SEPTENTRIO Altus APS3G User manual
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User Manual
Altus APS3G
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Altus APS3G User Manual
Revision 1.1
Applicable to version 4.3.3 of the Altus APS3G Firmware
January 05, 2018
© Copyright 2000-2017 Septentrio NV/SA. All rights reserved.
Septentrio and the Septentrio logo are trademarks of Septentrio NV registered in Belgium, the
U.S. and other countries. No part of this document may be copied, used or reproduced without
the prior written permission of Septentrio NV.
No part of this manual me by reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or any purpose without the express
written permission of Septentrio NV.
Mention of third-party products in this document is for informational purposes only and does not
constitute an endorsement or a recommendation. Septentrio NV assumes no responsibility with
regard to the performance or use of the Altus APS3G due to GNSS characteristics, USA
Department of Defense operations control, atmospheric effects, multipath and RF interference.
All understandings, agreements, or warranties take place directly between the seller and the
prospective users. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is
accurate. Septentrio NV is not responsible for printing or clerical errors. All specifications are
typical and subject to change without prior notice.
Septentrio
Greenhill Campus, Interleuvenlaan 15i
B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
http://www.septentrio.com
Phone: +32 16 300 800
Fax: +32 16 221 640
@Septentrio
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ........................................................................ 4
1.1. Foreword .....................................................................................................4
1.2. User Notices.................................................................................................4
1.3. Support .......................................................................................................6
2. Altus APS3G overview.......................................................... 7
2.1. Altus APS3G product versions........................................................................7
2.2. Altus APS3G features....................................................................................8
3. Altus APS3G device and specifications................................. 20
3.1. Internal UHF radio...................................................................................... 20
3.2. Cell modem................................................................................................ 21
3.3. Batteries and charger ................................................................................. 24
3.4. GNSS antenna offset .................................................................................. 26
4. Data collection software..................................................... 28
4.1. PinPoint-GIS App........................................................................................ 28
5. APS3G Tools ..................................................................... 28
6. Connecting to Altus APS3G with RxControl .......................... 30
7. PPP positioning with the Altus APS3G ................................. 30
8. Upgrading the firmware ..................................................... 37
8.1. Upgrading the firmware using the SD card................................................... 37
8.2. Altus APS3G default configuration upload..................................................... 39
8.3. Verifying the firmware upgrade ................................................................... 40
8.4. Disconnect the serial cable.......................................................................... 40
9. Frequently Asked Questions ............................................... 41
10. Altus APS3G block diagram ......................................... 44
11. Radio compatibility and performance........................... 45
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1. Introduction
1.1. Foreword
The Altus APS3G is a high-precision GNSS receiver with integrated state-of-the-art wireless
communications specifically designed for surveying applications. This Altus APS3G User Manual
contains reference information to assist you with using your new receiver.
1.2. User Notices
This section provides information regarding FCC, CE, Warranty and Customer Service with
Support. All specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Septentrio reserves the
right to make improvements and changes to this document, products and services without
notice or obligation.
1.2.1. FCC
The Altus APS3G complies with Part 47 of the FCC rules. The standard is designed to provide
protection against harmful interference when operated in a commercial environment. This
device will receive and transmit radio frequency signals which may cause interference to radio
communications unless operated as specified according to this User Manual.
1.2.2. CE Mark
The Altus APS3G carries the CE mark indicating compliance with the Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) directive and the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) of the European Union (EU).
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1.2.3. Warranty
Septentrio provides a two-year warranty for the Altus APS3G receiver, free from defects in
materials and workmanship, from the date of sale on the invoice of the original buyer. A ninety-
day warranty is provided for the cables and other accessories. Firmware upgrades are free for
lifetime of the product.
The warranty does not cover:
•Defects due to accidents, abuse, misuse, negligence, abnormal use or any other non-
recommended use
•Defects due to environmental conditions that do not conform to Altus APS3G
specifications
•Defects due to improper installation or operating procedures
•Defects due to modifications, alterations, or changes not made in accordance with the
Altus APS3G User Manual and other technical documentation or directly authorized by
Septentrio
•Normal wear and tear
•Shipping damage
•Third party software included with the product, other than the warranty of the original
manufacturer to the extent the manufacturer permits
Please note that tampering with or opening the Altus APS3G will invalidate the warranty
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1.3. Support
For first-line support, please contact your Septentrio dealer. Further information, documentation
and the latest firmware can be found on the Septentrio support website. For all other problems,
please contact our Technical Support group:
http://www.septentrio.com
Europe
Septentrio NV Phone: +32 16 300 800
Greenhill Campus Fax: +32 16 221 640
Interleuvenlaan 15i, sales@septentrio.com
3001 Leuven,
Belgium
North and South America
Septentrio Inc. Phone: +1 310 541 8139
Suite 200, sales@septentrio.com
23848 Hawthorne Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505
USA
Asia-Pacifc
Septentrio Phone: +852 3959 8680
Unit 1901, Hua Fu Bldg. sales@septentrio.com
111 Queen’s Road West,
Shueng Wan,
Hong Kong
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2. Altus APS3G overview
2.1. Altus APS3G product versions
The Septentrio Altus APS3G product family is the successor of the APS-3 and APS-3G product
family (previously branded Altus), reusing the solid mechanics and accessories, while offering
next-generation performance.
Altus is no longer a brand name, it is now a product family name for the GIS and survey
products of the Septentrio brand.
Compared to the APS-3 family of products the Altus APS3G brings the following improvements:
Altus APS3G brings:
12 to 14 hours of autonomy on two batteries
Long-range UHF radio
Improved cell modem connectivity with the Altus APS3G-g
The new generation GNSS board (AsteRx4) tracking all-in-view
The Altus APS3G family consists of three hardware configurations:
Model
Order Code
Description
Altus APS3G
410125
APS3G*
Altus APS3G-X
410172
APS3G with external GNSS antenna
connector
Altus APS3G-g
410194
APS3G with external GSM connector and
LTE/GSM dipole antenna
* The features of the basic Altus APS3G model can be found in Table 1
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2.2. Altus APS3G features
The Altus APS3G is an all-in-one, cable free solution to your surveying needs. It’s a simple and
easy to use surveying product providing the following features:
Altus APS3G Features
Bluetooth®
Internal cell Modem to communicate with RTK Networks
Internal digital UHF Radio to receive/transmit RTK corrections
Two Lithium-Ion Batteries with 12 to 14 hours of use
Easy-access removable SIM card for cellular service
(SIM card not included)
Easy-access removable 2GB SD Card for internal data logging
Table 1
A block diagram of the system can be found in Section 0.
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2.2.1. Positioning specifications
Positioning mode
Horizontal
Vertical
Standalone (Autonomous)
1.2 m
1.9 m
SBAS
(WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS)
0.6 m
0.8 m
DGNSS
0.4 m
0.7 m
TerraStar-D
6 cm
9 cm
TerraStar-C
4 cm
6 cm
RTK
0.6 cm + 0.5 ppm
1 cm + 1 ppm
Table 2: Positioning precision
2.2.2. Altus APS3G ease of use
Figure 1: Altus APS3G, Front View
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Figure 2: Altus APS3G, rear view
The rear view of the Altus APS3G shows the door to access the SD card and SIM card slots. Raw
GNSS data can be saved to the SD Card and the SIM card allows cellular service with the
internal cell modem.
The ports and the product label can be seen on the underside of the Altus APS3G. There are
three ports: two serial ports and one external power input port. Also located on the base of the
Altus APS3G is a TNC connector for a UHF antenna. It is advisable to connect a UHF antenna
before powering the Altus APS3G.
The central antenna mount for connecting a survey pole uses a standard 5/8” thread.
Figure 3: Altus APS3G, bottom view
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