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:
- Topcon MSAXII, the ideal choice for monitoring
- Topcon MSAX, the predecessor of the MSAXII but still going strong
- Topcon GT, not a monitoring instrument but can sometimes be used for very short duration monitoring with a low to medium workload
General communication requirements
The factory default serial communication settings of an instrument are correct and don’t need changing to work with a Delta Link unit. However, these might have changes when an instrument was used for manual survey using a Bluetooth controller. The below table shows the required communication settings to work with a Delta Link unit.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Com.port setting | 9600bps, 8N1, No-Checksum |
| Controller | 2Way+Remote |
| Termination | ETX+CR+LF |
| Acknowledgement | Enabled |
| Remote Power ON | Enabled |
Then there are also a few other settings that should be made before the instrument goes into the field. These settings control if the instrument can be turned ON by a controller and does not automatically turn OFF.
Preparation
Checking the equipment in the office before shipping to site is a must. If something does not work in the field, it is too late.
- Have a charged battery for the used instrument, correctly installed
- Have a Delta Link for final testing with a suitable instrument cable
- Make sure the Delta Link software is up-to-date
- Have a few prisms to check full system functionality with DeltaLog
- Check Total Station firmware, below table list the minimum required instrument firmware versions for control by DeltaLog. For most instruments the latest firmware can always be downloaded from myTopcon. If not sure, check with your local dealer.
| Instrument | Firmware |
|---|---|
| MSAXII | BASIC 3.27EN_14 |
| MSAX | BASIC 1114-32-31 ROM 3229 EDM 9412 |
| GT / iX models | (BASIC) varies by versions (DT) 1.12_04 |
Configuring MSAXII/NETAXII
See instrument screens on the right as a guide. First some settings to be checked before checking the communication configuration.
- Turn the instrument ON.
- Click CONFIG in the Top menu.
- Select 2 Inst.config, and check the settings as listed in below table.
Parameter Value Power off No Power Off(Remote) No Remote PWR-On Yes
- Click OK to close. Any other setting is controlled by the DeltaLog software.
- 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 illustration.
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
- When done, press OK to exit the configuration. The instrument is now ready.
Configuring MSAX/NETAX
This configuration is largely the same as for MSAXII instruments but uses sometimes different menu names or positions. Use the image on the right as a guide.
- Turn the instrument ON
- In the Top screen, select the CONFIG menu.
- Select 2.Inst.config, and check the settings as listed in the below table.
Parameter Value Power off No Power Off(Remote) No Remote PWR-On Yes
- Finish by clicking OK to save and close.
- Back in the Configuration menu, select 5.Comms, and edit the Comms setup (first tab) and the RS232C (second tab) settings as per below tables.
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
- When done, press OK to exit the configuration. The instrument is now ready.
Configuring GT/iX
The Topcon GT, and Sokkia iX, models have a different user interface compared with the MS models. Pay attention when navigating.
- Turn the instrument ON
- In the Top screen, select the CONFIG menu, as indicated on the right.
- Select 2. Instr.Config
- Select 2. Power supply, and adjust settings according to the below table.
Parameter Value Power off No Power Off(Remote) No
- Navigate back to the Configuration top menu.
- Select 4. Comms, and edit the below entries using the same settings as for an MSAXII instrument from this table:
- Comms mode
- Comms type
- RS232C
- When done, exit the Configuration menu completely, the instrument is now ready
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. Behind each function it list the name as used on the different instrument models.
| 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 display menu on MSAX and MSAXII
- From the main Configuration menu, navigate to the customization section by selecting: 7.Customize > 1.Basic observation > 3.Softkey.
- Configure the softkey buttons. The image on the right shows a suggested layout based on the functions from the above table with functions.
- Select the button to adjust.
- Find the function of interest and select it.
- Repeat for any other buttons.
- From the Configuration menu, navigate to the customization section by selecting 3.Customize > 1.Basic observation > 2.Operating icon.
Customize menu on GT
- Customize the Operating icons. The image on the right shows a suggested layout based on the functions listed earlier on in this table.
Signal return strength explained
One of the useful troubleshooting functions is the so-called signal return measurement. This provides a quick and effective way to check if a 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!
- Activate the function either by selecting AIM or S-LEV, depending on the model of the instrument.
- 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.
- If the station detects a prism close to the centre 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
- Is the cable connected properly on both ends: total station and Delta Link? Use LinkConfig > Hardware monitor to see if they're connected. (See left side of below illustration).
- 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
- Cable and/or connectors are not damaged
- Was the cable extended or reassembled? Check if the right connections are made.
- 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
- 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.
- 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).
- The GT instrument encryption is not disabled. Contact your local dealer for advice.
DeltaLog
- 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.
