RTK Internet data link

Use an Internet data link if you are obtaining RTK data by connecting to a server using an IP address. The equipment at the rover connects to the server hosting the data from the base receiver using an IP address. RTK data is transferred over the Internet.

The server providing RTK data may be a:

  • Data collector running Trimble Access connected to the base receiver.

    In this case, the base station is operating as a server.

  • Broadcast server provided by a service provider using a system such as the VRS Now™ subscription service.

    In this case, the base station is uploading data to a remote server.

When the base station is operating as a server, the number of rover connections to that base is limited by the capacity of the base Internet connection. In some cases, only one rover connection may be possible.

When the base receiver is uploading data to a server, the broadcast server can send the base data to many rovers.

Your controller and your receiver may each have an internal modem. You may also have another device that contains a modem, such as a mobile phone (referred to here as an external modem). The modem you use for the connection to the server determines how you will connect and configure your equipment and configure the Route through controller setting in the GNSS contact.

  • The modem in the Trimble R10-2/R12 receiver does not support Bluetooth Dial-up Networking (DUN), and so you cannot use the SIM card in the receiver and enable Route through controller. To route data through the controller, insert the SIM card in the controller and set the Route through controller field to On.
  • Modems used with Trimble Access must support Hayes compatible AT commands.

If you are using:

  • an older type of modem that supports dial-up networking, refer to the setup sections below.
  • the cellular modem in the controller, or in a smartphone connected to the controller, it most likely does not support dial-up networking. To use one of these modems to connect to the server over a 3G or 4G mobile broadband network, refer to the topics Internet connection setup and To create a GNSS contact for a rover Internet data link.

How you connect your equipment at the rover and configure the software for the data link depends on whether you will use the Internet only to receive RTK corrections, or whether you will use it for additional functions such as downloading projects and jobs or email.

If you will use the Internet only to receive RTK corrections, insert the SIM card in the receiver and connect the controller to the receiver using Bluetooth or a serial cable. In the RTK survey style, set the Route through controller setting to Off.

If you will use the Internet for additional functions, in the RTK survey style set the Route through controller setting to On. Then connect your equipment as follows:

  • When the SIM card is in the receiver, connect the controller to the receiver using Bluetooth.
  • When the SIM card is in the controller, connect the controller to the receiver using Bluetooth or a serial cable.
  • When the SIM card is in an external modem (for example, a mobile phone), connect the controller to the receiver using Bluetooth, or possibly a serial cable.

The modem you use at the base for the data link depends on:

  • whether you want the base station to operate as a server, or to upload data to a remote server.
  • whether you can leave the controller connected to the base receiver during the survey or whether you need to disconnect it from the base receiver after survey setup so that you can use it at the rover.
  • which device contains the SIM card you want to use for the data.

If you will remove the controller from the base station, insert the SIM card in the receiver and connect the controller to the receiver using Bluetooth or a serial cable. In the RTK survey style, set the Route through controller setting to Off.

If you will leave the controller at the base station, in the RTK survey style set the Route through controller setting to On. Then connect your equipment as follows:

  • When the SIM card is in the receiver, connect the controller to the receiver using Bluetooth.
  • When the SIM card is in the controller, connect the controller to the receiver using Bluetooth or a serial cable.

  • When the SIM card is in an external modem (for example, a mobile phone), connect the controller to the receiver using Bluetooth, or possibly a serial cable.

    Base receivers used with modems must support CTS flow control.

To configure an Internet data link at the rover or the base, in Trimble Access:

  1. Configure a connection to the Internet. See Internet connection setup.
  2. Configure the RTK survey style for an Internet data link and select the appropriate GNSS contact. See To configure an Internet data link.
  3. Create a GNSS contact that specifies:
    1. whether other Internet functions are available when RTK data is being used
    2. the network connection to use to connect to the Internet
    3. the RTK data stream to connect to at the data source
    4. the contact information for the real-time correction source

    See To create a GNSS contact for a rover Internet data link or To create a GNSS contact for a base Internet data link.

  4. If RTK data will be routed through the controller, allowing the controller to connect to the Internet, create a network connection for the controller to use.

To start the survey, see To start an RTK Internet survey.