Hallo everybody,
I bought a Topcon GTS 3B second hand. As an experiment I connected it to my computer through the COM-port. I found out how to read the serial data, but the GTS 3B expects a string (handshake) from the FC1 telling it that he recieved the point. If not, the GTS 3B continues to send the information about the measured point.
I would like to know what the handshake looks like.
Is there anyone who has an FC1 or FC2 that can send the following Strings and send me the response of the data reciever:
U + 0 0 0 0 2 9 6 4 - 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 - 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 m + 3 9 7 8 2 4 0 g 1 0 2
< 1 0 4 3 9 6 0 + 3 9 8 7 0 0 0 + 0 1 1 5 g 0 8 2
and
< 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 5 g 0 8 9 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 5 g 0 8 9 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 5 g 0 8 9 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 5 g 0 8 9 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 5 g 0 8 9 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 5 g 0 8 9 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 5 g 0 8 9 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 0 g 0 9 2 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 0 g 0 9 2 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 0 g 0 9 2 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0 + 3 9 8 6 9 8 0 + 0 0 9 0 g 0 9 2 < 1 0 4 3 9 4 0
C
Settings:
Baudrate: 1200
Databits: 7
Parity: even
Stop bits: 1
Flow control: xon/xoff
Thank you very much.
Greetings,
Jan
I bet John Evers (creator the DC50 data collector) can answer your question right off the top of his head. He's in Ohio. If you can't find his contact info, send me email (jhframe [at] dcn [dot] org) and I'll put you in touch with him.
Have used my HP 48/SMI with a 3B, 3C, 301, 225, 3001 and a couple of other numbers all with the same setting. Look in an SMI or TDS manual.
Paul in PA
As an experiment I connected it to my computer through the COM-port. I found out how to read the serial data, but the GTS 3B expects a string (handshake) from the FC1 telling it that he recieved the point. If not, the GTS 3B continues to send the information about the measured point.
>
Jan:
Did you connect the GTS 3B or the FC1 to the computer. If the FC1, what did you use for a connector/cable, either from the FC-1 to the computer or to the Instrument? Did you ever figure out how to make it work?
Hey rfc,
I connected my Total station to my PC, I do not have a fc-1. I was able to read out the serial output. But did not succeed in communicating with the total station.
Kind regards,
Jan
Topcon interface documents
I happen to have a few interface documents for Topcon total stations from the early 1990s, specifically the Topcon ET-1, Topcon ET-2, various iterations of the Topcon GTS-3, and the Topcon GTS-4. It seems like the interface used with the Topcon GTS-4 was used for many later instruments as well, but I dunno.
These documents include BASIC programs for interfacing the various Topcon instruments to the Sharp PC-1600 and similar devices, but should provide the information a savvy DIYer could use to connect to any device with a serial port.
These documents are dated March and April 1993 and most are simply TXT files. One is a MS-Word-for-DOS Ver 5 file that I converted to recent MS Word formats.
If you could use these documents, drop me an email via the hyperlink by my name. My reply will send as an attachment a zipped archive containing these files. Make sure to put "Topcon interface documents" in the subject line so I do not discard as spam. The zipped file is less than 90 kB so should easily get through email servers.
For the older instruments without a six-pin Hirose receptacle the instructions refer to something called a Topcon RS-1 RS-232C Interface Adapter. The February 1990 Topcon price list includes the Topcon RS-1A RS-232C Interface Adapter at $300.00 each. I believe others also made work-alike devices back in the day. I cannot offer any suggestions as to where one would find such a device today.
If you get things working, post back and share what you learned.
GB
Topcon interface documents
Hello GB,
I have a GTS-3B with 6-pin connection. The files you have would probably make things a lot clearer to me.
Off course I will post the result of my experimenting on this forum.
Kind regards,
Jan
Topcon interface documents
Hi Jan:
Not sure what you have and don't have, but I recently came across the entire FC-1 manual as well as the Interface manual for it...It's got the complete data structure for the unit. Let me know if this might be of use to you; I can pdf it and email it.
On the other side, I don't have any power/charging cables for the FC-1, so am still looking for something that will work.
Topcon interface documents
Hi rfc, Glenn, Jan & list members,
rfc, I would be most interested in the manual for the FC-1 as I have recently purchased one (with no cables) to interface to an older TC-1 with the coaxial (DC plug pack style) connector. Of course I will post the results of success or otherwise.
Glenn, I am also most interested in any interface documents or information as maybe a arduino nano may act as a translator to smooth the way for direct PC connection.
Generally, The other question I have that members of the forum may be able to assist with is with sourcing the topcon software that was used to talk to between a PC the FC-1. Was it anything special in the way it talked with the FC-1
I will be most happy to share my progress/exploits on this forum.
This is my first post, so I hope I have not offended anybody. My apologies if I have.
Kind Regards,
Gary.
I just picked up a GTS-3B and I would like to connect it to my computer.
I have tried Topcon Link but it does not list the GTS-3B as a supported device.
I would appreciate and documents that describe the RS-232 interface.
I do have the official cable but my PC sees nothing when I try to
transfer data.
Thanks,
Pete.
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