Hello, I have a used TopCon 5b total station and I'd like to use a cellphone to communicate with it.?ÿ My idea is to make a cable to connect with the cell phone and either buy or create an app that will download the points from the total station.?ÿ My problem is trying to understand how the TS communicates and what protocol it uses to communicate.?ÿ?ÿ
If anyone has suggestions, I'd surely appreciate it.?ÿ ?ÿ
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An HP 48 with TDS or SMI communicated easily with a Topcon 5B or 5C because I had borrowed one of each years ago while my total station was undergoing repair. It is my understanding TDS or SMI will work in an HP 48 mode in newer cellphones. Some 5Bs used a standard Topcon cable, but early ones had a different connector.
Depending on how much work you want to do it is quick and simple to use TDS or SMI in manual mode.
Paul in PA
Many years ago talked a Topcon instrument tech into giving me a copy of the GTS-300 Series Interface Manual.?ÿ I never did implement the project I had in mind, but I just dug up the manual and scanned it.?ÿ You might find it useful.
Topcon instruments of that vintage has unalterable communication protocols for for data collectors of the following:
Baud rate: 1,200
Parity: Even
Stop Bits: 1
I do not know if that is sufficient to overcome whatever obstacles exist to your project, but those parameters are a must.
Early 5Bs sent the data through the power port. I never used one of those, but did use a later 5B with a power and data port, which I know met the Topcon standards for practically every instrument.
Paul in PA
