T2 as Network RTK Mountpoint - How-To?

Jim Frame

Well-Known Member
I've been thinking about setting up my T2 as a network mountpoint at my office, but am a bit confused about how to accomplish this. To those of you who've done it: how best to get corrections from the T2 onto the Internet? What hardware and software are required? I'm thinking that I'll need a wired connection from my receiver to my network, as neither WiFi nor BT is likely to reach reliably.

Is there a tutorial somewhere?

Thanks!
 

Shawn Billings

Shawn Billings
5PLS
Jim,
I use WiFi from my home router to the Triumph-2 at a little more than 100 feet.

Hardware required - Triumph 2 and wireless router.

Depending on your service provider you may need a static ip address. Your IP addresses can change otherwise and when this happens you can't find the Triumph 2 on the Internet. Static IP keeps the address from changing. Having said that, I don't have a static ip and I've had the same ip address since September (and possibly before that). So it would seem my provider keeps the addresses fairly stable. As the saying goes YMMV. If your IP address is fairly stable, you can simply log onto the internet from a computer on your network and type "What's My IP" to make sure it hasn't changed. It's also a good idea to connect to your base with the rover before heading into the field to make sure everything is working properly.

I'll try to put something together that outlines the process. You'll need to be able to access your router and set up port forwarding in the router. There are also a few settings for the Triumph-2 that you will configure with NetView. It's somewhat involved, but once you go through it, it's done. Every time you power up the Triumph-2, it connects to the WiFi network automatically, making the investment in time worth the effort (in my opinion). And of course, you have an Internet reference station!
 

John Evers

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Jim,

I am working on a training video for this subject. It should be available rather soon. As soon as it done, I will let you know.

John Evers
 

Zoltan Varga

General Manager of Geomentor Kft
John,
I tried to use my T2 as NTRIP base by the instructions of http://www.javad.com/downloads/javadgnss/how-to/hardware/NTRIP_Caster_using_NetHub.pdf
Unfortunatelly it was not working. I could connect the NetHub to the base receiver, I created the mountpoints, but I was unable to connect the rover to the caster. I have no idea what IP have I got to set on the rover side. I tried the IP that reported by http://ipaddress.com/, and tried the IP that I set on the General Settings tab, but the rover NTRIP Client could not download the source table. There was a source table, I could list it with the browser on the computer. Have you an idea what was wrong ?
 

John Evers

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Zoltan,

Several things...
Thank you for asking. I see it has been a year from my comment above. I apologize.

Thanks to recent changes in J-Field the configuring of the T2 is now completely taken care of by the Base/Rover setup. These changes will be in the customer release in several weeks.

I use the TCP method of RTK correction transmission on most day, and I have never had a need to set up a NTRIP caster, but your question provides me with that need.

Do you have a static IP address for your server? On the rover side, you will specify the address of the server to connect to. A dynamic IP at the server, would require that you reconfigure your rover, every time your server router gets assigned a new address. This is the reason you will need a static IP address at the server.
 

Zoltan Varga

General Manager of Geomentor Kft
Hi John,
Ido not have static IP yet. For the test period I think dynimac will be right too. Or am I wrong ? By the way, TCP method need static IP on both receivers. In Hungary it is very hard to get static IP from mobile internet providers.
 

Zoltan Varga

General Manager of Geomentor Kft
About two years ago once I sucessfully set a Triumph1 receiver as NTRIP base with NetHub. Unfortunatelly I forgot to record how.:(
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
With Base/Rover Setup in the new version of J-Field that will be release, you will not have to have a static IP address as it will automatically determine the IP address.
 

Shawn Billings

Shawn Billings
5PLS
With Base/Rover Setup in the new version of J-Field that will be release, you will not have to have a static IP address as it will automatically determine the IP address.

I don't think this is the case for cellular. For a cable internet connection, the IP doesn't change very often, at least with my provider. But cellular changes constantly, I believe.
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Cellular IP addresses will likely change when you restart the device or change locations I think. I will try using my phone as a hotspot later to see if I can get it to work this way.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Hi John,
Ido not have static IP yet. For the test period I think dynimac will be right too. Or am I wrong ? By the way, TCP method need static IP on both receivers. In Hungary it is very hard to get static IP from mobile internet providers.


You don't have to have static IP on the Rover end, you just link to any hotspot to access the ip address pumping out the corrections. I use a verizon mifi with a static IP assigned to it at the T2.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
That sort of makes sense, but how does the downstream rover find it through the dynamic IP of the hotspot?

Under TCP set up you input the IP address of the Base internet device, Its essentially the same on the Rover end as linking to any network. It doesnt matter if the Rover Internet source IP changes as long as you have service to get to the interweb.
 

Jim Campi

Active Member
That sort of makes sense, but how does the downstream rover find it through the dynamic IP of the hotspot?

The rover initiates the connection to the static ip base. Through this process the ip addresses of every device (there are many that you are don't see) between the rover and base will be established.

There would be a problem if the connection were reversed and the base attempted to contact the rover with a dynamic address.



Quick side note:
I presume that you gents are setting this up for the convenience of network surveying at 5 Hz?
 

Jim Campi

Active Member
Jim,
I use WiFi from my home router to the Triumph-2 at a little more than 100 feet.

Hardware required - Triumph 2 and wireless router.

Depending on your service provider you may need a static ip address. Your IP addresses can change otherwise and when this happens you can't find the Triumph 2 on the Internet. Static IP keeps the address from changing. Having said that, I don't have a static ip and I've had the same ip address since September (and possibly before that). So it would seem my provider keeps the addresses fairly stable. As the saying goes YMMV. If your IP address is fairly stable, you can simply log onto the internet from a computer on your network and type "What's My IP" to make sure it hasn't changed. It's also a good idea to connect to your base with the rover before heading into the field to make sure everything is working properly.

I'll try to put something together that outlines the process. You'll need to be able to access your router and set up port forwarding in the router. There are also a few settings for the Triumph-2 that you will configure with NetView. It's somewhat involved, but once you go through it, it's done. Every time you power up the Triumph-2, it connects to the WiFi network automatically, making the investment in time worth the effort (in my opinion). And of course, you have an Internet reference station!

Hi Shawn,

Do you have a second T-2 permanently mounted and transmitting or do you set this up when you know you will use a TCP field connection. I have been thinking about a second T2 permanently mounted in my backyard.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Hi Shawn,
I have been thinking about a second T2 permanently mounted in my backyard.



Thats a great idea. I have thought about it too. Currently, I will set my base on a rebar in concrete in my backyard if I am working within a few miles of the house. It's not that often for me that I get to work that close.
 

Shawn Billings

Shawn Billings
5PLS
Hi Jim,
I don't have it permanently mounted. I put it out when the job seems like it would help to have it set up. If you are looking to set up one permanently, Javad has a "snow cone" cover with a grommet for the power cable for the Triumph-2. I'd recommend that to keep the receiver protected from the sun. Over years, it will start to show signs of abuse from constant exposure. I think they are $400.

We set up the Triumph-2 at 5Hz and the communication is better in my opinion over the internet than UHF and SS. UHF and SS are fine, but IP is even better (when you have the cell coverage for it).
 
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