Trimble AgGPS 900 User Manual

AgGPS® Radio for the

AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver

User Guide



Version 1.00

Revision A

Part Number 55565-00-ENG

November 2004

Trimble Navigation Limited
Agriculture Business Area
9290 Bond Street, Suite 102
Overland Park, KS 66214
USA
[phone] Phone
[e-mail]
www.trimble.com

Copyright and Trademarks

© 2004 Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved.
Trimble, the Globe & Triangle logo, the Sextant logo with
Trimble, and AgGPS are trademarks of Trimble Navigation
Limited, registered in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office and other countries. Autopilot, CMR,
CMR+, SiteNet, and TRIMCOMM are trademarks of
Trimble Navigation Limited.

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 November 2004 release (Revision A) of the
AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide,
part number 55565-00-ENG. It applies to version 1.00 of the
AgGPS 900 radio.

The following limited warranties give you specific legal
rights. You may have others, which vary from
state/jurisdiction to state/jurisdiction.

Hardware Limited Warranty

Trimble Navigation Limited warrants that this hardware
product (the “Product”) will perform substantially in
accordance with published specifications and be
substantially free of defects in material and workmanship
for a period of one (1) year starting from the date of delivery.
The warranty set forth in this paragraph shall not apply to
software products.

Software License, Limited Warranty

This Trimble software product, whether provided as a stand­alone computer software product, built into hardware
circuitry as firmware, embedded in flash memory, or stored
on magnetic or other media, (the “Software”) is licensed and
not sold, and its use is governed by the terms of the relevant
End User License Agreement (“EULA”) included with the
Software. In the absence of a separate EULA included with
the Software providing different limited warranty terms,
exclusions and limitations, the following terms and
conditions shall apply. Trimble warrants that this Trimble
Software product will substantially conform to Trimble’s
applicable published specifications for the Software for a
period of ninety (90) days, starting from the date of delivery.

Warranty Remedies

Trimble's sole liability and your exclusive remedy under the
warranties set forth above shall be, at Trimble’s option, to
repair or replace any Product or Software that fails to
conform to such warranty ("Nonconforming Product") or
refund the purchase price paid by you for any such

Nonconforming Product, upon your return of any
Nonconforming Product to Trimble in accordance with
Trimble’s standard return material authorization procedures.

Warranty Exclusions and Disclaimer

These warranties shall be applied only in the event and to the
extent that (i) the Products and Software are properly and
correctly installed, configured, interfaced, maintained,
stored, and operated in accordance with Trimble's relevant
operator's manual and specifications, and; (ii) the Products
and Software are not modified or misused. The preceding
warranties 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 or
Software with hardware or software products, information,
data, systems, interfaces or devices not made, supplied or
specified by Trimble; (ii) the operation of the Product or
Software 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 or Software; (iv) damage caused by accident,
lightning or other electrical discharge, fresh or salt water
immersion or spray; or (v) normal wear and tear on
consumable parts (e.g., batteries). Trimble does not warrant
or guarantee the results obtained through the use of the
Product.

THE WARRANTIES ABOVE STATE TRIMBLE'S ENTIRE
LIABILITY, AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES,
RELATING TO PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCTS
AND SOFTWARE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, THE PRODUCTS,
SOFTWARE, AND ACCOMPANYING
DOCUMENTATION AND MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED

“

AS-IS” AND WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND BY EITHER TRIMBLE
NAVIGATION LIMITED 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 PRODUCTS
OR SOFTWARE. SOME STATES AND JURISDICTIONS
DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON DURATION OR
THE EXCLUSION OF AN IMPLIED WARRANTY, SO
THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED IS NOT
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OR FAILURE OF
OPERATION OF GPS SATELLITES OR THE
AVAILABILITY OF GPS SATELLITE SIGNALS.

Limitation of Liability

TRIMBLE’S ENTIRE LIABILITY UNDER ANY
PROVISION HEREIN SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE
AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE PRODUCT OR
SOFTWARE LICENSE. 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 DAMAGES WHATSOEVER UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCE OR LEGAL THEORY RELATING
IN ANY WAY TO THE PRODUCTS, SOFTWARE AND
ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION AND
MATERIALS, (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS,
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS
INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS),
REGARDLESS 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.

NOTE: THE ABOVE LIMITED WARRANTY
PROVISIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO PRODUCTS OR
SOFTWARE PURCHASED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TRIMBLE DEALER FOR
APPLICABLE WARRANTY INFORMATION.

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.

iv AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide

Safety

In this chapter:

Q AgGPS 900 Regulations and Safety

Regulations regarding the use of the radios vary greatly from country to
country. In most cases, the Trimble® AgGPS® 900 radio does not require a
license. However, before operating an AgGPS 900 radio, consult the local
communications governing agency to find out whether authorization or a
license to operate the radio is required in the country in which you are using
it. It is your responsibility to obtain an operator’s permit or license for the
AgGPS 900 for the location or country of use.

AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide v

Safety

0.1 AgGPS 900 Regulations and Safety

The AgGPS 900 radio is subject to the regulations and safety
requirements that are described here.

00.1 Type approval

C

Caution – Changes or modifications to this equipment that are not
approved, in writing, by Trimble Navigation Limited void your authority to
operate the equipment.

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 radios. Some
countries have unique technical requirements for operation in
particular radio frequency bands. To comply with those requirements,
Trimble may have modified your equipment to be granted Type
approval. Unauthorized modification of the radio voids the Type
approval, the warranty, and the operational license of the equipment.

00.2 Licensing

In most cases, you do not need to obtain a license for the AgGPS 900.
However, you should consult your local communications governing
agency for licensing information. Obtaining an operator’s permit or
license for the AgGPS 900 for the location or country of use is the
responsibility of the end user.

Note – Before you move an AgGPS 900 from one country to another,
make sure that you check and can satisfy the regulations of the country
where you will be using the radio.

vi AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide

00.3 Radio frequency (RF) energy

Exposure to radio frequency (RF) energy is an important safety
consideration. The FCC adopted a safety standard for human exposure
to RF 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 results in exposure below government limits.
Trimble recommends the following precautions:

• Do make sure that all equipment is properly grounded
according to Trimble installation instructions for safe operation.

• Do have all equipment serviced only by a qualified technician.

Safety

AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide vii

Safety

viii AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide

Contents ii

Safety

AgGPS 900 Regulations and Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Type approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Radio frequency (RF) energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

1 Introduction

About the Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Related Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Technical Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Your Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Features and Functions of the Radio

Technical Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Physical Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Frequency Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Low Voltage or Lost Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Optional accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Data Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide ix

Table of Contents

Turbo Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3 Connecting the Radio

Connecting the Radio to the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver . . . . . . . . . . 12

Connecting the Radio to the Office Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

4 Configuring the Radio

Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Using AgRemote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Start AgRemote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Configure Port B on the AgGPS 252 receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Configure the radio to change settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Review radio status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

LED Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

5 Mounting the AgGPS Radio

Mounting the AgGPS 900 Radio on a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Setting Up the Equipment in the Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

6 Upgrading the Firmware

Firmware Upgrade Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Step 1: Download the FlashLoader 200 firmware upgrade utility . . 28

Step 2: Download the radio firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Step 3: Install FlashLoader 200 on the office computer . . . . . . . 29

Step 4: Connect the radio to the office computer . . . . . . . . . . 30

Step 5: Upgrade the radio firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

To upgrade the radio firmware: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

A Technical Specifications

Technical Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Pinout Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Index

x AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide

CHAPTER

1

Introduction 1

In this chapter:

Q About the Radio

Q Related Information

Q Technical Assistance

Q Your Comments

This manual describes how to set up and use the Trimble AgGPS 900 radio.

The AgGPS 900 radio is designed for use with the AgGPS 252 GPS receiver.
When attached to the AgGPS 252 GPS receiver, the radio provides an
integrated, ergonomic radio solution for real-time GPS positioning.

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 Trimble’s website (www.trimble.com) for an interactive look at
Trimble and GPS.

AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide 1

1 Introduction

1.1 About the Radio

The AgGPS 900 radio is a receive-only rover radio that:

• receives radio signals from a base station

• operates in conjunction with the AgGPS 252 GPS receiver

The radio and receiver are connected together, and then mounted on
the rover vehicle.

You can use an office computer to reconfigure the radio. The
AgGPS 252 GPS receiver that is attached to the radio provides the
configuration interface.

1.2 Related Information

Sources of related information include the following:

• Release notes – the release notes describe new features of the
product, information not included in the manuals, and any
changes to the manuals.

• For additional information such as service bulletins and FAQs,
go to www.trimble.com/support.shtml. In addition, the website
may have related utility programs, firmware, and software
patches that you can download.

1.3 Technical Assistance

If you have a problem and cannot find the information you need in the
product documentation, contact your local dealer.

If you need to contact Trimble technical support:

1. Go to the Trimble website (www.trimble.com).

2. Click the

Support button at the top of the screen. The Support

A–Z list of products appears.

3. Scroll to the bottom of the list.

2 AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide

4. Click the submit an inquiry link. A form appears.

Introduction 1

5. Complete the form and then click

Alternatively, you can send an e-mail to
[e-mail]

1.1 Your Co mme nts

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

Send.

AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide 3

1 Introduction

4 AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide

CHAPTER

2

Features and Functions of the Radio

In this chapter:

Q Technical Description

Q Physical Description

Q Frequency Band

Q Low Voltage or Lost Power

Q Features

Q Data Format

Q Turbo Mode

This chapter describes the features and functions of the AgGPS 900 radio.

2

AgGPS Radio for the AgGPS 252 GPS Receiver User Guide 5