• Support for OmniSTAR’s VBS2 broadcast formats. OmniSTAR is changing their broadcast data formats to a new format—VBS2. This new format will be used on all differential satellite broadcasts in the future, and the old VBS format will be switched off.

• The new WAAS satellites (PRNs 135 and 138) are included in the GPS receiver’s default tracking list. This allows the satellites to be tracked when using the “Auto” tracking mode in Trimble field software.

• Updated SBAS (WAAS and EGNOS) ephemeris information and tracking to improve initial fix and reacquisition times.

• Support for Custom SBAS tracking mode in Trimble field software. This allows you to configure the receiver to track, or not to track, particular SBAS satellites. If you are planning on using the Custom SBAS tracking mode you need to download the latest SBAS.ini file.

Entitlement:

• Firmware version 1.96 for GPS Pathfinder Pro XRS receivers P/N 33302-X3 and 33302-X1.

• Version 1.96 GPS firmware is a free upgrade and should be loaded in all Pro XRS receivers with the above part numbers.

• WAAS/EGNOS capable (requires password, see * below).

Installation Instructions:

• FlashLoader version 2.10 software and release notes are included in the self-extracting executable.

• For full details and instructions on installing the version 1.96 GPS firmware see the Release notes

SBAS.INI
(SBAS.ini - KB)
Updated: 1 August 2007

• Contains the list of SBAS satellites, including the two recently launched WAAS satellites - PRNs 135 and 138.

• Required when using Custom mode in Trimble field software to select particular satellites to track, and exclude from the tracking list.

• Details on the new WAAS satellites and how to install the SBAS.INI file are included in the Support Note titled Status Update: New WAAS Satellites and Trimble GPS Receivers.

SATDGPS.INI File
(Satdgps.ini - 2 KB)
Updated: 10 March 2008

• Contains the list of frequencies used by satellite DGPS providers.

• Use the GPS Pathfinder Office Data Transfer utility to load this file onto your device running TerraSync.

• If you have GPS Analyst installed on a PC, copy this file into the folder C:\Program Files\Trimble\GPS Analyst\Bin.

• If you have GPS Controller, GPS Pathfinder Controller, GPScorrect, or an application developed using the GPS Pathfinder Tools SDK installed on a PC, copy this file into the folder C:\Program Files\Common Files\Trimble\Config.

• If you have GPS Controller, GPS Pathfinder Controller, GPScorrect, or an application developed using the GPS Pathfinder Tools SDK installed on a Windows CE or Pocket PC device, copy this file into the folder \Program Files\Common Files\Trimble\Config. This folder will be located on the Disk or in RAM depending on where GPS Controller, GPScorrect, GPS Pathfinder Controller, or your application developed using the GPS Pathfinder Tools SDK is installed.

• If you are using Asset Surveyor download this version of SATDGPS.INI and use the GPS Pathfinder Office Data Transfer utility to load this file onto your device.

GPS Pathfinder Receivers, Almanac Tools (English)
(almtools.exe - 29 KB)

• Almanac download and upload programs for TSIP GPS receivers

• Self-extracting file, contains 7 files

GPS Pathfinder Receivers - PC Time Set Software (English)
(gpstime1.exe - 124 KB)

• Programs to set time in PC's with GPS Pathfinder receivers

• Self-extracting file, contains 12 files

v2.10 - Flashloader, Software (English)
(FL100v210.exe - 1626 KB)

Mapping and GIS Product Compatibility List
(MGIS_SprtNote_Product_Compatibility.pdf - 492 KB)
This document outlines the compatibility between Trimble field devices, versions of Trimble field software, versions of the GPS Pathfinder Office software and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Trimble GPS Receivers: Status Update for WAAS Satellites
(MGIS_SprtNote_WAAS_Update_May2008.pdf - 294 KB)
This document provides an update on the status of the WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) satellites, including the FAA’s expected timeline for the second new WAAS satellite (PRN 138) to be set as operational, and for the older WAAS satellites (PRNs 122 and 134) to be decommissioned. This document describes the Trimble GPS receivers that are able to use the new WAAS satellites, and describes how to install a new SBAS.ini file and configure your GPS receiver to use the new WAAS satellites.

Receptores Trimble GPS: Actualización del estado de los satélites WAAS
(MGIS_SprtNote_WAAS_Update_May2008.pdf - 294 KB)
En este documento se proporciona una actualización sobre el estado de los satélites del Sistema de ampliación de área ancha WAAS (siglas inglesas de Wide Area Augmentation System), información sobre los receptores Trimble® GPS que pueden utilizar los nuevos satélites WAAS (PRN 135 y 138) así como se describe la instalación del nuevo archivo SBAS.ini y la configuración de su receptor GPS para que pueda utilizar los nuevos satélites WAAS.

GPS Pathfinder Pro XRS Receiver: Incorrect Firmware Version
(MGIS_SprtNote_ProXRS_Firmware_Issue.pdf - 183 KB)
An incorrect firmware version was installed on a number of Trimble GPS Pathfinder Pro XRS receivers that were shipped after November 2005. Units with this firmware version cannot use the integrated satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) signals (WAAS / EGNOS) for real-time corrections. This Support Note explains the issue and how to resolve it.

OmniSTAR (Australia and New Zealand): Change in Satellite and Frequency
(MGIS_SprtNote_Omnistar_Optus.pdf - 149 KB)
OmniSTAR is changing the satellite and the frequency on which it broadcasts corrections for Australia and New Zealand. If you use an OmniSTAR-capable receiver in Australia or New Zealand, you must update the data collection software to track the new satellite and frequency. This Support Note describes how to do this.

OmniSTAR AMSC (Western, Central, and Eastern USA) Satellite: New Frequencies
(MGIS_SprtNote_Omnistar_AMSC.pdf - 170 KB)
OmniSTAR is changing the frequency for the North American satellite, AMSC (Western, Central, and Eastern USA), on which it broadcasts corrections. If you use an OmniSTAR-capable receiver in North America, you must update the data collection software to track the new frequencies. This Support Note provides details on how to do this.

OmniSTAR AF-SAT (Central + South Africa) Satellite: New Frequency and Data Rate
(SprtNote_MGIS_Omnistar_AFSAT.pdf - 164 KB)
OmniSTAR is changing the frequency and baud rate for the African satellite, AF-SAT (Central + South Africa), on which it broadcasts corrections. If you use an OmniSTAR-capable receiver in Africa, south of the Sahara, you must update the data collection software to track the new frequency.

New OmniSTAR AF-SAT Satellite covering Africa - Update 2
(SprtNote_PowerProXRS_OmnistarRacalFreqChange2.pdf - 59 KB)
OmniSTAR differential services for Africa have changed to a new satellite. A new DGPS correction satellite from OmniSTAR is available which is covering the African continent. The AF-SAT will cover the whole African continent south of the Sahara. The EA-SAT Satellite still is broadcasting data for Europe, Middle East and Africa, but from 1 February 2003 the African stations will be removed from the EA-SAT. Customers in Europe, Middle East, Mediterranean do not have to take any action. Customers active in Africa South of the Sahara can switch to the AF-SAT as of today.

GPS receiver does not appear to lock on to OmniSTAR?s Central & South Africa satellite
(SprtNote_AssSurv_OmniSTARAfrica.pdf - 163 KB)
If you use the TSC1? Asset Surveyor® software to configure the new OmniSTAR African frequency as a real-time correction source, the receiver may appear unable to lock on to or track the frequency.

Resolving Communication Errors between the GPS Receiver and Field Software
(SprtNote_ProXR-XRS_Communications.pdf - 28 KB)
To ensure your GPS Pathfinder® Pro XR or Pro XRS receiver communicates correctly with your data collection or data maintenance software, you must use a version of the field software that is compatible with the GPS receiver's embedded software version. This Support Note outlines compatibilities between field software versions and the different embedded software versions of the Pro XR and Pro XRS receivers.

Characterizing Accuracy of Trimble Pathfinder Mapping Receivers
(acc_sum.pdf - 376 KB)
This white paper discusses performance characterization for the GeoExplorer®, GPS Pathfinder Pro XL™, and the GPS Pathfinder Pro XR™ receivers. Several real-world data sets are presented and analyzed for accuracy. The results are presented in graphs that show how point feature accuracy depends on the distance from the base station receiver and on the occupation time. This TIP will help you understand product sheet accuracy specifications and how they apply to your data. Point feature accuracy is discussed for MCORR400, the GPS Pathfinder™ Office differential correction program, and for the Phase Processor software (MCORR400 also comes with PFINDER version 3.11 as a stand-alone utility).

Correct Use of the TSC1? Data Cable
(TIP_TSC1_connector_using.pdf - 26 KB)
The TSC1 data cable (PN 32287-00) is designed to provide a reliable connection between the TSC1 data collector and the GPS receiver. However, the cable may be prone to damage if incorrectly removed from the TSC1. This document outlines the correct procedure to remove this cable.

What You Need to Know About Using and Maintaining Your TDC1 Datalogger Batteries
(tdc1batx.pdf - 24 KB)
If you are using a TDC1 datalogger with a GPS Pathfinder? Pro XL or a GPS Pathfinder? Pro XR, you need to know how to maintain and replace the batteries, and how to troubleshoot possible problems that may be associated with the batteries. The TDC1 has two sets of batteries inside the unit and a set that it uses externally. Inside the TDC1, the first set of batteries are the internal batteries. These can be either two 9-volt batteries (standard) or a Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) battery pack (available only through a private vendor). The second set of batteries are the internal back-up batteries. The back-up batteries are two 3-volt lithium batteries. The external batteries are a set of two 12-volt camcorder batteries. This TIP includes instructions for maintaining and replacing these batteries and for troubleshooting some of the battery problems that may occur.

A New Level of Accuracy for Differential GPS Mapping Applications Using EVEREST Multipath Rejection Technology
(everest.pdf - 379 KB)
Trimble's Everest? multipath rejection technology provides a new high-accuracy solution for code-based GPS mapping applications. By rejecting multipath signals before computing positions, the new GPS Pathfinder Pro XR? with Everest provides up to 50% higher accuracy than previous Pathfinder mapping systems. These new systems deliver a horizontal RMS error of 35 centimeters, and a vertical RMS error of 55 centimeters on a second-by-second basis while static. Dynamic tests show even better results, with horizontal RMS errors as low as 15 centimeters and vertical RMS errors as low as 30 centimeters. Mapping area and line features with high accuracy can now be accomplished with errors consistently below 1% of the area size or line length for most features.

What You Need to Know about GPS Time and Local Time as Used by Your Datalogger and Receiver
(dyltsvgs.pdf - 21 KB)
This TIP provides general information about how Trimble GPS receivers and dataloggers use GPS time and local time. GPS data is recorded in GPS time, which is essentially the same as UTC (Universal Time Code). Some Trimble receivers and datalogger firmware, however, allow you to configure the local time for display purposes and/or filenaming purposes only. Thus there will be no affect on GPS data records if you reconfigure your receiver and/or datalogger firmware when there is a change in the local time, e.g., a change from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time.

Using WAAS/EGNOS as a Secondary Real-Time DGPS Source May Cause Problems
(MGIS_SprtNote_GeoExplorerSeries_PFReceivers_WAAS.pdf - 155 KB)
This document describes the impact on GeoExplorer® series handhelds, and GPS Pathfinder® Pro XR, Pro XRS, ProXT™, ProXH™, and Power receivers if you use WAAS/EGNOS as a secondary real-time DGPS choice.