AGRICULTURE
This article explains how to configure a LAN interface between an LD6 and a computer which has no other network connection. Note that these steps are only applicable for LD6 versions 8 or 50 or 101. If required see How do I tell which version of LD6 I have?
If the computer is already connected to a network, it is usually better to interface the LD6 using serial ports (users who wish to implement an LD6 LAN interface to a networked computer should contact support for technical advice).
The LAN connection provides a technically efficient method of transferring all the required data between the LD6 and the Verify QC computer over a single network cable. It leaves all the PC serial ports available for outputs to other equipment.
Cat5e network cable should be used and this ensures that the full data rates are available for cable lengths of up to 100m. This avoids the length restrictions which sometimes apply when using RS232 interfaces.
The LD6 LAN port should be connected directly to the LAN port of the Verify QC computer, no switch or router is required. Since the two network cards will be directly connected, a network crossover cable must always be used. VERIPOS provide a crossover adapter which may be extended to the required length using a standard network cable:
The two vertically stacked ethernet ports are located at the extreme left of the LD6 rear panel. The upper port (LAN1) has a default IP of 192.168.2.2 whilst the lower port (LAN2) has a default IP of 192.168.2.3. It is possible to change the IP addresses but it is recommended that the defaults should be retained since this simplifies support if any problems arise.
The illustrations included in the following notes assume that LAN1 is interfaced (if using LAN2, change the IP addresses from 192.168.2.2 to 192.168.2.3)
The Verify QC computer must be reconfigured to match the LD6:
Open Network Connections from Settings (or) Control Panel. Double-click Local Area Connection to open the Local Area Connection Properties window:
In the list window, select the bottom entry Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) then click the Properties button. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog will open:
Change the settings to match the illustration above. Then click OK to accept the changes and return to the previous window.
Click OK again to exit.
With the network connection established, the various data streams are available on the ports listed below:
RTCMa (Primary RTCM correction data) |
Port 9001 |
RTCMb (Secondary RTCM correction data) |
Port 9002 |
GNSS Raw data |
Port 9012 |
MF RTCM (RTCM correction data from MF Rx) |
Port 9031 |
UHF RTCM (RTCM correction data from UHF Rx) |
Port 9051 |
Note: MF or UHF RTCM is only available if the LD6 is fitted with the optional SBX-4 MF Beacon or ADL UHF Receiver modules.
The following illustrations show examples of Verify QC configuration dialogs. For user configurations, the Beam and Station selections will obviously be made to suit the work area.
Config > GNSS RX:
Config > RTCM Input:
Note: Examples are shown for interfacing both RTCMa and RTCMb outputs from the LD6. It is only necessary to interface one of these two outputs.
RTCMa provides corrections for the internal position solutions and it is usually best to use this for Verify QC. This leaves RTCMb free for interfacing to any third party devices (these may require limits on the number of stations output.)
An additional interface must be configured for LD6 units fitted with the optional SBX-4 MF Beacon Receiver
Note: In Verify QC, select Config > RTCM Input > New to open the default configuration window then untick the Veripos box to display the window shown below:
Where two LD6 units are installed on a vessel, they will usually tuned to different satellite beams. Users may wish to interface corrections from both beams (both LD6 units) to Verify QC.
The computer cannot easily be interfaced to more than one LD6 unit so corrections from both beams must be made available on each LD6 unit. The method for achieving this is described here.
Once the LD6 units have been configured, the RTCM input from the second beam can be configured in the same way as shown for RTCMa above. The only difference is that the port number will be changed from "9001" to "19013". ("19013" is the default, 19014 or 19015 are also possible - see the FAQ How can I interface RTCM data from two LD6 units to Verify QC using a single LAN connection (Dual beam corrections)?.)