F8 User Manual
F8 User Manual
USER GUIDE
Table of Content
Table of Content............................................................................................................... 2
Preface ............................................................................................................................ 5
Copyright ............................................................................................................................5
Safety Warnings ..................................................................................................................5
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 6
1.1 Safety Information ........................................................................................................6
1.1.1 Warnings and Cautions ......................................................................................6
1.2 Regulations and Safety .................................................................................................6
1.2.1 Use and Care......................................................................................................7
1.3 Technical Support .........................................................................................................7
1.4 Disclaimer .....................................................................................................................7
1.5 Your Comments ............................................................................................................7
2 Getting Started with F8.................................................................................................. 8
2.1 About the Receiver .......................................................................................................8
2.2 Parts of the Receiver .....................................................................................................8
2.2.1 Front Panel.........................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Front Camera and Bottom Camera ..................................................................10
2.2.3 Receiver Ports ..................................................................................................11
2.3 Batteries and Power ...................................................................................................12
2.3.1 Built-in batteries ..............................................................................................12
2.3.2 Charging the Battery ........................................................................................12
2.3.3 Battery Safe .....................................................................................................12
2.3.4 External Power Supply .....................................................................................13
2.4 Product Basic Supply Accessories ...............................................................................13
2.4.1 Rover Kit Basic Supply......................................................................................13
2.5 Connecting to an Office Computer .............................................................................14
2.6 Connecting to a Controller .........................................................................................14
2.6.1 Connecting via Wi-Fi with eField Software ......................................................14
2.6.2 Connecting via Bluetooth with eField Software ..............................................16
2.7 Downloading Logged Data ..........................................................................................18
2.7.1 FTP Download ..................................................................................................18
2.7.2 Web Server Download .....................................................................................21
2.7.3 USB Download .................................................................................................21
3 Equipment Setup and Operation .................................................................................. 23
Preface
Copyright
Copyright 2023
EFIX | EFIX Geomatics Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. The EFIX is trademark of EFIX Geomatics
Co., Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Trademarks
All product and brand names mentioned in this publication are trademarks of their respective
holders.
Safety Warnings
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) comprises several distinct satellite
constellations, each of which is under the jurisdiction of a specific government entity. These
entities bear the sole responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of their respective systems and
for maintaining the integrity of their satellite networks.
Do not rely solely on the device for critical navigation decisions. The GNSS signals may be
affected by atmospheric conditions, satellite availability, signal blockage, etc.
Be aware of the limitations of GNSS accuracy. It provides positioning information with a certain
level of accuracy, but errors (including manual error) and deviations can occur.
Avoid prolonged exposure to strong magnetic fields, as they may interfere with the operation
of the device and affect its accuracy.
Do not dismantle or modify the device. Any unauthorized modification may result in
malfunction or damage and void the warranty.
Follow all instructions provided in the user manual for proper handling, charging, and
maintenance.
1 Introduction
An absence of specific alerts does not mean that there are no safety risks involved.
A Warning or Caution information is intended to minimize the risk of personal injury and/or
damage to the equipment.
CAUTION - A Caution alerts you to a possible risk of serious injury to your person
and/or damage to the equipment.
The receivers contain a built-in wireless modem for signal communication through Bluetooth®
wireless technology or through external communication datalink. Regulations regarding the
use of the wireless modem vary greatly from country to country. In some countries, the unit
can be used without obtaining an end-user license. However, in some countries, the
administrative permissions are required. For license information, consult your local dealer.
Bluetooth® operates in license-free bands.
Before operating a F8 GNSS receiver, determine if authorization or a license to operate the unit
is required in your country. It is the responsibility of the end-user to obtain an operator's
permit or license for the receiver for the location or country of use.
This receiver is designed to withstand the rough environment that typically occurs in the field.
However, the receiver is high-precision electronic equipment and should be treated with
reasonable care.
CAUTION - Operating or storing the receiver outside the specified temperature range
will cause irreversible damage.
If you have a problem and cannot find the information you need in this manual or EFIX website
(www.efix-geo.com), contact your local EFIX dealer from which you purchased the receiver(s).
If you need to contact EFIX technical support, please contact us by email (support@ efix-
geo.com) or Skype ([email protected]).
1.4 Disclaimer
Before using the receiver, please make sure that you have read and understood this User Guide,
as well as the safety information. EFIX holds no responsibility for the wrong operation by users
and for the losses incurred by the wrong understanding about this User Guide. However, EFIX
reserves the rights to update and optimize the contents in this guide regularly. Please contact
your local EFIX dealer for new information.
Your feedback about this user guide will help us to improve it in future revision. Please email
your comments to support@ efix-geo.com.
The new F8 GNSS receiver offers integrated IMU-RTK technology to provide a robust and
accurate GNSS positioning in any circumstances. Unlike the standard MEMS based GNSS
receivers, the F8 GNSS IMU-RTK combines state-of-the-art GNSS RTK engine, calibration-free
professional IMU sensor and advanced GNSS tracking capabilities. Survey projects are
achieved with high productivity and reliability pushing the boundaries of conventional GNSS
RTK survey.
The receiver can be used as the part of an RTK GNSS system with EFIX eField software.
Moreover, user can download the GNSS data that recorded in the internal memory of receiver
to a computer.
To configure the receiver for performing a wide variety of functions, you can use the web
interface by connecting the receiver with PC or smartphone through Wi-Fi.
The operating control is located on the front panel. The main camera is located on the rear
panel. The bottom camera, serial ports and connectors are located on the bottom of the unit.
The following figure shows a front view of the receiver. The front panel contains one Power
LED Button.
Front panel
Name Description
The following two figures show the rear view and bottom view of the receiver:
Front Camera
Bottom Camera
Name Description
Front Camera
⚫ Used for vision survey and vision stakeout image
acquisition.
Bottom Camera
⚫ Used for vision stakeout image acquisition.
The bottom panel contains USB communication and power in port ,TNC radio antenna
connector,5/8-11 threaded insert and Bottom Camera.
Bottom Camera
5/8-11 threaded
insert
The receiver has two built-in 4900 mAh rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries.
The rechargeable Lithium-ion battery is supplied partially charged. Charge the battery
completely before using it for the first time. Charge via USB Type-C port.
WARNING – Charge and use the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery only in strict
accordance with the instructions. Charging or using the battery in unauthorized
equipment can cause an explosion or fire and can result in personal injury and/or
equipment damage.
Provide the external power to the receiver by the USB Type-C Cable + Power Adapter.
The Power Adapter is connecting with AC power of 100-240V, the output port of the Power
Adapter connects with the USB Type-C Cable.
Item Picture
F8 GNSS Receiver
Tribrach adaptor
Power Adapter.
The receiver can be connected to an office computer via a eField USB Type-C. Before you
connect to the office computer, ensure that the receiver is powered on.
The following figure shows how to connect to the computer for serial data transfer or settings:
USB Type-C
Turn on the controller → run eField→ go to Config main menu → tap Connect.
In the Connect screen, select EFIX for the Brand field, F8 for Device Type field, WIFI for
Connection Type field.
Tap the Click to select WI-FI to select the hot spot → Switch on the WiFi module by the top
switch →Tap Pair new device →select the target device in the list → Tap back button → select
the target device in the WIFI target list→ Tap the Connect button to build the connection.
Tip –Tap Connect to link to the hot spot. If the first-time connection to this hot spot, user may
type in the password. The Wi-Fi key of the receiver is 12345678 by default.
Turn on the controller → run eField → go to Config main menu → tap Connect.
In the Connect screen, select EFIX for the Brand field, F8 for Device Type field, Bluetooth for
Connection Type field.
Tap the Search to search Bluetooth device around → Switch on the Bluetooth module by the
top switch → Tap Pair new device → select the target device in the list → Tap back button →
select the target device in the Bluetooth target list → Tap the Connect button to build the
connection.
Data logging involves the collection of GNSS measurement data over a period at a static point
or points, and subsequent post-processing of the information to accurately compute baseline
information. Data logging using receivers requires access to suitable GNSS post-processing
software such as the eOffice Software.
(1) Switch on the receiver, search its Wi-Fi in the computer and connect.
(2) After the successful connection, open the file manager in the computer and input
“ftp:\\192.168.1.1” in the address box.
(3) Input user name and password, the default user name and password are “ftp”.
(4) Double click the folder “repo_receiver SN” (take 3225804 as example), you will see 9
folders. The “push_log” folder is used to save the log files, and the other 8 folders represent
different logging sessions and are used for store static data.
(5) Double click the folder that you have configured to store the static data, you will see the
folder(s) created by the F8 system automatically and named by the date which is decide by
GPS time when you start to log data.
(6) Select the destination folder and double click it, two folders named as different data
format (ecn and rinex) will be displayed.
Notes: For ecn files, the name of the file is represented as XXXXXXDDDNN, where XXXXXX is
the SN of the receiver, DDD is day of year, and NN is the recording session.
WARNING – The static data will be saved in the first logging session, the “record_1”
folder, by default. Old files will be deleted if the storage space is full. If you configure not to
auto delete old files when the memory is low, the receiver will stop data logging.
The procedures of downloading logged data through web server refer to 5.4.4 Data
Download Submenu.
(2) Double click the removable disk and you will see the folder named as “repo”.
(3) Double click this folder, you will see 9 folders. The “push_log” folder is used to save the
log files, and the other 8 folders represent different logging session and are used for store
static data.
(4) Double click the folder that you have configured to store the static data, you will see the
folder(s) created by the F8 system automatically and named by the date which is decide by
GPS time when you start to log data.
(5) Select the destination folder and double click it, and then two folders named as different
data format (ecn and rinex) will be displayed.
(6) Select the data format that you have configured to save the static data, you will find the
static raw data.
Tip – For ecn files, the name of the file is represented as XXXXXXDDDNN, where XXXXXX is the
SN of the receiver, DDD is day of year, and NN is the recording session.
WARNING – The static data will be saved in the first logging session, the “record_1”
folder, by default. Old files will be deleted if the storage space is full. If you configure not to
auto delete old files when the memory is low, the receiver will stop data logging.
For good performance, the following base station setup guidelines are recommended:
Components:
c d
No. Name
a F8 GNSS receiver
c Tribrach adaptor
d Tribrach w/ Opti
e Aluminum tripod
Steps:
(1) Put tripod in the target position, center and level it roughly.
(2) Place and lock the tribrach in the tripod.
For good performance, the following rover station setup guidelines are recommended:
Components
No. Name
a F8 GNSS receiver
b UHF whip antenna
c 2M range pole w/bag
Steps:
(4) Enter the Name and Antenna, then tap point will be collected and store to
Points automatically.
(5) When this icon appears, the text will show “*IMU is invalid. Need to
reinitialize it.” at the top of interface.
1. At the beginning of initialization, the pole height of the instrument should be the same as
that antenna height in the software.
3. The controller will prompt “Tilt is not available, please measure in alignment” when the
receiver is stationary over 30 seconds or the pole hit the ground toughly.
(1) Open eField-> Tap Stakeout-> Tap Point stakeout(Here take point stakeout as
an example, currently also supports Line stakeout, Cad stakeout)
(2) Tap points, select a stakeout point, slide right and tap stakeout
(3) Check whether the height of the antenna is consistent with the height of the 2M
Range Pole w/ Bag
(4) Tap AR, the software will prompt you to activate tilt measurement
(7) If the distance to the target is less than 10.0m meters, it will automatically switch
to Vision Stakeout. (with Front Camera)
(8) If the distance to the target is less than 10.0m meters, it will automatically switch
to Vision Stakeout. (with Bottom Camera)
(9) After we are within 1cm from the target point, we can click the measurement
icon to collect
Note:
When the stakeout target point has a height, it is necessary to input the
height of the target point as 0 or the actual height
(2) Click the red dot, the software will prompt you to activate tilt measurement.
Note:
(3) After the initialization is successful, you can see the image captured by the front
camera of the receiver on the screen of the controller.
(5) Aim the camera of the receiver at the target to be tested, click the video
recording icon, and there will be three seconds of preparation time.
(6) In three seconds, the video recording will begin. While circling around the target
point, capture footage of the object being tested.
(Note:
Maintain a constant speed while filming, and the video must not be less than 5
seconds long. The horizontal (walking direction) distance must be greater than 4 meters, and
the vertical (target direction) distance must be greater than 2 meters. It is best to ensure
that the vertical distance is within 15 meters.)
(7) After finishing the shooting, click on the icon to end the recording and confirm
the data processing. The software will automatically process the data.
(Note:
local calculation is slower, with approximately 1 minute of calculation time for
every 10 seconds of data, and about 5 minutes for every 60 seconds of data.)
(8) After the calculation is completed, select the photo where the target point is
located, zoom in/out the photo, and capture the corresponding point (preferably
the image facing the target being tested).
(9) After moving the target point to the arrow and clicking ‘Select’, the latitude,
longitude, and plane coordinates of the point will be displayed below. The 2D
quality represents the accuracy of the target point calculation.
Capturing the same location on multiple photos will improve the accuracy of the
target point, and the 2D value will gradually decrease.
(10)When the accuracy meets the requirements, click ‘Save’ and enter a name for
the point to save the target point in the point management system. After saving,
you can click on the point library to enter the point management to view the
coordinates that were just saved. If other points are needed, continue to select
and save the data.
(11)Post-calculation can also be performed, and the image library can be opened in
the office for post-calculation.
3.4.1.3 3D Modeling
(3) Click the red dot, the software will prompt you to activate tilt measurement
(Note:
modify the height of the antenna to be the same as the height of the 2M Range Pole
w/ Bag before initialization.
At present, the non-inductive inertial navigation is used, and the initialization can be
completed by simply shaking it or walking around; after the initialization is completed, try to
walk about 5m so Initialization remains stable.)
(4) After the initialization is successful, you can see the image captured by the front
camera of the receiver on the screen of the controller
Note:
Please maintain a steady speed while filming, with a minimum video length of
5 seconds. The route of travel may follow the example, and it is recommended to
film from various heights, angles, and distances to capture the test target.
If the target is single-sided, it is recommended to take a direct shot. If the
target is a building panorama, it is recommended to take a panoramic shot, with the
camera angled at a certain degree (30°-45°) from the target.
See the diagram below for reference:
(9) Data export: Open the "File" section in the controller to find the captured image
data in the following file path: "Efield\EF_Projects\ProjectFolder\ImageTask\Task
Folder".
The "images" folder under the current folder contains the captured photos, while
the "camera.txt" file is the camera parameter file. When exporting data, both of
these data files need to be copied and pasted onto the computer.
1. At the beginning of initialization, the pole height of the instrument should be the same as
that antenna height in the software.
2. In the process of tilt measurement, if the controller shows that “Tilt is not available, please
measure in alignment” (red), please shake RTK slightly from left to right or back to front until
the reminder disappears.
3. The controller will prompt “Tilt is not available, please measure in alignment” when the
receiver is stationary over 30 seconds or the pole hit the ground toughly.
Supported browsers:
• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Internet Explorer○R version 10, or higher
4. The web browser prompts you to enter a login account and password:
Note – Tick remember me option, and then the browser will remember the Login Account and
Password you entered.
This web page shows the configuration menus on the left of the browser window, and the
setting on the right. Each configuration menu contains the related Submenus to configure the
receiver and monitor receiver performance.
To view the web page in another language, select the corresponding language name from the
dropdown list on the upper right corner of the web page.
This menu provides a quick link to review the receiver's position information, satellites tracked,
runtime, current data log status, current outputs, available memory, and more.
This page shows the relevant position information about the receiver's position solution which
including the position, DOP values, satellites used and tracked, and the receiver clock
information.
Lists several important items to help you understand how the receiver is being used and its
current operating condition. Items include the identities of currently tracked satellites, internal
and external storage usage rate, how long the receiver has been operational, state of the
internal battery, power source state. With this information, it is easy to tell exactly what
functions the receiver is performing:
Tap this submenu to show the location of the receiver on Google map.
Use the Satellites menu to view satellite tracking details and enable/disable GPS, GLONASS,
BDS and Galileo constellations. These menus include tabular and graphical displays to provide
all required information on satellite tracking status.
Provides the status of satellites tracked in general, such as the satellite ID, satellite type,
attitude angle, azimuth angle, L1 SNR, L2 SNR, L5 SNR and enable/disable status of each one.
The following figure is an example of satellite track diagram page. Users can determine the
satellite types and the corresponding SNR of L-band carriers to be displayed in any
combination.
Use this menu to configure settings such as the antenna type and height, elevation mask and
PDOP setting, the reference station coordinates, receiver resetting and web interface language:
4.3.1 Description
This submenu shows the receiver information and reference station information, including
antenna related information, elevation mask angle, reference station work mode and position,
etc.
Use this screen to configure all the items related to the GNSS antenna. You must enter the
correct values for all antenna-related fields, because the choices you make affect the accuracy
for logged data and broadcast correction data significantly:
Use this screen to configure settings such as the station coordinates and the broadcast station
identifiers. You must enter accurate information in these fields, as this data affects the
accuracy of logged data files and broadcast correction data significantly:
a) Auto Rover: The receiver will serve as a rover after this mode is enabled, and then
receive correction data through the working mode set last time.
b) Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer, and click next
c) Then there will appear a hardware type list. In the list, select Network adapters.
d) Then find Microsoft in the Manufacturer list, and select Remote NDIS based Internet
Sharing Device in the model list.
e) Connect Connect and config it as APIS base, use local APIS address. Then click
Confirm to set.
f) After send correction data to APIS server successfully, the RTK Client option will
become green background.
g) Then set rover as APIS rover, and it will get fix solution.
Use the Data Logging menu to set up the receiver to log static GNSS data and to view the
logging settings. You can configure settings such as observable rate, recording rate, continuous
logging limit, and whether to auto delete old files when memory is low. This menu also
provides the controls for the FTP push feature:
Here shows the data logging status, including internal and external storage usage and data
logging status of each session. Also, users can configure the data logging settings for each
session, including recording name, store location, storage limit, store formats, start time, etc.
To edit the settings of each session, click the Modify button to the right of the required session,
and then the Recording Edit screen appears:
In this screen, you can configure all the data logging parameters, and determine whether the
recording files will be affected by the FTP Push. The parameters are mainly as follows:
Tap button to save the settings and back to the Log Settings screen. Also, users can
click to abandon the changed settings and back to Log Settings screen.
Note – To modify data logging parameters, make sure the data logging session is switched off.
To switch on or off ANY data logging session, tap the ON or OFF button on the right of the
required session.
To delete the recorded files of ANY data logging session, tap the Clear button on the right of
the required session.
To delete the recorded files of ALL data logging sessions, tap the Clear ALL Accounts button.
Use this screen to configure the receiver to push stored files to the FTP server of your choice.
Only files that are configured to use FTP push are transmitted.
Tap Modify button on the right of the required FTP server and the FTP Push Settings screen
appears:
Shows the related information about the recorded filed that be pushed. And users can tap
Clear Ftp Send Log button in the upper right corner to clear the log of FTP Push operations.
In this submenu, users can download the data files that recorded in the internal storage
through the internal FTP site.
1. Click this submenu, and then the log on dialogue box will prompt you to enter a user
name and password:
The default logon account for the internal FTP site is:
➢ User name: ftp
➢ Password: ftp
2. Click the directory named as “repo” to view and download the files currently stored
on the receiver:
3. To find the file need to be downloaded, click the name of data logging session → the
date of file that be recorded → the format of the file → the name of the target file.
4. To download a file, left-click the name of the target file → download the file according
to the prompts.
Use the IO Settings menu to set up all receiver outputs and inputs. The receiver can output
CMR, RTCM, Raw data, Ephemeris data, GPGGA, GPGSV, on TCP/IP, UDP, serial port, or
Bluetooth ports.
The following figure shows an example of the screen that appears when you select this
submenu. (serial port setting is reserved menu)
In this submenu, users can configure 6 types of input and output settings.
1. RTK Client
After configuring the settings of RTK client, users can log on CORS or APIS. Tap the Connect
button to the right → the IO Settings screen will appear → choose one of the connection
protocols among the NTRIP, APIS_BASE, APIS_ROVER and TCP → configure the related
parameters → click to log on CORS or APIS.
2. TCP/UDP_Client/NTRIP Server
Tap the Connect button on the right of required TCP/UDP Client → the IO Settings screen will
appear → select the connection protocol from TCP, UDP,NTRIP1.0 and NTRIP2.0 → enter the
IP and Port of the target server → configure messages that you want to output to the target
server → click to save and complete the connection.
Tap the Connect button to the right of required TCP Server/NTRIP Caster→ the IO Settings
screen will appear → select one of the connection protocols between NTRIP and TCP →
configure the other related parameters → click to save the settings and open the
server.
4. Bluetooth
Tap the Settings button to the right of Bluetooth → the Bluetooth Set screen will appear →
configure the messages that you want to transmit through Bluetooth → click to
save the settings and start to transmit.
Use this menu to check module information, configure WiFi, bluetooth, radio related settings.
Use this submenu to check the information of WiFi module, bluetooth module and radio
module.
Use this submenu to turn on/off WiFi function and modify password.
Use this submenu to turn on/off bluetooth function and modify PIN number.
Use this submenu to turn on/off radio function and configure radio parameters.
Use this menu to check the current firmware information, download the system log, update
the receiver firmware, download or update the configuration file and register the receiver, and
more:
Use this submenu to check the current firmware information. The following figure shows an
example of the firmware information.
Use this submenu to check the hardware information, including main board version and core
board version:
Use this submenu to download the user log. Tap Download to download current user log; Tick
items that you want to see on the user log and tap confirm button to confirm selected user
log.
Use this submenu to load new firmware to the receiver across the network. Tap the Browse
button to locate the upgrade file → tap Confirm button to confirm the selected upgrading file
and start upgrading.
Notes
• It may take about 3 or 4 minutes to complete the firmware upgrading. Do not touch
the power button or unplug the power until the upgrading process finishes, or damage
will be caused to the receiver.
• The receiver will restart after the firmware upgrading is done, so users need to
reconnect the receiver with your computer via Wi-Fi, and then log-in the receiver
through a web browser to continue the configuration.
Use this submenu to upgrade GNSS Board. Use this submenu to load new board to the receiver
across the network. Tap the Browse button to locate the upgrade file → tap Confirm button
to confirm the selected upgrading file and start upgrading.
Use this submenu to register the receiver. Paste or enter the registration code to the
Registration Code field → tap Registration button to complete the registration.
Skype: [email protected]
Website: www.efix-geo.com