Trimble TRIMMARK 3, 44104-10 User Manual

TRIMMARK 3 Radio Modem

User Guide

Part Number: 44104-10
Revision: B
Date: March 29, 2002

Trimble Navigation Limited
Surveying & Mapping Division
645 North Mary Avenue
Post Office Box 3642
Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3642
U.S.A.

1-800-827-8000 in North Ame rica
[phone] International
Fax: [phone]

www.trimble.com

Trimble Navigation Europe Limited
Trimble House, Meridian Office Park
Osborn Way, Hook
Hampshire RG27 9HX
ENGLAND
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
Voicemail: [phone]

Trimble Navigation Singapore PTE Limited
79 Anson Road
# 05-02
Singapore 079906
SINGAPORE
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
Voicemail: [phone]

Trimble Japan K.K.
Sumitomo Hamamatsu-cho, Building 10F
1-18-16 Hamamatsu-cho Minato-ku
Tokyo 105
JAPAN
[phone]
Fax: [phone]

Trimble Navigation New Zealand Limited
11 Birmingham Drive
P.O. Box 8729 Riccarton
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
[phone]
Fax: [phone]

Copyright

© 1998 Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be
copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine­readable form without prior written consent from Trimble Navigation Limited.

Printed in the United States of America. Printed on recycled paper.

Revision Notice

This is the second release (Revision B) of the TRIMMARK 3 User Guide, part number 44104-

10.

Tr ademarks

TRIMTALK 450S, TRIMTALK 900, RTK, OSM2, 4000Si, 4000SSi, 4600LS, 4700, 4800,
7400MSi, Sitenet 450, and GPS Total Station are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. MS-DOS and
Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
All other brand names are trademarks of their respective holders.

Notices

Safety. Exposure to RF energy is an important safety consideration. The FCC has adopted a
safety standard for human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC
regulated equipment as a result of its actions in General Docket 79-144 on March 13, 1986.
Proper use of this radio modem results in exposure below government limits. The following
precautions are recommended:

DO NOT operate the transmitter when someone is within two feet (0.6 meter) of the antenna.
DO NOT operate the transmitter unless all RF connectors are secure and any open connectors

are properly terminated.
DO NOT operate the equipment near electrical blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere.
All equipment must be properly grounded according to Trimble installation instructions for

safe opera t i on.
All equipment should be serviced only by a qualified technician.
Class A Computing Device—Information to User. This equipment has been tested and

found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, us es,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user
will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Prior to operating these radio modems, users are legally required to obtain frequency
licenses, as required by the country-of-use. Please contact your local communications
governing agency for the licensing requirements for each of these radio modems.

Disclaimer of Warranty

E

XCEPT AS INDICATED IN “LIMITED WARRANTY” HEREIN, TRIMBLE HARDWARE, SOFTWARE,

IRMWARE AND DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDE D “AS IS” AND WITHOUT EXPRESS OR LIMITED

F

WARRANTY OF ANY KIND BY EITHER TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED OR ANYONE WHO HAS
BEEN INVOLVED IN ITS CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DISTRIBUTION INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK, AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE TRIMBLE

ARDWARE, SOFTWARE, FIRMWARE AND DOCUMENTATION, IS WITH YOU. SOME STATES DO

H

NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT
APPLY TO YOU.

Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT WILL TRIMBLE OR ANY PERSON INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR
DISTRIBUTION OF THE TRIMBLE PRODUCT BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ACCOUNT OF ANY CLAIM FOR
ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, OR OTHER SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
ANY DAMAGES ASSESSED AGAINST OR PAID BY YOU TO ANY THIRD PARTY, RISING OUT OF THE
USE, LIABILITY TO USE, QUALITY OR PERFORMANCE OF SUCH TRIMBLE PRODUCT INCLUDING
HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, FIRMWARE AND DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF TRIMBLE OR ANY SUCH
PERSON OR ENTITY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM
BY ANY OTHER PARTY. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF
LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY
NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Software and Firmware Limited Warranty

Trimble Navigation Limited warrants that Software and Firmware products will substantially
conform to the published specifications provided it is used with the Trimble products,
computer products, and operating system for which it was d esigned. For a per iod of ninety (90)
days, commencing thirty (30) days after shipment from Trimble, Trimble also warrants that the
magnetic media on which Software and Firmware are distributed and the documentation are
free from defects in materials and workmanship. During the ninety (90) day warranty period,
Trimble will replace defective media or documentation, or correct substantial program errors at
no charge. If Trimble is unable to replace defective media or documentation, or correct
program errors, Trimble will refund the price paid for The Software. These are your sole
remedies for any breach in warranty.

Hardware Limited Warranty

Trimble Navigation Limited products are warranted against defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year. The warranty period shall commence thirty (30) days

after shipment from Trimble’s factory. Warranty service will be provided at a designated
Trimble Service Center. Trimble will at its option either repair or replace products that prove to
be defective. The Customer shall pay all shipping charges fo r pro ducts returned to Trimble for
warranty service. Trimble shall pay all shipping charges for the return of products to the
Customer.

The above warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from:

1. Improper or inadequate maintenance by the buyer

2. Buyer-supplied software or interfacing

3. Unauthorized modification or misuse

4. Operation outside of the environmental specifications of the product

5. Improper installation, where applicable

6. Lightning or other electrical discharge

7. Fresh or salt water immersion or spray

8. Normal wear and tear on consumable parts (for example, batteries)
No other warranty is expressed or implied. Trimble Navigation Limited specifically disclaims

the implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose and merchantability.

Preface

Welcome to the TRIMMARK™ 3 User Guide. This manual describes
the TRIMMARK 3 Radio Modem for use in r eal-time di ffe rential an d
real-time kinematic GPS applications. The radio modem, when used
with a Trimble rover GPS receiver with an internal radio modem,
provides a high- speed wireless dat a link between ba se and rover GPS
receivers.

Scope and Audience

We recommend that you spend some time reading this manual. The
following secti on prov ides y ou with a gui de to t his ma nual, a s well as
to other documentation you have received with this product.

Organization

This manual contains the following chapters and appendices:

• Chapter 1, Overview - provi des a brief overv iew and physical

• Chapter 2, Operation - contai ns configuration and insta llation

TRIMMARK 3 User Guide vii

description of the TRIMMARK 3 radio modem.

instructions for the TRIMMARK 3 radio modem.

Preface

• Chapter 3, Characteristics and Specifications - summarizes
performance characteristics and specifications of the
TRIMMARK 3 Radio Modem and Antennas.

• Chapter 4, Troubleshooting - radio status messages and
troubleshooting tips.

• Chapter 5, Regulations and Safety - contains regulation and
safety information.

• Appendix A, Using Radio Communications Systems with
GPS Surveying Receive rs - ge neral informa tion on the use of
with GPS.

Related Information

This manual contains system-wide, general information on the
TRIMMARK 3 radio modem. Other sources of information are
discussed in the following sections.

Update Notes

You will find a Warranty Activation Sheet with your TRIMMARK 3
radio modem. By sending in your Warranty Activat io n Sheet, you are
automatically sent update notes as they become available. When you
receive these packages, read them. They contain important
information about software and hardware changes. Contact your
local Trimble Dealer for more information about support agreement
contracts for softwa re and firmwar e, and extend ed warranty pr ograms
for hardware.

viii TRIMMARK 3 User Guide

Other Information

This section lists sources that provide other useful information.

World Wide Web (WWW) Site

For more informati on about Trimble, visit our site on the World W ide
Web:

• www.trimble.com

Preface

TRIMMARK 3 User Guide ix

Preface

Technical Assistance

If you have a problem and cann ot find the inform ation you need in the
product documentati on, con ta ct your local Trimble dealer.
Alternatively, request technical support using the Trimble World
Wide Web site:

• www.trimble.com/support/support.htm.

x TRIMMARK 3 User Guide

Document Conventions

Italics identify software menus, menu commands, dialog boxes, and
the dialog box fields.

MALL CAPITALS identify DOS commands, director ies, filenames,

S
and filename extensions.

Courier represents messages printed on the screen.
Courier Bold represents information that you must type in a

software screen or window.

Helvetica Bold identifies a software com mand button.

[Ctrl] is an example of a hardware function key that you must press
on a personal computer (PC). If you must press more than one of
these at the same time, t his is repre sented by a plus sign, f or exampl e,
[Ctrl] + [C].

Preface

TRIMMARK 3 User Guide xi

Preface

Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips

Warnings, cautions, notes, and tips draw attention to important
information and indicate its nature and purpose.

0

,



)

Warning – W a r nings al ert you to situat ions that could caus e pers on al inju ry
or unrecoverable data l oss.

Caution – Cautions alert you to situations that could cause hardware
damage or software error.

Note – Notes give additional significant information about the subject to
increase your knowledge, or guide your actions.

Tip – Tips indicate a shortcut or other time- or labor-saving hint that can
help you make better use of the product.

xii TRIMM ARK 3 User Guide

List of Figures

Figure 1-1 TRIMMARK 3 Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

Figure 1-2 TRIMMARK 3 Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Figure 2-1 WinFLASH Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Figure 2-2 WinFLASH Operation Selection Window . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Figure 2-3 WinFLASH Configuration Window . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Figure 2-4 Standard UHF Omnidirectional Antennas . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Figure 2-5 Directional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Figure 3-1 Omnidirectional Antenna Gain Patterns. . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Figure 3-2 Directional Antenna Gain Patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

TRIMMARK 3 User Guide xiii

xiv TRIMMARK 3 User Guide

List of Tables

Table 1-1 TRIMMARK 3 Menu Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Table 2-1 Repeater Use in Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

Table 3-1 TRIMMARK 3 Physical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Table 3-2 Antenna Physical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Table 3-3 Performance Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Table A-1 RF Bands to Avoid When Using GPS Surveying Receivers. . A-3

TRIMMARK 3 User Guide xv

xvi TRIMMARK 3 User Guide

Table of Contents

Preface

Scope and Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii

Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii

Related Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .viii

Update Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .viii

Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix

World Wide Web (WWW) Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix

Technical Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .x

Document Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xi

Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xii

1 Overview

1.1 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1

1.2 Use and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2

1.3 Equipment Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

TRIMMARK 3 Radio Only Equipment Set. . . . . . . .1-3

TRIMMARK 3 Repeater Equipment Set . . . . . . . . .1-3

TRIMMARK 3 Base Equipment Set . . . . . . . . . . .1-4

1.4 Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5

1.5 TRIMMARK 3 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5

1.5.1 Power and I/O Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9

1.5.2 Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-9

1.6 Standard Omnidirectional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-10

TRIMMARK 3 User Guide xvii

2 Operation

2.1 Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1

2.1.1 Configuring the Serial I/O Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1

2.1.2 Getting Started with WinFLASH . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

2.1.3 Frequency Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

2.1.4 Firmware Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8

2.2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9

2.2.1 TRIMMARK 3 Base/Repeater . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9

2.2.2 Antenna Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13

Connecting to a Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

Installation as a Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10

Installation as a Repeater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11

Line of Sight Obstruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13

OmniDirectional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13

Directional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15

3 Characteristics and Specifications

3.1 Antenna Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1

3.1.1 Omnidirectional Antennas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1

3.1.2 Directional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

3.2 Broadcast Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6

3.2.1 Frequency Band and Channel Selection. . . . . . . . . .3-6

3.2.2 Wireless Data Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7

3.2.3 Transmit Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7

3.3 General Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8

4 Troubleshooting

4.1 Status Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1

4.2 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3

xviii TRIMMARK 3 User Guide

5 Regulations and Safety

5.1 Type Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2

5.2 Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2

5.3 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3

A Using Radio Communication Systems with GPS Surveying

Receivers

A.1 Selecting Communications Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-2

A.2 Useful Field Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-5

A.3 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-6

Index

TRIMMARK 3 User Guide xix

xx TRIMMARK 3 User Guide

1 Overview

The rugged TRIMMARK 3 radio modem is designed to operate in
harsh environments , such as thos e associate d with seismi c and mining
surveys. Used with a Trimble rover GPS receiver with an internal
radio modem the TRIMMARK 3 provides a convenient, versatile
means of establishing a robust wireless data broadcast network for
real-time differential and real-time kinematic GPS applications.

1.1 Features

The TRIMMARK 3 has the following standard features:

• 20 channel capability

• Selectable 2, 10 and 25 Watts Transmit Power

• Narrowband UHF technology, available in three UHF bands:

(410-420 Mhz, 430-450 Mhz, 450-470 Mhz)

• Wireless data rate of 4800, 9600 or 19200 bps

• Interfaces with all Trimble survey-grade GPS receivers

• Channel Sharing (carrier detect)

• Supports up to two repeaters in a single network

• Rugged, weatherproof constr uct ion

• Two line, 16-character VFD display

• Trimble CMR and RTCM SC-104 Version 2.x compatible

TRIMMARK 3 User Guide 1-1