RTK devices
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      Mount and configure a Pix4D supported RTK device - Leica Zeno FLX100 plus

      To effectively use an Pix4D supported RTK device with a mobile device, the initial step is configuring the setup correctly. This involves setting the camera offset between the antenna and the mobile device's camera. This offset needs to be manually measured by the user, is crucial for accurately computing locations captured by Pix4D supported RTK devices, ensuring precise measurements for scans or ground control points (GCPs).

      IN THIS ARTICLE

      Mount the Pix4D supported Leica Zeno FLX100 plus RTK rover to the Device

      How to connect to the Leica Zeno Connect App

      How to Manually Measure the Camera Offset

      Measure the X and Y axis Measure the Z axis

      Leica Zeno Connect App

      Mount the Pix4D supported Leica Zeno FLX100 plus to the Device

      The Pix4D supported Leica Zeno FLX100 plus is a GNSS RTK receiver that allows PIX4Dcatch to geolocate the images acquired by your mobile device with centimeter accuracy. The Pix4D supported Leica RTK rover can be coupled with mobile phones (iOS) using the Quad Lock mount provided by Quad Lock.

      To follow this guide you will need the following equipment:

      Hardware:

      Leica FLX100 plus

      Leica FLX100 plus pole mount AZ219

      Leica GLS53 Mini Pole

      iphone Pro

      Quad Lock case for your iPhone Pro model

      Quad Lock handlebar mount.

      Leica images_1Leica images_2 

      Software: 

      Leica Zeno Connect on iOS.

      PIX4Dcatch on iOS.

       

      1. Screw the FLX100 plus to the FLX100 plus pole mount.

      2. Put the 22,2mm (7/8’) bar spacer on the GLS53 pole.

      3. Align the bar spacer with the line marked in blue. Make sure that the bar space is NOT aligned with the line marked in orange.

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      4.  Mount the FLX100 plus with the pole mount on the GLS53.

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      5. Rotate the opening of the bar spaceer so that it is aligned with the left side of the FLX100 plus antenna.

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      6. Attach the Quad Lock mount clamp to the GLS53 pole with the head facing the same direction as the FLX100 plus.
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        1. Attach the extension arm to the handlebar amount clamp so that the extension arm is oriented towards the right side and perpendicularly to the pole.

          Leica images_9
        2. Attach the index head to the extension arm. The index head should be oriented left and overlapping the extension arm.
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        3. With yout iPhone in the Quad Lock case, attach it to the Quad Lock handlebear mount.
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      When using the Leica FLX100 with Zeno Connect, the system automatically configures the NTRIP provider details for convenience. However, you can choose to set up your own NTRIP provider or use the one provided by the Leica Zeno Connect app.

      Zeno Connect and RTK Configuration

      To ensure optimal performance and accuracy, follow these steps:

      1. Download the Zeno Connect app by Leica from the Apple Store.

       

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      2. Open the app and go to the main menu and select the FLX100 plus

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      3. Navigate to selected antenna and choose the Antenna Usage: Handheld. This configuration ensures the system uses the internal antenna of the device for optimal signal reception.

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      4. Select GPS Correction Profiles and click the plus icon to add a new profile. It is necessary to fill the fields with the information required. The server needs to be added in order to have listed the mountpoints.

      Also, keep the slide bar activated for the Auto connect and NTRIP. Once is all filled, click test connection to check if the configuration works.

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      5. Back to the GPS menu and click the NMEA Messages. The settings value are the following:

      - GGA: Set to transmit 10 times per second (10 Hz). This provides high-frequency position updates for precise tracking.

      - GSA: Set to transmit 1 time per second (1 Hz). This reports the current satellite configuration for navigation.

      - GST: Set to transmit 10 times per second (10 Hz). This ensures detailed positional error estimates are frequently updated.

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      By configuring these settings, you’ll ensure that your Leica FLX100 operates efficiently and provides accurate positioning data for your applications.

      RTK Profile creation and connection to the RTK Leica device


      To connect your Leica device to Pix4Dcatch, follow these steps:

        1. To configure the RTK profile and establish a connection with the RTK antenna, please proceed to the RTK Device Settings section located within the menu and select RTK Device Settings. 


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      1. Click on RTK bluetooth device to create a new profile

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      2. Fill the profile name naming FLX 100, select the RTK rover and choose Automatic.


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      3. To the NTRIP settings, automatically Leica Zeno Connect will open and you will see your position and accuracy.

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      4. After the configuration is done, open again PIX4DCatch and select FLX100 profile to see the new profile, then select RTK via Bluetooth to connect the device.

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      5. Within Pix4Dcatch, start using your Leica device for precise geotagging and image capture.

      This process ensures seamless integration between your Leica device, Leica Zeno Connect, and Pix4Dcatch, enabling accurate positioning data for your photogrammetry workflows.

      Note: If Leica Zeno Connect disconnects during use, restart and re-establish the Bluetooth connection with your Leica device to resume operations seamlessly.

      How to Manually Measure the Camera Offset

      Place the device in portrait mode and the display to the front. Notate the orientation of the X, Y, and Z axes and how they relate to the point of origin on the antenna to measure from. The point of origin resides in the middle of the screw mount at the base of the antenna. It will also be necessary to determine which lens to measure from for devices with multiple camera lenses.

      Tip: If you don't know which camera lens to measure from, start PIX4Dcatch and then place something in front of each camera lens. The lens blocked is the appropriate lens to measure from.

      Measure the X and Y axis 

      To measure the X-axis offset, simply measure the X-axis on the vertical axis from the base of the antenna to the point where it intersects the Y-axis. Then, measure the distance from the camera lens to the center of the antenna.

      Measure the Z axis

      Measure the depth from the center of the antenna to the center of the lens for the Z axis offset.

      With the camera offsets properly measured and recorded, they can be included in the appropriate Camera Offset Values field of the RTK Device Settings dialog. Depending on the device's geographical region, centimeters or inches will be the displayed measurement unit.