5

5 Basic Surveying with Leica GPS
Introduction In this chapter we will explore how to create a job, setup a base receiver, and a
rover receiver for RTK operations.
Overview The following sections explore surveying with SurvCE and Leica System 500
GPS.
Section Topic
5.1 Set up the GPS Receiver
5.1.1 Creating a New Job
5.1.2 Selecting a Receiver
5.1.3 Radio Port & Message Type
5.1.4 Configuring the Base Receiver
5.1.5 Configuring the Rover Receiver
5.2 Perform a Localization
5.2.1 Localization Method 1 – One Known Local Point with Ground
Scale
5.2.2 Localization Method 2 – Multiple Known Points
5.2.3 Localization Method 3 - State Plane with Known Base Station
5.2.4 Localization Method 4 – State Plane with Known Rover Station
5.3 GPS Status Indicators
5.3.1 RTK Status Screens
5.4 Basic RTK Data Capture
5.4.1 Configure Data Collection Parameters
5.4.2 Store RTK Points
5.4.3 Store Offset Points
5.4.4 Store Averaged Readings
5.5 Point Stakeout Using Leica RTK GPS
5.6 Moving the Base receiver in an RTK Survey
5.7 Static & Rapid Static Surveys
Continued on next page
Basic Surveying with Leica GPS 1

Introduction, Continued
What you need You will need a:

to start
• Leica System 530 GPS system; setup and ready to go.
• Data collector with Carlson SurvCE loaded on it.
• Cable (PN 560254) to connect the data collector to the GPS receiver.
Note: Before beginning please ensure that the GPS receiver and data collector
are connected but turned off.
End of Introduction
5.1 Set up the GPS Receiver
5.1.1 Creating a New Job
Creating a The following steps describe how to configure your GPS receiver (SR530) for
new job RTK operations with SurvCE.
• Turn the data collector on and double-click on the Carlson SurvCE icon.
This will start the program.
Step Action Display

1 When SurvCE starts, this screen appears.
In this example we will create a new job.
• Press the Select New/Existing Job

button.
This will take you to the “Coordinate File”

screen.

5.1 Set up the GPS Receiver, Continued
5.1.1 Creating a New Job, Continued

Step Action Display
2 In the “Coordinate File” screen:
• Enter the name of the job in the

“Name” field. The “Name” field is in
the lower left-hand corner of the screen.
In this example we have called the job

“LeicaGPS”.
• Press the OK button.
This will take you to the “Job Settings”

screen.
3 In the “Job Settings” screen:
• Press the Units tab.
This takes you to the “Units” screen.
You will not be able to change the units

later. Make sure they are correct here.
Select the units you wish to use for your

project.
Your choices are:

• US Feet,
• International Feet, or
• Meters.

5.1.1 Creating a New Job, Continued

Step Action Display
4 Continuing in the “Job Settings” screen:
• Press the GPS tab.
Select the State Plane Zone you will work

in.
If applying a Geoidal Model:

• Check the “Apply Geoid 99” box.
• Ensure all other buttons are checked as
shown on the right.
The software will now connect to the

SR530 sensor and turn it on.
This returns you to the SurvCE main

menu screen.
For more See chapter 3 File Management for more information on setting job
information parameters.
End of Creating a Job

5.1.2 Selecting a Receiver
Selecting a The following describes the steps necessary to select the Leica System 500
Receiver GPS receiver.
Step Action Display

5 In the SurvCE main menu screen:
• Press the Equip tab.
This will take you to the “Equip” menu

screen.
• Press the 1 Instrument button.
This takes you to the “Instrument”

window.
6 In the “Instrument” window:
Here you may choose from a list of

different GPS receivers.
• Select Leica System 500 GPS as your

instrument.
This takes you to the “Communications

Port Setup” screen.
7 In the “Communications Port Setup”
screen:
• Verify the following parameters are set:

• Port Number: COM1.
• Baud Rate: 9600.
• Parity: None.
• Char Length: 8.
• Stop bits: 1.
This returns you to the “Equip” menu

screen.
End of Selecting a Receiver

5.1.3 Radio Port & Message Type
Radio Port & Here you select the radio port, the radio channel, and select the RTK message
Message Type type.
Note: The radio channel must be set at both RTK base and rover instruments.
Step Action Display

1 From the SurvCE main menu:
• Press the 4 Receiver Utilities button.
This takes you to the “Leica System 500

Utilities” screen.
2 In the “Leica System 500 Utilities” screen:
Select the radio type you are using.

There are two options:
1. PDL (Pacific Crest) or
2. RFM96W (Pacific Crest).
Note: The radio port parameters (baud

rate, etc) will change to the defaults for
the type of radio selected. The display
shows the default settings for the PDL
(Pacific Crest) radio.
Select the following:

• Radio Port: - Port 1 or 3.
• Message Type: - Leica, RTCM, or
CMR.
To set the radio channel,

• Press the Set Radio Channel
button.
This takes you to the “Pacific Crest

Channel” screen.

5.1.3 Radio Port & Message Type, Continued

Step Action Display
3 In the “Pacific Crest Channel” screen:
• Select an appropriate radio channel.
• Press the Set Radio button.
This takes you back to the ”Leica

System 500 Utilities” screen.
• Press the OK button to accept the

settings.
This takes you back to the “Equip”

menu screen.
End of Radio Port and Message Type

5.1.4 Configuring the Base Receiver

Configuring the You have now connected the data collector, started the SurvCE software, and
base receiver selected Leica System 500 GPS as your instrument. Our next step is to setup
the base receiver. The base receiver will send its code and phase
measurements (along with its position) to the rover receivers. It is important
that it be setup in a good location. It should be open to the satellites and high
for good radio transmission. Use the following steps to configure the base
receiver.
Step Action Display

• Press the 2 Configure Base button.
This will take you to the “Leica System 500

Base Setup” screen.
2 In the “Leica System 500 Base Setup”
screen:
• Enter the antenna height. The antenna

height will be in the same units that you
configured earlier.
Note: You can actually enter meters if your

job units are feet by entering 1.48m for the
antenna height.
• Select the Base Antenna type. In this

example we are setup on an AT502 Tripod.
Note: SurvCE automatically applies the

36cm offset for the Leica AT502 Tripod
selection.

5.1.4 Configuring the Base Receiver, Continued

Step Action Display
3 Continuing in the “Leica System 500
Setup” screen:
• Select the elevation mask. The default

value of 10° is used.
This will take you to the “Base

Configuration” screen.
Notes:
1. You have the option to collect raw
data for post processing at the
base station.
• To collect raw data: Check the
“Log Static Data to PC Card”
box.
2. If you do not need to collect raw

data leave this box blank.
Raw data for post-processing will be

stored on the PC Card in the GPS
receiver.
4 In the “Base Configuration” screen:
• Select the appropriate method to enter

the base station coordinates.
In this example, we will manually enter

the base station coordinates.
• Press the Enter Lat/Lon button.
This will take you to the “Enter Lat/Lon”

screen.


Step Action Display
5 In the “Enter Lat/Lon” screen:
• Enter the Latitude, Longitude, and

Ellipsoid Height of the base station.
• Ensure the “Ellipsoid” toggle button is

checked.
This takes you to the “Base

Note: Do not enter a point number here

unless you are choosing the point from a
file with Latitude and Longitude
coordinates.
• Confirm the base station coordinates

are correct, and
• Press the YES button to accept the

coordinates.
This will take you to the “Base Setup”

screen.
Note: If you press the NO button, you

will be returned to the screen display in
STEP 4 above and you can choose
another method to enter the base station
coordinates.


Step Action Display
7 In the “Base Setup” screen:
• Enter the reference (base) station name

(ID).
This returns you to the “Equip” menu

screen.
Save the base When you press the OK button in Step 7 above, you will be prompted to save
station receiver the base station information in a file. Select Yes and name the file with the
position. station name, i.e. “Denver.ref”. The “.ref” extension will be added
automatically if you do not specify it. This file can be later loaded using option
“Read From File” in Step 4 above.
Press the OK button and you will be returned to the “Equip” menu screen.
You are now ready to configure the rover receiver.
End of Configuring the Base Receiver

Configuring the The base receiver should now be broadcasting its position and its carrier phase
rover receiver measurements (See section 5.1.4 Configuring the Base Receiver). Disconnect
the data collector from the base receiver and connect it to the rover receiver
and perform the following steps.
Step Action Display

1 Repeat steps 8-9 in the section 5.1.3 Radio
Port and Message Type above.
• Press the 3 Configure Rover button.
This will take you to the “Leica System

500 Rover Setup” screen.
3 In the “Leica System 500 Rover Setup”
screen:
• Enter the antenna height of the rover.
The antenna height is typically 2.0m for a

Leica fixed-height pole. The height is
measured to the bottom of the threaded
antenna mount.
• Enter an elevation mask. Default value

of 10° is used here.
Note: Place a check mark in the “Log
• Select the Antenna type. Baseline Data” box if you want to bring
vectors into SKI-Pro for possible
In this example we are using the AT502 adjustment with other vectors. Checking
Pole. this box will cause the program to create a
SKI ASCII format file. This file can be
• Press the OK button. imported into SKI-Pro.
This will take you back to the “Equip” Note: You can actually enter meters if your
menu screen. job units are feet by entering “2.0m”
(6.5617ft) for the antenna height.


Summary Your rover receiver should now be receiving data from the base and computing
its WGS84 position. The next task we need to perform is to establish our frame
of reference. How to do this will be described in the next section.
End of configuring the rover receiver

5.2 Perform a Localization
Introduction In this section we will explore four methods to localize our GPS measurements
to a grid coordinate system. In order to work in a grid coordinate system, you
need to transform your GPS 3-D Cartesian coordinates into local grid
coordinates. The process of localization is the creation and application of this
transformation data. This section covers four different methods of applying a
transformation to our GPS measurements. The four methods are as follows:
1. One known local point with scaling to ground distance.

2. Multiple known local points.
3. State Plane with known base station.
4. State Plane with known rover station.
What you need You need to have the following:

to start
• One or more points with known local coordinates.
• A WGS 84 position for each of these known local points.
• Depending on the method you select to apply your transformation,
this WGS 84 position can be known from either a Single Point
Position (SPP) at the base or from a current RTK rover position
relative to the base.
• For methods 1, 3, and 4 above, you also need to have a geoid model
field file in the receiver.
Note: The geoid model field file is generated with the Carlson Software
SurvCom.exe program, which uses geoid data files that are provided by
Carlson. The instructions on how to create the geoid model field file are
covered separately.

5.2 Perform a Localization, Continued
5.2.1 Localization Method 1 – One Known Local Point with Ground Scale
Localization This localization is used on a small project where you have no known control
Method 1 – One points and you want to use ground distances. The localization is performed at
known local the rover receiver.
point with
ground scale
Step Action Display

1 From the SurvCE main menu screen:
• Press the File tab.
• Press the Job Settings button.
This opens the “Job Settings” screen.
• Press the GPS tab.
The image on the right displays the GPS

screen.
• Select “Transformation”.
• Select the correct State Plane Zone for
your area.
• Select your “Geoid Separation File”.
• Select your basis of bearing (generally
use “State Plane Grid”).
• Press the Units tab.
This takes you to the “Units” screen.

2 In the “Units” screen:
• Press the Read GPS button to read the

scale factor.

menu screen.

5.2.1 Localization Method 1 – One Known Local Point with Ground Scale, Continued
Step Action Display
• Press the 5 Localization button.
This will take you to the “GPS

Localization” screen.
4 In the “GPS Localization” screen:
You now need to add the point that you

are going to use in the localization. As
you can see, there are buttons to select
and control the points in the list.
• Add Add a point to list.

• Delete Delete a point from list.
• Edit Edit a point’s values.
• On/Off Select to use both, H, V, or
none.
• Load Load an existing
localization parameter set.
• View Switch between local and
GPS coordinate format.
• Monitor Monitor current GPS
position and status.
• Save Save localization
parameter set.
• Press the Add button to add a point.
This takes you to the “Local Coordinates”

screen.

Step Action Display
5 In the “Local Coordinates” screen:
To add a local point, you can either
• Enter Coordinates or
• Use Point Number.
Make your choice and
If you select Then

Enter Coordinates See Step 5a
Use Point Number See Step 5b
5a) In the “Local Coordinates” screen:
• Enter the local coordinates (use an

accurate elevation) of the point and
This takes you to the “GPS Coordinates”

screen as seen in Step 6. Go to Step 6.
Or
5b) In the “Localization” Screen:
• The button allows you select

from a list.
graphically from the screen plot.
• Select a point and


screen.

Step Action Display
6 In the “GPS Coordinates” screen:
In STEP 5, you have selected your local

point. You are now prompted for the
GPS (WGS 84) position of the point. To
get the point, you can either
• Read GPS (use with RTK) or
• Enter Latitude/Longitude (use
when you have known points
from previous GPS survey).
• Make your selection and

If you select Then

Read GPS See Step 6a
Enter See Step 6b
Latitude/Longitude
6a) If you selected the “Read GPS”

option, the “Localization” screen appears.
In the “Localization” screen:
• Enter a number of samples. The default

of “10” is an acceptable number.
• Press the OK button to read the
position.
After viewing the averaged position,

This takes you to the “GPS Localization”

screen as seen in STEP 7.

Step Action Display
6 Continuing Step 6:
6b) If you selected the “Enter

Latitude/Longitude” option, the “Enter
Lat/Lon” screen appears:
• Enter the known WGS84 latitude,

longitude and ellipsoidal height of the
point.

screen.
Notice that when both the local and the

GPS position have been entered for a
point, it will be added to the localization
list.
• Press the Save button.
• Enter a name for the .DAT file.
We have completed Method 1.

Note: Don’t forget to apply a geoid model
in the File/Job Settings/GPS page and set
the scale factor by the Read GPS button in
the File/Job Settings/Units page before
selecting your point.
End of Localization Method 1 – One known local point with ground scale

5.2.2 Localization Method 2 – Multiple Known Points
Localization This is the recommended method for working in a project that has existing
Method 2 – local coordinates. The transformation will orient and scale the GPS
Multiple known measurements to the existing system. The only requirement is to have several
known points in the local system. It is highly recommended that these points
points
lie at the edges of, or outside of the project limits. It is also recommended to
have 3 horizontal and 4 vertical control points so that residuals will be
computed. Following the steps below you will perform a localization using
known points.
Step Action Display

1 From the main SurvCE menu screen:
• Press the 5 Localization button.
Note: In this example you will localize to

multiple known points.
This will take you to the “GPS

Localization” screen.

5.2.2 Localization Method 2 – Multiple Known Points, Continued

Step Action Display
Now you must add the points that you

are going to use in the localization. The
following is a description of the buttons:
• Add Add a point to list.

• Delete Delete a point from list.
• Edit Edit a point’s values.
• On/Off Select to use both, h, v or
none.
• Load Load an existing
localization parameter set.
• View Switch between local and
GPS coordinate view.
• Monitor Monitor current GPS
position and status.
• Save Save localization
parameter set.
• Press the Add button to add a point.
This takes you to the “Local Coordinates”

screen.


Step Action Display
3 In the “Local Coordinates” screen:
To add a local point, you can either:
• Enter Coordinates or
• Use Point Number.
• Make your choice and
If you select Then

Enter Coordinates See Step 3a
Use Point Number See Step 3b
3a) In the “Local Coordinates” screen:
• Enter the local coordinates (use an

accurate elevation) of the point and

screen as seen in Step 4. Go to Step 4.
Or
3b) In the “Localization” Screen:

from a list.
graphically from the screen plot.
• Select a point and

screen.


Step Action Display
4 In the “GPS Coordinates” screen:
Once you have selected your local point,

you will be prompted for the GPS (WGS
84) position of the point. To get the point,
you can either
• Read GPS or
• Enter Latitude/Longitude
• Make your selection and
If you select Then

Read GPS See Step 4a
Enter See Step 4b
Latitude/Longitude
4a)
• Enter a number of data samples. The

default of “10” is fine.
To read and display the position:
After viewing the averaged position:
4b)
• Enter the latitude, longitude and

ellipsoidal height of the point.
• Review your entry and

screen.


Step Action Display
When both the local and the GPS position

have been entered for a point, it will be
added to the localization list.
6 Continuing in the “GPS Localization”

screen:
Repeat Steps 2-5 for each point that you

are going to use in calculating the
transformation.
Note: As each point is added, the

transformation is recalculated and the
scale and average residuals are displayed
just above the option buttons. Horizontal
residuals will remain zero until 3 points
have been added and vertical residuals
will remain zero until 4 points have been
added.
7 Select the appropriate known values of
each point. The default is 3-D, or known
horizontally and known vertically. To
change this to just horizontal, just
vertical, or none for any point, do the
following:
• Highlight the point you want to change

in the GPS localization screen and press
the On/Off button. The screen at the
right will appear.
• Remove the check mark for the value
that is not known.
• Remove both check marks to ignore the
point in the transformation.


Step Action Display
8 When all the values are acceptable:
• Press the Save button (From screen in

Step 6).
This takes you to the “Localization File”

screen.
• Enter the name for the localization .DAT

file.
Note: This localization contains scale,

translation and rotation parameters.
Elevations will be relative to a plane
determined by the control point
elevations.
Remember: Transformations of this kind

should be limited to about 10 kilometers
(6 miles) square and your control points
should be at the edges or outside of the
limits of your project.
End of 5.2.2 Localization Method 2 – Multiple Known Points, Continued

5.2.3 Localization Method 3 – State Plane with Known Base Station

Localization All you need is a known State Plane monument with good satellite visibility.
Method 3 - Setup the base receiver on the known State Plane monument and then follow
State Plane with the steps in the Configuring the Base Receiver section of this guide, making
sure you select the proper State Plane Coordinate System, and that you apply a
known base
geoid model.
station
Then proceed as follows:
Step Action Display

1 Continuing from Step 4 of the 5.1.4
Configuring the Base Receiver section
(the screen displayed to the right),
• Press the appropriate button to either

enter Lat/Lon or enter State Plane
Coordinates.

5.2.3 Localization Method 3 – State Plane with Known Base Station, Continued
Step Action Display
2 In the “Enter Lat/Lon” screen:
• Enter the known Latitude, Longitude

and Ellipsoid Height, or
• Enter the known State Plane coordinate.

(As shown in the screens to the right.)
Note: Enter a point number in the “Point

From File” field only when selecting an
existing point from a file.
This takes you to the “Base

The program will show your entered

position and ask if you want to continue
or not.
If you miss-keyed a value, you can:
• Press the NO button and

• Re-enter your position.
Or
• Press the YES button to continue.

5.2.3 Localization Method 3 – State Plane with Known Base Station, Continued
Step Action Display

4 Continuing with the Base configuration.
• Latitude, Longitude, Ellipsoid Height
The important item is setting the correct • North, East, Elevation
known position for the base receiver.
5 Follow the basic steps for configuring the Note: Make sure you have selected “Apply
rover receiver and the positions will be Geoid 99” and set the correct State Plane
displayed in State Plane coordinates. zone in the File/Job Settings/GPS page.
End of 5.2.3 Localization Method 3 – State Plane with Known Base Station,
Continued

5.2.4 Localization Method 4 – State Plane with Known Rover Station
Localization In this localization, the base receiver will be setup on an unknown point and the
Method 4 – State rover will occupy a known State Plane point to orient to the coordinate system.
Plane with This localization is almost exactly the same as Method 1. The only differences
are as follows:
known rover
station
Step Action Display

1 In Step 2 of Method 1, DO NOT press the
Read GPS button in the File/Job
Settings/Units page to read the scale
factor.
Instead:
• Set the Scale Factor to 1.000000 in the

File/Job Settings/Units page.
2 In Step 5 of Method 1, enter the known

State Plane coordinates and orthometric
height (elevation) of the control point.
3 Make sure the correct State Plane zone

has been selected in the job settings.
End of Localization Method 4 – State Plane With Known Rover Station

5.3 GPS Status Indicators
Introduction This section contains information regarding the GPS Status indicators in
SurvCE.
Overview The GPS Status Indicators are described in two parts.
1. 5.3.1 RTK Status Screens.

• FIX Status and Accuracy Indicators.
• Reference Position and Radio Link Status.
2. 5.3.2 Monitor Satellite Status.

• Monitor/Skyplot – Satellite Info.
5.3.1 RTK Status Screens
FIX Status and The RTK survey screens will display text indicating whether the system is in FIX
Accuracy or FLOAT mode. Depending on the particular screen display, additional
Indicators information may include: position RMS values, DOP values, and number of
satellites. Coordinate information is also available.
Step Action Display

1 In the Survey screen:
The RTK FIX status and accuracy

indicators are displayed as shown.
• The FIX status is generally
displayed at top and bottom of
the screen.
• HRMS & VRMS values are
displayed at bottom of the screen.
Note: Press the button for more
information.
• Press the TEXT button (at top left of

screen).
This takes you to the “STORE PNTS”

screen.

5.3 GPS Status Indicators, Continued
5.3.1 RTK Status Screens, Continued
Step Action Display

2 In the “STORE PNTS” screen:
The “TEXT” view screen displays several

additional status indicators:
• PDOP and
• Number of satellites.
Note: More information is available by

pressing the MONITOR/SKYPLOT button.
• Press the MONITOR/SKYPLOT button.
This takes you to the “Monitor/Skyplot”

screen.
3 In the “Monitor/Skyplot” screen:
The Monitor tab is available by pressing

the Monitor/Skyplot button in Step 2
above, or by pressing the in Step 1.
The “Monitor” screen also displays grid

coordinates:
• Local coordinates: if working with
a localization (local
transformation).
• Approximate State Plane
coordinates: if no localization.

5.3.1 RTK Status Screens, Continued, Continued
5.3.1 RTK Status Screens, Continued
Step Action Display

4 The “Lat/Lon” screen displays:
• Latitude & Longitude.
• Ellipsoidal Height.
• State Plane North & East.
• Geoid Separation & Orthometric
Height if working with a geoid
model.
• Local Elevation if working with a
localization.
Reference The point ID and coordinates of the RTK reference station are broadcast to the
Position & Radio RTK rover. This information is available in the Monitor/Skyplot “Ref“ screen.
Link Status Status of the radio link is also available.
Step Action Display

5 The “REF” screen displays the reference
station position information:
• Reference station coordinates.
• Antenna Height at the reference
station.
Also displayed is information regarding

status of the radio link:
• Age of last received radio
message.
• Percent of radio messages
received.
End of Reference Position & Radio Link Status

5.3.1 RTK Status Screens, Continued, Continued
5.3.2 Monitor/Skyplot – Satellite Info
Monitor/Skyplot There are two screens that display satellite information.

– Satellite Info
Step Action Display

1 The “Monitor/Skyplot” screen can also be
accessed via the main “Equip” menu.
• Press the Monitor/Skyplot button.
This takes you to the “Monitor/Skyplot”

screen.
2 In the “Monitor/Skyplot” screen:
• Press the SATView tab.
This screen shows a graphical chart of the

satellites in view.
Note: The asterisk by the satellite in the

picture at the right and in the list in the
picture below indicates that this satellite
is being tracked.
3 From the “Monitor/Skyplot” screen:
• Press the SATInfo tab.
This screen displays a table with satellite

azimuth and elevation.
End of Monitor/Skyplot – Satellite Info

5.4 Basic RTK Data Capture
Introduction The section will introduce the options for basic RTK data collection using
Carlson SurvCE with GPS.
Overview The RTK Data Capture options are described in four parts:
1. Configuration of Data Collection Parameters.

• Measurement Options and Tolerances.
2. Store RTK Points.

• RTK Survey and Topo.
3. Store Offset Points.

• Point Offsets.
4. Store Averaged Readings.

• Averaged Points.
5.4.1 Configure Data Collection Parameters
Measurement This section describes the options for configuring data collection parameters.
Options and These parameters include the selection of prompts for rod height and
Tolerances descriptors, and the tolerance values for warning messages when storing
surveyed points.
Step Action Display

• Press the File tab.
• Press the 4 Configure Reading

button.
This takes you to the “Configure

Reading” screen.

5.4 Basic RTK Data Capture, Continued
5.4.1 Configure Data Collection Parameters, Continued
Step Action Display

2 In the “Configure Reading” screen:
• Set the number of readings to average

for storing stakeout points.
• Select the “Store Fixed Only” check
box.
• Select a prompt for Antenna height and
descriptor when storing surveyed
points (optional).
• Press the OK button to accept these
selections.

menu.
Notes:
1. “Store Fixed Only” will generate a
warning message when
attempting to store RTK points
when the solution is not fixed.
2. The prompt for Hgt/Desc will
cause the software to prompt for
the antenna height and descriptor
before storing each point.
3 In the SurvCE main menu:
• Press the 7 Tolerances button.
This takes you to the “Tolerances”

screen.

5.4.1 Configure Data Collection Parameters, Continued, Continued
5.4.1 Configure Data Collection Parameters, Continued

Step Action Display
4 In the “Tolerances” screen:
Set the following:
• HRMS Tolerance.
• VRMS Tolerance.
• Stakeout Tolerance.
Note: Attempting to store a point when

exceeding these tolerance values will
generate a warning message on the
screen.
End of Configure Data Collection Parameters

5.4.2 Store RTK Points
RTK Survey & The Store Points routine is used for general data collection and topographic
TOPO surveys.
Step Action Display

• Press the Surv tab.
• Press the 1 Store Points button to

access the main data collection and
topo survey screen.
This takes you to the “STORE PNTS”

screen.
2 From the “STORE PNTS” screen:
• Press the button, or press the
ENTER key on the keyboard, to survey
a point.
Note: For an explanation of the RTK

Accuracy and Status indicators, see
section 5.3 GPS Status Indicators in this
chapter.
3 If the “Prompt for Hgt/Desc.” is active:
You will see a separate box with prompts

for “Target Height” and “Point
Description”.
• Enter the required info and
Otherwise, the point will be automatically

stored (with the values from the previous
screen).

5.4.2 Store RTK Points, Continued

Step Action Display
4 After the point is stored, you will be
returned to the “STORE PNTS” screen.
Note that the previously surveyed point

appears in the graphical view.
Note: For a complete list of the

Descriptors (Codes), press the ALT and L
keys on the keypad. This option is
available from within any of the survey
display screens. This takes you to the
“Select Code” screen.
5 In the “Select Code” screen:
The code list displayed in the “Select

Code” page lists all of the available codes
and describes whether they are point or
line codes (2D or 3D).
End of Store RTK Points

5.4.3 Store Offset Points
Point Offsets The point-offset routine allows you to survey the position of a point that is not
accessible by GPS. This may be due to satellite obstructions, etc.
Step Action Display

1 To survey offsets from the “STORE
PNTS” screen:
• Enter the Pt. ID, Descriptor, and Rod Ht.
• Press the button.
This takes you to the “GPS Offset”

screen.
2 In the “GPS Offset” screen
• Enter the:
• Offset Distance.
• Offset Azimuth.
• Vertical Offset.
• Press the OK button to store the offset

point coordinates.
Note: All values are measured from the

GPS rover pole.
3 In the “STORE PNTS” screen:
The surveyed offset point appears in the

graphical display.
End of Store Offsets Points

5.4.4 Store Averaged Readings
Averaged Points The Averaged Point option is used when surveying a point that requires better
accuracy than a standard “topo” shot.
This technique can also be used to average out the wobble in the antenna pole
when no bipod is available.
Step Action Display

1 To average a number of RTK epochs, in
the “STORE PNTS” screen:
This takes you to the “Average GPS”

screen.
2 In the “Average GPS” screen:
• Enter the number of measurement

readings for the averaged coordinate.
This takes you to the “Average Results”

screen.
3 In the “Average Results” screen:
The minimum, maximum, and averaged

coordinate values are displayed.
Also displayed are the standard

deviations of the coordinate values.
• Press the OK button to store these

results.
End of Store Average Readings

5.5 Point Stakeout Using Leica RTK GPS
Introduction This section will deal with basic point stakeout using Leica RTK GPS. More
advanced stakeout is covered in chapter 8 Advanced Stakeout Features.
What you will You need to have the following in order to perform a point stakeout:
need
• A list of the coordinates of the known points to stakeout.
• Your RTK system, setup and localized to the coordinate system of the
stakeout points.
Point Stakeout To stakeout a point with RTK, perform the following steps after you have setup
with RTK and localized your RTK system to the coordinate system of the stakeout points:
Step Action Display

• Press the File Tab.
• Press the 2 Job Settings button.
• Press the Stakeout tab.
This will take you to the “Job Settings”

screen. In the “Job Settings” screen:
• Check the “Store Carlson Cutsheet Data

in Note File” box if you want to save a
copy of the cutsheet in the Note file.
Note: If you create a cutsheet, you can

modify its contents by pressing the Set Pt
Cutsheet Format button.
• Press the Set Pt Cutsheet Format

button.
This takes you to the “Settings” screen.

5.5 Point Stakeout Using Leica RTK GPS, Continued
Step Action Display

2 In the “Settings” screen:
If you pressed the Set Pt Cutsheet Format

button, you can modify:
• Order of the Items.

• Names of Labels.
• Turn Item On/OFF.
• Store settings in a file.
• Load saved file.
Note: To create a separate cutsheet text

file:
• Press the Select File button.
• Enter a file name.
• Press the OK button to create the file.
This returns you to the “Settings” screen

• Check the box next to “Store Pt
Cutsheet File”.
When finished with selecting settings:

• Press the OK button to accept changes.
This takes you back to the “Job Settings”

screen.

menu screen.

Step Action Display

• Press the SURV tab.
• Press the 2 Stakeout Points button.
This takes you to the “Stakeout Points”

screen.
4 In the “Stakeout Points” screen:
Select the point you want to stakeout.
You have two choices for selecting

points:
1. From a points list using the
button, or
2. From the graphics screen using
the button.
5 In this example, we have selected point

“2” from a list and the known values have
been automatically entered in the
coordinate fields.
• Press the OK button to accept the point.
This takes you to the “STK POINTS”

(graphic stakeout) screen.

Step Action Display

6 In the “STK POINTS” screen:
Using the information provided by the

“STK POINTS” screen, navigate to the
point.
To store the staked out point:
To select the next point to stakeout:
7 Continuing in the “STK POINTS” screen:
If you pressed the button and the

difference between the stake point and
the position of the rod is outside your set
tolerances, the screen to the right will be
displayed.
Press Yes Press No

Proceed to Step 8. The point will not
This takes you to be stored and you
the “Stakeout will be returned to
Report” screen. the “STK
POINTS” screen.

Step Action Display

8 In the “Stakeout Report” screen:
The coordinates of the staked point and

the target or design point along with the
delta distances are displayed.
If you want the point stored as staked:

• Check the box next to “Store Point”.
Press OK Press Cancel

The point will be The point will not
stored if you be stored and you
checked the box, will be returned to
and you will be the “STK
returned to the POINTS” screen.
“STK POINTS”
screen.
End of Point Stakeout using Leica RTK GPS

5.6 Moving the Base Receiver in an RTK Survey
Introduction It may be necessary to move the base receiver in an RTK project. This section
will describe what you need to do to accomplish this, either in a State Plane
system or in a local transformation.
State Plane
system
Step Action
1 Move the base to the new State Plane point and set it up and follow
the steps in section 5.1.4 Configuring the Base Receiver.
2 Enter the known State Plane coordinate and Orthometric Height, or
the WGS 84 Latitude, Longitude, and Ellipsoid Height. If the point
exists in the job already, you can select its position from the point
list.
3 Enter the correct new antenna height.
Local
Transformation
system
Step Action
1 Move the base to a point that is known relative to the original base
point in the transformation. Follow the steps in 5.1.4 Configuring
the Base Receiver.
2 Enter the known WGS 84 Latitude, Longitude, and Ellipsoid Height
relative to the original base point. If the point exists in the job
already, you can select its position from the point list.
3 Enter the correct new antenna height.
4 Setup the rover following the steps in 5.1.5 Configuring the Rover
Receiver section and load the appropriate localization .DAT file for
the local transformation.
End of Moving the Base Receiver in an RTK Survey

5.7 Static & Rapid Static Surveys
Introduction SurvCE will normally be used in RTK surveys. However, you also have the
capability to record raw data in the receiver for post-processing. This section
describes the process of setting up a receiver to store data for static or rapid
static operations.
Open/Create a Raw GPS data (for post-processing) is stored on the PCMCIA card in the GPS
Job on the PC receiver. Therefore, a job must be created on the PC Card. This job is separate
Card from the SurvCE job on the data collector.
Note: For this application, the SurvCE data collector is only used to control the
GPS receiver, to configure the data collection parameters, and to start and stop
the data collection.
Step Action Display

• Press the 7 Log Static Data

button.
2 In the “Leica System 500 GPS” screen:

LEICA System 500 GPS
• Press the Start Job button. Job: None
Notes: Start Job

1. All job files are stored on the PC
Card in the GPS receiver.
2. The “Job Manager” brings up a
Job Manager
list of existing jobs. This allows
you to delete a job, etc. Job Files are stored on the PC Card in the GPS
Receiver

5.7 Static & Rapid Static Surveys, Continued
Step Action Display

3 In the next screen:
SurvCE
• Press the YES button if you want
Getting the list of existing jobs takes about 30
to select an existing job to log
seconds. Would you like to get the list of existing
data, or just wish to see the list. jobs?
• Press the NO button if you intend YES NO

to create a new job.
4 In the “Start New Job” screen:

Start New Job OK CANCEL
• Create a new job or select an
existing job. Job Name: New NewJob
Existing OldJob
Select the following:
• Elevation Mask. Elevation Mask: 15
• Antenna Height & Type. Antenna Height: 5.00 Change Ant.
• Recording Interval. Antenna Type: AT502 Tripod
Interval: 5.0 Seconds
5 In the “Static Survey” screen:

LEICA System 500 Static Survey
• Press the Start Point Logging tab
to start logging raw data at a Job: Myjob
point. …………………..
Start Point Logging
Close Job
Job Manager
Job Files are stored on the PC Card in the GPS
Receiver

Step Action Display

6 In the “Tag New Site” screen:
Tag New Site OK Cancel
• Enter the Site Name (Point ID). Free Memory on PC Card: 6908 Bytes
• Choose “Stop Logging” = Job: Myjob

“Manually” Site Name PT100
Antenna Type: AT502 Tripod
Antenna Height: 5.00 Change Antenna
Note: You have a second chance to Interval: 5.0 Seconds
change the antenna height & type. Stop Logging:
Manually After xx minutes
7 The “Recording Site” screen displays the:

Recording Site “PT100”
• Site Duration (time since start of
data logging”. Site Duration: 00:06:05
• Antenna Height & Type.
Antenna Height: 5.00 ft
• Press the Exit-Continue Logging
tab to disconnect the data Monitor/Skyplot
collector while continuing the
data logging on the GPS receiver. Stop Pt. Logging Exit–Cont. Logging
Notes:
1. The Stop Pt. Logging tab will end
the logging session.
2. The Monitor/Skyplot tab will
access the GPS status displays.
8 If you press the Exit-Continue Logging

tab, the software will display a warning as SurvCE
shown.
Exit Program? Data logging will
• Press the YES button to exit and continue.
disconnect the data collector.
• Press the NO button to abort and YES NO
continue logging data.

Reconnect to
GPS Receiver –
Cont. Logging
Step Action Display

9 After re-connecting the data collector to
the GPS receiver.
From the SurvCE main menu:
• Press the 7 Log Static Data

button.
10 The software will display a message as

shown. SurvCE
• Press the YES button to continue
logging to the active job on the Continue Logging Job: Myjob ?
GPS receiver.
• Press the NO button to end the YES NO
active job on the GPS receiver.
11 If you choose to continue the active job in

the previous screen: SurvCE
• Press the YES button to continue
logging data at the current point. Continue recording site: PT100 ?
• Press the NO button to stop
logging data at the current point. YES NO
12 If you choose YES in the above step, the

following screen will be displayed: Recording Site “PT100”
Site Duration: 00:00:05
The “Site Duration” is not a true
reflection of the time the data has been <<<<Continuing Site >>>>
recording, it is the time since you re-
Antenna Height: 5.00 ft
connected.
Note: The screen will display the Monitor/Skyplot
message “<<<< Continuing Site >>>>”.
Stop Pt. Logging Exit–Cont. Logging
• Press the Stop Pt. Logging button
to end recording of data.

Stop Logging –
Close Job
Step Action Display

13 To stop logging data at the current point:
SurvCE
• Press the YES button.
Stop Logging data for this point?
YES NO
14 You will be prompted with the current

Antenna Height and Type settings. SurvCE
• Press the YES button to accept. Current Antenna Settings:
• Press the NO button to change the Antenna Height: 5.00

values. Antenna Type: AT502 Tripod
This ends the static survey session. Use these settings?
YES NO
End of Static and Rapid Static Surveys

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5 Basic Surveying with Leica GPS

Continued on next page

Basic Surveying with Leica GPS 1

What you need You will need a:

5.1 Set up the GPS Receiver

5.1.1 Creating a New Job

Step Action Display

In this example we will create a new job.

• Press the Select New/Existing Job

This will take you to the “Coordinate File”

Continued on next page

Basic Surveying with Leica GPS 2

5.1.1 Creating a New Job, Continued

• Enter the name of the job in the

In this example we have called the job

• Press the OK button.

This will take you to the “Job Settings”

• Press the Units tab.

This takes you to the “Units” screen.

You will not be able to change the units

Select the units you wish to use for your

Your choices are:

Continued on next page

Basic Surveying with Leica GPS 3

5.1.1 Creating a New Job, Continued

• Press the GPS tab.

Select the State Plane Zone you will work

If applying a Geoidal Model:

The software will now connect to the

• Press the OK button.

This returns you to the SurvCE main

End of Creating a Job

Basic Surveying with Leica GPS 4

5.1.2 Selecting a Receiver

Step Action Display

• Press the Equip tab.

This will take you to the “Equip” menu

• Press the 1 Instrument button.

This takes you to the “Instrument”

Here you may choose from a list of

• Select Leica System 500 GPS as your

• Press the OK button.

This takes you to the “Communications

• Verify the following parameters are set:

• Press the OK button.

This returns you to the “Equip” menu

End of Selecting a Receiver

Basic Surveying with Leica GPS 5

5.1.3 Radio Port & Message Type

Step Action Display

• Press the Equip tab.

• Press the 4 Receiver Utilities button.

This takes you to the “Leica System 500

Select the radio type you are using.

Note: The radio port parameters (baud

Select the following:

To set the radio channel,

This takes you to the “Pacific Crest

Continued on next page

Basic Surveying with Leica GPS 6

5.1.3 Radio Port & Message Type, Continued

• Select an appropriate radio channel.

• Press the Set Radio button.