APS-3 with

FIELDGenius

Configuration Manual

Revision 1.01

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APS-3 with FIELDGenius, Configuration Manual
© 2011 ALTUS Positioning Systems Inc. All rights reserved. ALTUS, the ALTUS logo, and APS-3 are trademarks of
ALTUS Positioning Systems Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. No part of this document may be
copied, used or reproduced without the prior written permission of ALTUS Positioning Systems.

No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of Altus Positioning
Systems Inc.

Mention of third-party products in this document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an
endorsement or a recommendation. ALTUS Positioning Systems assumes no responsibility with regard to the
performance or use of the APS-3 due to GPS 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. ALTUS is not responsible for printing or clerical errors. All specifications are typical and
subject to change without prior notice.

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Table of Contents
1. Getting Started .................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Hardware Requirements................................................................................................................ 4
1.2. Installing FIELDGenius ................................................................................................................. 4

2. FIELDGenius Startup ........................................................................................ 5

2.1. Launch Program ............................................................................................................................ 5

2.2. Create New Project ........................................................................................................................ 6

2.2.1. Project Name ................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.2. Project Review ................................................................................................................ 8
2.2.3. Unit Settings .................................................................................................................... 9
2.2.4. Coordinate System Settings ........................................................................................... 10

3. Instrument Selection ......................................................................................... 11

3.1. GPS Reference .............................................................................................................................. 11
3.1.1. Add GPS Reference Profile ........................................................................................... 11
3.1.2. Model and Communication ........................................................................................... 13
3.1.2.1. Bluetooth Pairing .......................................................................................... 14
3.1.3. Raw Data Logging......................................................................................................... 17
3.1.4. Set Reference Position ................................................................................................... 20
3.1.4.1. Use Known Geodetic Position ...................................................................... 21
3.1.4.2. Use Averaged Geodetic Position .................................................................. 26
3.1.4.3. Local Transformation to Point ...................................................................... 30
3.1.5. Link Configure .............................................................................................................. 31
3.1.5.1. Data Format .................................................................................................. 31
3.1.5.2. Internal UHF Radio ...................................................................................... 32
3.1.5.3. External Pacific Crest 35w ........................................................................... 36
3.1.5.4. External ArWest AW435.............................................................................. 41
3.1.6. Instrument Disconnect ................................................................................................... 46

3.2. GPS Rover..................................................................................................................................... 47

3.2.1. Add GPS Rover Profile ................................................................................................. 48
3.2.2. Model and Communication ........................................................................................... 49
3.2.2.1. Bluetooth Pairing .......................................................................................... 50
3.2.3. Link Configure .............................................................................................................. 54
3.2.3.1. Data Format .................................................................................................. 54
3.2.3.2. Internal UHF Radio ...................................................................................... 55
3.2.3.3. Internal GSM Modem ................................................................................... 58
3.2.4. Raw Data Logging......................................................................................................... 64

4. Additional Functions ........................................................................................ 68

4.1. Check APS-3 Battery Levels ........................................................................................................ 68
4.2. Check RTK Corrections (Link Information) ............................................................................. 70

5. Technical Support ............................................................................................. 72

6. Appendix ............................................................................................................ 73
6.1. Antenna Offsets ............................................................................................................................ 73
6.1.1. NGS Calibration ............................................................................................................ 73
6.1.2. Slant Height Dimensions ............................................................................................... 74

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1. Getting Started
1.1. Hardware Requirements
FIELDGenius 2010 may be installed on most Windows CE, PocketPC, and Windows Mobile devices, as well as any
Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet PC running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2, or Windows 7.

For a complete list of compatible mobile devices, please refer to MicroSurvey Software’s FIELDGenius manual.

1.2. Installing FIELDGenius

If you purchased a new data collector with FIELDGenius 2010 from ALTUS Positioning Systems, it should come pre-
loaded with FIELDGenius software. If it is not installed, or you need to upgrade to a newer version, please
perform these steps:

 Establish a Microsoft ActiveSync or Windows Mobile Device Center connection between your computer
and data collector.
 Locate and execute the FIELDGenius 2010 install file, found either on the CD that came with your
purchase or downloaded from http://www.altus-ps.com/downloads. Follow the prompts to complete
install.

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2. FIELDGenius Startup
Before Power On of the APS-3, ensure the following are done:

 SD card and SIM card (if used) are installed and rear door closed
 UHF antenna is connected
 Batteries are installed
 Note the serial number of the APS-3 (located on the underside) for Bluetooth identification within the
program.

2.1. Launch Program

Launch FIELDGenius by
selecting the program from the
Start menu.

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 The Splash screen appears.

2.2. Create New Project

Create a new project by

selecting New Project from the
Project Manager screen.

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 2.2.1. Project Name

Double-tap the project name

field to begin typing.

Enter a name for your

project.

Select OK.

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 2.2.2. Project Review

Select the default Automap

Template File and Feature List
File or a custom file.

Select Continue.

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 2.2.3. Unit Settings

Select the desired Distance

Unit for the project.

Select the appropriate Angle

Unit for the project.

Select OK.

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 2.2.4. Coordinate System Settings

Select Yes to define a

coordinate system.

Select the desired Horizontal

Coordinate System for the
project.

Select the desired Vertical

System for the project. For
accurate orthometric elevations
use an appropriate Geoid model.

Select OK.

For help creating a Geoid model,

please visit MicroSurvey’s links:

 Download Datum Grid Editor

 Instructions for Datum Grid
Editor use

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3. Instrument Selection
3.1. GPS Reference
3.1.1. Add GPS Reference Profile

A GPS Reference Instrument

Profile must be created before
first use. Subsequent
configurations require only
selecting the desired profile.

Select Instrument Type as

GPS Reference.

Select Add.

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 Enter a name for your profile
that identifies your APS-3
Reference.

Use the serial number of the

APS-3 for easy identification

Select Save.

Select Edit.

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 3.1.2. Model and Communication

Select Model and

Communication.

Select Altus for Make

Select the appropriate Model

from the drop-down menu.

Note: The APS-3 model can be

determined by the Serial Number
on the underside of the unit.

For serial numbers in the

10000 series, select APS-3.

For serial numbers in the

20000 series, select APS-3 Rev 2.

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 3.1.2.1. Bluetooth Pairing

Select Bluetooth as the Port.

Select Bluetooth Search

Select the corresponding

Bluetooth device by Serial
Number (located on the bottom
label of the APS-3).

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 Double-tap the Bluetooth PIN
field to begin typing.

Enter the PIN in all lowercase:

default

Select OK.

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 Select OK.

Select Connect.

Verify the Bluetooth LED on the

APS-3 Reference comes on.

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 3.1.3. Raw Data Logging

Select Yes to proceed with

Raw Data Logging, else skip to
section 3.1.4.

Double-tap the Logging

Name field to begin typing.

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 Enter a name for the internal
raw data file, using a maximum
of 8 characters.

Select OK.

Select a Logging Rate for the

data file.

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 Select Start Logging to begin
writing the data file to the
internal SD card.

Verify the Internal Data

Logging LED on the APS-3 comes
on.

The Start Logging menu is

now unavailable and the Stop
Logging button is available while
data is logging.

Select Close to continue

logging to file.

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3.1.4. Set Reference Position

Select Continue.

Select Start Reference.

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 If the Reference Position is
known, skip to section:

3.1.4.1 Use Known Geodetic

Position

To measure an autonomous
position for the Reference, skip
to:

3.1.4.2 Use Averaged Geodetic

Position

3.1.4.1. Use Known Geodetic Position

Select Use Known Geodetic

Position.

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 Enter a known Geodetic or
Cartesian position.

If the Reference Position is

stored in the point database,
choose Select Position From
Database.

Enter the Point ID if known,

or select List.

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 Select the point representing
the Reference position.

Choose Select.

Choose Select.

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 Select Modify Antenna
Height.

Vertical Height:
Altus APS-3 (1) – measured to
bottom of 5/8” threaded
antenna mount

Slant Height (Tripod):

Altus APS-3 (2) – measured to
bottom of grey cap

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 Enter Measured Height of
APS-3.

Select Close.

Select Set Position.

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 3.1.4.2. Use Averaged Geodetic Position

Select Use Averaged Geodetic

Position.

FIELDGenius automatically
begins averaging the
autonomous position.

Select Modify Antenna

Height.

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 Vertical Height:
Altus APS-3 (1) – measured to
bottom of 5/8” threaded
antenna mount

Slant Height (Tripod):

Altus APS-3 (2) – measured to
bottom of grey cap

Enter Measured Height of

APS-3.

Select Close.

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 Select Set Position after
averaging at least 10 positions.

Select Yes to save the

Reference Position to the points
database.

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 Enter a Description for the
Reference Position.

Select Store Pnt.

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 If prompted, select Yes to add
the description to the automap
library.

3.1.4.3. Local Transformation to Point

To be completed at a later time.

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 3.1.5. Link Configure

3.1.5.1. Data Format

The Data Format must match

at both Reference and Rover to
receive RTK corrections.

ALTUS recommends RTCM 3

format.

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 3.1.5.2. Internal UHF Radio

Link Device: Select Digital UHF

Link Communication: Set GPS
Port to Internal Device to use
the internal UHF radio

Select Setup.

Select the desired Channel

number/frequency.
The Channel frequency must
match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

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 Select the desired Protocol.
The Protocol type must
match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

REFERENCE protocol must

end in Tx.

The Scrambling setting must

match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

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 Select a Transmit Power for
the internal radio.

500mW gives optimal

performance.

Note: Higher Transmit Power

is a trade-off between range and
power consumption.

Select OK.

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 Select Connect to complete
the Reference configuration.

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 3.1.5.3. External Pacific Crest 35w

To configure an external Pacific Crest 35 W radio from FIELDGenius, ensure all is connected properly BEFORE
Power On:

 Connect UHF antenna to the antenna mount

 Connect antenna cable to PDL radio
 Connect PDL serial cable (PCC A00470) to PDL radio
 Connect ALTUS 8-pin data cable (p/n: 10028) to PCC A00470 cable.
 Power On ONLY after all connections are made

Note that the PDL must be configured before with the desired frequencies using the PDLCONF program provided
by Pacific Crest.

The PDL may be configured from the Link Configure menu of FIELDGenius.

Link Device: Pacific Crest

For Link Communication, select

GPS Port: Serial 2
Baud: 38400
Flow: None

Select Setup.

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 The PDL radio enters
configuration mode.

The Channel frequency must

match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

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 The Protocol type must
match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

The Scrambling setting must

match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

Scrambling “On” is
equivalent to ArWest
Scrambling “1”, and is
recommended when using the
APS-3 with a PDL.

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 Select a Squelch setting for
the external radio.

Select “No” for the Repeater

option.

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 Select OK.

Select Connect to complete

the reference configuration.

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 3.1.5.4. External ArWest AW435

To configure an external AW435 35W radio using FIELDGenius, ensure all is connected properly BEFORE Power
On.

Note that the AW435 must be configured before with the desired Channels & Frequencies using the AWLaunch
program provided by Altus Positioning Systems.

The AW435 may be configured from the Link Configure menu of FIELDGenius.

Link Device: Digital UHF

GPS Port: Serial 2
Baud: 115200
Flow: None

Select Setup.

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 The Channel frequency must
match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

The Protocol type must

match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

REFERENCE protocol must

end in Tx.

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 The Scrambling setting must
match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

Select a Transmit Power for

the external radio.

Note: Higher Transmit Power

is a trade-off between range and
power consumption.

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 Select OK.

The configuration is saved to

the external radio.

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 Select Connect to complete
the Reference configuration.

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 3.1.6. Instrument Disconnect

Select to open the

Instrument Settings menu.

Select Instrument Disconnect.

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3.2. GPS Rover

Select to open the

Instrument Selection menu.

A GPS Rover Instrument

Profile must be created before
first use.

From Instrument Type, select

GPS Rover.

From Instrument Profile,

select an existing APS-3 Rover
profile, or select Internal GPS to
Create a new one:

3.2.1 Add GPS Rover Profile

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 3.2.1. Add GPS Rover Profile

Select Add to create a new

GPS Rover profile

Enter a name for the

Instrument Profile that identifies
the APS-3 Rover by serial
number.

Select Save.

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 Select Edit.

3.2.2. Model and Communication

Select Model and

Communication.

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 Select Altus for Make

Select the appropriate Model

from the drop-down menu.

Note: The APS-3 model can be

determined by the Serial Number
on the underside of the unit.

For serial numbers in the

10000 series, select APS-3.

For serial numbers in the

20000 series, select APS-3 Rev 2.

3.2.2.1. Bluetooth Pairing

Select Bluetooth as the Port.

Select Bluetooth Search

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 Select the corresponding
Bluetooth device by Serial
Number (located on the bottom
label of the APS-3).

Double-tap the Bluetooth PIN

field to begin typing.

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Enter the PIN in all lowercase:

default

Select OK.

Select OK.

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 Select Connect.

Verify the Bluetooth LED on

the APS-3 Reference comes on.

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 3.2.3. Link Configure

Select to open the Instrument Settings menu and select Link Configure.

3.2.3.1. Data Format

The Data Format must match

at both Reference and rover to
receive RTK corrections.

ALTUS recommends RTCM 3

format.

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 3.2.3.2. Internal UHF Radio

Link Device: Select Digital UHF

For Link Communication: Select
GPS Port to Internal Device to
use the internal UHF radio

Select Setup.

The Channel frequency must

match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

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 The Protocol type must
match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.

ROVER protocol must end

in Rx.

The Scrambling setting must

match at both Reference and
Rover to receive RTK
corrections.
Transmit Power is only valid
at Reference (transmitter).

Select OK.

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 Select Connect to complete
the rover configuration.

Device configuration is now

complete.

Select Close.

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 3.2.3.3. Internal GSM Modem

Link Device: Mobile (GSM)

Link Communication: For GPS
Port select Internal Device

Select Setup.

For Data Source, select either

GPRS (TCP/IP) or NTRIP

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 For Network Options, enter
the specific settings for the SIM
card used.

An APN server name must be

entered, even if the other
Network Options are blank.

Enter the connection details

for the RTK network being
accessed under NTRIP Options.

An NTRIP connection
requires:
 User ID
 Password
 IP Address
 TCP/IP Port
A GPRS connection requires:
 IP Address
 TCP/IP Port

Select Close.

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 Select Connect.

The message “Creating

wireless link” is displayed when
Modem and Network options
are set correctly.

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 Select Request Sourcetable.

The sourcetable is requested

from the network.

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 Select the desired Mount
Point.

Choose Select Highlighted.

Select Continue.

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 When “RTK Fixed” is achieved
the survey may begin.

The Link Information menu

will show “Connected to
internet” when the modem is
receiving RTK corrections from
the network.

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 3.2.4. Raw Data Logging

Select to open the

Instrument Settings menu.

Select Raw Data Logging.

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 Double-tap the Logging
Name field to begin typing.

Enter a name for the internal

raw data file, using a maximum
of 8 characters.

Select OK.

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 Select a Logging Rate for the
data file.

Select Start Logging to begin

writing the data file to the
internal SD card.

Verify the Internal Data

Logging LED on the APS-3 comes
on.

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Select Close.

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4. Additional Functions
4.1. Check APS-3 Battery Levels

Select to open the

Instrument Settings menu.

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 Select Sensor Information.

View levels for Battery A

(Right) and Battery B (Left).

In this example, Battery A has

been depleted and is in Stand
By. It is safe to remove Battery
A and replace with a charged
battery for continued operation.
This is known as “Hot
Swapping.”

Removing an In Use
battery will restart the
APS-3.

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 4.2. Check RTK Corrections (Link Information)

Select to open the

Instrument Settings menu.

Select Link Information.

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 View Data Age to confirm RTK
corrections are updating
frequently.

^ Return to Top ^

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5. Technical Support
For any further questions about configuring the APS-3 with FIELDGenius, which may not be covered in this
manual, contact your local dealer or Altus Positioning Systems.

Email ALTUS technical support at support@altus-ps.com

Apart from configuring the APS-3 GNSS receiver, additional information and support for FIELDGenius software
features are available from MicroSurvey Software’s Technical Support and website.

MicroSurvey offers a 90-day complimentary support period for all registered users. Please visit their helpdesk at
http://www.microsurvey.com/helpdesk/ to create a support ticket or search for solutions.

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6. Appendix
6.1. Antenna Offsets

6.1.1. NGS Calibration

Phase Center Location

NGS Vertical Offsets Absolute Relative

L1 Offset (mm) 94.7 113.5

L2 Offset (mm) 86.2 94.1

Absolute - http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/ANTCAL/images/ant_info.abs

APS_APS-3 NONE ALTUS GNSS RCVR/ANT, P/N:10015, PNL TO N NGS ( 3) 08/10/07

1.3 -0.6 94.7
0.0 1.1 1.8 2.0 1.9 1.5 1.1 0.5 0.1 -0.2
-0.3 -0.5 -0.5 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.4 0.0 0.0
-1.0 3.2 86.2
0.0 -1.0 -1.4 -1.3 -1.0 -0.6 -0.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.9
-1.4 -1.9 -2.5 -2.9 -3.1 -3.1 -2.5 0.0 0.0

Relative - http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/showdoc.prl?Data=GPS/ant_info.003

APS_APS-3 NONE ALTUS GNSS RCVR/ANT, P/N:10015, PNL TO N NGS ( 3) 08/10/07

0.7 -0.1 113.5
0.0 1.3 2.7 4.0 5.2 6.2 7.1 7.7 8.1 8.1
7.8 7.0 5.8 4.1 1.9 -0.9 -4.4 0.0 0.0
-0.9 3.8 94.1
0.0 -0.9 -0.9 -0.2 0.8 2.0 3.1 3.9 4.3 4.3
3.8 2.9 1.5 -0.1 -1.9 -3.7 -5.3 0.0 0.0

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 6.1.2. Slant Height Dimensions

Height of ARP =

^ Return to Top ^

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