Delta Link: Configure your total station communication

Need to check the communication settings on your instrument to work with Delta Link and DeltaLog?

This document guides you through the process.

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Delta Link: Configure your total station communication

Introduction

This article explains step-by-step which communication configuration and parameters need to be checked on the total station so that it can successfully be connected and controlled by any Delta Link unit.

Additionally, there is an extra section which shows how to configure the menu in the Basic measurement mode. By configuring this menu such that useful actions are within easy reach reduces the time spent on the site.

The instruments covered in this document include:

  1. Topcon MSAXII, the ideal choice for monitoring
  2. Topcon MSAX, the predecessor of the MSAXII but still going strong
  3. Topcon GT, the newest instrument and sometimes used for very short duration monitoring with a low to medium workload

 

General communication requirements

By default, the factory settings of an instrument are correct and don’t need to be changed. Therefore, if you have a new instrument, you can use it out of the box with the Delta system. A change often happens when, for example, an instrument is used for manual survey with a controller using Bluetooth. The below settings will need to be made on the instrument.

Setting Value
 Com.port setting  9600bps, 8N1, No-Checksum
 Controller  2Way+Remote
 Termination  ETX+CR+LF
 Acknowledgement  Enabled
 Remote Power ON  Enabled

Configuring MSAXII/NETAXII

Make sure a charged battery is in the instrument. Turn the unit ON.

  1. After the instrument has booted, click CONFIG in the Top menu.
  2. Select Inst.config, and edit the following settings. Click OK to close. Any other setting is controlled by the DeltaLog software running on the Delta Link. Refer to the table.
Parameter Value
 Power off  No
 Power Off(Remote)  No
 Remote PWR-On  Yes

 

  1. Back in the main menu, select 5.Comms, and edit the Comms setup (first tab) and the RS232C (second tab) settings as per below tables and image.
  2. When done, press OK to exit the configuration. The instrument is now ready.
 Tab: Comms setup    Tab: RS232C
 Parameter  Value    Parameter  Value
 Comms mode  RS232C    Baudrate  9600bps
 Checksum  No    Data Bits  8
 Controller  2Way_Remote    Parity  N
 REC Type  REC-A    Stop Bit  1
 Terminate  ETX+CR+LF      
 ACK  Yes      

Configuring MSAX/NETAX

This configuration is largely the same as for MSAXII instruments but uses sometimes different menu names or positions. Make sure a charged battery is in the instrument. Turn the unit ON.

  1. After the instrument has booted, click CONFIG in the Top menu.
  2. Select 2.Inst.config, and edit the following settings. Click OK to close. Any other setting is controlled by the DeltaLog software running on the Delta Link. Refer to the table.
Parameter Value
 Power off  No
 Power Off(Remote)  No
 Remote PWR-On  Yes

 

  1. Back in the main menu, select 5.Comms, and edit the Comms setup (first tab) and the RS232C (second tab) settings as per below tables and image.
  2. When done, press OK to exit the configuration. The instrument is now ready.
 Tab: Comms setup    Tab: RS232C
 Parameter  Value    Parameter  Value
 Comms mode  RS232C    Baudrate  9600
 Checksum  No    Data Bits  8
 Controller  2Way_Remote    Parity  N
Xon/Xoff  No    Stop Bit  1

Configuring GT/iX

These models have a new user interface with some changes, so pay attention when navigating through the menus. Make sure a charged battery is in the instrument. Turn the unit ON.

  1. After the instrument has booted, click CONFIG in the Top menu.
  2. Select 2.Power supply, and edit the following settings. Click OK to close. Any other setting is controlled by the DeltaLog software running on the Delta Link. See figure below
Parameter Value
 Power off  No
 Power Off(Remote)  No
  1. Back in the same CONFIG section, select 4.Comms, and edit the following items using the same settings as for an MSAXII instrument from this table:
    1. Comms mode
    2. Comms type
    3. RS232C
  2. When done, exit back to the Top menu.

Customizations

It is possible to make various customizations to the instrument, especially for the display and the menus. As the instrument will be used for monitoring, it is possible to customize the Basic mode measurement screen and menus. This allows quick access to certain functions that might be useful on location, such as signal strength check. See as an example the image on the right.

The table below shows a list of useful functions from a monitoring perspective and the name as used on each instrument model.

Table 1

Function MSAX MSAXII / GT
Search for target SRCH SRCH
Take a measurement DIST MEAS
Get signal return strength AIM S-LEV
Make a motor position to Hz/Vt MOTOR MOTOR
Flip to other face TURN INV
Set Horizontal angle H.ANG H-SET
Set current position to 0 Hz 0SET 0SET
Setting out menu S-O S-O

 

Customize menu on MSAX and MSAXII

  1. Navigate to the customization section on each instrument. From the configuration menu, select 7.Customize > 1.Basic observation > 3.Softkey.
  1. Now configure the softkey buttons as you like. The image on the right shows a suggested layout based on the functions from Table 1.
    1. Select the button position. A new menu shows.
    2. Find the item of interest, and select it.
    3. Repeat for any other items.

Customize menu on GT

  1. Navigate to the customization section on the instrument. From the configuration menu, select 3.Customize > 1.Basic observation > 2.Operating icon.
  1. Now configure the operating icons as you like. The image on the right shows a suggested layout based on the functions from Table 1.
    1. Select the icon position. A new menu shows.
    2. Find the item of interest, and select it.

 

Signal return strength explained

One of the useful troubleshooting functions is the so-called signal return measurement. This gives a very simple but very quick idea if the target and its line-of-sight are good. The higher the return signal, the better. And, consequently, the faster you can measure, the difference could be seconds per observation!

  1. Activate the function either by selecting AIM or S-LEV, depending on the model of the instrument.
  2. Sight the point. The laser pointer can be used for a rough position, then use the DIST or MEAS function to measure the target. This ensures that the telescope is aligned correctly for optimum test results.
  3. If the station detects a prism close to the center of the beam, a blue dot will appear at the end of the signal bar. See image.

Troubleshooting communications

If the instrument is configured correctly but can still not communicate with DeltaLog, then there are a few more points that can be checked.

 

Cable

  1. Is the cable connected properly on both ends: total station and Delta Link? Use LinkConfig > Hardware monitor to see if they're connected. Refer to the left image below.
    • Voltage needs to be around 12 VDC
    • Current = 0 mA; Cable not connected or damaged
    • Current < 100 mA; Instrument connected but OFF
    • Current > 100 mA; Instrument connected and ON
  2. Cable and/or connectors are not damaged
  3. Was the cable extended or reassembled? Check if the right connections are made.
  4. If the instrument is connected to the Delta Link, and the battery is taken out of the instrument, does it turn ON manually?
    • Yes = Good, we have power.
    • No = Is the Delta Link ON? Cable connected to the correct port?

 

Instrument security

  1. Is the instrument in demo mode? All total stations come not activated from the factory. This means when you use it with Delta Link, they will turn ON in demo mode. Although this might work for a demo, you need to register the instrument before deploying it in the field.
  2. A password was configured. This will stop the instrument from unauthorized access but might also stop you from remote control. Disable the password (Configuration > 8.Password).
  3. The GT instrument encryption is not disabled. Contact your local dealer for advice.

 

DeltaLog

  1. Check that DeltaLog is configured to communicate with Topcon equipment. Open DeltaLog > Settings, and check the instrument manufacturer field. Refer to the right image below.