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Mount and configure a Leica Zeno FLX100 plus - PIX4Dcatch

This article describes how to correctly configure and set up the Leica Zen FLX100 plus for seamless integration with PIX4Dcatch.

To effectively use an Pix4D-supported RTK device with a mobile device, the setup must first be configured 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 Leica Zeno FLX100 plus RTK rover to the mobile device
     Zeno Connect and RTK configuration
     RTK profile creation and connection to the RTK Leica device
     How to Manually Measure the Camera Offset
         Measure the X and Y-axes
         Measure the Z axis

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.

The following equipment is required to complete this guide:

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.

Mount the Leica Zeno FLX100 plus to the mobile device

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

  2. Place 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.

    Leica images_5

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

    Leica images_6
  5. Rotate the opening of the bar spacer so that it is aligned with the left side of the FLX100 plus antenna.

    Leica images_7
  6. Attach the Quad Lock mount clamp to the GLS53 pole with the head facing the same direction as the FLX100 plus.
    Leica images_8
    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.
      Leica images_10
    3. With yout iPhone in the Quad Lock case, attach it to the Quad Lock handlebear mount.
      Leica images_11

When using the Leica FLX100 with Zeno Connect, the system automatically configures the NTRIP provider details for convenience. Alternatively, a custom NTRIP provider can be configured, or the default provider supplied by the Leica Zeno Connect application can be used.

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 Zeno Connect app, go to the main menu, and select the FLX100 plus.IMG_0002 2IMG_0011
  3. Navigate to Selected antenna and choose the Antenna Usage: Then, select Handheld for the Antenna Usage Mode. This configuration ensures the system uses the internal antenna of the device for optimal signal reception.IMG_0029
  4. Select GPS Correction Profiles and click the plus icon to create a new profile. All required fields must be completed. The server must be added to display the list of available mountpoints.

    Keep the sliders for Auto Connect and NTRIP activated. After all fields are completed, click Test Connection to verify the configuration.
    IMG_0016 2IMG_0020 2
  5. Go back to the GPS menu and click the NMEA Messages. The settings values 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.

    IMG_0021 3

Configuring these settings ensures that the Leica FLX100 operates efficiently and provides accurate positioning data for various applications.

Note: In Zeno Connect, the options to set are:

  • Antenna Usage: Handheld

  • The NTRIP settings

  • NMEA Messages (GGA, GST 10x/sec + GSA - the default can be used)

  • Turn OFF the tilt option (if using the new Leica model)

Setting the input NTRIP CRS in the Zeno Connect app is not required. If configured, however, it must match the CRS defined in the PIX4Dcatch app.

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. 


      IMG_0023-2

  1. Click on RTK BLUETOOTH DEVICE to create a new profile

    IMG_0019IMG_0024

  2. Fill the PROFILE NAME for the FLX 100, select the RTK rover, and choose Automatic.


    IMG_0036IMG_0025 3

  3. When accessing the NTRIP settings, Leica Zeno Connect opens automatically and displays the current position and accuracy.

    IMG_0027 2IMG_0037

  4. After completing the configuration, reopen PIX4Dcatch and select the FLX100 profile to display the new profile. Then select RTK via Bluetooth to connect the device.

    IMG_0038IMG_0035



  5. Within PIX4Dcatch, the Leica device can then be used for precise geotagging and image capture.

This process ensures seamless integration of the Leica device, Leica Zeno Connect, and PIX4Dcatch, enabling accurate positioning data for photogrammetry workflows.

Note: If Leica Zeno Connect disconnects during use, restart and re-establish the Bluetooth connection with the 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 the correct camera lens for measurement is unclear, start PIX4Dcatch and place an object in front of each lens sequentially. The lens that becomes blocked in the application is the appropriate reference lens for measurement.

Measure the X and Y-axes 

To measure the X-axis offset, 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.