1. Class 2 Overview GNSS Workflow
Introduction to Trimble Hardware & Software
Mission Planning
TerraSync interface basics
Field practice with TerraSync and generic data dictionary, CBLS quad

2. 1. Overview of GPS Field Preparation, Data Collection and Post-Processing

3. Class 2 Overview GNSS Workflow
Introduction to Trimble Hardware & Software
Mission Planning
TerraSync interface basics
Field practice with TerraSync and generic data dictionary, CBLS quad

4. 2. Trimble Hardware & Software
Hardware: Trimble GeoExplorer (2005 XT example)

5. 2. Trimble Hardware & Software
Communications between computer and GNSS unit
Windows Mobile Device Center (Microsoft) – communications between 64 bit computer and GPS unit

6. 2. Trimble Hardware & Software
Mission Planning
Trimble’s online mission planning tool (“GNSS Planning Tool”)– forecast satellite availability for a specific location prior to fieldwork.
Navmatrix mission planning
Navcom Starfire Satellite Predictor

7. 2. Trimble Hardware & Software
GNSS Field Data Collection
TerraSync (Standard / Pro). Trimble software, various versions 5.1 and higher. Field software for GPS/GNSS rover units, currently installed and operating on all units used in class
Terrasync user guides can be found at:

8. 2. Trimble Hardware & Software
GNSS Data Processing
GPS Pathfinder Office. Trimble software – create data dictionary, upload/download data files, post-process rover data (including differential correction), export data to GIS.

9. 2. Trimble Hardware & Software
Geographic Information System
ArcGIS 10.x (ESRI). Data analysis, visualization, metadata creation.

10. Class 2 Overview GNSS Workflow
Introduction to Trimble Hardware & Software
Mission Planning
TerraSync interface basics
Field practice with TerraSync and generic data dictionary, CBLS quad

11. 3. GNSS Mission Planning What is Mission Planning?
Visualizing and understanding predicted GPS satellite movements and availability for specific times and locations.
Why do mission planning?
Plan fieldwork for the periods of best satellite visibility and attend to other activities (lunch?) when satellite visibility is low and data collection is more difficult or time consuming (or impossible?).
Four Things To Remember:
Check the time zone.
Check the almanac date.
Print charts or make note of high PDOPs for field use.
Nothing beats field reconnaissance!

12. 3. GNSS Mission Planning
Demo using Trimble’s Online Mission Planning Tool
Assignment, due 2/10: Determine satellite availability for Kingston, RI for Thursday, February 10. Bring a graph showing PDOP for all or any portion of the day, so long as it includes 1-3 p.m.

13. Class 2 Overview GNSS Workflow
Introduction to Trimble Hardware & Software
Mission Planning
TerraSync interface basics
Field practice with TerraSync and generic data dictionary, CBLS quad

14. Data collection using TerraSync
TerraSync is data collection software used on many Trimble brand GPS receivers. It is an interface for collecting spatial data and entering attribute values through attribute fields in a data dictionary. It can also be used as an interface for navigation.
Learning objectives:
Review the GPS/GNSS satellite system and its role in spatial data collection
Learn the functions available in the TerraSync interface
Learn how to log points, lines, and polygons using TerraSync
Learn how to troubleshoot TerraSync in the field

15. Review of the GPS/GNSS satellite system
GPS refers to the American Global Positioning System, one of several Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS).
Other GNSS constellations currently operational include the Russian GLONASS, Chinese BeiDou and the European Galileo which many high- end GPS receivers can also utilize to increase spatial accuracy.
The U.S. Department of Defense maintains the GPS constellation of 24 satellites which transmit signals of electromagnetic waves.
When a GPS receiver connects to 3 different satellites, it can 'trilaterate' its horizontal location on Earth. With four satellites, it can also acquire vertical location.
Although 'GPS' technically refers to the American constellation, the abbreviation is often used in reference to a GNSS receiver (such as a Trimble handheld unit).

16. Review of the GPS/GNSS satellite system
This diagram illustrates the orbital paths of the 24 GPS satellites.

17. Review of the GPS/GNSS satellite system
This diagram illustrates the process of trilateration (finding a point in space with information from multiple satellites).

18. Review of the GPS/GNSS satellite system
Key points to remember when using GPS:
Anything that can block light can interfere with a GPS satellite signal and therefore interfere with GPS receiver accuracy. These things include buildings, tree canopies, and human bodies.
Accuracy is not the same thing as precision. GPS receivers advertised as having extremely high accuracy (such as 'subcentimeter accuracy') will often record very precise results (such as ' cm'). In order to obtain advertised accuracy, certain conditions need to be met (clear skies, no obstructions) and the data need to be corrected for errors through differential correction.

19. The TerraSync Interface
The next several slides will introduce the functions available in the TerraSync interface, followed by the specific steps used in using TerraSync to collect spatial data.
To start TerraSync:
Power on the Trimble GPS receiver.
Select 'Start'.
Select 'All Programs'.
Select 'TerraSync'.
To exit TerraSync: Tap the 'X' in the upper righthand corner of the screen. Select 'Yes' in the popup window.

20. The TerraSync Interface
TerraSync offers five categories of functions:
Section
Function
Map
View features, background files, and the GPS location graphically.
Data
Work with data files:
create a new data file or open an existing data file
collect new features or maintain existing features
move, copy, delete, or rename data and background files
Navigation
Navigate to features using the Direction Dial and Close-up screen.
Create and edit waypoints.
Status
View information about:
the satellites the TerraSync software is tracking, their relative positions in the sky, and your current position
the GPS receiver and real-time correction source
the TerraSync software version and trademark information.
Setup
Configure the TerraSync software.
These categories are accessible in the upper lefthand menu ('section button'). 9

21. The TerraSync Interface
Elements that are common to all screens in the TerraSync software:
Section button
Status bar
Subsection Buttons
Main display

22. The TerraSync Interface
The status bar appears at the top of the TerraSync software screen and provides basic status information about the connected GPS receiver.

23. Collecting data
Collecting data requires obtaining a satellite signal, configuring the data file, and logging data.
To obtain a signal:
Make sure the GPS receiver is charged, especially if the field destination is far from the office.
Hold the receiver with the screen facing you. The internal antenna is located above the screen and should be held facing upwards, not down or sideways.

24. Obtaining a signal
3. Maintain a clear view of the sky. Keep the antenna clear of obstruction. Satellite signals may be received from any direction, but covering the antenna with a body part or other object can disable satellite tracking and the receiver will stop computing positions.
Satellite signals can be blocked by people, buildings, heavy tree canopy, large vehicles, powerful transmitters, canyons, and anything that blocks light.
Signals can go through leaves, plastic, and glass, but these may weaken or distort the signal.

25. Obtaining a signal
4. Check the GPS status. Use the Selection dropdown menu in the upper right corner of the screen to select 'Status'. Use the Subsection menu (just under status) to select 'Skyplot'. This diagram shows which satellites are being tracked.
Filled (black) boxes represent satellites that the receiver is using to compute its current GPS position.
Unfilled (white) boxes represent satellites that the receiver is getting signals from but is not using because the signals are too weak.
A minimum of four satellites is required to obtain an x, y, z position. The more satellites used, the more accurate the GPS position will be.

26. Configure a data file To configure a data file:
Create a new data file for each day of field entry. If field collection spans more than 4 hours in the same day, create a new data file after 4 hours.
In TerraSync click 'Section', then select 'Data'.
Click 'Subsection' and click 'New File'.
Leave File type as 'Rover' and the location as 'Default'.
Replace the default filename as desired. It is recommended to stick to a naming convention (example, [UnitCode]_[Date], or FIIS_ ).
Select the correct data dictionary in the 'Dictionary Name' field.

27. Configure a data file Click 'Create'.
Set the Antenna Height. A popup window will ask for the antenna height. This is the distance from the ground to where the user is holding the receiver. This varies with user height and whether an external antenna is used. Adjust as necessary and click 'OK'.

28. Configure a data file
9. In the Collect Features screen that appears, click 'Options'.
Select Logging Interval from the Options menu to change the default logging interval determined by the data dictionary. Using the Repeat option will copy default values from the last recorded feature of that type.
Tap Create or Log to begin collecting features. Using Log Now the GPS will begin collecting positions as soon as the Create button is tapped. Using Log Later the GPS will begin collecting positions when the Log button is tapped.

29. Collecting features To collect a point feature:
Tap Section list button and select
Data.
Tap Subsection list button and select
Collect.
To set the logging option, tap Options
and select Log Now.
Stand at the point you want to record.
From the Choose Feature list, select a point feature such as Point_weed and tap Create.

30. Collecting features To collect a point feature (continued):
Enter attribute values while the GPS logs points. As the software logs GPS positions, the counter beside the logging icon counts the number of features collected. In this example, 10 positions have been collected so far. If Log Later option was selected, tap on the Log button to start collecting positions. Remain stationary during this step.
Click 'OK' or 'Done' once attributes have been entered and a sufficient number of positions have been collected. A minimum of 30 positions are recommended for points.

31. Collecting features To collect a line feature:
Select 'Data' from the section menu.
In the subsection menu, select 'Collect'.
To set the logging option, tap 'Options' and select 'Log Now'.
Stand at the starting point of the line you want to record.
From the Choose Feature list, select a line feature such as Line_generic and tap 'Create'. The attribute entry form appears.
Fill out the attribute vales as required.

32. Collecting features To collect a line feature (continued):
If 'Log Later' was selected when creating the data file, tap 'Log' to begin collecting GPS positions and start walking along the feature. The number on the logging icon increments as each position is recorded. Make sure the number of logged positions is continually increasing as you walk the line.
To pause logging positions tap 'Pause'. To resume, tap 'Log'. To finish, tap 'OK' or 'Done' to save the feature and return to the Collect Features screen.
Fill out the attribute fields as needed.

33. Collecting features To collect an area feature:
From the section list select 'Data'.
From the subsection list select 'Collect'.
To set the logging option, tap 'Options' and select 'Log Now'.
Stand at the location you want to begin recording the perimeter of the area.
From the Choose Feature list, select an area feature such as Area_generic and tap 'Create'. The attribute entry form appears.
Walk the perimeter of the area you want to record and tap 'Done'. Collecting area is similar to collecting lines.

34. Finish Collecting Data and Close the Data File
To stop collecting new features tap 'Close' in the Collect Features Screen.
When prompted to confirm closing the file, tap 'Yes' to close the data file and return to the New File screen.

35. Viewing the Collected Data in a Map
Current Location
Point feature
Line feature
Area feature
To view the map while collecting features, tap 'Section list' and then select 'Map'. The features that you have collected are displayed on the map, along with any you are currently collecting.
If you cannot see your current position on the map marked by a small X, tap 'Options' and then select Auto Pan to GPS Position.

36. Viewing the Collected Data in a Map
Current Location
Point feature
Line feature
Area feature
3. To view the map at different scales, tap 'Zoom In' or 'Zoom Out' on the Command bar. You can also tap 'Map Tools', select 'Zoom In' or 'Zoom Out', and select the point on the map.

37. Ending the Data Collection Session
When the data collection session is complete, exit TerraSync. You do not have to close the data file first. If you exit the software while a data file is still open, the TerraSync software closes the file before exiting.
To exit the TerraSync software:
In the upper lefthand corner of the screen, from the section menu, select 'Exit'.
When prompted to confirm closing the file and exiting the software, tap 'Yes'.

38. Troubleshooting Lost Satellites:
The number of GNSS satellites is depicted next to the satellite icon. If there is no number, or it shows as 0, the device has lost connection.
If the device loses connection with GNSS, use the dropdown menu to enter 'Setup'.
Click the 'GNSS' button.
Click 'Yes' to disconnect.
Click the 'GNSS' button again to re- establish connection.
The number of satellites will be depicted next to the satellite icon.

39. Troubleshooting Rebooting:
If the GeoExplorer handheld locks up and does not respond to key presses or stylus inputs, try a soft reset. If it does not fix the problem perform a hard reset.
Before performing a hard reset, transmit any data in the GeoExplorer to a computer as the software will be returned to the factory settings and all collected data will be lost.
Each GeoExplorer device has a slightly different process for soft and hard resets.

40. Soft reset Geo 7x Tap the ‘Power’ button on the Home screen.
The Power menu appears. Tap ‘Reset.’

41. Hard reset Geo 7x
CAUTION: A HARD RESET RETURNS THE HANDHELD TO ITS FACTORY SETTINGS. ANY DATA OR SOFTWARE INSTALLED ON THE HANDHELD IS LOST.
Hold down the Power/Home button on the keypad for at least 10 seconds until the Trimble logo screen appears.
Release the Power/Home button.

42. 4. TerraSync interface basics
Demo
Applying Critical Settings (see handout)

43. Class 2 Overview GNSS Workflow
Introduction to Trimble Hardware & Software
Mission Planning
TerraSync interface basics
Field practice with TerraSync and generic data dictionary, CBLS quad
Assignment, due 2/10: Determine satellite availability for Kingston, RI for Thursday, February 8. Bring a graph showing PDOP for all or any portion of the day, so long as it includes 1-3 p.m.

44. CREDITS
National Park Service Intermountain Region GIS Office Trimble Training Products Windows Mobile Device Center