High-Accuracy GPS for GIS:

From 1ft to 4in

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 Why High-Accuracy?
• Utilities
– Collecting assets/features accurately:
• collecting existing features or
• ‘as-built’ surveys
– Relocating assets/features
• Local & city government
– Urban asset databases
– Road centerlines
• Construction
– Preliminary site surveys
– As-built surveys for collecting asset information
– Environmental impact reports

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 Why Mapping-Grade?
• If your applications only require 4in-12in, these
systems are built for that level of accuracy.
• Cost of the high-accuracy mapping systems are
typically about half to a third of the cost of a survey-
grade unit.
• The Trimble Mapping/GIS products are designed to
work well with attribute-intensive GIS data collection
projects.
• They integrate seamlessly with ESRI software such as
ArcGIS.

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 Accuracy Levels
• 12 inches
– GeoXH’05 or
GeoXH’08 or ProXH
• 8 inches
– GeoXH’05 /Pro XH
with Zephyr Antenna
• 4 inches
– ProXRT / GeoXH’08
with Zephyr (close to
base station)

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GeoXH (2008) Handheld
• <12 inch accuracy after
post-processing or VRS
• Typically requires 1-2
minutes at each point
• 3-foot accuracy in the
field with WAAS
• Integrated unit can be
carried in your hand.
No need for cables or a
pole/backpack.

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 GeoXH’08 with Zephyr
• 4 inch accuracy after post-
processing…depends on
distance to base station
(also 6in inch vertical)
• Typically requires 1-2
minutes at each point
• 3-foot accuracy in the field
with WAAS. 4 inches when
connected to VRS.
• Designed for use on a
rangepole

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 ProXH
• <12 inch accuracy after post-
processing
• Typically requires 1-2 minutes
at each point
• 3-foot accuracy in the field with
WAAS
• Use with a mobile data
collector, tablet, or laptop.
• Communication via Bluetooth
or serial cable.

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 ProXH with Zephyr
• <8 inch accuracy after
post-processing
• Typically requires 1-2
minutes at each point
• 3-foot accuracy in the
field with WAAS
• Use with a mobile data
collector, tablet, or
laptop

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 ProXRT
• <4 inch accuracy after post-
processing (<6in vertical)
• ALSO…<4 inch accuracy in
the field (<6in vertical)
• Dependent on base station
distance
• Typically requires about 30-60
seconds at each point
• 3-foot accuracy in the field
with WAAS/Beacon
• Omnistar/GLONASS capable
• Designed for use on a
rangepole

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Data Collector Options

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 Post-Processing
• Pathfinder Office
• GPS Analyst for ArcGIS

• Baseline Requirements:
– 50 miles for subfoot
– 18 miles for 4 inches (must use
zephyr antenna)
• 2 options for real-time decimeter (4in)
data collection:
– Using real-time H-Star technology
(VRS)
– OmniSTAR HP (ProXRT only)
• Real-time data collection
– Allows for in field
verification...knowing that a feature
has been captured to the desired
accuracy level streamlines workflow
and reduces the risk of
recollecting data
– For relocating assets accurately and
efficiently

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Postprocessed DGPS

<10cm - 5m

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Postprocessed Code Phase
Differential
• Corrections applied in Pathfinder Office
software or GPS Analyst software

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H-Star Processing
• Corrections applied in GPS Pathfinder Office
software or GPS Analyst
• Multiple CORS used
• Carrier phase float solution generated
• One base station within 50 miles or three within
120 miles.

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 Seiler MWRTK
• 60 base stations…
and growing
• 23 are NetR5
(GLONASS)
• www.mwrtk.net

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 Why use VRS for GIS?
• Do not need post-processing software if you are working
with Shapefile format.
• Increased accuracy
– Better than WAAS and Beacon
– Doesn’t degrade with distance from the base
• All users in common, established co-ordinate frame
– Best fit of GIS data with survey/cadastral framework
• Integrity monitoring
– QA/QC increasingly important for contractors
• Availability in places where other RTCM doesn’t reach
– Inner cities are well served by mobile phone networks, but
don’t tend to be WAAS-friendly

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 VRS Data Flow
Reference
station data
streams back
to server
through LAN,
Internet, or
radio links

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 VRS Data Flow
Roving receiver
sends an NMEA
string back to
server using VRS
cellular modem.
Virtual Reference
Station position
is established. NMEA—GGA

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 VRS Data Flow
Server uses
VRS position to
create corrected
R + VRS
observables and M
C
broadcasts them or
C M
to the rover RT

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Real-time Settings

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Cellular Connection
• Must have cellular service in your
work area
– Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile
– Data Plan is needed (differs from
a voice plan)
• Make sure “tethering” is enabled
• Carry spare batteries or bring an
external battery
• A bluetooth cell phone is better
• A Nomad “GX” series is best!
(AT&T and T-Mobile)

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 VRS Conclusions
• VRS is coming …
– Large and recent expansion in the Midwest
• The cost of using VRS is declining or is free
– Cellular costs dropping; coverage improving
• The benefits of VRS are significant
– Data quality and consistency
• Once availability and cost get to the right level, VRS is
expected to be the DGPS source of choice for many
applications
– Particularly urban/suburban

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 Omnistar (ProXRT)
• 4 in real-time accuracy
– After typical initialization time of 20–40 minutes
• OmniSTAR removes the need for cellular devices—it’s
already integrated
– All you need is a subscription which can be obtained
conveniently over the air
• The GPS Pathfinder ProXRT receiver is capable of
receiving Omnistar
• North America Pricing:
– OmniSTAR XP (for 8in) - $1,500/year/receiver
– OmniSTAR HP (for 4in) - $2,500/year/receiver

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GLONASS Option (ProXRT)
• The GLONASS option increases the number of
satellites the receiver can track
– Maintain lock on satellites when sky visibility
becomes limited
– Users can work for longer in tougher environments
• The GLONASS option can reduce the initialization time
for real-time subfoot data collection
– Base stations must also support GLONASS (NetR5)
• GLONASS post-processing is not supported

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ProXRT/GLONASS

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 Datums
NAD83 • Choosing the wrong
(CORS96) datum can greatly
shift your data!
• NAD27 to NAD83
could mean 50 feet or
more.
I’m in • “NAD83” has different
“NAD83” versions
– NAD83 (86)
– NAD83 (91)
– NAD83 (97)
– NAD83 (CORS 96)

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Datum Shift
• Know your
correction source.
• WAAS and Beacon
are different!
• Confirm your base
station if post-
processing.
• Find one base
station that works
and stick with it.
• Do a test point on a
known location
before starting.

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 Questions?

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