allows the system to obtain control from a GPS reference station or a local GPS network.
Given the difficulty of maintaining ground control, many government bodies are moving towards an RTK network, such as MELBpos - which is currently operating in Melbourne - as the principal source of ground control, even for cadastral surveys.
This important breakthrough has reduced the frustrating time spent searching for local ground marks within a job. It has enabled total station surveyors to exploit reference station networks as the source of ground control. The SmartStation may also log static data - even if the surveyor is still using the total station (non-robotic only).
The SmartAntenna may be removed, to be used with the SmartRover.
The new controller, the RX1250, can operate in both the Leica operating platform and Windows CE. This facilitates direct contact to the office via the internet to upload/download data and enhance survey productivity. WinCE compatible programs can also be loaded to provide extra functionality.
With its integrated CF-card, data can be seamlessly exchanged with System 1200 instruments to provide full X-Function compatibility.
Improvements in CF-Card technology have led to relatively cheaper large storage cards. This has a further advantage for fleet management. It means that it is now feasible and sensible to give a card to each member of the survey team. This simple ownership of the data reduces management issues such as missing or full cards, and enables surveyors to switch instruments as required, whilst still working on the same database in a job.
Innovative new application software onboard the SmartRover makes data capture faster and more efficient. Critical developments have been made in coding including auto-linework and crosssection software, specially developed with the Australian market in mind.
The SmartRover is extremely robust and has been designed to military specifications. The unit can work anywhere a surveyor can, including in temperatures of up to 65ºC with 100 per cent humidity.
Radio interference is a primary source of frustration in the field. As more and more users opt for RTK GPS, the radio frequencies are getting very full. Mobile phones provide a direct stable link between two devices. The modular flexibility of the SmartRover means that the GPS can use either a radio or a mobile phone to receive RTK corrections. Bluetooth or plug-in modem can also connect via the internet to RTK networks, providing a further valuable alternative in case of radio interference. Even if they are used as a backup to radios, mobile phones are an easy option to reduce time wasting in the field.
Leica has commited itself to the ongoing development and growth of the system 1200. Most importantly, the company has promised to incorporate new satellite signals when they are available.
Jane Cooke is a National GPS Technical Support Consultant with CR Kennedy. For further information email fsibenaler@crkennedy.com.au or visit www.crkennedy.com.au.
