Integration with Microsurvey FieldGenius for Android devices

This tutorial explains how to integrate your Reach RS3 with MicroSurvey FieldGenius on Android devices via Bluetooth.

Overview

note

To work with FieldGenius, your Android device should run version 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher.

Reach RS3 supports integration with MicroSurvey FieldGenius for mobile data collectors via Bluetooth. To integrate your Reach RS3 with MicroSurvey FieldGenius, follow the steps below:

Workflow

Access Reach using Emlid Flow

You can connect to your Reach in two ways:

• Using the BLE connection option. This is the recommended connection method. It is especially useful when working with corrections from an NTRIP provider. In this setup, the receiver uses your mobile device's internet connection, so you only need to select the NTRIP over BLE option when configuring the receiver's correction input.
• Using the Wi-Fi connection option. In this case, your device and Reach must be in the same Wi-Fi network.

To connect to your Reach, follow the steps below:

Bluetooth connection

1. Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet.

2. Open Emlid Flow. When prompted, tap Configure access and allow location permissions. This is required for full receiver functionality.

note

Reach prioritizes the current connection when using BLE, regardless of type:

• If Reach is connected via Bluetooth Classic to third-party software, disconnect it before using BLE in Emlid Flow.
• If another device is connected to Reach, disconnect it before reconnecting using BLE in Emlid Flow.

After granting permissions, your receiver will appear in the list. The app will connect to it automatically.

tip

For more information on connecting to your Reach device, refer to the Connecting to Reach guide. A Bluetooth connection is the recommended method.

Hotspot connection

1. Go to Wi-Fi settings on your device.

2. Connect to the Reach hotspot. It appears as reach:XX:XX.

3. Enter password emlidreach.

4. Open Emlid Flow and connect to your Reach.

Configure corrections input in Emlid Flow

To obtain a fixed solution, your Reach RS3 needs to receive corrections. You can configure corrections in two ways:

• Through FieldGenius by forwarding the correction stream to Reach RS3 over Bluetooth.

• Directly in Emlid Flow by configuring the correction source in the app. To do so, check the following guides:

  • How to work with third-party base over UHF radio

  • How to set up RTK over LoRa radio

    caution

    If you want to use corrections from a network correction provider, configure the NTRIP connection directly in FieldGenius. Reach RS3 does not support using NTRIP corrections configured in Emlid Flow while integrated with FieldGenius.

If you choose to use FieldGenius as the correction source, configure Emlid Flow as follows:

1. In Emlid Flow, go to the Correction input tab.

2. Tap Advanced methods.

3. Select Bluetooth.

   

Once you have selected a method, proceed with the integration setup using the appropriate instructions in the sections below.

Configure Bluetooth connection in Emlid Flow

Turn on Bluetooth discoverability in Emlid Flow to make your device visible to nearby devices. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings in Emlid Flow and tap Bluetooth.

2. Tap Discoverability and turn on the Discoverability option. Tap Save to apply changes.

   

Enable tilt compensation

Reach RS3 supports IMU-based tilt compensation, allowing you to collect and stake out points even when the survey pole is tilted. The software calculates the tilt angle and distance to determine the pole tip position on the ground. To enable tilt compensation, follow the How to enable tilt compensation guide.

Set up NMEA stream in Emlid Flow

To send position data to external applications, configure position streaming in NMEA format as follows:

1. In Emlid Flow, go to Settings.

2. Tap Position streaming 1 and select Bluetooth.

   

3. To configure position streaming, tap the Edit button in the Bluetooth cell.

   note

   When connected to your Reach via Bluetooth, Emlid Flow will prompt you to connect to the Reach hotspot to access the streaming configuration settings.

   

4. Tap Format and choose NMEA.

   

5. FieldGenius supports ETC messages for Reach RS3 and applies the necessary compensation automatically. To avoid double compensation, select Do not compensate receiver position in Emlid Flow and ensure that the ETC message is enabled.

Create a new project and an instrument connection profile

To create a new project and instrument connection profile, follow the steps below:

1. Open the FieldGenius app, create a new project, and fill in all the fields. Tap Create.

   note

   Make sure that you have configured the proper units and coordinate system at this step.

2. To create your GNSS rover profile, tap Select Instrument.

3. On the Instrument Profile screen, tap Add profile.

4. Fill in the required fields as follows:

   • Select Emlid for Make.
   • Choose Reach RS3 for Model.
   • Specify the profile name.
   

5. Tap Create.

Configure communication between MicroSurvey FieldGenius and Reach RS3

Once you have created the project and configured the instrument connection profile, you can set up communication between FieldGenius and Reach RS3 via Bluetooth as follows:

1. Tap SET UP COMMUNICATION.

   

2. Set Connection type to Bluetooth and tap Search to find your Reach RS3.

   

3. Choose your Reach RS3 and tap Connect.

   tip

   Make sure that you have enabled Bluetooth on your Android device. If the receiver still does not appear on the list of devices, tap Refresh list.

   

Once you successfully connect to your Reach RS3, you will be able to set up your Reach RS3 to receive RTK corrections.

Configure FieldGenius to receive corrections

caution

If you use LoRa or UHF radio for corrections in Emlid Flow, do not configure corrections in FieldGenius.

Once you have configured communication between FieldGenius and Reach RS3, you need to set up receiving RTK corrections. Follow the steps below:

1. Tap SET UP CORRECTIONS.

   

2. To obtain corrections from a caster over an internet connection, choose RTK via Internet and tap Set up Internet.

   note

   Make sure your mobile device is connected to the Internet.

   

3. Choose Data collector as a communication type and wait until the Internet status becomes 'Connected'.

   

4. Tap SET UP DATA SOURCE and add a new correction source. Fill in the information from your NTRIP provider and tap Done.

   

5. Tap Connect and wait until the port is configured and choose the required mount point. Tap Select.

6. Check settings in the Correction Format, and NMEA Required fields, and confirm the selected mount point. Wait until the port is configured.

   
   tip

   Make sure that your Reach RS3 is receiving corrections. Check the Corrections field in FieldGenius and check the Status LED on the receiver—it should be solid green.

7. Set up antenna height and tap OK.

   

8. Set up active tolerances and tap OK.

   

9. Enable tilt compensation.

   

Once you've enabled tilt compensation, you're all ready for surveying!