TOPNET INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION: TOPNET R CONFIG

Welcome to TopNET-R™, the client portion of Topcon’s unique and powerful software package designed to offer the easiest and most reliable method of managing any number of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS).

TopNET-R is a shell program providing the primary interface for several application programs (clients) that manage and control TPS receivers connected through the server application TopNET-S™. 

Log in or sign up for myTopcon to view this page:

TOPNET INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION: TOPNET R CONFIG

Welcome to TopNET-R™, the client portion of Topcon’s unique and powerful software package designed to offer the easiest and most reliable method of managing any number of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS).

TopNET-R is a shell program providing the primary interface for several application programs (clients) that manage and control TPS receivers connected through the server application TopNET-S™.  The attached image illustrates the layout of a TopNET CORS™ network, which consists of multiple reference stations connected to a central server station. Multiple computers (clients) can also connect with the
server station to receive and monitor CORS data.

Starting TopNET-R

Each TopNET-R client requires a Hardware Protection Key inserted in the appropriate port of the computer. The initial TopNET package contains one key for the TopNET-R client. If the network uses multiple clients, contact your local Topcon representative to purchase more keys. Once the key is inserted into the appropriate port, double-click the TopNET-R icon on the computer’s Desktop. 

Connecting to TopNET-S

Before connecting to a TopNET-S server, either contact the TopNET-S system administrator to create a new account and provide you with login and password.

The Select Server and Receivers dialog box displays the server to
which the receivers are connected.

When running for the first time, the list of servers is empty. In order to start working, one should first define at least one server.

To define a server:

  • Press Add Server.
  • Enter the server address to which the TPS receivers are connected, the user name, and the password for access to the TopNET-S server.
  • To set a port for connection, define its number in the address field using colon, i.e. 123.456.456.321:8010. By default, the port number 8000 is used for connection.

 

 

To connect to a server:

  • Select a server from the Select Server drop-down list.
  • Press Get list of receivers from TopNET-S.
  • In the receiver listing panel, select individual receivers to connect to and press OK, or press OK without selecting a particular one to start polling receivers

TopNET-R forms a framework for a suite of client programs. These programs can be opened from the TopNET-R main screen using Toolbar or Tools menu . TopNET-R also establishes a connection to the TopNET-S server. When connected to the server, TopNET-R has the following features:

  • displays all receivers connected to the server and select desired receivers;
  • displays the current navigational coordinates for TPS receivers, the number of tracked satellites, and current receiver time;
  • displays TPS receivers located on a map;
  • synchronizes the PC clock with UTC (USNO) time.

The TopNET-R main screen consists of the following components:

  • Title bar – displays the name of the active program;
  • Menu bar – contains menus for the various TopNET-R applications and other functions;
  • Tool bar – contains shortcut buttons to frequently used options
  • Receiver table – lists each receiver and information for each receiver connected to TopNET-R;
  • Event log – contains information about connections/reconnections with the receivers;
  • Status bar – displays a description of the selected toolbar button (screen tip) and UTC and local time according the computer’s clock.

Receiver table shows the following:

  • The Name of the reference station;
  • The SVs (satellite vehicles) column lists information about the number of satellites received (both GPS and GLONASS).
  • Latitude, Longitude, Height - coordinates of the reference station;
  • The Last Epoch column shows the parameters of the last received epoch; the GPS week number, GPS week day (Sunday = 0) and GPS time
  • Latency (L) value, calculated as: L = Tr – Tt + Ls
    • where:
      • Tr - the UTC time when data from the receiver arrived to TopNET-R - according to the PC clock of the computer running TopNET-R,
      • Tt - time tag in the data message (GPS time according to receiver clock), and
      • Ls - Leap Seconds correction.

If the computer directory where TopNET-R resides also includes executable client programs, the Tools menu provides access to these client programs. These are utilities much like what is found in Topcon Receiver Utilities and give the Network Admin access to certain configuration functionality, such as port/file parameters, resets and NVRAM Clears.

Download Center and Watchdog are unique to TopNET and will be covered in later guides.

 

 

File Parameters

File Parameters is a TopNET-R client that manages observational data to be recorded to the TPS receivers’ files connected to the TopNET-S server. When connected, the File Parameters screen displays the
current receiver status and settings for observation data recording to the receiver’s files.
When connected to the TopNET-S server, the File Parameters screen has the following functions:

  • turning on/off AFRM (Automatic File Rotation Mode) and AFRM parameters;
  • programming of the receiver’s behavior should a power failure occur while recording data;
  • setting parameters for data recording.
  • Starting File Parameters

With TopNET-R running and this client available, select the Tools -> File Parameters menu or click the File Parameters button on the TopNET-R toolbar

The File Parameters main screen has the following components

  • Information pages – sets the parameters or displays information about the ports on the receivers
  • Control buttons for the page – applies changes made on individual pages
  • Control buttons for all pages – applies changes made on one page to all pages
  • Status bar – displays messages for file activities

The control bar contains six buttons to control receiver parameters.

  • Save Receiver Parameter: Saves the modified file parameters in every page for all selected receivers, but does not pass them to a server to apply to the receivers.
  • Load Receiver Parameter: Inserts the saved file parameters to every page for all selected receivers.
  • Edit Parameter: Opens a dialog box to edit file parameters for all selected receivers.
  • Apply Changes: Applies file parameters modified in all pages to every receiver when passed through the server.
    • If an Apply Changes button is pressed instead, only parameters modified on the current page will be applied; changes on all other pages will be lost.
  • Refresh All Pages: Returns all pages to last state, applied to the receiver.
  • Exit: Closes the File Parameters program without saving any changes.

Automatic File Rotation Mode (AFRM),

In the Automatic File Rotation Mode (AFRM), the receiver periodically closes/opens files at scheduled intervals.
The AFRM page displays the following information

  • Auto Start – whether AutoStart is ON or OFF 
  • AFRM – whether AFRM is enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF)
  • Period h:m:s – the time duration in hours, minutes and seconds of each of the multiple files created in AFRM
  • Remove old – set the receiver to erase automatically the oldest files if there is insufficient space in the receiver memory for data recording (ON), or not (OFF)

Press Apply Changes to apply the parameters edited in the AFRM page to the selected receivers.
To retrieve last applied information in the AFRM page for the selected receivers, press Refresh Page.

TopNET can create two files (A and B) simultaneously. Each file has its own parameters.
The Recording A (B) page displays the following information:

  • Activated – whether observation data recording mode is active (Y) or not (N)
  • Interval – the recording interval
  • Elevation Mask – the minimum elevation angle to consider the satellites’ data to be valid.
  • File Name Prefix – the prefix that will be added to the names of created receiver files.

Press Apply Changes to save the changed parameters to the selected receivers.

Port Parameters

Port Parameters is a TopNET-R client that specifies all necessary settings for serial ports A, B, C and D, and the USB port of TPS receivers connected to a TopNET-S server. When connected to the server, Port Parameters provides the following functions:
• displays the current status of the receiver serial ports A, B, C, D, USB port and TCP port (A,B,C,D,E);
• sets parameters for all receiver ports.

The Port Parameters main screen has the following components

• Information pages – set parameters or display information about each port on the connected receiver(s)
• Control buttons for the page – applies changes to current page
• Control buttons for all pages – applies changes to all pages
• Status bar – displays messages about port activities

After polling each receiver, Port Parameters remains connected to the TopNET-S server. TPS receivers can be connected to the server via a serial port (A,B,C,D), a USB port, or via Ethernet. The port connecting the
receiver to the TopNET-S server is the current port. When activating the corresponding tab, the port's status will be displayed in the Receiver field 

The control bar contains six buttons to control receiver parameters.

  • Save Receiver Parameter: Saves the modified port parameters in every page for all selected receivers, but does not pass them to a server to apply to the receivers.
  • Load Receiver Parameter: Reads the saved port parameters and displays them on all pages
    for all selected receivers
  • Edit Parameter: Opens the edit port parameters screen.
  • Apply Changes: Applies port parameters in all pages to all selected receivers.
    • If an Apply Changes button is pressed instead, only parameters modified on the current page will be applied; changes on all other pages will be lost.
  • Refresh All Pages: Returns all pages to last state, applied to the receiver.
  • Exit: Closes the File Parameters program without saving any changes.
  • Appliy Changes: Applies Changes only on the current page.
  • Refresh Page: Reloads parameters for the current page

Serial A(B,C,D) Page

TPS receivers have up to four RS-232 serial ports. The Serial A (or B,C,D) page displays settings for each port on each connected receiver 

  • Input – displays what type of data to input on the selected port:
    • None: the port ignores any incoming data.
    • Command: the port recognizes user commands.
    • Echo: the receiver port redirects all incoming data to an “output stream”. Note that the “output stream” may be either a port or the current log file.
    • RTCM: the port is in RTCM input mode.
    • CMR: the port is in CMR input mode.
    • TPS: the port is in TPS message input mode.
    • OmniStar: incoming data to the port will be used by OmniStar VBS (Virtual Base Station) to produce DGPS Solution type.
  • Output – displays the type of data to output on the selected
  • Period (sec) – displays the message output interval (in seconds).
  • Baud rate – displays the baud rate for the indicated receiver port.
  • RTS/CTS – displays hardware handshaking status for the port.

In addition to serial ports, the TPS receiver may also have a USB port. USB is used for high-speed data transfer and communication between the receiver and an external device. The USB page displays the settings for USB port.
The types of incoming and outgoing data for USB port are the same as for corresponding data types for Serial ports of TPS receiver 

  • Input – displays what type of data to input on the selected port.
  • Output – displays what type of data to output via the selected port.
  • Period (sec) – displays the message output interval (in seconds).

The TCP A (or B,C,D,E) page displays the type of data to input/output over the corresponding TCP/IP stream . These settings are the same as those in the USB page

File Manager

File Manager is a TopNET-R client that provides the manual control of the receiver file system. It performs the following functions:

  • displays a list of the files contained in the internal memory of the network receivers
  • displays the current files A / B1 that are currently being logged
  • downloads files from the network receiver to a computer
  • removes files from the internal memory of the network receiver
  • starts/stops recording of A/B files to the internal memory of the network receiver

With TopNET-R running and this client available, click Tools->File
Manager
or click File Manager on the toolbar.

The Receiver File Manager main screen has the following components

  • Title bar – displays the program name and receiver name
  • Menu bar – contains three menus for File Manager functions
  • File list – contains information about raw data files
  • Toolbar – contains shortcut buttons to frequently used options
  • Status bar – provides information about the number of files and the space available in the receiver memory

When started Receiver File Manager polls the receivers connected to the TopNET-S server, retrieves information about the files, and displays the file properties on the main screen of the program. After polling each receiver, Receiver File Manager disconnects from the server.

The File menu includes the following menu items:

  • Download – downloads a selected file(s) from the internal memory of the receiver to the PC
  • Delete – removes the highlighted file(s), except the current file, from the internal receiver memory
  • Initialize File System - erases all of the files inside the receiver.
  • Start file A/B – creates a new (A or B) file for observation data logging,
  • Stop file A/B – stops data recording to the (A or B) file
  • Exit – closes File Manager

Receiver Information is a TopNET-R client that provides information about the TPS receivers connected to the TopNET-S server. Receiver Information displays the following information:

  • serial number of receiver, receiver model, type of GPS board, firmware version installed on the TPS receiver’s GPS board
  • receiver options

Receiver Information performs the following operations on receivers:

  • clears the NVRAM1
  • resets the receiver
  • uploads firmware
  • uploads an Option Authorization File (OAF)

With TopNET-R running, click Tools->Receiver Information or click Receiver Information on the toolbar

The Receiver Information main screen has the following components:

  • Title bar – displays the program name and the Server address
  • Menu bar – contains three menus for Receiver Information functions
  • Toolbar– contains three shortcut buttons to execute the Receiver Information functions
  • Receiver Table – displays information on each connected receiver
  • Status bar – provides basic information about the operational state of the program and selected toolbar button

After starting, Receiver Information polls the receivers connected to the TopNET-S server to retrieve the necessary information. 

Receiver Table
The Receiver table contains the following fields to display information on every receiver:

  • Receiver name – the name of receiver
  • ID – internal serial number of receiver
  • Model – receiver model
  • Board – type of GPS board
  • Firmware version – firmware version installed on the TPS receiver’s GPS board
  • Time since reset – time span since the last receiver reset in days (d), hours (h), minutes (m), and seconds (s)

The Tools menu includes four items:

  • Receiver Options – displays the receiver’s options
  • Reset Receiver – executes a receiver reset
  • Clear NVRAM – clears the receiver's non-volatile RAM 
  • Upload Firmware – loads firmware to the receiver

 

To view options authorized for a receiver, select the receiver and click Tools->Receiver Options or press the Receiver Options button on the toolbar.

The Receiver Options dialog box displays a list of all options available for TPS receivers and the status of each option for the receiver 

  • To update information, press Refresh.
  • To copy information to Windows Clipboard, press Copy.
  • To upload a new OAF from the computer to the receiver, press Load. See the procedure on the following page for details.

 

Reset/Clear NVRAM

To reset a receiver, select the receiver and click Tools->Reset  or press the Reset Receiver button on the toolbar. Press OK at the confirmation message to begin the reset process . Receiver reset is similar to powering off and on the receiver. The NVRAM is not cleared with this command. Once the receiver reset is completed, the Reset dialog box displays a message that prompts to refresh information in the receiver table. Press Close and Receiver Information disconnects from the TopNET-S server.

To clear a receiver's non-volatile RAM, select the receiver and click Tools->Clear NVRAM or press Clear
NVRAM
on the toolbar. At the confirmation message, press one of the following:

  • OK to begin clearing the NVRAM.
  • Cancel to abort the operation.

The Clear NVRAM dialog box displays . If needed, click Cancel to abort the operation.Once the clear NVRAM operation completes, the Clear NVRAM dialog box displays a message that prompts to refresh
information in the receiver table and reconfigure the receiver. Click Close and the Receiver Information disconnects from the TopNET-S server.

Clearing the NVRAM sets the receiver’s settings to default values and erases the almanac. After clearing the NVRAM,your receiver will require some time to collect the new ephemerides and complete almanacs (about 15 minutes).

 

Uploading Firmware

Receiver Information also uploads firmware to a network receiver. The procedures for uploading firmware are different for the receiver connected to the TopNET-S server and receiver connected to PC directly, using USB or COM. When uploading firmware through the TopNET-S server, the firmware file is sent first to the PC, where TopNET-S is installed, next loaded to Compact Flash Card of the receiver, and then to the
receiver’s internal memory. Before uploading the firmware, Receiver Information checks the receiver’s free space. If the receiver does not have sufficient space for the new firmware file, the firmware will not be uploaded.

  • To upload firmware to a network receiver, select the receiver(s) in the Receiver Table and click  Tools->Upload Firmware
  • Click Yes at the confirmation message to continue, Click No to exit the firmware upload function.
  • On the Open dialog box, navigate to and select the desired firmware file and click Open
  • When the upload of main.ldp to the receiver’s Compact Flash Card completes, click Close
  • Click Close to disconnect Receiver Information from the TopNET-S server.
  • Use the File Manager client to remove main.ldp from the receiver’s compact flash card

This guide was a very short introduction to the powerful TopNET R. There er other functions that will be covered in upcoming guides, known as  Download Center and Watchdog. Each of these are sufficiently detailed to warrant their own Guide.  Stay tuned!