Trimble 6248192, 6248192 B1 User Manual

USER GUIDE

Trimble® SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna

Version 2.28 (SPS780 Smart GPS Antennas)
Version 3.20 (SPS880 Smart GPS Antennas)

Revision A
August 2006



Corporate Office

Trimbl e Navigation L imited
935 Stewart Drive

Sunnyvale, CA 94085
USA

www.trimble.com

Construction Business Area

Trimbl e Navigation L imited
Construction Business Area
5475 Kellenburger Road
Dayton, Ohio 45424-1099
USA
800-538-7800 (toll free in USA)
[phone] Phone
[phone] Fax

www.trimble.com

E-mail: [e-mail]

Legal Notices

Copyright and Trademarks

© 2006, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved.
Trimble and the Globe & Triangle logo are trademarks of Trimble
Navigation Limited, registered in the United States Patent and

Trademark Office and in other countries. AutoBase, CMR, CMR+,
HydroP ro, Maxwell, TRIMMARK, Trimble Geomatics Office,
Trimble Total Control, TSC2, TSCe, VRS, Zephyr, and Zephyr
Geodetic are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited.

The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth
SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Trimble Navigation Limited
is under license.

Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT, are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Release Notice

This is the August 2006 release (Revision A) of the SPSx80 Smart
GPS Antenna User Guide. It applies to version 2.28 and 3.20 of the
SPSx80 Smart GPS antennas.

Product Limited Warranty Information

LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Product Limited Warranty

Subject to the following terms and conditions, Trimble Navigation
Limited (“Trimble”) warrants that for a period of one (1) year from
date of purchase this Trimble product (the “Product”) will
substantially conform to Trimble's publicly available specifications
for the Product and that the hardware and any storage media
components of the Product will be substantially free from defects in
materials and workmanship.

Product Software

Product software, whether built into hardware circuitry as
firmware, provided as a standalone computer software product,
embedded in flash memory, or stored on magnetic or other media,
is licensed solely for use with or as an integral part of the Product
and is not sold. If accompanied by a separate end user license
agreement (“EULA”), use of any such software will be subject to the
terms of such end user license agreement (including any differing
limited warranty terms, exclusions, and limitations), which shall
control over the terms and conditions set forth in this limited
warranty.

Software Fixes

During the limited warranty period you will be entitled to receive
such Fixes to the Product software that Trimble releases and makes
commercially available and for which it does not charge separately,
subject to the procedures for delivery to purchasers of Trimble
products generally. If you have purchased the Product from an
authorized Trimble dealer rather than from Trimble directly,
Trimble may, at its option, forward the software Fix to the Trimble
dealer for final distribution to you. Minor Updates, Major Upgrades,
new products, or substantially new software releases, as identified
by Trimble, are expressly excluded from this update process and
limited warranty. Receipt of software Fixes or other enhancements
shall not serve to extend the limited warranty period.
For purposes of this warranty the following definitions shall apply:
(1) “Fix(es)” means an error correction or other update created to fix
a previous software version that does not substantially conform to
its Trimble specifications; (2) “Minor Update” occurs when
enhancements are made to current features in a software program;
and (3) “Major Upgrade” occurs when significant new features are
added to software, or when a new product containing new features

replaces the further development of a current product line. Trimble
reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, what
constitutes a Fix, Minor Update, or Major Upgrade.

Warranty Remedies

If the Trimble Product fails during the warranty period for reasons
covered by this limited warranty and you notify Trimble of such
failure during the warranty period, Trimble will repair OR replace
the nonconforming Product with new, equivalent to new, or
reconditioned parts or Product, OR refund the Product purchase
price paid by you, at Trimble’s option, upon your return of the
Product in accordance with Trimble's product return procedures
then in effect.

How to Obtain Warranty Service

To obtain warranty service for the Product, please contact your
local Trimble authorized dealer. Alternatively, you may contact
Trimble to request warranty service at [phone] (24 hours a
day) or e-mail your request to [e-mail].
Please be prepared to provide:

– your name, address, and telephone numbers
– proof of purchase
– a copy of this Trimble warranty
– a description of the nonconforming Product including the model

number
– an explanation of the problem
The customer service representative may need additional

information from you depending on the nature of the problem.

Warranty Exclusions and Disclaimer

This Product limited warranty shall only apply in the event and to
the extent that (a) the Product is properly and correctly installed,
configured, interfaced, maintained, stored, and operated in
accordance with Trimble's applicable operator's manual and
specifications, and; (b) the Product is not modified or misused. This
Product limited warranty shall not apply to, and Trimble shall not
be responsible for, defects or performance problems resulting from
(i) the combination or utilization of the Product with hardware or
software products, information, data, systems, interfaces, or devices
not made, supplied, or specified by Trimble; (ii) the operation of the
Product under any specification other than, or in addition to,
Trimble's standard specifications for its products; (iii) the
unauthorized installation, modification, or use of the Product; (iv)
damage caused by: accident, lightning or other electrical discharge,
fresh or salt water immersion or spray (outside of Product
specifications); or exposure to environmental conditions for which
the Product is not intended; (v) normal wear and tear on
consumable parts (e.g., batteries); or (vi) cosmetic damage. Trimble
does not warrant or guarantee the results obtained through the use
of the Product, or that software components will operate error free.

NOTICE REGARDING PRODUCTS EQUIPPED WITH TECHNOLOGY
CAPABLE OF TRACKING SATELLITE SI GNALS FROM SATELLITE BASED
AUGMENTATION SYSTEM S (SBAS) (WAAS/EGNOS, AND MSAS),
OMNISTAR, GPS, MODERNIZED GPS OR GLONASS SATELLITES, OR
FROM IALA BEACON SOURCES: TRIMBLE IS NOT RESPONSI BLE FOR
THE OPERATION OR FAILURE OF OPERATION OF ANY SATELLITE
BASED POSITIONING SYSTEM OR THE AVAI LABILITY OF ANY
SATELLITE BASED POSITIONING SIGNALS.

THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS STATE TRIMBLE’S
ENTIRE LIABILITY, AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES, RELATING TO
THE TRIMBLE PRODUCT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY
PROVIDED HEREIN, THE PRODUCT, AND ACCOMPANYING
DOCUMENTATION AND MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED “AS-IS” AND
WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, BY
EITHER TRIMBLE OR ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN ITS
CREATION, PRODUCTION, INSTALLATION, OR DISTRIBUTION,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
TITLE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. THE STATED EXPRESS
WARRANTIES ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES ON
THE PART OF TRIMBLE ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH,
ANY PRODUCT. BECAUSE SOME STATES AND JURISDICTIONS DO NOT
ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON DURATION OR THE EXCLUSION OF AN
IMPLIED WARRANTY, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY OR
FULLY APPLY TO YOU.

Limitation of Liability

TRIMBLE'S ENTIRE LIABILITY UNDER ANY PROVISION HEREIN SHALL
BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE PRODUCT. TO
THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO
EVENT SHALL TRIMBLE OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE
WHATSOEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE OR LEGAL THEORY
RELATI NG IN ANYWAY TO THE PRODUCTS, SOFTWARE AND
ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION AND MATERIALS, (INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS,

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF DATA, OR ANY OTHER
PECUNIARY LOSS), REGARDL ESS OF WHETHER TRIMBLE HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY SUCH LOSS AND REGARDLESS
OF THE COURSE OF DEALING WHICH DEVELOPS OR HAS
DEVELOPED BETWEEN YOU AND TRIMBLE. BECAUSE SOME STATES
AND JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

PLEASE NOTE: THE ABOVE TRIMBLE LIMITED WARRANTY PROVISIONS
WILL NOT APPLY TO PRODUCTS PURCHASED IN THOSE
JURISDICTIONS (E.G., MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC
AREA) IN WHICH PRODUCT WARRANTIES ARE THE RESP ONSIBILITY
OF THE LOCAL TRIMBLE AUTHORIZED DEALER FROM WHOM THE
PRODUCTS ARE ACQUIRED. IN SUCH A CASE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR
LOCAL TRIMBLE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR APPLICABLE WARRANTY
INFORMATION.

Official Language

THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IS
ENGLISH. IN THE EVENT OF A CONFLICT BETWEEN ENGLISH AND
OTHER LANGUAGE VERSIONS, THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHALL
CONTROL.

Registration

To receive information regarding updates and new products, please
contact your local dealer or visit the Trimble website at

www.trimble.com/register. Upon registration you may select the

newsletter, upgrade, or new product information you desire.

Notices

Class B Statement – Notice to Users. This equipment has been
tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communication. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:

– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from

that to which the receiver is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for

help.
Changes and modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer or registrant of this equipment can void your

authority to operate this equipment under Federal
Communications Commission rules.

Canada

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio
noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio
interference regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits
radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils
numériques de Classe B prescrites dans le règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le Ministère des
Communications du Canada.

Europe

This product has been tested and found to comply with the
requirements for a Class B device pursuant to European
Council Directive 89/336/EEC on EMC, thereby satisfying
the requirements for CE Marking and sale within the European
Economic Area (EEA). Contains Infineon radio module ROK 104001.
These requirements are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
residential or commercial environment.

Australia and New Zealand

This product conforms with the regulatory requirements of
the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) EMC
framework, thus satisfying the requirements for C-Tick
Marking and sale within Australia and New Zealand.

Taiwan – Battery Recycling Requirements

The product contains a removable Lithium-ion battery.
Taiwanese regulations require that waste batteries are
recycled.

廢電池請回收

Notice to Our European Union Customers

For product recycling instructions and more information, please go
to www.trimble.com/ev.shtml.

Recycling in Europe: To recycle Trimble WEEE (Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment, products that run on
electrical power.), Call [phone], and ask for the
"WEEE Associate". Or, mail a request for recycling
instructions to:
Tri mble Europe BV
c/o Menlo Worldwide Logistics
Meerheide 45
5521 DZ Eersel, NL

iv SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

Safety Information

Before you use your Trimble® SPS GPS receiver, make sure that you have read and
understood all safety requirements.

Regulations and safety

The receivers contain an internal radio-modem and can send signals through
Bluetooth
GPS antenna only) or through an external data communications radio. Regulations
regarding the use of the radio-modems vary greatly from country to country. In some
countries, the unit can be used without obtaining an end-user license. Other countries
require end-user licensing. For licensing information, consult your local Trimble dealer.

Before operating an SPSx50 Modular GPS receiver or SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna,
determine if authorization or a license to operate the unit is required in your country. It
is the responsibility of the end user to obtain an operator’s permit or license for the
receiver for the location or country of use.

For FCC regulations, see Notices, page iii.

Type approval

Type approval, or acceptance, covers technical parameters of the equipment related to
emissions that can cause interference. Type approval is granted to the manufacturer of
the transmission equipment, independent from the operation or licensing of the units.
Some countries have unique technical requirements for operation in particular
radio-modem frequency bands. To comply with those requirements, Trimble may have
modified your equipment to be granted Type approval. Unauthorized modification of
the units voids the Type approval, the warranty, and the operational license of the
equipment.

®

wireless technology (SPSx50 Modular GPS receiver and the SPSx80 Smart

Exposure to radio frequency radiation

For 450 MHz radio

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 20 cm (7.8 inches) of the

antenna.

• DO NOT operate the transmitter unless all RF connectors are secure and any

open connectors are properly terminated.

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide v

Safety Information

• 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 operation.

• All equipment should be serviced only by a qualified technician.

For license-free 900 MHz radio

C

CAUTION – For your own safety, and in terms of the RF Exposure requirements of the

FCC, always observe the precautions listed here.

• Always maintain a minimum separation distance of 20 cm (7.8 inches) between

yourself and the radiating antenna on the SPSx50 radio-modem.

• Do not co-locate the antenna with any other transmitting device.

For Bluetooth radio

The radiated output power of the internal Bluetooth wireless radio is far below the
FCC radio frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, the wireless radio shall be used in
such a manner that the Trimble receiver is 20 cm or further from the human body. The
internal wireless radio operates within guidelines found in radio frequency safety
standards and recommendations, which reflect the consensus of the scientific
community. Trimble therefore believes the internal wireless radio is safe for use by
consumers. The level of energy emitted is far less than the electromagnetic energy
emitted by wireless devices such as mobile phones. However, the use of wireless radios
may be restricted in some situations or environments, such as on aircraft. If you are
unsure of restrictions, you are encouraged to ask for authorization before turning on
the wireless radio.

1

Installing antennas

C

1.

900 Mhz radios are not used in Europe.

vi SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

CAUTION – For your own safety, and in terms of the RF Exposure requirements of the

FCC, always observe these precautions:
– Always maintain a minimum separation distance of 20 cm (7.8 inches) between yourself
and the radiating antenna.
– Do not co-locate the antenna with any other transmitting device.

This device has been designed to operate with the antennas listed below, and having a
maximum gain of 5 dBi. Antennas not included in this list, or having a gain greater
than 5 dBi, are strictly prohibited for use with this device. The required antenna
impedance is 50 ohms.

The antennas to be used with the 450 MHz radio are 0 dBi and 5 dBi whip antennas.
The antennas to be used with the 900MHz radio are 0dBi, 3dBi, and 5dBi whip
antennas.

To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain
should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not
more than that permitted for successful communication.

Battery safety

Safety Information

C

C

C

WARNING – Do not damage the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. A damaged battery

can cause an explosion or fire, and can result in personal injury and/or property damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– Do not use or charge the battery if it appears to be damaged. Signs of damage include,
but are not limited to, discoloration, warping, and leaking battery fluid.
– Do not expose the battery to fire, high temperature, or direct sunlight.
– Do not immerse the battery in water.
– Do not use or store the battery inside a vehicle during hot weather.
– Do not drop or puncture the battery.
– Do not open the battery or short-circuit its contacts.

WARNING – Avoid contact with the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery if it appears to be

leaking. Battery fluid is corrosive, and contact with it can result in personal injury and/or
property damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– If the battery leaks, avoid contact with the battery fluid.
– If battery fluid gets into your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes with clean water and
seek medical attention. Do not rub your eyes!
– If battery fluid gets onto your skin or clothing, immediately use clean water to wash off
the battery fluid.

WARNING – Charge and use the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery only in strict

accordance with the instructions. Charging or using the battery in unauthorized
equipment can cause an explosion or fire, and can result in personal injury and/or
equipment damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– Do not charge or use the battery if it appears to be damaged or leaking.
– Charge the Lithium-ion battery only in a Trimble product that is specified to charge it.
Be sure to follow all instructions that are provided with the battery charger.
– Discontinue charging a battery that gives off extreme heat or a burning odor.
– Use the battery only in Trimble equipment that is specified to use it.
– Use the battery only for its intended use and according to the instructions in the product
documentation.

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide vii

Safety Information

viii SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

Contents

Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Regulations and safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Type approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Exposure to radio frequency radiation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

For 450 MHz radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

For license-free 900 MHz radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

For Bluetooth radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Installing antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Battery safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

About the SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

SPS780 Basic Smart GPS antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

SPS780 Max Smart GPS antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

SPS880 Extreme Smart GPS antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Related Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Technical Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Your Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2 Features and Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

SPS780 Smart GPS antenna standard features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

SPS780 Basic features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

SPS780 Max features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

SPS880 Extreme Smart GPS antenna standard features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Use and care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

COCOM limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Parts of the receiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Front panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Lower housing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Button functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

LED behavior. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

LED flash patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3 Batteries and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

External power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Battery safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Battery performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Charging the Lithium-ion batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Storing the Lithium-ion battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Disposing of the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Operating the receiver with a Trimble controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide ix

Contents

4 Setup Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Base station operation guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Base station components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Base station setup guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Permanent installation antenna cabling for the SPSx50 Modular GPS receiver and

SPS770 GPS receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Rover operation guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Rover receiver components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Rover receiver setup guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Cellular modem and external radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

5 Setting up the Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Connecting the receiver to external devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Trimble controller with SCS900 Site Controller software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

External radio-modems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Common ways to set up a base station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Setting up a base station for permanent or semi-permanent installation. . . . . . . . . . 40

Setting up a base station for daily site use: T-Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Setting up a mobile base station: Tripod and fixed height tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Common ways to set up a rover receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Setting up the rover receiver on a jobsite vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Setting up the rover receiver on a rod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Setting up a rover receiver on a belt or in a backpack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

6 Configuring the Receiver Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Using the SCS900 Site Controller software to configure the base station, the rover, and

the radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Configuring the receiver to log data for postprocessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Configuring the receiver in real time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Configuring the receiver using application files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Special application files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Applying application files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Storing application files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Naming application files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Creating and editing the configuration files that control the receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Installing the Configuration Toolbox software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Configuring the receiver using the Configuration Toolbox software . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Transmitting the application file to the receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

7 AutoBase Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Setting Up a Base Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Best practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Antenna type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

x SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

Contents

Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Scenario One: Base station setup on first visit to a site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Scenario Two: Base station setup on a repeat visit to that site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Scenario Three: The stored base station position seems to be missing . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Flowchart showing the AutoBase process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

8 Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Default receiver settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Resetting the receiver to factory defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Default behavior. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Power up settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Logging data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Logging data after a power loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

9 Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

General specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Physical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Communication specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

A NMEA-0183 Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

NMEA-0183 message overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Common message elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Message values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

NMEA messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

B GSOF Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Supported message types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

GSOF message definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

LLH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

ECEF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

ECEF DELTA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

NEU DELTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Velocity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

PDOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

SIGMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

SV Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

SV Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

UTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Batt/Mem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Attitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Flags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Data collector report structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide xi

Contents

C Adding Internal Radio Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Adding receive frequencies for the 450 MHz internal radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

D Upgrading the Receiver Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

The WinFlash utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Installing the WinFlash utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

Upgrading the receiver firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

E Data Logging and Postprocessed Measurement Operations . . . . . . . 109

Connecting to the office computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Transferring files directly from a CompactFlash card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Deleting files in the receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

Supported file types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

F Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

LED conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Receiver issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Base station setup and static measurement problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

xii SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

CHAPTER

1

Introduction 1

Welcome to the SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User
Guide. This manual describes how to set up and

use the Trimble

The SPS GPS receivers is a family of receivers that
comprise the SPSx50 Modular GPS receivers,
SPS770 GPS receivers, and the SPSx80 Smart GPS
antennas. Where necessary, this manual contains
references to specific receivers in the product
family. When information is specific to a
particular model, then the specific model name
is used.

Even if you have used other Global Positioning
System (GPS) products before, Trimble
recommends that you spend some time reading
this manual to learn about the special features of
this product. If you are not familiar with GPS,
visit the Trimble website (www.trimble.com) for
an interactive look at Trimble and GPS.

About the SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna

The SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna family comprises
the following Smart GPS antennas:

• SPS780 Basic

• SPS780 Max

®

SPSx80 Smart GPS antennas.

SPS780 Basic Smart GPS antenna

The SPS780 Basic Smart GPS antenna is the entry
level receiver in the SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna
family. The SPS780 Basic is available as a base
station only or rover only configuration. The
receiver is optimized for use on small-to-midsize
construction projects.

SPS780 Max Smart GPS antenna

The SPS780 Max Smart GPS antenna is available
from new or as an upgrade to the SPS780 Basic
Smart GPS antenna. The SPS780 Max
configuration provides you with base and rover
operation capability plus the ability to work at
longer ranges from the base station, and to
operate as a rover in a Trimble Virtual Reference
Station (VRS

™

) network.

SPS880 Extreme Smart GPS antenna

The SPS880 Extreme Smart GPS antenna can
track the existing GPS L1 and L2 satellite signals
plus the future L2C and L5 signals as they
become available. The new signals provide the
ability to initialize faster, work in harsher GPS
environments, and work at longer ranges from
the base station. The SPS880 Extreme can also
utilize signals from the Russian GLONASS
satellites, providing increased satellite availability
and fewer/shorter GPS outages.

• SPS880 Extreme

The Smart GPS antennas are designed for all
on-the-rod rover operation and rapid daily base
station setup operation.

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 13

1 Introduction

Related Information

Sources of related information include the
following:

• Help – The SCS900 Site Controller software

has built-in, context-sensitive help that lets
you quickly find the information you need.
Access it from the Help menu. Alternatively,
click the
a Microsoft
Start / Help.

• Release notes – The release notes describe

new features of the product, information not
included in the manuals, and any changes to
the manuals. They are provided as a .pdf file
on the Trimble SPS GPS Receiver CD.

• Trimble training courses – Consider a

training course to help you use your GPS
system to its fullest potential. For more
information, go to the Trimble website at
www.trimble.com/training.html.

? button in a dialog, or press [F1]. On

®

Windows® CE device, select

Technical Support

If you have a problem and cannot find the
information you need in the product
documentation, contact your local dealer.
Alternatively, go to the Support area of the
Trimble website
(www.trimble.com/support.shtml). Select the
product you need information on. Product
updates, documentation, and any support issues
are available for download.

If you need to contact Trimble technical support,
complete the online inquiry form at
www.trimble.com/support_form.asp.

Your Comments

Your feedback about the supporting
documentation helps us to improve it with each
revision. E-mail your comments to
[e-mail].

14 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

CHAPTER

2

Features and Functions 2

In this chapter:

Q SPS780 Smart GPS antenna

standard features

Q SPS880 Extreme Smart GPS

antenna standard features

Q Use and care

Q COCOM limits

Q Parts of the receiver

Q Button functions

Q LED behavior

The SPSx80 Smart GPS antennas are designed to
be used for the following infrastructure and site
development applications:

• Layout of structure foundations, caissons

and piles

• Earthworks, fine grading and finishing

stakeout operations

• Initial site measurements to verify design

levels and regular subsequent
measurements to determine progress
volumes

• Measurements and grade/thickness checks

on laid materials

The SPSx80 incorporates a GPS antenna,
receiver, internal radio, and battery in a rugged
light-weight unit that is ideally suited as an all­on-the-pole RTK rover or quick setup/rapid
mobilization base station. LEDs enable you to
monitor satellite tracking, radio reception, data
logging status, and power. Bluetooth
technology provides cable-free communications
between the receiver and controller.

®

wireless

You can use the SPSx80 as part of an RTK GPS
system with the Trimble SCS900 Site Controller
software.

All the receivers can optionally record GPS data
to the receiver’s optional internal memory and
download to a computer using the serial
connection.

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 15

2 Features and Functions

Overview

The SPS780 and SPS880 Extreme Smart GPS antennas (see Figure 2.1) are very similar
in setup, operational use, and controls. The SPS880 has a taller antenna dome to
accommodate the larger GPS antenna and the circuitry required to track additional
GPS signals and GLONASS satellites.

Figure 2.1 SPS780 Smart GPS antenna (left), and the SPS880 Extreme Smart GPS antenna (right)

SPS780 Smart GPS antenna standard features

The SPS780 Smart GPS antenna provides the following features:

• Small, lightweight design - 1.31 kg (2.89 lb) (integrated radio, GPS receiver, GPS

antenna and battery) 3.7 kg (8.16 lb) complete system weight (rover including
TSC2 controller and rod)

• The quick setup, high mobility base and rover receiver system is ideal for small

to mid-size jobsites and for working on multiple jobsites on a daily or weekly
basis

• 24-channel L1/L2 GPS receiver (SPS780 Basic and SPS780 Max)

• Internal, removable, smart Lithium-ion battery provides up to 6.6 hrs GPS rover

operation per battery

• Bluetooth

• Simple keypad with on/off key and LED indicators for power, radio, and satellite

tracking

• Allows measurement from a moving platform, for example, mounted on a

vehicle or marine vessel for increased efficiency on large jobsites

SPS780 Basic features

®

wireless technology for cable free, no hassle base or rover operation

• Rover or base configurations, not interchangeable

• 2 Hz measurement rover receiver update rate

• Rover operational range limited to 1.5 mile (2.4 km) from base station

16 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

• Base station operational range limited only by normal restrictions common to

UHF radio transmissions

• Integrated transmit radio (450 MHz Base configuration only)

• Entry level price point for lower cost of base station or rover

• Can be upgraded to the SPS780 Max

SPS780 Max features

• Base/Rover receiver interchangeability for ultimate GPS fleet flexibility

• Rover option offers 10 Hz measurement update rate

• Range limited only by normal restrictions common to UHF radio transmissions

• Operates as a rover within a Virtual Reference Station (VRS) network for

operation without a conventional base station

• Integrated transmit/receive radio provides base station and rover operation

capability (900 MHz variant contains receive only radio and utilizes the SNB900
radio at the base station for transmit capability)

Features and Functions 2

SPS880 Extreme Smart GPS antenna standard features

• Small, lightweight design – 1.35 kg (2.97 lb) (integrated radio, GPS receiver, GPS

antenna and battery) 3.71 kg (8.18 lb) complete system weight (rover including
TSC2 controller and rod)

• The quick setup, high mobility base or rover receiver, is ideal for any size jobsite

as a rover and for working on multiple jobsites on a daily or weekly basis

• 72-channel L1/L2/L2C/L5 GPS and L1/L2 GLONASS receiver

• Performs all site measurement and stakeout operations within the operating

range of the radio

• Internal, removable, smart Lithium-ion battery provides up to 5.5 hrs GPS rover

operation per battery

• Bluetooth wireless technology for cable free, no hassle base or rover operation

• Simple keypad with on/off key and LED indicators for power, radio and satellite

tracking

• 20 Hz update rate

• Full base/rover interchangeability

• Operates within a VRS network for conventional base station-free rover

capability

• Integrated transmit radio (450MHz version only)

• Receives L2C code and L5 carrier signal for future GPS modernization capability

• Tracks GLONASS L1/L2 signals for increased satellite availability and operation

in harsh GPS environments

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 17

2 Features and Functions

Use and care

This product is designed to withstand the rough treatment and tough environment
that typically occurs in construction applications. However, the receiver is a
high-precision electronic instrument and should be treated with reasonable care.

C

CAUTION – Operating or storing the receiver outside the specified temperature range can
damage it. For more information, see Chapter 10, Specifications.

COCOM limits

The U.S. Department of Commerce requires that all exportable GPS products contain
performance limitations so that they cannot be used in a manner that could threaten
the security of the United States. The following limitations are implemented on this
product:

• Immediate access to satellite measurements and navigation results is disabled

when the receiver velocity is computed to be greater than 1000 knots, or its
altitude is computed to be above 18 000 meters. The receiver GPS subsystem
resets until the COCOM situation clears. As a result, all logging and stream
configurations stop until the GPS subsystem is cleared.

Parts of the receiver

All operating controls on the SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna are located on the front
panel. Serial ports and connectors are located on the bottom of the unit.

18 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

Features and Functions 2

Front panel

Figure 2.2 shows a front view of the SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna. The front panel
contains the three indicator LEDs, and the power button.

Radio LED

Satellite LED

Figure 2.2 Front panel of the SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna

The power button controls the receiver’s power on or off functions.

The indicator LEDs show the status of power, satellite tracking, and radio reception.
For more information, see LED behavior, page 21.

Power LED

Power button

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 19

2 Features and Functions

Lower housing

Figure 2.3 shows the lower housing of the SPS780 Smart GPS antenna. The lower
housing is the same for the SPS880, except for the identifying label. The housing
contains the two serial ports, one TNC radio antenna connector, the removable battery
compartment and the 5/8-11 threaded insert.

Receiver identifying
label

TNC radio
antenna
connection

Port 2

5/8-11" threaded
insert

Figure 2.3 SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna lower housing

Each port or connector on the Smart GPS antenna is marked with an icon to indicate
its main function, as shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Receiver ports

Icon Name Connections

Port 1 Device, computer, external radio, power in

Port 2 Device, computer, external radio

RADIO Radio communications antenna

Port 1 is a 7-pin 0-shell Lemo connector that supports RS-232 communications and
external power input. Port 1 has no power outputs.

20 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

Port 1

Port 2 is a DB-9 male connector that allows for full 9-pin RS-232 communications.
Port 2 does not support power in or out. For more information on default port settings,
see Default receiver settings, page 66. For more information on connector pinouts, see
Communication specifications, page 72.

The TNC port connector is for connecting a radio antenna to the receiver internal
radio. A whip “rubber duck” antenna is supplied with the system for units with internal
UHF or 900 MHz radios. This connector is not used if you are using an external radio
receiver. For longer range operation (to provide higher gain and to raise the antenna
higher above the ground), you can use a cable to connect an external radio antenna to
the TNC port. For more information on connecting the SPSx80 Smart GPS antenna, see
the Chapter 5, Setting up the Receiver.

Button functions

The receiver has only one button, the Power button, represented in this manual by E .

Press
as follows:

Action Power button

Turn on the receiver Press

Turn off the receiver Hold for 2 seconds

Delete the ephemeris file Hold for 15 seconds

Reset the receiver to factory defaults Hold for 15 seconds

Delete application files Hold for 30 seconds

to switch the receiver on or off, and to perform other functions, as described

E

Features and Functions 2

Note – The term “press” means to press the button and release it immediately. The term
“hold” means to press the button and hold it down for the given time.

LED behavior

The three LEDs on the front panel of the receiver indicate various operating
conditions. Generally, a lit or slowly flashing LED indicates normal operation, a LED
that is flashing quickly indicates a condition that may require attention, and an unlit
LED indicates that no operation is occurring. The following table defines each possible
LED state:

The term … means that the LED …

Slow flash alternates on/off for 500 milliseconds.

Fast flash alternates rapidly on/off for 100 milliseconds

On is lit steady

Off is unlit

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 21

2 Features and Functions

LED flash patterns

The following table details the possible flash patterns to indicate various states of
receiver operation.

Receiver mode Power LED

Green

Receiver OFF OFF OFF OFF

Receiver ON
Healthy power ON N/A N/A

Low power Fast flash N/A N/A

Tracking <4 SVs ON N/A Fast flash

Tracking >4 SVs ON N/A Slow flash

Logging data internally Flashes off every

3 seconds

Receiving valid data packets ON Slow flash N/A

No data packets ON OFF N/A

Monitor mode ON Slow flash ON

Radio LED

Green

N/A N/A

Satellite LED

Amber

Note – If a column shows “N/A”, that specific LED may or may not be on, but it is not
relevant to that particular mode.

22 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

CHAPTER

3

Batteries and Power 3

In this chapter:

Q External power

Q Battery safety

Q Battery performance

Q Charging the Lithium-ion

batteries

Q Storing the Lithium-ion battery

Q Disposing of the rechargeable

Lithium-ion battery

Q Operating the receiver with a

Trimble controller

The GPS receiver is powered by an internal
Lithium-ion battery, which can be detached from
the receiver for charging. The receiver can also be
connected to an external power source through
Port 1.

During measurement operations, each internal
battery typically provides about 6.6 hours of
power if using the internal RX (receive) radio and
about 4.5 hours operating as a base station using
the internal 450 MHz TX (transmit) radio. These
times vary according to the type of measurement
and the operating conditions.

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 23

3 Batteries and Power

External power

The GPS receiver uses an external power source in preference to its internal batteries.
If the receiver is not connected to an external power source, or if the external power
supply fails, the internal batteries are used.

While carrying out static measurements for postprocessed computations using the
internal memory, if no external power is supplied and the internal battery is drained,
the receiver shuts down. No data is lost and when power is restored, the receiver
restarts in the same status as it was when power was lost.

Battery safety

The receiver is powered by one rechargable Lithium-ion battery. Charge and use the
battery only in strict accordance with the instructions in this chapter.

C

C

WARNING – Do not damage the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. A damaged battery

can cause an explosion or fire, and can result in personal injury and/or property damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– Do not use or charge the battery if it appears to be damaged. Signs of damage include,
but are not limited to, discoloration, warping, and leaking battery fluid.
– Do not expose the battery to fire, high temperature, or direct sunlight.
– Do not immerse the battery in water.
– Do not use or store the battery inside a vehicle during hot weather.
– Do not drop or puncture the battery.
– Do not open the battery or short-circuit its contacts.

WARNING – Avoid contact with the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery if it appears to be

leaking. Battery fluid is corrosive, and contact with it can result in personal injury and/or
property damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– If the battery leaks, avoid contact with the battery fluid.
– If battery fluid gets into your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes with clean water and
seek medical attention. Do not rub your eyes!
– If battery fluid gets onto your skin or clothing, immediately use clean water to wash off
the battery fluid.

Battery performance

To optimize battery performance and extend battery life:

• Fully charge all new batteries before use.

• Batteries perform best when they are not used at extreme temperatures. The

receiver is designed to operate at –40 °C to +65 °C (–40 °F to +149 °F). However,
operation at temperatures of less than 0 °C (32 °F) can cause a rapid drop in
battery life.

• Do not allow a battery that is in storage to discharge to below 5 V.

24 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

Charging the Lithium-ion batteries

Batteries and Power 3

C

WARNING – Charge and use the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery only in strict

accordance with the instructions. Charging or using the battery in unauthorized
equipment can cause an explosion or fire, and can result in personal injury and/or
equipment damage.
To prevent injury or damage:
– Do not charge or use the battery if it appears to be damaged or leaking.
– Charge the Lithium-ion battery only in a Trimble product that is specified to charge it.
Be sure to follow all instructions that are provided with the battery charger.
– Discontinue charging a battery that gives off extreme heat or a burning odor.
– Use the battery only in Trimble equipment that is specified to use it.
– Use the battery only for its intended use and according to the instructions in the product
documentation.

The rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries are supplied partially charged.

Note – Charge the battery completely before using it for the first time. If the battery has
been stored for longer than three months, charge it before use.

To charge the battery, first remove the battery from the receiver, and then place it in
one of the following battery chargers, which is connected to mains power:

• The dual-slot GPS battery charger (P/N 41114-00) and power supply

(P/N 48800-00):

• The five slot multi charger (P/N 49499-00) and power supply (P/N 51694):

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 25

3 Batteries and Power

Storing the Lithium-ion battery

If you must store a Lithium-ion battery for long periods, make sure that it is fully
charged before it is stored, and that you charge it at least once every three months
while it is stored.

Do not allow a battery that is in storage to discharge to below 5 V. A battery that
reaches deep discharge level (5 V or less) cannot be recharged and must be replaced.
(To protect a battery that is in use from deep discharge, the receiver switches power
sources or stops drawing power when the battery pack discharges to 5.9 V.)

All batteries discharge over time when not in use, and they discharge faster in colder
temperatures. Do not store the receiver at temperatures outside the range –40 °C to
+70 °C (–40 °F to +158 °F).

Do not store the batteries in the receiver or in the external charger unless power is
applied.

Keep all batteries on continuous charge when not in use. You can keep batteries on
charge indefinitely without damage to the batteries.

Disposing of the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery

Discharge a Lithium-ion battery before disposing of it. Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally sensitive manner, and adhere to any local and national regulations
concerning battery disposal or recycling.

Operating the receiver with a Trimble controller

You can operate an SPS GPS receiver with any Trimble controller, for example, a TSC2
or TCU controller, that is running the SCS900 software. Typically, the receiver and the
controller operate from their own individual power sources. The receiver and
controller can communicate through Bluetooth wireless technology and can be
connected without a cable. However, if a cable is required, the following information
indicates which cable to use with which controller:

Controller Cable Controller connector Receiver connector

TSC2 P/N 18532 DSub9 DSub9

TCU P/N 5302007 6H (Marked “Com” on the controller

GPS holder)

TCU
(alternative
connection)

P/N 53004007 6H (Marked “Com” on the controller

GPS holder)

DSub9

7OS

26 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

CHAPTER

4

Setup Guidelines 4

In this chapter:

Q Base station operation guidelines

Q Rover operation guidelines

GPS Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) operation
provides centimeter-level accuracy by
eliminating errors that are present in the GPS
system. For all RTK operations, you require both
a base station and a rover receiver.

This chapter introduces the concepts of base
station and rover operation, provides
information to help you identify good setup
locations, describes best practices for setting up
the equipment, and outlines the precautions that
you need to take to protect the equipment.

Note – This chapter provides setup information for
all the receivers in the SPS GPS receiver family.

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 27

4 Setup Guidelines

Base station operation guidelines

A base station consists of a receiver that is placed at a known (and fixed) position. The
receiver tracks the same satellites that are being tracked by the rover receiver, at the
same time that the rover is tracking them. Errors in the GPS system are monitored at
the fixed (and known) base station, and a series of position corrections are computed.
The corrections are sent through a radio link to the rover receiver, where they are used
to correct the real time positions of the rover.

Base station components

The base station has the following components:

• GPS receiver

• GPS antenna

• Base station radio

• Power supply

GPS receiver and GPS antenna

The base station GPS receiver can be one of following types:

• A Smart GPS antenna, such as the SPSx80, which incorporates a GPS receiver,

GPS antenna, power supply, and base station radio into a single compact unit. A
Smart GPS antenna can be rapidly set up on a tripod, fixed height tripod, or
T-Bar anywhere that is convenient on the jobsite.

• A Modular GPS receiver, such as the SPSx50, which incorporates a GPS receiver,

power supply, and base station radio in a single unit. The GPS antenna (and,
optionally, the base station radio antenna) is separate from the receiver. Because
the GPS antenna is separate, you can use the following optimized components:

– a geodetic antenna with large ground plane, to eliminate multipath (the

major source of GPS errors) at the base station

– a high gain or directional radio antenna, to increase broadcast range and to

provide maximum coverage

You can also place a modular GPS receiver in an easily accessible and secure
location, safe from theft and the weather, while the antennas are placed high on
a tower or building, clear of obstructions and able to deliver maximum
performance.

You can use either type of receiver in a permanent, semi-permanent, or daily quick
setup configuration. If semi-permanent or permanent operation is required, however,
the modular receiver delivers significant advantages.

28 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide

Base station setup guidelines

For good performance, observe the following base station setup guidelines:

• Place the GPS receiver in a location on the jobsite where equal range in all

directions provides full coverage of the site. This is more important on larger
jobsites, where the broadcast range of the base station radio may limit the
operations of the GPS system.

• Place the GPS antenna in a location that has a clear line of sight to the sky in all

directions. Do not place the GPS antenna near vertical obstructions such as
buildings, deep cuttings, site vehicles, towers, or tree canopy.

• Place the GPS and radio antennas as high as practical. This minimizes

multipath from the surrounding area, and enables the radio to broadcast to the
maximum distance.

Note – The GPS antenna must have a clear line of sight to the sky at all times during
operation.

• Choose the most appropriate radio antenna for the size and footprint of the site.

The higher the gain on the antenna, the longer the range. If there is more focus
on the transmission signal, there is a reduced coverage area. A 3 db or 5 db gain
antenna provides a mix of good range and reasonable directional coverage.

Setup Guidelines 4

• Make sure that the GPS receiver does not lose power. The GPS receiver has an

integrated battery, which has to be charged. To operate for the full day without
loss of power at the base station, provide external power. Sources of external
power include:

–AC power

– 12 V car or truck battery

– Trimble custom external battery pack

– Generator power

–Solar panel

When you use an external power supply, the integrated battery provides a
backup power supply, enabling you to maintain continuous operation through a
mains power failure.

When the GPS receiver is connected to a power source greater than 15 V, the
integrated battery is continuously charged from the connected power source.
This helps to ensure that the battery stays charged (SPS770 and SPSx50 only).

• Do not locate a GPS receiver, GPS antenna, or radio antenna within 400 meters

(about 1312 feet) of:

– a powerful radar, television, or cellular communications tower

–another transmitter

– another GPS antenna

SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide 29

4 Setup Guidelines

Cellular phone towers can interfere with the base station radio broadcast and
can stop corrections from reaching the rover receiver. High-power signals from a
nearby radio or radar transmitter can overwhelm the receiver circuits. This does
not harm the receiver, but can prevent the receiver electronics from functioning
correctly.

Low-power transmitters, such as those in cellular phones and two-way radios,
do not interfere with receiver operations.

• Do not set up the base station directly beneath or close to overhead power lines

or electrical generation facilities. The electromagnetic fields associated with
these utilities can interfere with GPS receiver operation. Other sources of
electromagnetic interference include:

– Gasoline engines (spark plugs)

– Televisions and computer monitors

– Alternators and generators

– Electric motors

–Equipment with DC-to-AC converters

– Fluorescent lights

–Switching power supplies

• Place the GPS receivers in a protected and secure location. If the base station is

in the center of a jobsite where heavy machinery is operating, place flags around
the base station to warn operators of its existence.

• If you place the SPSx50 Modular GPS receiver or SPS770 GPS receiver in a lock

box on the jobsite to protect the receiver from theft or from the weather, shield
the lock box from direct sunlight and provide ventilation for the receiver
through an inlet and extractor fan. A receiver that has a broadcast radio
generates significant heat. Do not allow the temperature in the box to exceed
65 ºC (149 ºF).

If working in a cold climate, you may need to provide heat to the receiver. Do not
operate the receiver below –40 ºC (–40 ºF).

• Trimble recommends that, wherever possible, you keep GPS receiver equipment

dry. The receivers are designed to withstand wet weather, but keeping them dry
prolongs their life and reduces the effects of corrosion on ports and connectors.
If the equipment gets wet, use a clean dry cloth to dry the equipment, and then
leave the equipment open to the air to dry. Do not lock wet equipment in a
transport case for prolonged periods. Avoid exposing the GPS receiver to
corrosive liquids and salt water wherever possible.

30 SPSx80 Smart GPS Antenna User Guide