Ashtech Introduces ProMark 500 V4.0 GNSS Receiver

January 21, 2010

Ashtech (formerly Magellan Professional) has released the ProMark 500 V4.0 GNSS receiver for high-performance real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying.

New features of the release include:

Faster signal acquisition and improved tracking capability
Auto dial for easier connection to RTK networks and automatic reconnect to last mount point.
USB key plug and play product configuration.
RTC bridge to relay GSM/GPRS RTK network corrections to multiple rovers via license-free radios (see beow for more information about this feature)
U-Link TRx radio repeater support
Virtual antenna for improved equipment integration within a heterogeneous set of surveying equipment.
L2C signal support.
20 Hz RTK and data output option.
New Software upgrades available for the V4.0 release include:
FAST Survey field software upgrade.
GNSS Solutions office software upgrade that includes new geoids and new utilities.

Current users can fully benefit from these new features via a simple system upgrade. Like virtually all Ashtech firmware and software upgrades, the upgrade is free by visiting the Ashtech FTP site for new software downloads. Current Users can also contact their resellers about the upgrade.

Entry-Level. Ashtech has added an entry-level ProMark 500 configuration that delivers RTK capability for free within 3-km baselines. The new offering dramatically lowers the cost of the RTK rover or rover/base system for surveyors who are willing to acquire a state-of-the art GNSS survey equipment. The new entry-level price offer is equivalent to a 10 percent reduction versus the previous RTK rover pricing. “The newly available configuration not only provides lower-cost RTK, but it does so with a very reliable and future proof GNSS survey solution. With ProMark 500 V4, Ashtech expands access to high-quality GNSS surveying for land surveyors,” said Eric Moisset, land survey marketing manager.

Combined with the new ProMark 500, a license-free radio modem can be used to implement the new RTC Bridge function of the receiver. RTC Bridge is a real-time network corrections relay, which enables a network-connected rover to rebroadcast RTK corrections to multiple rovers via the license-free radio. This real-time correction bridge (RTC Bridge) enables a Survey company to have several rovers working in the same area with only one of them connected to the network (one subscription /single communication cost).