TopNET+: Installation and Configuration - Overview

TopNET+ is a comprehensive sotware suite designed to offer network RTK to a diverse user base. Given the scope of the software configuration, the TopNET+ Quick Guides will be broken down into multiple parts.

Part 1 is a overview of TopNET+, designed to show the features of TopNET+.  Follow-up guides will address the installation and configuration of TopNET+.

The innovative TopNET solution has the flexibility, scalability and functionality to meet your demands. Depending upon your needs, TopNET is offered in 3 distinct forms, from the basic CORS to the full blown Network RTK.

TopNET CORS, Topcon's unique and powerful software package is designed to offer the easiest and most reliable method of managing any number of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) which takes advantage of the full range of satellite data available including both the GPS and GLONASS systems. TopNET CORS is provided as a series of modules, facilitating both ease of operation as well as future expansion to TopNET RTK and TopNET+ as your requirements for enhanced functionality increase.

TopNET CORS offers the following key features for the operation of from one to many CORS sites:

• Communication to Reference Stations via internet, GSM and cable modem, USB or serial port;
• Configuration of Reference Stations including remote firmware and Option Authorization File (OAF) upload;
• Configuration of Site parameters;
• Configuration of DGPS/RTK local broadcast from each Reference Station;
• Configuration of data logging for each Reference Station;
• Automatic and manual file download from each Reference Station;
• Automatic push to FTP site(s) of raw and/or RINEX data files;
• Monitoring of satellite and SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio);
• Displaying the current navigational coordinates Reference Stations, the number of tracked satellites (GPS and GLONASS) and current receiver time;
• Control consistency of TPS receivers;
• Automated message sending on alarm via e-mail.

TopNET RTK™, is Topcon's unique and powerful software package designed to offer the easiest and most reliable method of managing Real Time Kinematics (RTK) surveys. TopNET RTK™ builds upon the TopNET CORS package, allowing additional versatility. RTK surveys take advantage of the full range of satellite data available, including both the GPS and GLONASS systems.

TopNET RTK offers the following key features for operating one, or many, reference stations:

• communication with Reference Stations via internet, GSM and cable modems, USB or serial orts;
• selection of the closest reference station to a rover receiver;
• real-time correction data transfer from reference stations to rover receivers;
• management of a large number of reference stations and mobile receivers simultaneously.

TopNET+™, is Topcon's unique and powerful software package designed to offer the easiest and most reliable method of managing surveys with Simulated Reference Station also called Network RTK. Network RTK surveys take advantage of the full range of satellite data available, including the GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO systems and also the data from all the reference stations within the network.
TopNET+ offers the following key features for operating one, or many, reference stations;

• communication to Reference Stations via internet, GSM and cable modems, USB or serial ports
• selection of the closest reference station to the rover receiver real-time correction data transfer from reference stations to rover receivers
• management of a large number of reference stations and mobile receivers simultaneously
• construction of the corrections field that allows a rover to obtain the precise value of the corrections as if they were measured by a reference station located close to the Rover.

Installing TopNET is a relative straightforward process.  The installation will be covered in the next segment.

Meanwhile, verify that the system requirements of your TopNET server are met.

• Dual processors compatible with Intel CoreDuo 2.0 GHz or faster
• 1 GB free disk space
• Minimum 4 GB RAM
• MS Windows 7, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003
• Internet access with a fixed/static IP address