Delta Link: Quick start guide

This article takes you through the few simple steps to get your Delta Link unit up and running. Depending on the Delta Link version, most hardware components to get started are included in the kit. For exact details, check out the article Delta Link: Product components. All the user has to do is establish a communications path for configuration.

Below is a list of minimum required items to get started:

• Delta Link unit and antennas
• Power source:
  • v1.0 -> AC-mains cable
  • v2.0 -> AC-DC power supply + AC-mains cable
• [optional] Activated SIM card and accompanying login details
• Ethernet cable
• Computer with either a VNC viewer or internet access

If testing a total station:

• Delta Link to total station interface cable
• Total station
• [optional] Few prisms

For a complete system test:

• THP sensor
• Backup battery + cable (v1.0 only)

If mobile communication is used, using the onboard mobile modem, this will be the only time that the Delta Link will be opened. Depending on the version, you either need to remove the top lid or only remove the SIM cover plate. The required tool to do this always comes included with your kit. The Delta Link accepts a commonly used mini-SIM (H x W = 25 x 15 mm). We suggest using a data-only SIM, sometimes called M2M SIM, with a data allowance of around 1 GB.

Decide on what method to use for connecting; the easiest is Wi-Fi direct (WLAN) or ETH direct (LAN). At this point, the web-portal connection would only be available if you connect the Delta Link to a wired network with internet access.

 WLAN

1. Connect via SSID. The network key of your Delta Link box is located on the back of the box, e.g., DeltaLinkMgmtXXXXXX where XXXXXX are the last 6 digits of the serial number of the unit.
2. The default password to connect to the Wi-Fi access point of the Delta Link is 33!dlwlandefault (can be changed later).

 LAN

1. Connect an ETH cable, either directly to the Delta Link unit (preferred for first-time setup) or into your company wired network.
2. Check if Bonjour Print Services is installed and working on your computer. This is used to find the Delta Link. Learn how to check if Bonjour Print Services is installed at the end of this article.

As mentioned in the above step, at the first-time setup you can only use the web-portal control if the Delta Link is connected to an internet enabled wired network. Otherwise you will have to use a locally installed VNC viewer. Topcon recommends TightVNC, and this is freely available on the internet.

Using a VNC viewer

1. Start the VNC viewer, and type one of the following as server address:
   • For Wi-Fi direct connection: 192.168.88.5 (this does not require Bonjour Print Services to be installed).
   • For LAN connection: DeltaLinkXXXXXX.local where XXXXXX are the last 6 digits of the serial number of the unit.
2. Continue with Logon below.

Using Web Portal

1. Use an HTML5 compatible browser, and navigate to the Delta Link web-portal: https://deltalink.vmt-gmbh.de/
2. Login using the details as found on the Quick Info sheet that came with your Delta Link.
3. Click on the connection that ends in VNC. A new window will open.
4. Continue with Logon below.

Logon

1. Now that you are connected, there is a password prompt (default is: dlvnc.) It might be changed later.
2. The Delta Link interface will load, and the unit can be configured for first use with the LinkConfig application.

On the first connection, it is important to configure the main items of LinkConfig. Work your way from left to right through all the tabs.

• General: Configure at least the reboot function (See item 2 in the image below).
• Regional: Configure timezone and optional time.
• WiFi: Configure your Wi-Fi region, and change to one of the preferred Wi-Fi channels, either 1, 6, or 11.
• Mobile Modem: Enable/Disable the modem. If Enabled, configure SIM details. Don’t forget to test (See item 3 in the image below).
• FTP: Configure FTP server details for the data upload if you have these already.
• Login: Default password can be changed.
• Update: Check for updates. For more details, see the article Delta Link: General update process.

If the THP* sensor and/or the total station are connected, then these can be checked as well.

In LinkConfig on the General tab, there is a button to open the Hardware Monitor. See item 1 in the image above. Once opened, it gives a complete overview of the status of the unit.

To check the station communication, make sure the station is connected, powered down, and has no battery inside. Open the DeltaLog application, and click on the Connect button. The station will be woken up, and DeltaLog shows the initialization actions in the Activity field. When done, the status will change to Ready. If there is an error, check all cable connections and the communication settings of the total station. For more details on the communication settings, check out the article Delta Link: Configure your total station communication.

For local connections, using LAN or direct LAN, the Delta Link is making use of Bonjour Print Services. This allows your computer to find and talk with the Delta Link without having to know its IP address.