Compute Positions Using RTX Post-Processing

You can access the Trimble RTX Post-Processing (RTX-PP) Web service directly from TBC to compute the absolute position of points (with centimeter accuracy) contained in static occupation data files. RTX-PP results are imported as GNSS positions whose properties can be viewed in the Properties pane.

More information about RTX-PP... RTX positioning is based on the generation and delivery of precise satellite corrections (orbit, clocks, and system biases) on a global scale via either L-band satellite links or the Internet. Data from monitoring stations distributed around the globe are collected and transmitted via the Internet to operation centers. The operation centers are redundant in order to ensure a very high (~100%) system availability. If there is an operational requirement, the correction stream source can automatically switch between the redundant operation centers and/or processing servers within centers. Inside the operation centers, redundant communication servers are used to relay the network observation data to the data processing servers. The data processing servers host the network processors that produce precise orbit, satellite clock, and models for observation biases valid for any global location.

You can select to use RTX-PP at the time of import or later, after the data files have been imported, so long as the files meet the criteria listed below. Processing status can be viewed at any time, and you are alerted when processing is complete. At that time, you can view the processing results (including horizontal and vertical precision) and select whether to save the computed positions as new RTX solutions for corresponding points.

For a list of RTX-PP requirements and application information, visit the Trimble CenterPoint RTX Post-Processing website.

Prerequisites:

• The duration for the observation is 1 hour or more.
• The update rate for the occupation data is not faster than 0.5 seconds.
• The file format is a Trimble or Spectra Geospatial proprietary format (T01, T02, DAT, ATOM, or Quark), or a standard RINEX 2, RINEX 3, or RINEX 4 format.
• A supported receiver and antenna was used to record the data. Click here to see a list of supported receivers and antennas.
• The data was recorded after 14 May 2011.
• You have an appropriate license for RTX-PP and your warranty has not expired. See the Subscription Plans page. For a license matrix by command, see the License page in the TBC Community. Also see View and manage licensed features.

To specify default settings for RTX-PP:

You can use the Project Settings dialog to specify the following default settings for RTX post-processing:

• Whether or not to send eligible files to RTX PP by default on import
• Which coordinate system to use
• Which tectonic plate to use

To view or change settings, follow these steps:

1. Select Project Settings in the Quick Access Toolbar.
2. Select RTX Post-Processingin the left pane of the Project Settings dialog.
3. Specify options as described in RTX Post-Processing Settings.
4. When you are done, click OK.

To use RTX-PP during import:

1. In the Receiver Raw Data Check In dialog, ensure the Send to RTX check box is selected for each occupation data file meeting the criteria listed above.

   If you selected to use RTX-PP by default when you import data files meeting the criteria listed above (see RTX Post-Processing Settings) and do not want to use RTX-PP for one or more of the files being imported, de-select check boxes as necessary.

2. Make other edits as necessary in the Receiver Raw Data Check In dialog.
3. Click OK.

   The selected files are sent to the Trimble RTX Post-Processing (RTX-PP) Web service for processing using the default settings in Project Settings > RTX Post-Processing.

4. See "To view processing results and save them in the project" later in this topic.

   Note: TBC supports the import of RTX positions from Trimble Access 2020.00 or later that are stored in the JXL file as ITRF at the epoch of measurement. The displacement model in Trimble Access and TBC is used to propagate these coordinates to the global reference epoch for the job, and a datum transformation is applied to transform them into the global reference datum. RTX real-time positions from Trimble Access are treated consistently with RTX-PP positions from the RTX-PP service. Raw RTX positions measured in the field are displayed in the Properties pane in TBC.

To use RTX-PP after import:

1. Select Send to RTX Post Processing in Survey > GNSS.

   The Send to RTX Post-Processing dialog displays, showing a list of the occupation data files that meet the criteria listed above and are available for processing.

   The Coordinate system and Tectonic plate settings specified in Project Settings > RTX Post-Processing are displayed by default (see RTX Post-Processing Settings).

2. Select the files you want to process.
3. In the Coordinate system drop-down list, change the selection if necessary.

   RTX-PP can express resulting coordinates in various time-dependent coordinate systems at the reference epoch for that system.

   Select Automatic Selection to specify that the software determine the most appropriate coordinate system to use. Otherwise, select an appropriate coordinate system.

4. In the Tectonic plate drop-down list, change the selection if necessary.

   RTX-PP can express resulting coordinates based on the selected tectonic plate, which is used to estimate point motion from where it is at the current epoch to where it was at the reference epoch of the selected coordinate system.

   Select Automatic Selection to specify that the software determine the most appropriate tectonic plate. Otherwise, select an appropriate tectonic plate to use.

5. Click Send.
6. If prompted, select to register your version of Trimble Business Center.

   The selected files are sent to the Trimble RTX Post-Processing (RTX-PP) Web service for processing.

7. See the next section: "To view processing results and save them in the project."

To view processing results and save them in the project:

When files are sent to the Trimble RTX Post-Processing (RTX-PP) Web service for processing, the Process View tab displays. Each file being processed is displayed in a new section on the tab that includes the file name, associated coordinate system and tectonic plate, and processing status, including any error messages.

Note: If you have selected to display additional process view notices in the Process Monitoring settings in the Optionsdialog, the progress also displays on the Trimble Business Center taskbar button by way of a colored bar moving across the button's background. When the process is complete, a checkmark is displayed on the button and a notification is displayed in a pop-up Desktop Alert.

You can perform other tasks in Trimble Business Center while processing is ongoing.

To cancel processing for a file, click the Cancel button on the Process View tab.

When processing is complete for a file, the horizontal and vertical precision are displayed along with the other file information on the Process View tab. Based on the precision results, you can decided to import or discard the results by clicking the appropriate button.

Note: You can view and export (using the Export Format Editor) GNSS position solution horizontal and vertical precision values for a position computed using RTX-PP indicating the quality of the point. This enables you to view and manage RTX-PP position solutions the same as you view and manage GNSS position solutions.

Related topics

RTX Post-Processing Settings

Workflow: Process GNSS Baselines