Topcon system running off a Trimble base station

[tom720]

Has anybody had experience of using a Topcon x30 and agi4 system on their tractor but running off a Trimble RTK base station? Or know if this is possible?

Thanks in advance

 

[Robt]

As far as I'm aware, it's not possible. Pm me your postcode and I'll check Topcon base coverage

 

[GPS_Support_2014]

Trimble base stations typically output the signal using CMR protocol and use 450-470MHz radio. I see that the AGI-4 is CMR compliant and as long as your radio works within that frequency range then all should be OK.

 

[Wombat]

Trimble base stations typically output the signal using CMR protocol and use 450-470MHz radio. I see that the AGI-4 is CMR compliant and as long as your radio works within that frequency range then all should be OK.

Trimble normally use a special encrypted version of CMR in ag not the standard survey one

 

[Robt]

GPS support....
In the uk it's different. I'm sure the signal is encrypted by the base station radio the. Decrypted by the Trimble receiver.

 

[MFmalawi]

tom720 the trimble CMR signal would depend on the age of the receiver - older ag bases are not encrypted i.e. "secure RTK" & CMR & CMR+ should be ok but newer bases have a more secure data format (CMR-X i think) which i think trimble have not released this format for 3rd party use. the trimble radio basic protocol is normally TT450s. we use this protocol between our MS750 base's & FMX cab controllers. what model is the base / radio?
im trying to find out the same as i would like to use our base with our AGCO branded AGI4's on challengers. Im told you can also use an external radio on the AGI4 if the internal unit does not communicate - once you fit the IMU & RTK module in the AGI4 its then unlocked for this option.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Im told you can also use an external radio on the AGI4 if the internal unit does not communicate - once you fit the IMU & RTK module in the AGI4 its then unlocked for this option.

I'm using HP at the moment, have the IMU fitted to enable this. I've been looking at various options to go to RTK at some point in the future. This is what I've been able to determine on VarioGuide (AGI4) derived unit.

The VarioGuide snap-in RTK module that AGCO provides is limited to a UHF receiving band between 455 and 459 MHz, in other words the UHF band that is compatible with the Topcon sourced Hiper-AG mobile base. It will not work with another fixed base that operates outside of this frequency spectrum.

Apparently it is possible to use an actual Topcon-brand RTK snap-in module (fitted with Satel radio) that will work across the entire 400-470 MHz frequency band, that is 100% compatible with VarioGuide. The key dependency here I believe is that the base station is using a Satel radio (although this is somewhat off the record as AGCO don't want to push this). Apparently however AGCO have tried this and have documented that this will work.

Its also not certain if you can just purchase the AGI4 RTK module on its own from Topcon. My understanding is that it is bundled with the IMU, but happy to be corrected on that...

Otherwise as you say if you want to 100% compatibility with another fixed base with VarioGuide then you need to buy the RTK module (£2,000-ish) to enable RTK on the topdoc, then buy an external radio that plugs into the topdoc using RS232 serial connection. The external radio will set you back about £2,500 without a radio module, then you need the actual radio module (ArWest, Satel, etc) for about £1,500 to make it all work. Get's quite expensive to achieve essentially the same thing!!

 

[Robt]

Pheasant surprise.we have Topcon base near you. You would need to buy varioguide radio and then an external radio. Happy to quote.,pm me for more details
This is because, we, Lh agro, have put a huge investment into base coverage across UK.,

 

[MFmalawi]

there are other various AGCO frequency options & bandwidths available but as you say its not the best that its limited to such narrow frequency ranges - 455/459 25khz is the widest range available. maybe its to comply with the different european legislation in the various countries. as regards the CMR trimble correction i think its only the older CMR / CMR+ signal that the topcon will accept - pre Glonass encrypted CMR.... thus MS 750 / 4700 / 5700 type base stations - cheap on ebay if you wanted your own base, but you may require Glonass at your latitude thus not an option.

 

[Wombat]

there are other various AGCO frequency options & bandwidths available but as you say its not the best that its limited to such narrow frequency ranges - 455/459 25khz is the widest range available. maybe its to comply with the different european legislation in the various countries. as regards the CMR trimble correction i think its only the older CMR / CMR+ signal that the topcon will accept - pre Glonass encrypted CMR.... thus MS 750 / 4700 / 5700 type base stations - cheap on ebay if you wanted your own base, but you may require Glonass at your latitude thus not an option.

CMR/CMR+ can include glonass it's just that this part was never published by Trimble so everyone took their own stab at it and is why CMR/CMR+ between manufacturers won't support glonass.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Pheasant surprise.we have Topcon base near you. You would need to buy varioguide radio and then an external radio. Happy to quote.,pm me for more details
This is because, we, Lh agro, have put a huge investment into base coverage across UK.,

Thanks Rob. A move to RTK would be for two reasons: increase in outright accuracy and cease paying an annual subscription.

I'm not really interested in buying an RTK snap in module for the Varioguide and then having to buy another external modem and radio module for that. Add that little lot up and there is just over £4K premium over the AGCO sourced RTK snap-in module.

However if you can sell a Topcon AGI4 RTK module on its own (without an IMU) that is Satel, TrimTalk and PCC radio compatible from 400-470MHz....I'm all ears