TCPGPS Android Manual-En
TCPGPS Android Manual-En
for Android
ver. 2.0 – 2020-09-30
www.aplitop.com
TcpGPS for Android
Index
Index ........................................................................................................................ 2
Index of Figures ........................................................................................................ 6
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 9
1.1 Installation ..........................................................................................................9
1.2 Demo license ..................................................................................................... 10
1.3 Full license ........................................................................................................ 11
1.4 Application data ................................................................................................ 11
3.4 Static................................................................................................................. 19
3.5 Terminal............................................................................................................ 19
3.6 GPS status ......................................................................................................... 20
5 Workspace ...................................................................................................... 27
5.1 Map menu......................................................................................................... 28
5.2 Status toolbar .................................................................................................... 28
9 Survey............................................................................................................. 46
9.1 Map surveying screen ........................................................................................ 46
9.2 Numerical surveying screen ............................................................................... 47
9.3 Point survey ...................................................................................................... 48
9.4 Continuous survey ............................................................................................. 48
9.5 Point code management .................................................................................... 51
9.6 Observation time............................................................................................... 53
9.7 Distances........................................................................................................... 54
9.8 Survey tools ...................................................................................................... 55
9.9.1. Line-line intersection .............................................................................................................. 56
9.9.2. Line-circle intersection ............................................................................................................ 56
9.9.3. Circle-circle intersection ......................................................................................................... 57
9.9.4. Distance and azimuth.............................................................................................................. 58
9.9.5. Two points and distance ......................................................................................................... 59
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Glossary ................................................................................................................. 98
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Index of Figures
Figure 1. License request ................................................................................................ 10
Figure 2. GNSS receiver connection assistant ................................................................ 12
Figure 3. GNSS receiver working mode assistant ........................................................... 12
Figure 4. Project configuration assistant ........................................................................ 12
Figure 5. Selection of the receiver .................................................................................. 15
Figure 6. Brand and model selection .............................................................................. 16
Figure 7. Search of a GNSS device .................................................................................. 16
Figure 8. Base configuration ........................................................................................... 18
Figure 9. Rover configuration ......................................................................................... 18
Figure 10. Static recording configuration ....................................................................... 19
Figure 11. Monitor of the messages received from the GNSS ....................................... 20
Figure 12. GPS status ...................................................................................................... 21
Figure 13. Satellites constellation .................................................................................. 21
Figure 14. Main menu..................................................................................................... 22
Figure 15. Project information screen ............................................................................ 23
Figure 16. Project creation ............................................................................................. 24
Figure 17. Coordinates system list ................................................................................. 25
Figure 18. Configuration of a new coordinates system ................................................. 25
Figure 19. Workspace ..................................................................................................... 27
Figure 20. Status toolbar ................................................................................................ 28
Figure 21. Configuration section .................................................................................... 32
Figure 22. Creation of a local system ............................................................................. 33
Figure 23. Dialog for edition of a control point .............................................................. 34
Figure 24. Transformation data ...................................................................................... 35
Figure 25. Layer manager ............................................................................................... 37
Figure 26. Editing the Base Map layer ............................................................................ 39
Figure 27. Street map ..................................................................................................... 40
Figure 28. Satellite map .................................................................................................. 40
Figure 29. Topographic map ........................................................................................... 40
Figure 30. Editing the Shape layer .................................................................................. 41
Figure 31. Editing the DXF, KML/KMZ or GML layers ..................................................... 43
Figure 32. Editing the Surface layer................................................................................ 44
Figure 33. Editing the WMS layer ................................................................................... 45
Figure 34. WMS service example ................................................................................... 45
Figure 35. Surveying map mode ..................................................................................... 46
Figure 36. Example of point with its basic data.............................................................. 46
Figure 37. Surveying numerical mode ............................................................................ 47
Figure 38. Dialog for setting up continuous surveying criteria ...................................... 49
Figure 39. Continuous surveying .................................................................................... 50
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1 Introduction
TcpGPS is an Android application (available both for mobile phones and tablets) that
allows the user to carry out field work on measurements of farms, roads, crops, etc., in
a simple way.
In addition, after carrying out the survey or importing a file of measured points, it is
possible to proceed to the staking out of these points, offering tools for quick and easy
location of these points on the ground.
Finally, the data obtained can be exported to a range of different formats (TXT, GML,
KML, etc.) and synchronized with Google Drive to make them instantly available on any
other platform.
TcpGPS app is available for any Android device with a version 6.0 or above, for both
smartphone and tablet. In this document the screenshots were taken in a smartphone
in order to show functionality independently.
1.1 Installation
Installing TcpGPS Android application requires a device with Android OS and Internet
connection. The recommended requirements are shown in the following table:
Feature Recommended
Android OS V6.0 or above
RAM 2GB
Connectivity Data connection
Bluetooth
Internal GPS
Sensors Magnetometer and accelerometer
GPU High performance
From Google Play Store you can find and install the application, named TcpGPS.
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The first time the application is started, the user will be required to fill the data
information fields for requesting a license. Two different license versions are available
for TcpGPS Android.
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• License agreement.
• User information associated to license.
• System and application information: version and device, list of sensors,
etcetera.
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2 Session wizard
When the application start-ups, it displays a wizard for configuring the GNSS receiver
and the project to be used in the working session.
Figure 2. GNSS receiver connection Figure 3. GNSS receiver working Figure 4. Project configuration
assistant mode assistant assistant
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• Base. GNSS base configuration for sending corrections to all GPS connected as
rover to that base.
• Static. It allows to configure the GNSS to start and stop a static measurement of
the current point.
• Constellations. It allows to select the constellations you want to use in your
measures.
Depending on the features and available resources of each GNSS model, these options
will be enabled or disabled.
Depending on the features and available resources of each GNSS model, these options
will be enabled or disabled.
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Once the settings have been established, you can start working by clicking on the button
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3 GPS connection
TcpGPS allows you to use two data sources: the device's internal GPS, if it has one, or an
external GPS connected via Bluetooth.
In GNSS receiver connection assistant screen or Device > Connection section are
available the needed options for selecting and configuring the different types of GPS
receivers:
• GNSS Internal Receiver: Use of the device’s internal GPS. Some new devices have
the possibility to use the NMEA format to manage locations. In that mode, the
device’s internal GPS and the NMEA format will be used. Additionally, a set of
models of different brands is available for connecting with these receivers that
needs an external application for receiving the GNSS data.
• GNSS External Receiver (Bluetooth): It allows to connect to GNSS receiver
through Bluetooth connection.
• GNSS Simulator Receiver: This mode uses a file of coordinates in WGS84 to
simulate the locations in the application.
Once the type of receiver is selected and the needed configuration is completed, the
communication will be established by pressing Connect. With Disconnect button the
application is disconnected from the current receiver.
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When this mode is selected, the options for connecting with the external device will be
shown. Brand and model must be selected using the spinners. The brands and models
in the list have a basic configuration that is sent from the application in order to make
easier to start working.
If a different configuration is needed or the model is not in the list, GENERIC option
allows to connect with any device that is configured previously.
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The application stores the information of the last GPS configured, but if no one was used
before, a GNSS can be found by pressing the button Device.
In this screen, Search button will start the searching of near Bluetooth devices. When
the ID (or the MAC if the receiver has no ID) is shown in the list, it could be selected.
Each supported brand and model have a set of specific forms where modifying these
parameters and send the configuration to the receiver.
Usually, GNSS receivers can be configured in two modes: base or rover, and each one
can establish different types of data links, depending on the capacities and hardware
available.
Firstly, the position where the base is located must be set. It can be introduced by two
ways:
• Getting the position for the receiver, by using the GPS button. This location will
be taken with the receiver in autonomous mode, what can be ideal when a local
system is going to be created, then the location of the base is not important, or
it will be placed in a different location in each session.
• Using a point from the current project. This option is only available once a
project is loaded.
• Typing the location manually. It allows to configure the base introducing the
values manually. The distance between the current location and the location
introduced must be less than 100 meters.
Next step is to choose the type of data link. When clicking Next, the screen for
configuring the data link will be displayed. This screen depends on the brand and model
of the receiver and the set of parameters will change. Check the technical notes available
in our website (https://www.aplitop.com/documentation-technical-notes) for detailed
information about the configuration of different GNSS brands and models.
1
In this section are described the common options to configure the GNSS. However, these options can
change, not to be available or to be needed additional parameters depending on the receiver.
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This option configures the rover receiver for getting RTK corrections via radio, GSM or GSM,
or DGPS corrections with SBAS u OMNISTAR (not all these configurations are available in
every receiver, even some receivers could offer other types of configurations).
Check the technical notes available in our website for detailed information about the
configuration of the different GNSS brands and models supported by the software
(https://www.aplitop.com/documentation-technical-notes).
3.4 Static
Some devices allow the user to record data in static mode, for postprocessing. In this
case, the option Static will be present in the menu.
After setting the parameters, the recording will be initialized by pressing Start button
and finished using Stop button.
3.5 Terminal
A terminal is available for advanced users who wants to know what the receiver is
sending, where is shown the frames and messages received. This terminal is accessed
from Device > Terminal or in the button in the GNSS receiver connection
assistant screen. This terminal has the following options for interacting:
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• Pause/Continue: The user can pause and continue receiving data into the
terminal. However, while the reception is paused, the messages received will be
discarded by the terminal.
• Record: Store the messages to a log file.
• Clean: Remove all the frames shown in terminal.
• Hex output: The messages are shown with hexadecimal values.
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• Information: On this screen you can consult the properties of the project (the
name, author, coordinate system, etc.). In addition, it is possible to change the
coordinate system, although this option is recommended to be used with
extreme caution since, when applied, only the points saved in the project will be
affected, not the cartographies or other elements added, so undesirable results
may be obtained in these cases.
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Once all the data has been entered, the project will be load and the application will be
entered in Survey mode.
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Clicking on the button displays a list of coordinate systems that have previously
been configured in the application in other projects (Figure 17).
Figure 17. Coordinates system list Figure 18. Configuration of a new coordinates system
When a new coordinate system is created, the continent and the country in which it will
be worked will be established, and then the coordinate systems, datum
transformations and available geoids (Figure 18) in that region will be listed in this
region:
• Coordinate systems: List of projected coordinate systems used in the selected
country.
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• Datum transformations: List of datum transformations for the area that has
been selected in the coordinate system.
• Geoids: List of geoids that can be used to calculate orthometric heights.
Clicking on the button creates the new coordinate system settings with the name
that was assigned to it.
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5 Workspace
Figure 19 shows an image of the workspace as presented at start-up. The following parts
are distinguished:
1. Map: The map is the main working element, since it is where the points and
information about them are displayed.
2. Map menu: Various options for working with the map are displayed in the map
menu, such as accessing the layers presented in the map, zoom extension, GPS
tracking, and map mode.
3. Working menu: Options for carrying out work regarding surveying, staking out,
points, etc. are displayed in this menu, depending on the section being accessed.
4. Application menu: Options to browse through the different sections of the
application are displayed in this menu, such as surveying, staking out, or project.
5. Status toolbar: Information regarding the GPS and Bluetooth status.
Additionally, fields for setting the number, code and antenna height of the
receiver are available.
6. Navigation controls: This menu has buttons to change the working mode in
those templates that are allowed, as well as additional options, also depending
on the template.
7. Data panel: This space is used for showing information and data needed in the
current working section.
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Each of these parts will be described below, and the information and elements that are
presented in will be shown in each section.
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2
It is not recommended to use the home, volume or power keys because they have a function into the
device. This option should be used if the device has extra keys that can be configured for other
purposes.
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Staking Out
Staking Out Mode Staking out mode used (north, movement, or most
recent point staked out)
Horizontal Tolerance Horizontal tolerance to take the point as having been
reached (in meters).
Augmented Reality
Text Size in AR Size of the text used for showing the id of the
points.
Distance for displaying texts This distance is used for displaying only the
texts of the points that are at this distance as
maximum.
Stick configuration The user can configure the length and the
color of the highlighted stick.
Application
Orientation Allows to choose the screen orientation (portrait or
landscape).
Sound Mode Switch between sounds or voice indications.
Minimum Observation Scale level from which the point data will be
Scale for Point Data displayed on the map.
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Activate log Allows the activation of the logger for generating log
files of the current session.
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7 Local system
In this section the user can create, apply or remove a local transformation by adding or
modifying control points. Available transformations are 2D/3D Displacement and
2D/3D Helmert. Appendix A. Transformations contains detailed information about
these transformations.
Figure 22 shows the main screen for creating a local system. It shows the map of the
area and the current GPS position. In addition, if points have been taken in surveying,
that are shown in the map to be selected as control points.
On the menu of this template are the buttons for the different options that allow the
insertion of control points, in addition to being able to select these directly on the map
if there are points previously taken. These are outlined below:
Import a file with points that could be used as origin of control points.
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Import a file with points that could be used as target of control points.
When manually insertion, point capture or map selection are used, a dialogue is
displayed to allow the user to edit the information of the control point. This dialogue
has options for typing the point coordinates, using the GPS position or selecting targets
from list containing previous imported points (Figure 23).
Once control points are selected, the numeric screen shows detailed information about
the transformation, the points used, leftovers and errors.
The user can display information about the points in the top spinner, where he can
select:
• Source points: The coordinates of these points will be used as origin coordinates.
• Target points: The coordinates of these points will be used as target coordinates.
• Leftovers: Show the differences between each origin and target point. Source
points and Target points are related by their number.
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The number of control points will enable one or several transformations that can be
selected in the spinner of the numeric screen.
The user can store the transformation by pressing the icon . A name for the file
will be requested and the transformation will be stored in a file with .ntr extension into
the project folder, allowing to be used in other projects.
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8 Layer management
In the TcpGPS maps (both when surveying and staking out) a division into layers is
carried out that are organized according to their nature (Figure 25).
The following types of layer store points, lines and polygons created when working.
These layers are associated to codes, and the same layer may be associated with
different codes, but always of the same type:
• Points Layers: These layers divide the set of work points into different subsets
separated by their code. When a new project is created, a layer of points is
automatically created that will contain all the points that do not have a code, or
the code has no layer associated.
• Lines Layers: These layers contain lines and polylines defined attending to the
lineal code associated. When a new project is created, a layer of lines is created
for those lines with no code or the code has no layer associated.
• Polygons Layers: These layers contain polygons defined attending to the
polygonal code associated. When a new project is created, a layer of polygons is
created for those polygons with no code or the code has no layer associated.
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The types of layer below contain base maps or cartographies, which will be used as
references, but also for other tasks as surface analysis:
• Base Map layer: This layer is created automatically when a new project is created
and is unique.
• DXF layer: This layer contains a DXF map imported from a .dxf file.
• DWG layer: This layer contains maps imported from .dwg files.
• Surface layer: This layer contains a 3D Surface built by DXF 3D faces or LandXML.
This layer is used in surface analysis (see Surface analysis).
• KML/KMZ layer: This layer contains a KML cartography. It also can be imported
from compressed format with .kmz extension.
• GML layer: This layer contains a GML cartography.
• Shape layer: This layer contains a SHAPE map imported from a .shp3 file.
• WMS layer: This layer allows a WMS service to be configured that will be
displayed on the map.
• Sort layers: You can change the order of one layer with respect to another using
• Add layer : Import a layer from a file or the cloud (Google Drive).
• Edit the layer : The settings window of the selected layer type is displayed.
• Display the layer : Enables or disables the display of the layer on the map.
• Basic point configuration : Set the style and basic information to display of
the points. The style will be applied only if the point has no code associated.
3
As well as the .shp extension, the associated .prj, .shx, and .dbf files must be present.
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Each layer has a selector at left side for setting the current active layer. This active layer
will be the reference for searching when clicking on the map. If you do not want to
establish a single active layer and you want to perform searches in general, the Free
Selection box must be activated.
Apart from ESRI maps, the user can configure his own base maps using WMTS services.
To do that the following options have been added:
• Import WMTS service: Allow to import a list of WMTS service from a file
containing pairs Name and Service URL.
• Add WMTS service: Allow to add a WMTS service manually.
• Edit WMTS service: Allow to modify the WMTS information.
• Delete WMTS service: Remove a WMTS service from the list.
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Figure 27. Street map Figure 28. Satellite map Figure 29. Topographic map
Shape files containing punctual, linear or polygonal geometries, both 2D and 3D, are
supported.
These files can be loaded from the internal storage of the device or download from a
Google Drive account, if the user is logged in (see Export of digital models
If the project contains digital models generated, they can be exported to DXF format
with 3D faces.
When this option is selected, a dialog will be displayed requesting the user the name of
the file where the model will be stored and the model to export, selected from a list.
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Google drive data synchronization). Clicking the button you will access the
internal storage file explorer and clicking the button you will access the cloud
services for downloading the shape cartography stored in the Google Drive account.
• Layer name.
• Opacity: Level of transparency of the layer.
• Color: Color for lines and dots on the map.
• File: File to be displayed.
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As with shape layers, files can be loaded from the internal storage of the device or
downloaded from a Google Drive account.
8.4.1. DXF
The entities supported in DXF are:
8.4.2. DWG
In this case, the entities supported by TcpGPS are points, lines, polylines 2D and 3D,
arcs, circles, ellipses, splines and helices as well as single line texts.
8.4.3. KML/KMZ
The following entities are supported with the indicated structures:
• Points
<Placemark>
<Point>
<coordinates></coordinates>
</Point>
</Placemark>
• Polylines
<Placemark>
<MultiGeometry>
<LineString>
<coordinates></coordinates>
</LineString>
</MultiGeometry>
</Placemark>
• Polygons
<Placemark>
<Polygon>
<outerBoundaryIs>
<LinearRing>
<coordinates> </coordinates>
</LinearRing>
</outerBoundaryIs>
</Polygon>
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</Placemark>
8.4.4. GML
Geometry entities that contain the following structure are supported:
<cp:geometry>
<gml:MultiSurface gml:id="" srsName="">
<gml:surfaceMember>
<gml:Surface gml:id="" srsName="">
<gml:patches>
<gml:PolygonPatch>
<gml:exterior>
<gml:LinearRing>
<gml:posList srsDimension="" count=""></gml:posList>
</gml:LinearRing>
</gml:exterior>
</gml:PolygonPatch>
</gml:patches>
</gml:Surface>
</gml:surfaceMember>
</gml:MultiSurface>
</cp:geometry>
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Once the layer has been configured, by clicking the loading of the surface file
starts and once it is completed it will return to the list of layers, where the newly created
layer will appear.
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Allow to import a list of WMS servers from a TXT file with the following
format:
<Name> <URL>
It allows it to modify the URL of the WMS service, in case of error or if it has
been transferred to another address or server.
It allows the deletion of a WMS service from the list, if it is not used or it is no
longer available.
Figure 33. Editing the WMS layer Figure 34. WMS service example
services by clicking on the button . This button will give you Access to the Google
Drive explorer for searching the desired file.
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9 Survey
This is the first screen that appears for the user when they enter the application. Two
modes are available: map mode (Map surveying screen) and numerical mode
(Numerical surveying screen). For switching between both modes, these buttons
can be used.
Figure 35. Surveying map mode Figure 36. Example of point with its basic data
Figure 36 shows an example of a measured point with its basic information displayed
around it:
• At top left of the point is shown the number.
• At right of the point is shown the height.
• At bottom right of the point is shown the code.
The floating menu below the map contains certain functions for interacting with the
map. See Map menu section for detailed information about each option.
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When you pick on a point, a dialog will be displayed showing his number. By clicking on
the button , it possible to access the detailed information of the point (see Details
of the points).
• Point number: Number of the next point that will be taken. This number will
increase 1 in 1 as consecutive points are taken, from the given. The number of a
point is an alphanumeric text that, in the case of numbering more than one point,
it will add a suffix that will indicate the numbers taken with that same initial text.
For example, if the number is decided to be CRT, the first point will be CRT, but
the next one will be CRT_1, CRT_2, and so on.
• Height of the antenna: The height of the antenna at the moment the point was
gathered. By default, the value defined in the Settings will appear, but if you
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need to change this to a specific point or points, it is possible to define a new one
here (this does not change the default value).
• Code: A code that will be associated to the point, which can be selected from a
predefined list or a new code created (see Point code management).
The numerical surveying screen also displays the numerical information of the current
GPS position.
Using the button of the menu bar you can take the current point where the GPS
is located. If the point does not comply with any of the restrictions established in the
settings regarding the type of position, the number of satellites or the accuracy, the user
will be notified of this situation and he will decide whether he wants to take it. It will be
disabled when you are using the Continuous survey.
In the numerical mode screen, it is possible to configure the point before taking it by
assigning different parameters, as it is explained in Numerical surveying screen.
When taking a point, the user can directly associate an image and a voice note using the
Using the button begins the taking of a series of consecutive points according to
three criteria:
Before starting the taking of the points, a dialog will request which criteria will be used
to decide when to take a point.
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When points are taken continuously, the conditions to take them as valid will only be
considered in the first one and for the rest of the points a voice will advise if the
restrictions are satisfied or not and, in consequence, if the point is measured or not.
Once the taking starts, it can be stopped at any time by pressing the same button, that
This mode is very useful when measuring lines or alignments, where the points must be
measured at certain distance.
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TREE
SHOULDER,ASPHALT
MANHOLE,LP_1,PT_2
As you can see in the examples above, a separator character will be used for identifying
each code of the multicode. To change this separator, see Configuring the workspace.
ASPHALT S
ASPHALT
ASPHALT
ASPHALT E
• Polygonal: Define areas or parcels. As lineal codes, a suffix for the starting point
(s) and another one for closing the polyline (c) are needed. For instance:
PLOT S
PLOT
PLOT
PLOT C,POST
In the numerical survey mode, the button displays the code management dialog.
It is also possible to access the code management screen by a long click over the Code
filed in the status bar.
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In Figure 42 dialog is shown with the list of codes available in the database of the
application. This database is modified as new codes are inserted and existing ones are
modified or eliminated. By clicking on the desired code and accepting the choice, the
code starts to be used in the following taken points. Using this list, you can build your
code or multicode (if you want to assign more than one code to the point) only by
checking the Use checkbox beside each code.
Previously, it was said that a separator is needed to compose a multicode and it can be
selected in Configuring the workspace. If you want to add a new code to your multicode,
you must click the button to introduce the separator or type it if you know which
separator is selected.
If the code is lineal or polygonal, you can add the start or end suffix for the line or the
start or close suffix for the polygon, only clicking the corresponding button or typing it.
This is important because when the application builds the lines or polygons it uses these
suffixes as references.
In Figure 43 it the options to edit or create a new code are displayed. The codes can be
punctual or linear (depending on whether they will represent independent points or
points that will make up a line or a plot). In addition, a wide base of colors is available to
assign to the points that contain this code.
Depending on the type of the code, you can configure the style of the elements that use
this code. For points you can define the color, size and type of symbol. For lines you can
set the color, width and style of line. For polygons, apart from the style of the contour
line, you can define the fill color and the level of transparency.
It must be considered that if the code of the point is a multicode, the style for its
representation over the map will be the style of the first code which associated layer is
visible.
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Figure 42. List of point codes Figure 43. Edition and creation of codes
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In this mode, the map has an additional functionality: distance and area measurement.
When we press the button the app asks the user for the kind of measure:
• If distance measurement is selected, we will be instructed to choose the first
point; Once selected, the second point will be requested and then the
information about the distance between the two will appear (Figure 45):
distance 2D (without taking into account the dimension), distance 3D, the height
difference and the slope between the two points.
• If area measurement is selected, you will select points over the map and the area
will be built and updated each time a point is added. You must be careful because
the order of the point will define the shape of the area. Number of vertices,
perimeter, area and maximum and minimum height are the data shown.
Clicking the tools button displays a dialog box where you can find a set of tools to
work with the points gathered. These tools correspond to the calculation of new points
using intersections or reference points. There are three types of intersection: line-line
intersection, line-circle intersection and circle-circle intersection. Two options are
available for creating new points from reference points: distance and azimuth and 2
points and distance.
Figure 46. Surveying tools dialog Figure 47. Selection of points for Figure 48. Confirmation of the
box the intersection intersection solution
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The application will ask the user first to select the two points that form the line and,
next, the point that will be the center of the circle, after which you must write the
radius of it. In this case, it can happen that there is no solution if the line and the circle
are separated; that there is only a solution if the line is a tangent to the circle, or that
there are two solutions if the line cuts the circle. The application will show the line and
the circle and the intersection between them and, if there is more than one, it will ask
you to choose which of the two you want to record.
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For the management of the list of roads, the following options are available:
Adds a new road to the list. It can be imported from a .eje file (created using
TcpMDT) or a LandXML file.
Enter the road edition template where you can associate a vertical alignment
and the cross templates to it.
Remove the selected road and all the elements associated with it.
These roads are shown in the survey template of the application in blue and red which is
currently the active road, selected on the list by clicking on the marker on the left.
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When the horizontal alignment of a new road has been loaded, you will go directly to the editing
screen, where you can select a vertical alignment and make a list of files of templates that will
be associated with that road.
These extensions correspond to the native files created by the TcpMDT application, although it
is possible to use the LandXML format, of which the entities supported are:
• Alignment: It contains the points that form the horizontal alignment of the road.
• Profile: It contains the vertical alignment data.
• CrossSects: It contains the data of the templates of the road.
Both the horizontal alignment and the vertical alignment and the construction of templates can
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Figure 57. Top view of the alignment Figure 58. Numeric information of the alignment
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The display of the horizontal alignment presents the vertical alignment and allows the
In smartphones you can alternate between the elevation view and a table with data of
the horizontal alignment and in tablets both screens are presented at the same time for
a better study of the information. The button allows it to extend the plant of the
horizontal alignment to full screen for a greater definition or to return to the two
columns with the numerical information.
Figure 59. Vertical alignment view Figure 60. Vertical alignment numerical information
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As in the horizontal alignment, on tablets the information of the vertical alignment and
its elevation view is presented for a better analysis of it, as well as the possibility of
hiding the column of data and extending the elevation of the vertical alignment.
When you start the window, the application will immediately be placed in the template
closest to the current position. With the buttons you can switch from one
station in the template to the previous one or the next one respectively. For templates,
a magnification factor can also be applied to obtain a better definition.
Figure 61. Cross section view Figure 62. Cross section numerical information
In the numerical presentation of the data of the templates, the information of the points
of the transverse file selected in the current station is shown. The template to be
displayed can be chosen from the drop-down list, automatically updating the data, and,
in the graphic view, the template with greater thickness of the line will be highlighted.
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When you enter the screen, a map with the points stored in the project and usable for
the digital model generation is shown, along with the digital models already created.
These models can be used in surface analysis (see Surface analysis section) for getting
information about the difference of height between the digital model surface and the
current terrain delimited.
In case of a DXF file, the entities 3DFACE will be taken for define the faces or triangles
of the digital model.
For LandXML the entity used for creating digital models is Surface.
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Figure 64. Creation of a digital model (1) Figure 65. Creation of a digital model (2)
The following parameters will be required in the screen for configuring the digital
model:
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o Minor contours.
o Major contours.
Each type of contour is defined by its name, color and height interval between
each of them.
By clicking on the accept button, the triangulation process will start. When it is finished,
one or several layers will be added to the project:
• Digital model layer. This layer manage the visualization of the digital model and
it can be used in surface analysis.
• Contour lines layer. If the contour lines option was selected, two layers will be
added, with the names typed, that manage each type of contour lines.
You can generate as many models as you desire, but if the names of the models or the
contour lines match with any other present in the project, it will be replaced by the new
one.
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12 Setting out
In the side menu, the Staking out submenu can be found, which gives the option to
choose one of the different modes, depending on the type of work that the user will
perform:
• Setting out of points: Performs a setting out of the points contained on the
project database.
• Setting out of lines: It allows to stake out lines formed by the union of two
existing points in the database of the project.
• Setting out of polylines: The setting out is performed on polylines or polygons
defined in a DXF, KML / KMZ, shape or GML cartography.
• Surface analysis: Analyze the difference in dimensions between the current
position of the GPS and the 3D surface loaded.
• Road Setting out: It allows you to stake out a set of points configured on a road.
• Slope control: The current state of the land is analyzed according to the
theoretical template that has been loaded into the project.
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When the position reaches the limit configured settings named Target Mode Distance
(see Configuring the workspace) the last move the user did is taken as reference and it
does not change anymore, in order to avoid continuous changes due to the small
distance to the point.
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It is very important to know that the reference will change depending on the hour and
the day.
When using stake out to the shadow the direction is the inverse, i. e., the user must
leave the sun behind him to obtain the reference. In this mode, the cast shadow can be
a great help when it comes to orienting himself.
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The map is always pointing north, unless the reference is set to the movement, which
will be pointing to the current direction in which the user is moving. In addition, at the
top there is numerical and visual information about the movements to be carried out
with the distance that must be travelled.
When a point is stored it is marked with a green symbol as the last set out
point, for identifying it in case to be using Setting out to the last point. The other set
out points change their symbol to . Once the points are staked out, the user can
check the differences between these points and the original points in the section Edit >
Points. (Check section Staking out data).
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In this mode, the direction in which the point is relative to the north from the GPS
position will be indicated. It is a mode that is recommended to locate points at a long
distance, since in the vicinity of the point the measurement of the angles can be erratic.
To use it, the device must have a magnetometer.
• The red line is fixed and indicates the current direction the user device is
pointing. This line changes its color to green when the line indicating the point
to be set out matches with her.
• The black line indicates the direction of the north.
• The orange line indicates the direction to the point to be staked out.
Between the red line and the orange line is indicated the angle the user must turn to
face the point.
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In this mode, the current position of the GPS (in green) is shown in relation to the center
of a target that marks the point to be set out (in red at center of the dartboard). The
position of the GPS within the target will be determined by the movements to be made
depending on the selected setting out mode. In this mode, a greater precision is
obtained when locating the point, so its use is recommended in the vicinity of the point
to be set out.
On top of the dartboard are shown the movements the user should make to reach the
point: left or right for lateral movements and forward or backward for advance
movements.
Augmented Reality that can be accessed on the button once a setting out has
been selected. This mode is a way to visualize on the real terrain the layout of the points
to be set out so that they are easy to locate. In the screen the user can see the image
captured by the camera and overlapped to it a set of points that the user is staking out
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(represented as red sticks), with the current point to be staked out highlighted. The user
can configure the aspect of the highlighted point in Menu > Settings > Augmented
Reality > Stick configuration (see Configuring the workspace).
Augmented reality mode needs the magnetometer and accelerometer sensors of the
device for getting the orientation of the camera. The quality of the experience will be
affected by the sensibility of these sensors. Interferences in the magnetic field can
decrease the quality of the visualization.
For reducing the interferences and improve the experience of the user this mode has
available a set of controls that allows to adjust the camera view. These controls let the
user to modify the angles of the camera (pitch, roll and yaw) and the distance offsets (X,
Y and Z).
In addition, clicking in button, a dialog is displayed for setting the offsets of the
camera relative to the point the GNSS receiver is measuring, in centimeters. This
measuring point will depend on the height of the pole configured in the application. In
Figure 75 is shown an example where the antenna pole height is 0 and the point
measured is the base of the GNSS.
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Figure 75. Offsets of the camera relative to the GNSS measuring point
To change the mode, the controls will be used will be used. In addition,
when the minimum distance to the point configured in the application is met, the target
mode is automatically passed to obtain more precision in setting out.
When the current location is at a distance lower than the set in Menu > Settings > Stake
out > Target Mode Distance, the application will display the target mode automatically.
• Staked out point : Saves the point staked out in the database by recording
the current GPS data. This data is shown can be checked in the Editing points
section by selection the stake out list. In this list are shown the differences
between the original point measured in the surveying process and the current
set out point.
• Next /previous point: They allow you to select the point to be staked
out by scrolling through the list of points according to their numerical order.
• Select code : Allows you to select a specific set of points according to their
code. Another option is associated with this one to allow you to return to the full
list of points .
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• Point selection : Allows the user to select a point by entering its number.
In each setting out mode, help is provided in the form of voice prompts to mark the
movements to be made or the remaining distance to reach the point.
• GNSS TO N-P1-P2: Distance from the current point to the line in perpendicular
fashion. If the perpendicular falls outside the line, an extension of it will be drawn
for its representation.
• GNSS TO N-P1: Understanding the origin as the first point chosen, this distance
is the distance from the current point projected on the line, to the origin.
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If you want to set out another line, just press the button .
Additionally, it is possible to stake out a parallel line to the defined in the map by clicking
on the button <imagen>. A dialog will be displayed asking for the distance in meters
where the parallel line will be set. If the distance is positive, the new line will be set to
the right of the first one, and if it is negative to the left.
button . In this case, since the points of the polyline are not saved as project points,
both the polyline point information and the setting out point information are stored.
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In the Layer management section is possible to change the active layer in case the
project contains multiple surface layers. The active surface layer will be the one taken
for making the analysis.
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If you want to set out a single point, just indicate it in the Initial Station.
If what is desired is to stake out a set of points along the horizontal alignment or parallel
to it, the option Interval should be activated, and an Initial Station indicated from which
the following points of the interval will be created. Then you can modify the interval
between the points that will be taken. In addition, if this option has been selected, a
drop-down list with the ordered set of interval points helps the user to choose the point
to be set out.
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As an additional option, you can stake out, alone or next to the points defined in the
interval, the singular points that form the horizontal alignment, marking the Singular
Points option. These points are also added to the list of drop-down points and begin with
an [S].
If no other option is configured, all points will be located on the horizontal alignment.
However, it is possible to set out points that are at a distance from the horizontal
alignment, parallel to it. To do this, you can select if you want a list of points parallel to
the horizontal alignment at a certain distance (Setting out by Station and Displacement)
or to use a selected point of one of the vertices of the cross templates associated with
the road, defined by a code (Setting out by Station and Code).
If there is no cross section selected, only the option of setting out by Station and
Displacement will be available, indicating the displacement in meters that the points will
have on the horizontal alignment. If the distance is positive, they will be placed to the
right of the horizontal alignment and if it is negative to the left.
When a cross section is selected from the list associated with the horizontal alignment,
the setting out option for Station and Code is activated, in this case you can enter a code
manually or select it from the cross-template view on the button .
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Once the list of points to be set out has been configured, the setting out of the button
starts .
In the plant, the information of the current position marked with a celestial cross is
shown.
If you have selected a range of points to set out, with the buttons
you can change the point to set out within the list.
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Figure 80. Road stake out (top view) Figure 81. Road stake out (front view)
When the setting out point has been reached, it can be saved using the button . In
this case, two points will be saved in the project database: the original point calculated
in the list of points to be set out and the point that has been marked as set out.
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The first step to configure the slope control that you want to perform is to select the
cross section to be used in the process. Once this is done, the following options will be
activated:
• Setting out through codes: If you want to set out according to a certain segment
template of the template, you can select the codes of the points in each end of
a certain template. In this way, the control will be referred to the vector that
defines the stretch and its extension in space. If this option is not selected, the
control will be done according to the entire selected template.
• Height dimension: If the height dimension is taken automatically, the control will
be referred to the current template dimension. If a point of the template is
selected as the reference dimension, it will be determined by entering the code
of that point or selecting it from the template itself.
To select the codes in each case from the selected template, press the button . In
this way, the template closest to the current position will be displayed or you can travel
between the template to look up the required code directly on the models.
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Figure 83. Slope control display (top view) Figure 84. Slope control display (front view)
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Figure 85. Point export menu Figure 86. Export to GML format Figure 87. Export to TXT, DXF and
dialog box KML formats dialog box
Two files will be generated when exporting raw data, both with .gps extension:
• The first one with observation basic data (or the average of the observations if
the point was taken using more than one epoch), for instance “Example.gps”.
• The other one is a detailed file with all observations of each point, for instance
“Example_Details.gps”.
Two types of lines exist in this format. Lines starting with # contains project information:
• Projected SRC: Projected reference coordinates system.
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This format is compatible with Aplitop's TcpMDT office software, so that the points are
drawn automatically in CAD, being able to also consult all the raw data, as well as the
linked images and voice notes. It also has numerous tools to create digital terrain
models, generate contour lines, draw profiles, calculate volumes, etc. See
https://www.aplitop.com/applications-topographic.
When this option is selected, a dialog will be displayed requesting the user the name of
the file where the model will be stored and the model to export, selected from a list.
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In Application menu, you will find the option Cloud services. Clicking on it you will access
to the Google Drive synchronization service.
Once you are in the cloud services screen, you may start the synchronization. Clicking
on Login button, a dialog showing the list of accounts configured in the device will be
displayed. You can select one of these accounts or connect with a new one. If the process
is successful, you can import files into your project from Google Drive and export your
project to the cloud.
If the project contains digital models generated, they can be exported to DXF format
with 3D faces.
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When this option is selected, a dialog will be displayed requesting the user the name of
the file where the model will be stored and the model to export, selected from a list.
In the mobile device where the TcpGPS application is executed, a directory structure
will be created in the main memory of the device, which has the following structure:
+ Internal storage
+ aplitop
+ tcpgps
+ projects
+ project_1
+ img
- index.txt
+ snd
- index.txt
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The index.txt files present in the img and snd folders containing images associated with
points and voice notes respectively, contain the relationship between said images and
voice notes and the points to which they are associated, so that each line appears first
the number of the point and then the name of the image or associated voice note.
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Information for points that have been staked out. In this list are shown the differences
between the point measured originally and the point got in the staking out process. The
last staking-out performed on a point is only shown if it has been done several times.
13.5.4. Options
On these lists, you can search for specific points by their number or by their code,
This takes the user to the surveying section by centering the view on the
selected point.
This takes the user to the staking out section with the selected point ready to
start the operation.
This takes the user to the Details of the point section, from where information
about the point can be viewed.
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Figure 94. Basic point information Figure 95. Raw point data Figure 96. Information and
multimedia data associated with
the point
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Appendix A. Transformations
In local systems you can define four types of transformations: 2D / 3D translations and
2D / 3D Helmert. Below is the mathematical development of each of these
transformations.
2D Displacements
Calculate the displacements x and y through the Arithmetic average of the differences
between the origin and the destination. Only a couple of points are necessary.
Formulas:
𝑥 ′ = 𝑥 + 𝑇𝑥
𝑦 ′ = 𝑦 + 𝑇𝑦
where:
x, y = Original x, y coordinates.
Tx = Translation x.
Ty = Translation y.
Helmert 2D
It is also known as a 4-parameter similarity transformation. The transformation process
includes 3 steps: scaling, rotation and translations.
The first two are defined by a parameter each and the translations include 2. At least
two pairs of points are necessary.
Formulas:
𝑥 ′ = (𝑆 ∙ cos 𝜃) ∙ 𝑥 + (𝑆 ∙ sin 𝜃) ∙ 𝑦 + 𝑇𝑥
where:
x, y = Original x, y coordinates.
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S = Scale.
Θ = Angle of rotation.
Tx = Translation x.
Ty = Translation y.
3D Displacements
This type of transformation calculates the displacements x, y, z through the Arithmetic
mean of the differences between the origin and the destination. Only a couple of
points are necessary.
Formulas:
𝑥 ′ = 𝑥 + 𝑇𝑥
𝑦 ′ = 𝑦 + 𝑇𝑦
𝑧 ′ = 𝑧 + 𝑇𝑧
where:
x, y, z = Original x, y, z coordinates.
Tx = Translation x.
Ty = Translation y.
Tz = Translation z.
Helmert 3D
It is also known as the 7-parameter transformation. The parameters involved are: three
rotations, three translations and a scale factor. The rotation matrix is constructed by
three consecutive turns around the x, y, z horizontal alignment. It is necessary to have
at least 3 pairs of points.
Formulas:
where:
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x, y, z = Original x, y, z coordinates.
S = Scale.
Tx = Translation x.
Ty = Translation y.
Tz = Translation z.
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Glossary
Datum Concept that describes the relations of position, orientation and scale of the
ellipsoid reference with the Earth.
NMEA. Standard protocol for transmitting data from the GPS receiver to a computer
(National Marine Electronics Associations).
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