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Alto-G12 GPS
Operating Instructions
Introduction
The units we have purchased are manufactured by Corvallis Microtechnology, Inc., a subsidiary
of Hewlett-Packard. The unit model is the “Alto-G12”. If the units are used with the
backpack, we can collect real-time differential data (no post processing). If the units are used
without the backpack, the data can be differentially post-processed later for sub-meter
accuracy (using the base station data at http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/acl ), o
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Before you leave 1. Check the status of the Alto batteries: 4 Turn the Alto ON. 4 Press the ON button a second time (may take a moment). 4 The % charge status of the two batteries is displayed on the screen. 4 As long as the two percentages add up to more than 40%, you will be fine. If you are going out for a full day the two percentages should add up to at least 100%. 2. If you are collecting real-time differential data, make sure you have the backpack. It is highly advisable to t
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USING THE ALTO-G12 To hook up the real-time differential receiver There are 4 cables you need to hook up. (Please try not to let the cables touch the ground as you are hooking them up.) Antenna cable (black), must be attached to white antenna. Raise the antenna pole so that it is above the Three cables emerge level of your head. from the top of the backpack, two of which come over your left shoulder. Antenna cable (brown), attaches at the top of Power cable (black),
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To see the coordinates of your current location, without saving them When the unit is ON, press the ON button again to get to the STATUS screen. Your coordinates are displayed. Collecting data and saving to a file Data is collected and organized into “jobs” and “features”. A job file can contain many features. The job file might represent an entire working day of collecting points, and the features might be locations of trees (points), sidewalks (lines), parking lots (areas). 1
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Downloading the data to a PC You will need to find a computer with the “PC-GPS 3.7” software on it (which may also be labeled “Alto-G12 GPS” depending on who installed the software). All the lab computers in the ACL and at Treehaven should have it. You will also need a black, coiled cable with a COM port connection at both ends. Connect one end to COM port 1 (sometimes COM port A) on the computer. Connect the other end to COM port 1 at the top of the unit. Receiving files from th
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3. (If necessary) Click the type of file you wish to transfer in the File Type: list. All files on your CMT GPS data collector of the selected type will be displayed. 4. Click the files you wish to receive or click the Select All button to receive all files listed. 5. Click the Receive button. You will see activity on both the computer screen and the GPS screen. 6. When file transfer is complete, click the OK button OR if you are transferring Job files, you will be given the option to op
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Advanced Techniques Creating Data Dictionaries Data dictionaries allow you to attach attribute data to GPS points, lines, or areas. The dictionaries must be designed and created using the PC-GPS software, and then uploaded to the units. Dictionaries increase the efficiency of data collection and reduce the risk of associating a location with the wrong attribute data. A. Create a feature list. Start the PC-GPS 3.62d software. Go to the GPS menu, then Feature List. A window wil
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C. Collecting data using a Feature List 1. From the Main Menu select Collect Data and press enter. 2. On the Job Data screen, use the ↑/ ↓ keys to select Feature List, and use the ←/ → keys to change the selected feature list to the one you transferred. Press F1 (GO). 3. Accept the default File Name (press Enter). 4. Use the ↑/ ↓ keys to select the feature type from the list. Press Enter. 5. Fill in the Value field for each of the attributes in the list. If you are presented with
