After many hair-pulling exercises, I'm about ready to admit defeat in adding custom antenna models to Trimble Business Center. I've edited files and modified the Windows registry, but nothing I've done has enabled my TBC install to see the custom models. I don't know what kind of magic the Trimble Configuration Utility works, but it appears to be the only viable method of updating the antenna models available in TBC.
The problem for me is that the last update is dated May 8, and the new Javad antennas aren't included. (I'll leave the old Ashtech PM2 antenna for another day.)
I'm not under a current maintenance contract, so Trimble Support doesn't want to talk to me. If anyone who has Trimble's ear would care to hammer on them to update the config utility to reflect the current NGS absolute antex models, I'd be grateful.
I can verify same ending in SPSO (Spectra Precision Survey Office). I had assumed that this was a difference between SPSO and TBC. Perhaps not.
For the two or three jobs that I have needed it, I have just done the offsets by hand. Of course, I have trouble remembering to add or subtract. So I run a known ant against the unknown ant on a level init bar, then I can check empirically.
I even tried to hotwire the antenna calibration file, but no joy. After some wait, SPSO update included the antenna that I needed as it propagated from the IGS table at http://igscb.jpl.nasa.gov/igscb/station/general/rcvr_ant.tab
I noticed these new antennas:
| 21 MAR 2014 Added JAVAD TRE_3, JAVAD TRE_3 DELTA, JAV_GRANT-G3T+G, |
| JAV_TRIUMPH-1R, JAVGRANT_G3, JAVGRANT_G3+GP, JAVGRANT_G3TJ, |
| JAVGRANT_G3TJ+G, JAVGRANT_G5T, JAVGRANT_G5T+GP, JAVRINGANT_G5T,|
| JAVAD TRIUMPH2, JAVTRIUMPH_2, JAVTRIUMPH_2A |
in the IGS file. But I don't know if you can update the antenna files without a current subscription.
M
In Business Center in the Project Settings you have the option to use the Trimble antenna definitions, the IGS definitions, or the NGS definitions. Here are the files that contain all the data:
That folder is at C:Program DataTrimbleIGSConfig. I haven't tried updating or editing any of these files but this should at least point you in the right direction.
I downloaded the latest ngs_antennas.atx, which does contain the CHC X90D-OPUS antenna. However, when I run TBC (2.81), I do not get that antenna in the list. CHC is not listed as a manufacturer, although CHS is listed. But, CHS is not in the antenna file, nor is it in the antennas.xml file, nor in any file in the program datatrimbleigsconfig directory. There is no other .atx file anywhere on my computer. So, where is TBC getting this info from?
MAYBE it has to do with my version of TBC? I have tried to get the update with no success, which is VERY frustrating.
John I'm afraid I can't help you with 2.81; I'm running 3.21. Depending on whether you have a license and if so what your warranty date is, you might be able to move to a 64-bit version. The last version that will do much of anything without a license is 3.03 (or 2.93 on 32-bit).
It has been an ongoing issue with getting updates, going back about 10 years or so, I am always willing to pay to be on software, firmware, and hardware maintenance plans, but my dealer has always been lacking in that department. They forget to bill us, forget to renew, etc.
I did have a 3.something installed at one time, but it caused problems with my computer so I went back to 2.81. I then had 3.21 running for 30 days with no key required, because apparently I need a new key. So, I am trying to get that straightened out.
I am going to add HITARGET V90 antenna and receiver specifications to TBC .
Can anyone help me ?
thank you
I gave up on trying to add antennas manually.?ÿ I see that the HITV90 is on the NGS list, but it doesn't show up in TBC, and I updated the antenna list last month.?ÿ It looks like Trimble didn't include it in the February update.?ÿ If you're on a maintenance contract you can try asking Trimble support to get it added.
Good luck!
You should be able to download the latest atx files from NGS, using TBC 5.0 they reside in ProgramDataTrimbleIGSConfig. You would want to go to the Project Settings and under Baseline Processing > General change the antenna selection from Automatic to the NGS Relative or NGS Absolute. My NGS atx files were last updated 2/11/19, probably the last time I installed a patch.
Unless Trimble has changed its methods in TBC after v3.61 (my version), I don't think that refreshing the ANTEX file is enough to add an antenna. I spent a lot of time with this in '15 or so before I gave up.
It is long past time for Trimble to admit they have a hodgepodge mess that needs to be dumped. If they were convinced to go with IGS08 or IGS14, it would solve problems that lots of surveyors don't even know they have. Especially the R8 series but even the new Zephyr 3 Geodetic has problems.
James
Why us it called Trimble Business Center? Sounds like some sort of management software.
Because it makes Trimble Inc. a lot of money, and making money is the reason Trimble is in business.
it seems there is no solution until Trimble support wake up and update antenna file !
Large companies are not run by people who themselves know how to make goods or provide services. They are run by people focused on making money, and who find surveyors, engineers, equipment operators, doctors, chefs, etc to be an inconvenience necessary for their goals.
Trimble equipment and software is a lot less annoying than the other big company based in Switzerland. The Swiss hardware is wonderful, unbeatable but the Swiss engineer's idea of software is very bad.
In Switzerland in order to measure an H.I. you have to get down on your hands and knees with their stupid H.I. tape, at least on their scanners. I told them years ago why don't you make it so I can use any tape standing up measuring to the bottom edge of the machine? That simple idea is too mind blowing for them I guess. This is how it's been done in GPS and Trimble S series total station for over a decade.
If you don't want to use the very inconveniently placed little screen on the scanner then the common solution is to connect to it via wifi with an iPad running a third party app called RDP. Well the latest version of RDP won't connect to the scanner and iOS doesn't allow you to backup a version. So at a 100k plus to get a scanner and software Leica can't be bothered to make a decent interface for the field user. At least Trimble's (expensive) equipment is reasonably useable in the field.
But yeah, any big company is going to focus on making their current equipment work in their current software and then sell subscriptions even for hardware maintenance. That's how we do it but admittedly I'm not paying those bills.
It would be great if there was an independent GNSS processor available where you could easily add any antenna. GNSS Solutions had a simple antenna function where you could manually add an antenna. I wouldn't expect that Trimble or Leica would be interested in doing that.
The only option is to modify the "Antennas.xml" file. Has someone been able to do it?
I was able to do it several years ago (July 2015). I actually wrote an installer to place four files in the .../Common Files/Trimble/CustomConfig folder. Then you need to make a registry entry to prime the custom antenna file's use.
You can find details here: https://x90gps.com/out/ApplicatonNotes/SPSO_TBC_AntennaFile/index.htm
With the PDF instructions, the installer and the files for the X90D-OPUS antennas. I believe that it will be enough to get you going.
If you wait long enough, the NGS and IGS files will eventually propagate into TBC/SPSO.
When i cracked the code, I can remember wondering why it is so difficult and having some concerns if the Absolute vs. Relative antenna models were treated properly. But, not my business or responsibility.
Hello Mark, good morning.
I followed the instructions in your tutorial, customized my antenna files with the .ini - .ngs extension, introduced the .jpg file and performed the operation to add the registry key. The program already recognizes the antenna, but the baseline process fails. I suppose it is due to the structure of the files, so I upload them with the hope that you will review them and you can guide me in the resolution of the problem.
Brotherly hug.
https://mega.nz/folder/gAkSjBbT#ew92OJeS8kbzohtMV2Vvtg
?ÿ
