Base Station: location requirements

To achieve the highest degree of accuracy from the base stations, as well as smooth operations, please make sure to meet all of the following five requirements:

1. clear sky view
2. immovable anchoring point
3. distance from solar panels
4. distance from metal rooves
5. ensure there is sufficient GSM signal

1 - CLEAR SKY VIEW

Clear sky view is defined as an area where no obstacles are present in an angler above 30° from the position of the antenna, as illustrated below.

To ensure a clear sky view, it is recommended to install the GPS-antenna at a high point, e.g. an end-face of a building, where the antenna can be located above the ridge of the roof, trees, silos or other obstacles. Please do not mount the GNSS antenna close to chimneys as the smoke produced can trigger interferences.

2 - IMMOVABLE ANCHORING POINT

For the GNSS antenna to be fixed and secured, the mounting surface must be immovable and in good condition, thus preventing any movement caused by strong winds and/or adverse weather.

For these reasons, avoid installing the GNSS antenna of the base station on masts, chimneys, towers.

3 - KEEP DISTANCE FROM SOLAR PANELS

Ensure there are no solar panels in the close vicinity of the GNSS antenna as they might reflect the radio signal coming from GNSS satellites and therefore cause instability in the positioning system.

Please look at the following images as a reference:

4 - DO NOT INSTALL ON METAL ROOVES

Ensure the GNSS antenna is not mounted on a metal roofing, including the top/side of containers.

The reason for this is due to flat metal surfaces being able to reflect the radio signal of GNSS satellites, causing possible instability to the GNSS receiver, similarly to what happens with solar panels.

In case this is not possible, make sure to install the GNSS antenna on top of the tallest metal roof, so that the antenna itself is standing above any possible reflection point.

5 - ENSURE THERE IS A GOOD SUFFICIENT GSM SIGNAL

To ensure that the communication strength between the robot and the RTK Base Station is sufficient, the operator should perform initial tests of the internet connection. The tests must be performed both at the field where the robot is expected to operate and at the desired Base Station location.

It is recommended to use a smart phone to perform the internet performance test and follow the procedure below:

1. Download a “Speed test” app to a smart phone or use the following link: https://www.speedtest.net/
2. Test the internet connection and performance at the field where the robot is expected to operate and at the desired Base Station location.
3. Evaluate the test result of download speed to determine whether the connection is acceptable or additional testing is required:
   1. If the initial test result is above 1 Mbps, the internet connection is perceived as acceptable.
   2. If result is below 1 Mbps, additional tests are needed.

The illustration below shows how to perform the tests at the field:

In case you are experiencing issues in your local area, please ask your local distributor to advise you on these two possible solutions:

1. Extended range GSM antenna (UPG07V2.0-2.3): it improves the GSM connectivity in remote areas. The package comes with a 4m cable, which allows the GSM antenna to be mounted externally to a building for optimal reception.
2. Connect the Base Station to Internet through your home/office router: this connection suits best when the place you installed the Base Station is located close to your home/office.