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ProPak6™
Installation & Operation
User Manual
OM-20000148

Rev 5

July 2017

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual
Publication Number:
OM-20000148
Revision Level:
Rev 5
Revision Date:
July 2017
To download the latest firmware and/or software visit: www.novatel.com/support/firmware-downloads
This manual reflects firmware version 6.606 / OEM060606RN000

Warranty
NovAtel® Inc. warrants that its GNSS products are free from defects in materials and workmanship,
subject to the conditions set forth on our web site: www.novatel.com/products/warranty/.
ProPak6
One (1) Year
GPS Antenna Series
One (1) Year
Cables and Accessories
Ninety (90) Days
Software Warranty
One (1) Year

Return Instructions
To return products, refer to the instructions found under the Return Policy Tab on the warranty page:
www.novatel.com/products/warranty/.

Proprietary Notice
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment
on the part of NovAtel Inc. The software described in this document is furnished under a licence
agreement or non-disclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with
the terms of the agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any medium except as
specifically allowed in the license or non-disclosure agreement.
The information contained within this manual is believed to be true and correct at the time of publication.
STEADYLINE, ALIGN, OEM6, NovAtel and SPAN are registered trademarks of NovAtel Inc.
NovAtel Connect, ProPak6 and GLIDE are trademarks of NovAtel Inc.
All other brand names are trademarks of their respective holders.
Manufactured and protected under U.S. patents.
#5,101,416
#5,390,207
#5,414,729
#5,495,499
#5,736,961
#5,809,064

#6,184,822 B1
#6,243,409 B1
#6,445,354 B1
#6,608,998 B1
#6,664,923 B1
#7,738,536

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev Rev 5

Table of Contents
Notices

Customer Support

1 Introduction

1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 16
1.2 System Components............................................................................................................. 16
1.3 Models and Features ............................................................................................................ 16
1.4 Overview—ProPak6 Hardware ............................................................................................. 17

2 Installation

2.1 Additional Equipment Required ............................................................................................ 21
2.2 ProPak6 Hardware................................................................................................................ 22
2.2.1 ProPak6 Cables........................................................................................................... 22
2.2.2 Selecting a GNSS Antenna ......................................................................................... 22
2.2.3 Choosing a Coaxial Cable ........................................................................................... 22
2.3 Communication with the ProPak6 ......................................................................................... 23
2.3.1 Power Supply Requirements ....................................................................................... 23
2.3.2 COM1 and COM2 Peripheral Power ........................................................................... 23
2.4 Standard Configuration Installation ....................................................................................... 24
2.5 Dual Antenna Configuration and Installation......................................................................... 26
2.6 Cellular Antenna Installation ................................................................................................. 28
2.6.1 Mounting the GNSS Antenna ...................................................................................... 30
2.7 ProPak6 Alternative Power Source....................................................................................... 30
2.7.1 Battery Backup ............................................................................................................ 31
2.7.2 Connect the Additional Communication Ports on a ProPak6 ...................................... 32
2.7.3 Connect the CAN Bus ................................................................................................. 33
2.7.4 Mounting the ProPak6 ................................................................................................. 33
2.8 Installing NovAtel Connect PC Utilities ................................................................................. 33
2.9 ProPak6 Security .................................................................................................................. 34
2.9.1 Administration Password ............................................................................................. 34
2.9.2 FTP Server and ICOM Ports ....................................................................................... 34
2.10 Next Steps .......................................................................................................................... 34

3 Operation

3.1 Communications with the Receiver....................................................................................... 35
3.1.1 Communicating Using a Remote Terminal.................................................................. 35
3.1.2 Communicating Using a Computer.............................................................................. 35
3.1.3 Status Indicators.......................................................................................................... 35
3.1.4 COM Ports LEDs ......................................................................................................... 36
3.1.5 Bluetooth LED ............................................................................................................. 37
3.1.6 Wi-Fi LED .................................................................................................................... 37
3.1.7 INS and ALIGN LEDs .................................................................................................. 37
3.1.8 Satellite Tracking and Positioning LEDs...................................................................... 38
3.1.9 Cell Port and LED........................................................................................................ 40
3.1.10 Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port and LEDs ............................................................... 40
3.1.11 Ethernet Port ............................................................................................................. 41
3.1.12 ICOM Ports................................................................................................................ 42
3.1.13 Serial Ports ................................................................................................................ 42
3.1.14 I/O Port ...................................................................................................................... 43
3.1.15 Expansion Port .......................................................................................................... 43
3.1.16 Antenna LNA Port...................................................................................................... 44
3.1.17 External Oscillator Port (model dependent)............................................................... 44

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Table of Contents
3.2 Getting Started ..................................................................................................................... 44
3.2.1 Applying Power to the Receiver .................................................................................. 44
3.3 Establishing a Receiver COM Connection ........................................................................... 45
3.3.1 Communicating with the Receiver Using NovAtel Connect ........................................ 46
3.4 Transmitting and Receiving Corrections............................................................................... 47
3.4.1 Defining Antenna and Base Antenna .......................................................................... 48
3.4.2 Base Station Configuration ......................................................................................... 48
3.4.3 Rover Station Configuration ........................................................................................ 50
3.5 External ALIGN Master or Rover Configuration Only ........................................................... 50
3.5.1 PDP and GLIDE™ Configurations ............................................................................... 51
3.6 STEADYLINE®.................................................................................................................................................................... 51
3.6.1 Maintain ...................................................................................................................... 52
3.6.2 Transition .................................................................................................................... 52
3.6.3 Prefer Accuracy .......................................................................................................... 53
3.6.4 UAL ............................................................................................................................. 53
3.6.5 Configuration Notes .................................................................................................... 55
3.6.6 Enabling SBAS Positioning ......................................................................................... 55
3.6.7 Enabling L-Band ......................................................................................................... 56
3.7 Logging and Retrieving Data Overview ................................................................................ 58
3.7.1 Onboard Data Storage ................................................................................................ 59
3.7.2 Reading Data and Post-Processing ............................................................................ 61
3.7.3 Pass-Through Logging................................................................................................ 62
3.8 ProPak6 Web User Interface (UI)......................................................................................... 62
3.8.1 Setup Up Network IP .................................................................................................. 62
3.8.2 Device Menu ............................................................................................................... 65
3.8.3 Dashboard .................................................................................................................. 66
3.8.4 Terminal ...................................................................................................................... 71

4 Ethernet Configuration

4.1 Required Hardware .............................................................................................................. 74
4.2 Static IP Address Configuration............................................................................................ 74
4.2.1 Static IP Address Configuration—Receiver ................................................................ 75
4.2.2 Static IP Address Configuration—Windows XP with SP3 ........................................... 76
4.2.3 Static IP Address Configuration—Windows 7 ............................................................. 76
4.2.4 Confirming Ethernet Setup.......................................................................................... 77
4.3 Dynamic IP Address Configuration....................................................................................... 78
4.4 Base/Rover Configuration through Ethernet Connectivity .................................................... 79

5 Radio Configuration and Activation

5.1 Bluetooth® Configuration ...................................................................................................... 82
5.1.1 Enable Bluetooth on the ProPak6 Receiver................................................................ 82
5.2 Wi-Fi Network Configuration................................................................................................. 84
5.2.1 Configure Wi-Fi as the Network Default...................................................................... 84
5.2.2 Wi-Fi AP Configuration ............................................................................................... 85
5.2.3 Wi-Fi Client Configuration ........................................................................................... 87
5.2.4 Wi-Fi Scanning............................................................................................................ 88
5.3 Cellular Activation GSM/GPRS/HSDPA ............................................................................... 90
5.3.1 Configure Cellular as the Network Default .................................................................. 90
5.3.2 Cellular Network Activation and Configuration............................................................ 90
5.3.3 Eject a SIM Card ......................................................................................................... 92
5.4 Airplane Mode ...................................................................................................................... 92

6 NTRIP Configuration

7 NovAtel Firmware and Software

7.1 Firmware Updates and Model Upgrades.............................................................................. 95

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Table of Contents
7.1.1 Firmware Updates ....................................................................................................... 95
7.1.2 Model Upgrades .......................................................................................................... 96
7.2 Authorization Code ............................................................................................................... 96
7.3 Updating or Upgrading Using the WinLoad Utility................................................................. 97
7.3.1 Transferring Firmware Files......................................................................................... 97
7.3.2 Using the WinLoad Utility ............................................................................................ 98
7.4 Updating Using SoftLoad Commands................................................................................... 99
7.4.1 SoftLoad Commands and Logs ................................................................................... 99
7.4.2 Working With S-Records ............................................................................................. 100
7.4.3 Sending Firmware Data............................................................................................... 101
7.4.4 SoftLoad Update Method............................................................................................. 102
7.4.5 Firmware Update Using FTP or USB Mass Storage Device ....................................... 104
7.4.6 SoftLoad Direct Commands and Logs......................................................................... 104
7.4.7 SoftLoad Direct Update Method .................................................................................. 104
7.4.8 SoftLoad Errors ........................................................................................................... 105
7.5 Upgrading Using the AUTH Command ................................................................................. 105
7.5.1 Upgrade Procedure ..................................................................................................... 105

8 Built-In Status Tests

106

8.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................... 106
8.2 Receiver Status Word ........................................................................................................... 106
8.3 Error Strobe Signal ............................................................................................................... 107
8.4 RXSTATUSEVENT Log ........................................................................................................ 107
8.5 RXSTATUS Log .................................................................................................................... 107
8.5.1 Overview...................................................................................................................... 107
8.5.2 Error Word ................................................................................................................... 108
8.5.3 Status Code Arrays ..................................................................................................... 108
8.5.4 Receiver Status Code.................................................................................................. 109
8.5.5 Auxiliary Status Codes ................................................................................................ 109
8.5.6 Set and Clear Mask for all Status Code Arrays ........................................................... 109

A Technical Specifications

110

A.1 OEM638 Receiver Card Performance for ProPak6 ............................................................. 110
A.2 ProPak6 Specifications ........................................................................................................ 111
A.3 Dimension Drawings ............................................................................................................ 113
A.4 OEM615 Receiver Card Performance for ProPak6 (model dependent) ........................... 118
A.5 Cables ................................................................................................................................. 119

B Replacement Parts

125

B.1 ProPak6 ............................................................................................................................... 125
B.2 Accessories ......................................................................................................................... 125
B.3 Manufacturer’s Part Number ............................................................................................... 126

C Frequently Asked Questions

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

127

Figures
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41

Primary and Secondary Lightning Protection ...................................................................... 13
ProPak6—Back Connectors ............................................................................................... 17
ProPak6—Front Communication Ports, Buttons and Connectors ...................................... 18
Typical Standard Installation with External Oscillator ......................................................... 24
Antenna and External Oscillator Ports ................................................................................ 25
Power Port .......................................................................................................................... 25
Ethernet, COM or USB Device Ports .................................................................................. 25
Expansion and I/O Ports ..................................................................................................... 26
Typical Dual Antenna Installation ........................................................................................ 27
GNSS Antenna Ports .......................................................................................................... 27
Cellular Network Setup ....................................................................................................... 28
Additional COM ports on the ProPak6 ................................................................................ 32
CAN Bus ports on the ProPak6 ........................................................................................... 33
Power Button ....................................................................................................................... 44
Basic Differential Setup ....................................................................................................... 47
Positioning Change Without STEADYLINE ........................................................................ 51
STEADYLINE Maintain ....................................................................................................... 52
STEADYLINE Transition ..................................................................................................... 52
STEADYLINE Prefer Accuracy ........................................................................................... 53
STEADYLINE UAL- Warning Limit Example ....................................................................... 54
STEADYLINE UAL - Out of Bounds Example ..................................................................... 54
Product Information (Info) ................................................................................................... 64
Status Display Top Panel .................................................................................................... 64
Cross-Over Ethernet Cable Configuration—ProPak6 ......................................................... 75
ProPak6 Ethernet Hardware Setup ..................................................................................... 78
Base/Rover Ethernet Setup—ProPak6 ............................................................................... 80
Wi-Fi Configuration Overview ............................................................................................. 84
SIM Card Installation ........................................................................................................... 91
NTRIP System .................................................................................................................... 93
WinLoad’s Open Window .................................................................................................... 98
Open File in WinLoad .......................................................................................................... 98
COM Port Setup .................................................................................................................. 98
Searching for Card .............................................................................................................. 99
Authorization Code Window ................................................................................................ 99
Upgrade Process Complete ................................................................................................ 99
Location of Receiver Status Word ....................................................................................... 107
Reading the Bits in the Receiver Status Word .................................................................... 107
Location of Receiver Error Word ......................................................................................... 108
Reading the Bits in the Receiver Error Word ...................................................................... 108
ProPak6 Dimensions ........................................................................................................... 113
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Antenna Keep-out Area and Antenna Location ......................................... 114

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Tables
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ProPak6 Model Features...................................................................................................... 16
ProPak6 - Back Connector Definitions ................................................................................. 17
ProPak6 - Front Label Definitions......................................................................................... 19
ProPak6 Cables.................................................................................................................... 22
Enclosure Power Requirements ........................................................................................... 30
Fuse/Holder Recommendations ........................................................................................... 31
INS LED States .................................................................................................................... 37
ALN (ALIGN) LED States ..................................................................................................... 38
Satellite Tracking LEDs States (GPS and/or GNSS)............................................................ 38
Satellite Position LEDs States .............................................................................................. 39
CELL LED States ................................................................................................................. 40
Data Communication Port Defaults ...................................................................................... 42
Status Drop Menu Examples................................................................................................ 65
COM1 and COM2 Port Pin-Out Descriptions ....................................................................... 115
COM3/IMU Port Pin-Out Description .................................................................................... 115
I/O Port Pin-Out Descriptions ............................................................................................... 116
Expansion Port Pin-Out Description ..................................................................................... 116
ProPak6 Strobe Electrical Specifications ............................................................................. 117
Wiring Table: ........................................................................................................................ 120
I/O Cable Wiring (01018519) ................................................................................................ 122
Twisted Pair I/O Cable Wiring Table (01019148) ................................................................. 122
ProPak6 Expansion Cable Pin-Out Descriptions.................................................................. 123
P2 Connector Pin-Out Descriptions...................................................................................... 124

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Notices
The following notices apply to the ProPak6 device.



Changes or modifications to this equipment, not expressly approved by NovAtel Inc., could
void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

FCC
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
ProPak6 has been tested and found to comply with the radiated and conducted emission limits for a
Class B digital device. The Class B limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
The equipment listed generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
•

Re-orient or relocate the ProPak6

•

Increase the separation between the equipment and the ProPak6

•

Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the ProPak6 is
connected

•

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help



To maintain compliance with the limits of a Class B digital device, you must use properly
shielded interface cables (such as Belden #9539 or equivalent) when using the serial data
ports, and double-shielded cables (such as Belden #9945 or equivalent) when using the I/O
strobe port.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada
ProPak6 Class B digital device complies with Canadian ICES-003.
ProPak6 appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
This device complies with ISED license-exempt RSS-GEN and RSS-210. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference and (2) this device must accept any
interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Notices

Bluetooth®
The ProPak6 contains Bluetooth wireless technology (Bluetooth 2.1 SPP - Serial Port Profile).
The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use
of such marks by NovAtel Inc., is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their
respective owners.
Propak6 contains a Bluetooth radio with the following modular approvals:
•

FCC ID: TFB-TIWI1-01

•

IC: 5969A-TIWI101

Wi-Fi
The ProPak6 contains Wi-Fi wireless technology (802.11b/g/n). See the caution in Cell Port and LED on
page 40 and the Wi-Fi antenna keep-out information in Figure 41, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Antenna Keep-out
Area and Antenna Location on page 114.
Propak6 contains a Wi-Fi radio with the following modular approvals:
•

FCC ID: TFB-TIWI1-01

•

IC: 5969A-TIWI101

Cellular
Some Propak6 models contain cellular radio technology.
Propak6 contains a cellular radio with the following modular approvals:
•

FCC ID: RI7HE910

•

IC: 5131A-HE910



FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
The radiated output power of this device is below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits.
Nevertheless, this device should be used in such a manner that the potential for human
contact during normal operation is minimized.
This device has been evaluated for and shown compliant with the FCC RF Exposure limits
under mobile exposure conditions. At least 20cm of separation distance between the
ProPak6 device (and from its cellular antenna) to the user's body must be maintained at all
times.



To comply with FCC and Industry Canada regulations limiting both maximum RF output
power and human exposure to RF radiation, the maximum system gain (antenna gain
minus system loss) must not exceed 1.4 dBi in the U.S. Cellular band and 3.0 dBi in the
PCS band for the GSM/GPRS/HSDPA variant. System loss is the total of external cable and
connector losses and ProPak6 internal losses. For reference and system gain calculation
purposes, the ProPak6 has internal losses of 0.6 dB for the 800 MHz Cellular band and 1.8
dB for the 1900 MHz PCS band.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Notices

European Union (EU)
ProPak6 BT/Wi-Fi
NovAtel Inc. declares that the ProPak6 BT/Wi-Fi transceiver is in compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU
(Radio Equipment).
The full text of the EU Declaration of Conformity may be obtained from the NovAtel web site at:
www.novatel.com/products/compliance/eu-declaration-of-conformity
Radio Information
Description of Service: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
Operational Frequency: 2400 MHz to 2480 MHz
Modulation: OFDM
Rated Power: 18.6 dBm e.i.r.p
Description of Service: Bluetooth
Operational Frequency: 2400 MHz to 2480 MHz
Modulation: GFSK
Rated Power: 13.9 dBm e.i.r.p

ProPak6 BT/Wi-Fi/Cellular
NovAtel Inc. declares that the ProPak6 BT/Wi-Fi/Cellular transceiver is in compliance with Directive
2014/53/EU (Radio Equipment).
The full text of the EU Declaration of Conformity may be obtained from the NovAtel web site at:
www.novatel.com/products/compliance/eu-declaration-of-conformity
Radio Information
Description of Service: UMTS 900 MHz Band VIII
Transmit Frequency: 880 MHz to 915 MHz
Receive Frequency: 925 MHz to 960 MHz
Modulation: QPSK, 16 QAM
Power Class: Class 3
Rated Power: 24 dBm, conducted
Description of Service: UMTS 2100 MHz Band I
Transmit Frequency: 1920 MHz to 1980 MHz
Receive Frequency: 2110 MHz to 2170 MHz
Modulation: QPSK, 16 QAM
Power Class: Class 3
Rated Power: 24 dBm, conducted

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Notices

Instructions for Safe Operation of Equipment

The ProPak6 is capable of operation at ambient temperatures up to 65°C. In such cases the metallic
surface temperature of the ProPak6 may exceed 70°C. Therefore, under these conditions the equipment
needs to be installed in a RESTRICTED ACCESS LOCATION.
If the ProPak6 is operating in a lower temperature environment where the ambient temperature is less
than 60°C, installation in a RESTRICTED ACCESS LOCATION is not required.

Ethernet Port



The Ethernet ports are safety extra-low voltage (SELV) circuits only and are suitable for
connection within a building only. Do not connect them to telephone-network voltage (TNV)
circuits.

WEEE Notice
If you purchased your ProPak6 product in Europe, please return it to your dealer or supplier at the end of
its life. The objectives of the European Community's environment policy are, in particular, to preserve,
protect and improve the quality of the environment, protect human health and utilise natural resources
prudently and rationally. Sustainable development advocates the reduction of wasteful consumption of
natural resources and the prevention of pollution. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a
regulated area. Where the generation of waste cannot be avoided, it should be reused or recovered for
its material or energy. WEEE products may be recognized by their wheeled bin label (

See www.novatel.com/products/compliance/environmental-compliance for more information.

RoHS
The ProPak6 is in conformity with Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the council of
8 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic
equipment.

REACH
The ProPak is compliant with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and the
Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of
Chemicals (REACH). The candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) published by the
European Chemical Agency (ECHA) is available at:
https://echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table



Cables may contain DEHP (CAS Number 117-81-7) in concentrations above 0.1% w/w.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Notices

Lightning Protection Installation and Grounding Procedures
What is the hazard?
A lightning strike into the ground causes an increase in the earth's potential which results in a high
voltage potential between the center conductor and shield of the coaxial cable. This high voltage
develops because the voltage surge induced onto the center conductor lags in time behind the voltage
surge induced onto the shield.

Hazard Impact
A lightning strike causes the ground potential in the area to rise to dangerous levels resulting in harm to
personnel or destruction of electronic equipment in an unprotected environment. It also conducts a
portion of the strike energy down the inner conductor of the coax cable to the connected equipment.



Only qualified personnel, electricians as mandated by the governing body in the country of
installation, may install lightning protection devices.

Actions to Mitigate Lightning Hazards
1. Do not install antennas or antenna coaxial cables outside the building during a lightning storm.
2. It is not possible to avoid over-voltages caused by lightning, but a lightning protection device may be
used to shunt a large portion of the transient energy to the building ground reducing the over-voltage
condition as quickly as possible.
3. Primary lightning protection must be provided by the operator/customer according to local building
codes as part of the extra-building installation.
4. To ensure compliance with clause 7 "Connection to Cable Distribution Systems" of EN 60950-1,
Safety for Information Technology Equipment, a secondary lightning protection device must be used
for in-building equipment installations with external antennas. The following device has been
approved by NovAtel Inc.:
Polyphaser - Surge Arrestor DGXZ+24NFNF-B
If this device is not chosen as the primary lightning protection device, the device chosen must meet
the following requirements:
• UL listed, or equivalent, in country of installation (for example, TUV, VDE and so on) for lightning
surge protection
•

The primary device must be capable of limiting an incoming surge of 10 kV

5. The shield of the coaxial cable entering the building should be connected at a grounding plate at the
building's entrance. The lightning protection devices should have their chassis grounded to the same
ground near to the building's entrance.
6. The primary and secondary lightning protections should be as close to the building's entrance as
possible. Where feasible they should be mounted onto the grounding plate itself. See Figure 1,
Primary and Secondary Lightning Protection on page 13.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Notices
Figure 1: Primary and Secondary Lightning Protection

Ref #
1
2
3
4
5
6



Description
Primary lightning protection device
Secondary lightning protection device
External antenna
GNSS Receiver
To ground
Grounding plate or grounding point at the building’s entrance

Acceptable choices for Earth Grounds, for central buildings, are:
•

Grounded interior metal cold water pipe within five feet (1.5 m) of the point where it
enters the building

•

Grounded metallic service raceway

•

Grounded electrical service equipment enclosure

•

Eight-foot grounding rod driven into the ground (only if bonded to the central
building ground by #6, or heavier, bonding wire)

These installation instructions are the minimum requirements for receiver and antenna installations.
Where applicable, follow the electrical codes for the country of installation. Examples of country codes
include:
•

USA

National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)

•

Canada Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22)

•

British Standards Institute (BSI 7671)

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Notices

Manual Scope
This manual contains information about the installation and operation of the ProPak6 system. It is beyond
the scope of this manual to provide details on service or repair. Contact your local NovAtel dealer for any
customer-service related inquiries, refer to Customer Support on page 15.
A ProPak6 system requires the addition of accessories, an antenna and a power supply.
ProPak6 output is compatible with post-processing software from NovAtel's Waypoint® Products Group.
Visit our Web site at www.novatel.com for details.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning observes range measurements from orbiting
GNSS satellites. From these observations, the receiver can compute position and velocity with high
accuracy. NovAtel GNSS positioning systems are highly accurate positioning tools. GNSS positioning
requires line of sight view to at least four satellites simultaneously and differential GNSS positioning can
be accurate to within a few centimeters. For a detailed discussion of GNSS, refer to NovAtel’s book
Introduction to GNSS available from our web site.

Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:



Information that supplements or clarifies text.



A caution that actions, operation or configuration may lead to incorrect or improper use of
the hardware.



A warning that actions, operation or configuration may result in regulatory noncompliance,
safety issues or equipment damage.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Customer Support
NovAtel Knowledge Base
If a technical issue i s encountered, browse the NovAtel Web site: www.novatel.com/support/search. Use
the support pages to search for general information about GNSS and other technologies, information
about NovAtel hardware and software and installation and operation issues.

Before Contacting Customer Support
Before contacting NovAtel Customer Support about a software problem, perform the following steps:
1. Log the following data to a file a computer for 15 minutes:
RXSTATUSB ONCHANGED
RAWEPHEMB ONCHANGED
RANGECMPB ONTIME 1
BESTPOSB ONTIME 1
RXCONFIGA ONCE
VERSIONA ONCE
2. If using one of the ProPak6 network interfaces, also log the following as necessary:
WIFICONFIG ONCE
WIFIAPSTATUS ONCHANGED
WIFICLISTATUS ONCHANGED
BLUETOOTHSTATUS ONCHANGED
CELLULARSTATUS ONCHANGED
LOGFILESTATUS ONCE
3. Send the data file to NovAtel Customer Support, using either the NovAtel FTP site at ftp://
ftp.novatel.ca/ or through the support@novatel.com e-mail address.
4. You can also issue a FRESET command to the receiver to clear any unknown settings.



The FRESET command will erase all user settings. You should know your configuration and
be able to reconfigure the receiver before you send the FRESET command.

If you are having a hardware problem, send a list of the troubleshooting steps taken and results.

Contact Information
Log a support request with NovAtel Customer Support using one of the following methods:
Log a Case and Search Knowledge:
Website: www.novatel.com/support
Log a Case, Search Knowledge and View Your Case History: (login access required)
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ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 1
1.1

Introduction

Introduction
The ProPak6 is a high performance Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver capable of
receiving and tracking different combinations of GNSS signal and integrated L-Band on 240 channels.
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS and SBAS support are standard and the ProPak6 adaptability
offers multi-system, frequency and size configurations for any application requirement. ProPak6 models
have a NovAtel OEM638 receiver card; some models also include a NovAtel OEM615 receiver card for
additional functionality. Excellent acquisition and re-acquisition times allow this receiver to operate in
environments where very high dynamics and frequent interruption of signals can be expected. The
ProPak6 options include integrated radio and dual input heading options to provide a tightly integrated
and rugged solution for any application.

1.2

System Components
The ProPak6 system includes the following components:
•

OEM638 receiver with built in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 and 4 GB of onboard memory

•

12 VDC power adapter (CLA) with slow blow fuse

•

Null modem cable

•

DB9 male extension cable

•

I/O DB9 male interface cable

•

Mounting bracket and hardware

Refer to Section 2.2.1, ProPak6 Cables on page 22, Section 2.6.1, Mounting the GNSS Antenna on
page 30 and Appendix A, Technical Specifications on page 110 for details on cables and mounting the
ProPak6.
Refer to Section 2.1, Additional Equipment Required on page 21 for a equipment not included with the
ProPak6.

1.3

Models and Features
The ProPak6 is available in several different firmware models whose configurations may include other
additional features.
Table 1: ProPak6 Model Features
Firmware Features
Model Configuration

External
Oscillator

Dual
Antenna

Cellular/
HSPA

OEM638
Card

OEM615
Card

ProPak6 Dual/Cellular

■

ProPak6 Dual

■

PP6 Single/Cellular

■

PP6 Single

■

■
■

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Introduction

Chapter 1


1.4

Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, high speed USB 2.0 and 4 GB onboard memory available
on all models. Refer to Appendix A, Technical Specifications on page 110, Section
NovAtel Part Numbers for model details.

Overview—ProPak6 Hardware
The ProPak6 has a series of ports on the back of the unit for connecting specific cables. In the front, the
ProPak6 is outfitted with a number of LEDs to indicate receiver status, buttons to initiate functionality and
access to onboard storage (model dependent).
Figure 2: ProPak6—Back Connectors

OSC indicates External Oscillator model

ANT2 indicates Dual Antenna model

Table 2: ProPak6 - Back Connector Definitions
Connector Type

Connector Label

GNSS GPS1 and GPS2 antennas (TNC) (model dependent)

ANT 1
GNSS Antenna

ANT 2

GNSS GPS1 antenna (TNC) and external oscillator (BNC) (model
dependent)

or
ANT1

External Oscillator

Description

Refer to Figure 5, Antenna and External Oscillator Ports on
page 25 for details

OSC

4-pin LEMO power connector
PWR

Power

Expansion

9-pin LEMO expansion port for CAN1, CAN2 and an additional USB
host port

EXP.

DEVICE

USB

Refer to Figure 6, Power Port on page 25 for details

Refer to Figure 8, Expansion and I/O Ports on page 26 for details
USB Device (Type micro B) connector
Refer to Figure 7, Ethernet, COM or USB Device Ports on page 25
for details
Ethernet RJ45 connector
Refer to Figure 7, Ethernet, COM or USB Device Ports on page 25
for details

Ethernet

Event Input/output (DB9 female connector)
I/O

Refer to Figure 8, Expansion and I/O Ports on page 26 for details

I/O
COM1
COM2
Serial
Communication Port

I/O port is configurable

COM3/IMU

COM1, COM2, COM3/IMU DB9 male communications port
RS-232 and RS-422 selectable via software
Refer to Figure 7, Ethernet, COM or USB Device Ports on page 25
for details

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 1

Introduction



Also refer to Appendix A, Technical Specifications on page 110 for connector details.
Figure 3: ProPak6—Front Communication Ports, Buttons and Connectors

INS

ALN

CELL
HOST

Cellular Model
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
antenna location
INS

ALN

HOST

Non-cellular Model



The Bluetooth/Wi-Fi antennas are located on the front of the ProPak6 (not visible).
Refer to Figure 41, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Antenna Keep-out Area and Antenna Location on
page 114 for exact location and keep-out dimensions for this antenna.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Introduction

Chapter 1

Table 3: ProPak6 - Front Label Definitions
Button/Connector/
LED Type

Label

LED

Description
Power button and status LED

N/A

Yes

N/A

Yes

Refer to Section 3.2.1, Applying Power to the Receiver on page 44
for details
Logging button with user configurable status LED
Refer to Section 3.7, Logging and Retrieving Data Overview on
page 58 for details
Indicates number of satellites being tracked by the corresponding
receiver

Yes
Tracking

User configurable (refer to the LEDCONFIG command in the OEM6
Firmware Reference Manual - OM-20000129)
Refer to Section 3.1.8, Satellite Tracking and Positioning LEDs on
page 38 for details
Indicates satellite position status for the corresponding receiver

Yes
Position

INS

ALN

INS
ALN

Yes

ALIGN heading status indication (Dual antenna configuration only)
Refer to Section 3.1.7, INS and ALIGN LEDs on page 37 for details
Transmit/Receive indication (COM 1, 2 and/or 3)

COM 1, 2 and 3

Yes

Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth

Refer to Section 3.1.13.1, Configure COM 1, 2 and 3 on page 43 and
Section 3.1.4, COM Ports LEDs on page 36 for details
Wi-Fi radio status LED
Refer to Section 3.1.6, Wi-Fi LED on page 37 for details
Bluetooth radio status LED
Refer to Section 3.1.5, Bluetooth LED on page 37 for details
USB Host (Type A) connector - ProPak6 built in USB host with status
LED

HOST

Yes

Memory stick port for automatic downloading of logged data (refer to
Section 3.7, Logging and Retrieving Data Overview on page 58) and
updating firmware (refer to Section 7.4, Updating Using SoftLoad
Commands on page 99)
Refer to Section 3.1.10, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port and LEDs
on page 40 for details

CELLULAR - OPTIONAL (refer to 5.3, Cellular Activation GSM/GPRS/HSDPA on page 90)

CELL

Yes

Fully integrated TNC, cellular modem antenna connector (GPRS/
HSPA) and status LED
Refer to Section 3.1.9, Cell Port and LED on page 40 for details

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 1

Introduction
Table 3: ProPak6 - Front Label Definitions

Button/Connector/
LED Type

Label

LED

Description
Push-push style SIM card holder

Mini-SIM only
(25 mm x 15 mm)

SIM

Open

Covered

Remove SIM card holder cover to insert card; replace cover to avoid
damaging card

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 2

Installation

This chapter contains instructions and tips to install the ProPak6 and create a GNSS receiver system.

2.1

Additional Equipment Required
Refer to Chapter 1, Introduction on page 16 for a list of components included with the Propak6. In order
for the receiver to perform optimally, the following additional equipment is required:
•

At least one GNSS antenna and antenna cable with a TNC male connector at the receiver end. For
example, a quality, dual-frequency GNSS antenna such as NovAtel’s GPS-702-GG or ANT-A72GATW-N for airborne/high speed applications. See the NovAtel website www.novatel.com/products/
gnss-antennas) for information on a variety of quality antennas available to meet your form factor
and performance needs.

User Supplied Additional Equipment (as required)
•

A quality coaxial cable and interconnect adapter cable as necessary (user-supplied)

•

A Windows based computer

•

A means of communicating between the ProPak6 and computer or other external devices:

•
•
•
•
•

Ethernet cable
USB micro-B cable
RS-232 serial cable
RS-422 serial cable
A cellular link

•

A cell antenna such as PCTEL Inc., MLPV800 (12023303) and magnetic mount such as PCTEL Inc.,
GMHFML195C (12023300)cellular radio antenna cable
Bluetooth link
Wi-Fi network

•
•


•

Real-time data collection, status monitoring and receiver configuration is possible through the
NovAtel Connect™ PC Utilities software is available from our web site: www.novatel.com/support/
info/documents/809.



Use a serial COM or USB connection to communicate with the receiver first. This
provides the ability to configure the computer and ProPak6 before Wi-Fi, Ethernet,
Bluetooth or cellular are configured and used.

When the ProPak6 is installed in a permanent location, such as in a building, it should
be protected by a lightning protection device according to local building codes. See
Lightning Protection Installation and Grounding Procedures on page 12.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 2

2.2

Installation

ProPak6 Hardware

2.2.1

ProPak6 Cables

To prevent damage to both the receiver and the cables, each connector can be inserted in only one way.
Furthermore, the connectors used to mate the cables to the receiver require careful insertion and
removal. Observe the following when handling cables.
•
•
•

To insert a cable, make certain to use the appropriate cable for the port
Insert the connector until it is on straight and secure
To remove a cable, grasp it by the connector



Do not pull directly on a cable.

Table 4: ProPak6 Cables
NovAtel Part #

Port Labeled

Purpose

01017658

COM1
COM2
COM3/IMU

Null modem cable, 6 foot DB9 female/female
Provides connections for:
COM1
COM2
COM3/IMU

01017663

PWR

Power cable assembly, 4-Pin LEMO - 6 amp cigarette lighter

01018520

COM1

Extension cable 6 feet DB9 male/female ITE (straight through)

01018519

I/O

6 foot DB9 male/single ended ITE cable (DB9 to wire leads)

01019154

EXP

Expansion cable for access to COM7, 8, 9 and 10 as well as CAN1
and CAN2

For more information about the cables used with ProPak6, refer to Section A.5, Cables on page 119.

2.2.2

Selecting a GNSS Antenna

An active antenna is required because its Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) boosts the power of the incoming
signal to compensate for the line loss between the antenna and the receiver.
NovAtel offers a variety of single and dual-frequency GNSS antenna models. All include band pass
filtering and an LNA. The GNSS antenna chosen depends on the particular application. Each model
offers exceptional phase-center stability as well as a significant measure of immunity against multipath
interference. Each one has an environmentally-sealed radome.

2.2.3

Choosing a Coaxial Cable

An appropriate 50 ohm coaxial cable whose line loss does not exceed 10.0 dB. If the limit is exceeded,
excessive signal degradation may occur and the receiver may not be able to meet its performance
specifications. NovAtel offers a variety of coaxial cables to meet GNSS antenna interconnection
requirements, including:
•

5, 15, or 30 m antenna cables with TNC male connectors on both ends (NovAtel part numbers C006,
C016 and C032 respectively)

A local NovAtel dealer can offer advise about specific configuration requirements. If an application
requires the use of cables longer than 30 m, refer to the application note APN-003 RF Equipment
Selection and Installation on our website or obtain it directly by contacting NovAtel (refer to Contact
Information on page 15).
High quality coaxial cables should be used.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Installation

2.3

Chapter 2

Communication with the ProPak6
The ProPak6 can communicate with a computer or computer network in a number of ways:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

2.3.1

Communicate via the serial COM ports using either RS-232 or RS-422 (refer to Section 3.1.13.1,
Configure COM 1, 2 and 3 on page 43)
Communicate via the USB Device port from a computer containing necessary drivers (refer to
Section 3.1.10, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port and LEDs on page 40)
Remove logged data files using the USB Host port (refer to Section 3.1.10, Universal Serial Bus
(USB) Port and LEDs on page 40)
Communicate via the Ethernet port to connect to an existing network (refer to Section 3.1.11,
Ethernet Port on page 41)
Communicate using built in Bluetooth wireless device communications (refer to Section 5.1,
Bluetooth® Configuration on page 82)
Communicate using built in Wi-Fi to create or join a wireless network (refer to 5.2, Wi-Fi Network
Configuration on page 84)
Communicate using an optional cellular radio (refer to Section 5.3, Cellular Activation GSM/GPRS/
HSDPA on page 90)

Power Supply Requirements

This section contains information on the requirements for the input power to the receiver (refer to
Figure 6, Power Port on page 25 for port location). See Appendix A, Technical Specifications on
page 110 for more power supply specifications.



If the voltage supplied is below the minimum specification, the receiver suspends
operation. If the voltage supplied is above the maximum specification, the receiver may
be permanently damaged, voiding the warranty. The supply must be capable of
providing enough current to operate the ProPak6, including the initial inrush transient.
The supply must also be current limited to 6 A with an external fuse.

The ProPak6 is supplied with a 12 V power adapter with a built-in 6 A slow blow fuse for use with a
standard 12 VDC power outlet. When valid voltage is present at the power supply input, the ProPak6
power LED briefly flashes red and then turns solid green (operational mode). The power button only
needs to be pressed to turn off the ProPak6. Refer to Section 3.2.1, Applying Power to the Receiver on
page 44 for details on powering the ProPak6 and Section 3.2.1.1, Power Down and Reset the ProPak6
on page 45 for instructions on powering down the ProPak6.


2.3.2

For alternate power supply and battery backup details, refer to Section 2.7, ProPak6
Alternative Power Source on page 30 and/or 2.7.1, Battery Backup on page 31.

COM1 and COM2 Peripheral Power

The peripheral power from COM1 and COM2 can be controlled using the COMVOUT command. The
peripheral power is directly supplied from the enclosure input voltage (the 4-pin LEMO) and can be
output to pin-4 of both COM1 and COM2 (refer to Figure 7, Ethernet, COM or USB Device Ports on
page 25 for port location).



To avoid damaging the ProPak6 or the connected device, the physical connection must
be capable of handling up to 36 V before the COMVOUT command is issued.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

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Installation

The available power for both COM ports are shared (maximum 1.5 A total in any combination between
the ports). If only one COM port is used, the entire 1.5 A is available to that port. The total peripheral
power current is limited to 1.5 A. Transient currents greater than 1.5 A are clamped by the ProPak6.
Refer to A.2, ProPak6 Specifications on page 111 for baud rates. Refer to the OEM6 Firmware
Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for COMVOUT command details.

2.4

Standard Configuration Installation
Complete the steps below to connect and power a standard ProPak6 configuration.



If using the ProPak6 in a low vibration installation, attach the included mounting
brackets to the ProPak6 prior to cabling. Complete mounting instructions are contained
in the Quick Start Guide included with the ProPak6. Refer to Section 2.7.4, Mounting
the ProPak6 on page 33 for direct mounting instructions.
Figure 4: Typical Standard Installation with External Oscillator




Marked ANT








Marked OSC


Network

1. Mount a GNSS antenna (user supplied) on a secure, stable structure with an unobstructed view of
the sky from horizon to horizon. Refer also to Section 2.6.1, Mounting the GNSS Antenna on
page 30.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

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Chapter 2

2. Use a coaxial cable (user supplied) to connect an antenna to the TNC ANT port on the back face of
the ProPak6 (Figure 5). Refer also to Section 3.1.16, Antenna LNA Port on page 44.
3. Use a coaxial cable (user supplied) to connect an external oscillator to the BNC OSC port on the
back face of the ProPak6 (Figure 5). Refer also to Section 3.1.17, External Oscillator Port (model
dependent) on page 44.



The external oscillator is an optional model. If the dual-antenna model is used, refer
to Section 2.5, Dual Antenna Configuration and Installation on page 26 for
installation instructions.
Figure 5: Antenna and External Oscillator Ports

Refer to the Input/Output Connectors section of A.2, ProPak6 Specifications on page 111.
4. The power cable connector (included) is keyed to the PWR 9-36 VDC connector (Figure 6) on the
back of the ProPak6. Line up the red dot on the cable with the red line on the connector port and
insert. Refer also to Section 3.2.1, Applying Power to the Receiver on page 44.
Figure 6: Power Port

5. Use the appropriate cable to connect a computer to the COM port, Ethernet
port on the back of the ProPak6 (Figure 7).

port or

DEVICE

Figure 7: Ethernet, COM or USB Device Ports



COM ports are configurable to RS-232 or RS-422. Refer to Section 3.1.13.1,
Configure COM 1, 2 and 3 on page 43 for configuration instructions.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 2

Installation



The Ethernet port must be configured prior to first use. Refer to Chapter 4, Ethernet
Configuration on page 74 for configuration instructions.

Refer to the Input/Output Connectors section of A.2, ProPak6 Specifications on page 111. Also refer to
Table 14, COM1 and COM2 Port Pin-Out Descriptions on page 115 and Table 15, COM3/IMU Port PinOut Description on page 115.
6. Connect the I/O signals (optional) and/or expansion (EXP.) devices (optional) on the back of the
ProPak6 using the appropriate cables (Figure 8). Refer also to Section 3.1.14, I/O Port on page 43
and/or Section 3.1.15, Expansion Port on page 43.
Figure 8: Expansion and I/O Ports

Refer to the Input/Output Connectors section of A.2, ProPak6 Specifications on page 111. Also refer to
Table 16, I/O Port Pin-Out Descriptions on page 116 and Table 17, Expansion Port Pin-Out Description
on page 116.
7. Connect the ProPak6 to a power source. Once power is detected or activity detected on COM1,
COM2 or COM3, the ProPak6 automatically enters Operational mode. The LED beside the
button on the front of the ProPak6 briefly turns red and then turns solid green. The ProPak6 is now in
Operational mode. The power
button is only pressed to turn off the ProPak6. Refer to
Section 3.2.1, Applying Power to the Receiver on page 44 for instructions on turning on the ProPak6.

2.5

Dual Antenna Configuration and Installation
NovAtel's ALIGN® heading technology generates distance and bearing information between a “master”
and one or more “rover” receivers. This information can be used by SPAN® to update the inertial error
estimates and improve attitude accuracy. This is particularly useful in applications with reduced motion.
ProPak6 Dual Antenna provides the hardware necessary to run an ALIGN baseline with a second
receiver.
With ProPak6, the ALIGN GNSS baseline can be used to assist the initial alignment of the SPAN
solution. In addition, the ALIGN baseline solution aids the heading solution from the receiver if the
heading drifts due to slow or constant dynamics.
ALIGN is capable of a 10 Hz heading output rate when integrated with the ProPak6 receiver.
Complete the steps below to connect and power a dual antenna ProPak6 configuration.



The ProPak6 may contain an OEM615 receiver used as a dual antenna. The
DUALANTENNAPOWER command controls the LNA power to that receiver, independent of
the OEM638's LNA. The dual antenna power feature is on, by default, for dual antenna
ProPak6 models. Refer to the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for
command details.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

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Chapter 2
Figure 9: Typical Dual Antenna Installation






Marked ANT1

Marked ANT2


Network

1. Mount GNSS antennas (user supplied) on a secure, stable structure with an unobstructed view of the
sky from horizon to horizon. Refer also to Section 2.6.1, Mounting the GNSS Antenna on page 30.
2. Use a coaxial cable (user supplied) to connect an antenna to the TNC ANT1 port and connect a
second antenna to the other TNC ANT2 port on the back face of the ProPak6 (Figure 10).



Install the ProPak6 and the two antennas in the vehicle such that the relative
distance between them is fixed.
Figure 10: GNSS Antenna Ports

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Installation

3. Insert the power cable connector into the PWR 9-36 V connector (Figure 6) on the back of the
ProPak6. Refer to Section 3.2.1, Applying Power to the Receiver on page 44 for details on applying
power and power modes.
4. Use the appropriate cables to make any additional connections for communications as required and
as described in the steps for Standard Configuration Installation on page 24 beginning at step 5.

2.6



For instructions on setting up heading, refer to 3.5, External ALIGN Master or
Rover Configuration Only on page 50.



The Ethernet port must be configured prior to first use. Refer to Chapter 4, Ethernet
Configuration on page 74 for configuration instructions.

Cellular Antenna Installation
The ProPak6 has a cellular antenna port to facilitate the connection of an external cellular antenna. An
external antenna must be connected to this port in order to use the integrated cellular radio.



To comply with FCC regulations limiting both maximum RF output power and human
exposure to RF radiation, the maximum system gain (antenna gain minus system loss)
must not exceed 1.4 dBi in the U.S. Cellular band and 3.0 dBi in the PCS band for the
GSM/GPRS/HSDPA variant. System loss is the total of external cable and connector
losses and ProPak6 internal losses. For reference and system gain calculation
purposes, the ProPak6 has internal losses of 0.6 dB for the 800 MHz Cellular band and
1.8 dB for the 1900 MHz PCS band.
Figure 11: Cellular Network Setup





1. Remove the SIM card holder cover.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Installation

Chapter 2

2. Insert the SIM card and replace the card holder cover.



Once the SIM card is correctly installed, secure the SIM cover to the base using a
screwdriver. Screws should be torqued to 4-6 inch-pound. Failure to properly
secure SIM cover will violate ProPak6 IP67 ingress rating.

3. Use a coaxial cable to connect an antenna to the CELL port on the front face of the ProPak6. Specific
antenna types are available from NovAtel for the GSM/GPRS/HSDPA version of the ProPak6.
Secure the RF connector to the ProPak6 ensuring a “hand tight” connection.



Ensure the cellular antenna is installed at least 30 cm away from the ProPak6 or
GNSS positioning accuracy may be degraded. Refer to Figure 41, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
Antenna Keep-out Area and Antenna Location on page 114 for details.



•

Antennas must be installed on a “ground plane”. A vehicle with a metal roof is
inherently a ground plane. For vehicles with a non-metallic roof a metal ground
plane (available from NovAtel) must be used.

•

When installing the antenna on a metallic roof, it is recommended that the
antenna be installed no closer than 10 cm, (4 inches) from the edge of the
rooftop, to avoid adversely affecting the antenna performance due to distortion
of the antenna pattern.

•

The NovAtel ground plane accessory for use on non-metallic vehicle cab roofs
is designed to provide a sufficient symmetrical ground plane around the
antenna to guarantee optimal antenna performance.

•

Do not shorten the cable lengths provided with any particular antenna type as
this creates a safety hazard.

•

Do not use pliers or other tool types to over tighten the RF connector as
damage to the connector will occur.

•

Ensure the RF connectors (male and female) are clean and dry before mating.
Low pressure compressed air can be used to clean the connectors (that is,
compressed air available in aerosol can format). Do not use a high pressure
compressed air as moisture seals in the connector can be damaged. If the
ProPak6 is moved between multiple vehicles each with its own cellular
antenna, some means of sealing the unmated RF connectors should be used.
Cellular radio frequencies are much higher than older forms of radio
communications; the effects of moisture and/or dust will have a greater effect
on performance.



Refer to Section 5.3, Cellular Activation GSM/GPRS/HSDPA on page 90 for details on activating a
cellular network. Refer to Section 3.1.9, Cell Port and LED on page 40 for details on cell status
information. Also refer to the section Mobile/Cellular Antenna Port, A.2, ProPak6 Specifications on
page 111.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 2

2.6.1

Installation

Mounting the GNSS Antenna

The ProPak6 has been designed to operate with any of the NovAtel single-frequency or dual-frequency
GNSS antenna models.
When installing the antenna system:
•
•

2.7

Choose an antenna location with a clear view of the sky so that each satellite above the horizon can
be tracked without obstruction (refer to Multipath in NovAtel’s book Introduction to GNSS available
from our web site).
Mount the antenna on a secure, stable structure capable of safe operation in the specific
environment.

ProPak6 Alternative Power Source
If a different supply is desired, the table below provides the input range and type of connector required to
mate with the enclosure’s power connector. The supply should be capable of 14 W.
Table 5: Enclosure Power Requirements
Enclosure
ProPak6

Power Cable Connector Required
4-pin LEMO socket connector a labeled PWR

Power Input Range
+9 to +36 V DC

a. See Appendix B, Replacement Parts on page 125 for connector part numbers.

If the 12 V car adapter is not convenient, it can be cut off from the power cable. The exposed wires can
then be tied to a 9-36 VDC power supply capable of at least 14 W through a user supplied 6 Amp fuse.



The supplied 12 V power adapter cannot be used for 24 V or above systems.

For an alternative power source:
1. Cut the 12 V car adapter from the power cable.
2. Install a user supplied 6 A slow blow fuse at the power source to protect the power supply wiring and
the warranty.
3. Tie the exposed wires to a 9-36 VDC supply capable of at least 14 W. Be sure to connect the red and
orange or green wires to the positive side of the power supply and connect the black and brown or
white wires to the negative side of the power supply.



Since the 12 V car adapter on the supplied adapter cable incorporates a 6 A fuse, a
user supplied 6 A slow blow fuse in a suitable holder must be used at the alternate
power source to protect both the power supply and the warranty.

4. Plug in the adapter and/or turn on the power supply. The power LED briefly turns red when power is
detected and then turns green and enters operational mode.



The ProPak6 provides an output voltage on pin 4 of COM1 and COM2 (POUT).
This output voltage is at the same level as the power source used to power the
ProPak6.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Installation

Chapter 2

For a 12 V System the following are recommended:
Table 6: Fuse/Holder Recommendations
Fuse

Holder

BK/MDA-6-R Fuse (or equivalent)

BK/HFA-R-R Fuse (or equivalent)

6 A Fuse


2.7.1

The fuse and holder are made by Cooper/Bussmann; available from Digikey.

Battery Backup

If installed in a vehicle so as to avoid loss of lock when tracking L-Band, it is recommended a back-up
battery be placed between the receiver and the voltage supply as a power buffer. When a vehicle engine
is started, power can dip to below minimum operating voltage or cut-out to ancillary equipment causing
the receiver to lose lock and calibration settings.
from Vehicle
Alternator
to Vehicle Electrical
System
Battery Isolator

Vehicle Main
Battery

Auxiliary
Battery

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 2

Installation

2.7.1.1

Seamless Battery Swap

Two batteries can be connected at the same time. Lemo connectors positive wires (2 and 3) should be
split. The two positives are combined on the ProPak6 via diodes so no current can flow from one battery
to the other. The battery with the highest voltage supplies power to the ProPak6. The negative wires
should not be split. Be sure that both supplies share a common ground and are connected to the ground
of the ProPak6. If a battery requires charging, it can be removed without experiencing any power
interruption (battery A or B).
Positive A
P
O
W
E
R

P
O
W
E
R

Pin 2
Pin 1, 4
Pin 3

Negative A

Negative B

Positive B

2.7.2

Red

L
E
M
O

Black
Brown
or
White

Orange
or
Green

Connect the Additional Communication Ports on a ProPak6

In addition to the three COM ports (COM1, COM2 and COM3/IMU) on the back of the ProPak6, there are
four additional COM ports available from the EXP port. To access these ports, connect the ProPak6
Expansion Cable (01019154) to the EXP port. For more information about this cable, see Section A.5.5,
ProPak6 Expansion Cable (NovAtel part number 01019154) on page 123.
Figure 12: Additional COM ports on the ProPak6
COM7

COM8

COM9

COM10

Refer to A.5.5, ProPak6 Expansion Cable (NovAtel part number 01019154) on page 123 and Table 22,
ProPak6 Expansion Cable Pin-Out Descriptions on page 123 for pin out details.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Installation

2.7.3

Chapter 2

Connect the CAN Bus

OEM6 family receivers incorporate a CAN Bus controller that supports physical layer signals and low
level messages specified in the appropriate sections of the J1939 and ISO11783 standards.
Manufacturers can also create messages specific to their application without violating these standards.
To facilitate manufacturer messages, NovAtel provides an Application Program Interface (API). To obtain
information about this API, contact NovAtel Customer Support.
The ProPak6 receiver has two CAN Bus ports, CAN1 and CAN2, which are available on the EXP port. To
access these signals, use the ProPak6 Expansion Cable (see Figure 13, CAN Bus ports on the
ProPak6). For information about the ProPak6 Expansion Cable, see Section A.5.5, ProPak6 Expansion
Cable (NovAtel part number 01019154) on page 123. For information about the EXP port, refer to
Section 3.1.15, Expansion Port on page 43 of this manual.
Figure 13: CAN Bus ports on the ProPak6

CAN1+
CAN1CAN2+
CAN2DGND

2.7.4

Mounting the ProPak6

For general applications, the supplied mounting brackets may be used to install the receiver, refer to the
ProPak6 Quick Start Guide (GM-14915125) provided with the receiver or download the guide from our
web site: www.novatel.com/support.
For high vibration installations, NovAtel recommends mounting the ProPak6 directly using 1/4” 20-UNC
threaded screws (4 locations). Vibration dampeners or isolators (user supplied) for additional vibration
reduction may be used. Refer to Figure 40, ProPak6 Dimensions on page 113 for mounting hole
locations.

2.8

Installing NovAtel Connect PC Utilities
The NovAtel Connect PC Utilities contain a number of utilities that can be used with the ProPak6 along
with complete instructions for installation and use of the NovAtel PC utilities.



Download the latest PC Utilities software including NovAtel Connect™ PC Utilities
along with the necessary user documentation from: www.novatel.com/support/info/
documents/809.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 2

Installation

NovAtel Connect is a windows based GUI used to access the receiver's many features without the need
for communications protocol or other special software. The Convert utility is a windows based utility used
to convert between file formats and strips unwanted records for data file compilation.


2.9

If using Ethernet, the port needs to be configured prior to use. Refer to Chapter 4,
Ethernet Configuration on page 74 for configuration instructions.

ProPak6 Security

2.9.1

Administration Password



The Administrator password should be changed prior to using the FTP server or ICOM
ports.

An Administrator password is available to secure FTP and ICOM ports. The default Administrator
password is the Product Serial Number (PSN) of the receiver and the predefined user name is “admin”.
Example:

Label is located on the bottom of the ProPak6
An Administrator has read/write access and the ability to change passwords, issue commands, upload
files to the FTP server or upload new firmware.
A password can be up to a maximum of 28 characters/digits. The “admin” user name cannot be changed.
Use the SETADMINPASSWORD command to change the default password.
Refer to the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual - OM-20000129 for command details.

2.9.2

FTP Server and ICOM Ports

The FTP server is disabled by default. The IPSERVICE FTP_SERVER command is issued to enable or
disable the FTP server port. Refer to Section 3.7.1.5, Remote Retrieval of Logged Data on page 60 for
instructions on enabling the FTP port.
For security purposes, the IPSERVICE SECURE_ICOM command can also be used to enable password
security on the ICOM ports. When security is enabled, the port refuses incoming commands until a valid
User Name and Password are entered using the LOGIN command. Once logged in to an ICOM port, use
the LOGOUT command to sign out of the connection and resecure the port. Refer to Section 3.1.13.1,
Configure COM 1, 2 and 3 on page 43 for further details.
Refer to the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual - OM-20000129 for details on the IPSERVICE
command.

2.10 Next Steps
Once the physical installation is complete and power is applied, various ports and radios need to be
enabled and/or configured. Refer to the upcoming chapters for operation and configuration details.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 3

Operation

Before operating the receiver for the first time, please ensure the installation instructions in Chapter 2,
Installation starting on page 21 were followed.

3.1

Communications with the Receiver
Communication with the receiver typically consists of issuing commands through the communication
ports from an external serial communications device. This could be either a terminal or a computer
connected directly to the receiver serial port using a null-modem cable. If using an RTK radio, connect to
the receiver’s COM port by means of the radio serial cable. Familiarity with the commands and logs
detailed in the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual - OM-20000129 will ensure maximum utilization of the
ProPak6 capabilities.

3.1.1

Communicating Using a Remote Terminal

One method of communicating with the receiver is through a remote terminal. The receiver is wired to
allow proper RS-232 interface with the data terminal by default. It is possible to configure RS-422
communication (refer to Section 3.1.13.1, Configure COM 1, 2 and 3 on page 43 for details). To
communicate with the terminal, the receiver only requires the RX, TX and GND lines to be used.
Handshaking is an option and is not required. Ensure the terminal’s communications setup matches the
receiver’s RS-232 protocol. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet are also available. Refer to Section 3.1.13,
Serial Ports on page 42 for additional information.
Refer to Section 3.1.13, Serial Ports on page 42 for details.

3.1.2

Communicating Using a Computer

A computer can be set up to emulate a remote terminal as well as provide the added flexibility of creating
multiple command batch files and data logging storage files. Any standard communications software
package that emulates a terminal can be used to establish bidirectional communications with the
receiver, for example, HyperTerminal or NovAtel’s graphic user interface (GUI) program, NovAtel
Connect. All data is sent as raw 8-bit binary or ASCII characters.
Refer to Section 3.3, Establishing a Receiver COM Connection on page 45 for details.

3.1.3

Status Indicators

LED indicators on the front of the ProPak6 provide the status of the receiver. Some LEDs are user
configurable and some are fixed.

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Chapter 3

Operation

3.1.3.1

User Configurable Status Indicators

Some of the LEDs on the ProPak6 front panel have configurable threshold settings that determine when
the LED changes color and states. The user configurable LEDs are:
•

Satellite Tracking 1 and 2 (refer to Section 3.1.8, Satellite Tracking and Positioning LEDs on
page 38 for LED status states)

•

GNSS Positioning 1 and 2 (refer to Section 3.1.8, Satellite Tracking and Positioning LEDs on
page 38 for LED status states)

•

Data Logging (refer to Section 3.7, Logging and Retrieving Data Overview on page 58 for LED
status states)

The LEDCONFIG command is used to configure a specific indicator LED. All configuration settings,
except the two GNSS positioning LEDs, take two parameters: one value determines when the LED turns
red and the other value determines when it turns amber (with the default setting outside the value range
being green). Refer to the LEDCONFIG command in the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual OM-20000129 for details.
3.1.3.2

Fixed Status Indicators

The fixed LEDs are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

3.1.4

Power (refer to Section 3.2.1, Applying Power to the Receiver on page 44 for LED states)
INS (refer to Section 3.1.7, INS and ALIGN LEDs on page 37 for LED states)
ALN (ALIGN/Heading) (refer to Section 3.1.7, INS and ALIGN LEDs on page 37 for LED states)
COM 1, 2 and 3 (refer to Section 3.1.4, COM Ports LEDs on page 36 for LED states)
Wi-Fi (refer to Section 3.1.6, Wi-Fi LED on page 37 for LED states)
Bluetooth (refer to Section 3.1.5, Bluetooth LED on page 37 for LED states)
USB Host (refer to Section 3.1.10, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port and LEDs on page 40 for LED
states)
Cell (refer to Section 3.1.9, Cell Port and LED on page 40 for LED states)

COM Ports LEDs

The COM LEDs for COM1, 2 and 3 are on the front of the ProPak6. The LEDs indicates if data is in the
process of being transmitted or received.
Status LED
LED State
COM1, COM2, COM3

Description

Off

no activity

Green (blinking)

RS-232 Transmitting data (Tx)

Red (blinking)

RS-232 Receiving data (Rx)

Green (solid)

RS-422 all states

Refer to the LEDCONFIG command in the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual - OM-20000129 for
additional details.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Operation

3.1.5

Chapter 3

Bluetooth LED

The Bluetooth LED lights blue when the ProPak6 is enabled and powered. Refer to Section 5.1,
Bluetooth® Configuration on page 82 for Bluetooth details.
Status LED
LED State

Description

Off

Bluetooth radio is not powered

Blue (solid)

Bluetooth radio is powered

Use the BLUETOOTHCONFIG command to power the radio on or off (default off). Refer to the OEM6
Firmware Reference Manual - OM-20000129 for command details.

3.1.6

Wi-Fi LED

The Wi-Fi LED lights blue when the ProPak6 is enabled and powered. Refer to Section 5.2, Wi-Fi
Network Configuration on page 84 for Wi-Fi details.
Status LED
LED State

Off

Description

Wi-Fi radio is not powered
a

Blue (solid)

Wi-Fi radio is powered

a. By default the radio is on and powered in AP mode.

Use the WIFICONFIG command to power the radio on or off (default off). Refer to the OEM6 Firmware
Reference Manual - OM-20000129 for command details.

3.1.7

INS and ALIGN LEDs

The INS LED indicates the status of the Inertial Navigation System (INS); the ALN LED indicates the
ALIGN heading status.
INS

ALN

Status LED

Status LED
Table 7: INS LED States
LED State

Description

Off

INS disabled (GNSS only)

Off

INS enabled-no IMU detected

Red (solid)

INS inactive (IMU detected, no error)

Red (blinking)

IMU error (INS state not applicable)

Red/Amber (alternating)

INS determining orientation (IMU good)

Red/Amber (alternating)

INS waiting initial position

Green/Amber (alternating)

INS solution free

Amber (solid)

INS is aligning

Amber (blinking)

INS high variance

Green (solid)

INS solution good

Green (blinking)

INS alignment complete

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Chapter 3

Operation
Table 8: ALN (ALIGN) LED States
LED State

3.1.8

Description

Off

ALIGN is not operational
- Dual card is disabled or unavailable
- Tracking <4 satellites
- Heading log not received/updated in 30 seconds

Amber (solid)

ALIGN has FLOAT solution
- SOLTYPE_L1_FLOAT
- SOLTYPE_NARROW_FLOAT or
- SOLTYPE_WIDE_FLOAT

Green (solid)

ALIGN has fixed solution
- SOLTYPE_L1_INT
- SOLTYPE_NARROW_INT

Satellite Tracking and Positioning LEDs

The Satellite tracking LEDs (
position LEDs (

) indicate the number of satellites being tracked (1 and 2); the Satellite

) indicate the position of satellites (1 and 2).

Tracking
Status LEDs

Position
Status LEDs

Table 9: Satellite Tracking LEDs States (GPS and/or GNSS)
LED State

Description

Off

Tracking 0 satellites

Red (solid)

Tracking 1 to 3 satellites

Amber (solid)

Tracking 4 to 5 satellites

Green (solid)

Tracking more than 5 satellites

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Operation

Chapter 3
Table 10: Satellite Position LEDs States
LED State

Description

Off

Included Position Types

No fix

SOLTYPE_NONE

Single point

SOLTYPE_SINGLE
SOLTYPE_INS_PSRSP

Amber (solid)

Converging accuracy

SOLTYPE_L1_FLOAT
SOLTYPE_IONOFREE_FLOAT
SOLTYPE_NARROW_FLOAT
SOLTYPE_L1L2_FLOAT
SOLTYPE_INS_RTKFLOAT
SOLTYPE_INS_OMNISTAR - Unconverged
SOLTYPE_INS_OMNISTAR_HP - Unconverged
SOLTYPE_INS_OMNISTAR_XP - Unconverged
SOLTYPE_OMNISTAR_HP - Unconverged
SOLTYPE_OMNISTAR_XP – Unconverged
SOLTYPE_PROPAGATED
SOLTYPE_PPP_CONVERGING
SOLTYPE_INS_PPP_CONVERGING

Green (solid)

Converged accuracy

SOLTYPE_INS_OMNISTAR - Converged
SOLTYPE_INS_OMNISTAR_HP - Converged
SOLTYPE_INS_OMNISTAR_XP - Converged
SOLTYPE_OMNISTAR_HP - Converged
SOLTYPE_OMNISTAR_XP – Converged
SOLTYPE_L1L2_INT
SOLTYPE_L1L2_INT_VERIFIED
SOLTYPE_L1_INT
SOLTYPE_WIDE_INT
SOLTYPE_NARROW_INT
SOLTYPE_RTK_DIRECT_INS
SOLTYPE_INS_RTKFIXED
SOLTYPE_PPP
SOLTYPE_INS_PPP
SOLTYPE_EXT_CONSTRAINED
SOLTYPE_FIXEDPOS

Green (blinking)

PSR/PDP using
corrections

SOLTYPE_PSR_DIFF
SOLTYPE_OMNISTAR
SOLTYPE_INS_SBAS
SOLTYPE_INS_PSRDIFF
SOLTYPE_CDGPS
SOLTYPE_FIXEDHEIGHT
SOLTYPE_FIXEDVEL
SOLTYPE_DOPPLER_VELOCITY
SOLTYPE_WAAS

Amber (blinking)

a. When a OEM615 is used in a dual antenna configuration, the LED for GNSS2 only shows as off
or amber.

Both the Satellite Tracking and Satellite Positioning LEDs are user configurable. Refer to the LEDCONFIG
command in the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for details.

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Chapter 3

3.1.9

Operation

Cell Port and LED

The ProPak6 has a cellular antenna port to connect an external cellular antenna (TNC). An external
antenna must be connected to this port in order to use the integrated cellular modem. Refer to
Section 5.3, Cellular Activation GSM/GPRS/HSDPA on page 90 for activation and command instructions.
Status LED

CELL

Table 11: CELL LED States
LED State



Description

Off

Cellular not available

Red (solid)

No cellular signal

Red (blinking)

Error

Amber

Cellular network available-IP connectivity not available

Green (blinking)

Cellular activity (transmitting or receiving)

Green (solid)

Idle PDP context activated but not transmitting/receiving

Ensure the cellular antenna is installed at least 30 cm away from the ProPak6 antenna
or GNSS positioning accuracy may be degraded. Refer to Figure 41, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
Antenna Keep-out Area and Antenna Location on page 114 for details.

3.1.10 Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port and LEDs
NovAtel USB drivers are available for Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and
Windows 7 to provide three virtual serial ports over a single USB 2.0 connection using the ProPak6’s
USB Device port. The USB drivers are digitally signed and officially supported on Microsoft Windows XP,
Windows Vista and Windows 7. They can also be installed on Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows
Server 2003 but are not WHQL signed in those applications.



A computer may have several USB ports. The assignment of COM port numbers is tied
to a USB port on the computer. This allows receivers to be switched without Microsoft
Windows assigning new COM ports. However, if the receiver is connected to a different
physical USB port, Windows detects the receiver's presence and assigns three new
COM port numbers by default.

The NovAtel USB Configuration Utility, installed with the NovAtel USB drivers, is used to change the
COM port numbers assigned to the virtual serial ports. Refer to the NovAtel PC Utilities manual for
instructions or check for updates to the drivers and release notes at www.novatel.com/support.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Operation

Chapter 3

3.1.10.1

USB Host LED

The ProPak6 can be configured to manually (default) or automatically download stored data when a
memory stick is inserted into the USB Host port (Type A). Refer to Section 3.7.1.3, Manual Retrieval of
Logged Data on page 60 for details on configuring the USB Host.
Once USB Host is connected, the LED changes to indicate the state.
Status LED

HOST
LED State

Description

Off

No devices connected or an error has occurred

Red (solid)

Device is idle

Red (blinking)

Device is busy (active)

Refer to Section 3.7.1.3, Manual Retrieval of Logged Data on page 60 for details on configuring the USB
Host.
3.1.10.2

USB Device

The USB Device port (Type micro-B) functions as three virtual serial ports.


3.1.11

Ethernet Port

The ProPak6 receiver is equipped with a 10-Base-T/100-Base-TX or 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port that
supports IPv4 Internet layer, TCP/IP transport and telnet. Users can conduct remote debugging, accept
MRTCA (modified RTCA) data and download firmware. The ProPak6 receiver is also equipped with
NTRIP Version 2.0 (Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol) client and server capability.
The Ethernet port must be configured before using. Refer to Chapter 4, Ethernet Configuration on
page 74 for configuration details.



The Ethernet ports are Safety Extra-Low Voltage (SELV) circuits only and are suitable
for connection within a building only. Do not connect them to Telephone Network
Voltage (TNV) circuits.



Issue the SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command to ensure port settings are retained
after a reset and automatically used at boot time. The SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA
command is not applicable to the ICOMCONFIG and NTRIPCONFIG command
settings. The SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command takes precedence over the
SAVECONFIG command configuration.



The Ethernet port is the default port setting for internet access. If at any time the default
is changed to Wi-Fi or Cellular, the SETPREFERREDNETIF ETHA command must be
issued to return to using Ethernet for internet access. Refer to the OEM6 Firmware
Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for command details.

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Chapter 3

Operation

3.1.12 ICOM Ports
ICOM ports are virtual ports. The ProPak6 has three shared ICOM ports for Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Cellular.
The transport/application layer of the ICOM ports can be configured using Transmission Control Protocol
(TCP) for internet IP or User Datagram Protocol (UDP) a slower and less reliable IP protocol. If using
TCP, only one connection at a time is supported.
Although each port can be configured independently, the system only uses one DNS server at a time.
Refer to DNSCONFIG command for Ethernet DNS and the WIFICLICONFIG command for configuring
DNS for a static Wi-Fi network. (If using DHCP, DNS is automatically set.)
The following are the default ICOM configurations:
•

ICOMCONFIG ICOM1 TCP :3001

•

ICOMCONFIG ICOM2 TCP :3002

•

ICOMCONFIG ICOM3 TCP :3003

Each ICOM port can act as a server (waiting for an external connection to be made) or as a client
(actively establishing a connection to a specific port).
Refer to the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for details on the ICOM port commands
DNSCONFIG, IPCONFIG, ICOMCONFIG, the ETHCONFIG command and the Wi-Fi WIFICLICONFIG
command.
In this manual, refer to Section 2.9.2, FTP Server and ICOM Ports on page 34 for details on securing
ICOM ports.

3.1.13 Serial Ports
The receiver communicates with the computer or terminal via a serial port. For communication to occur,
both the receiver and the operator interface must be properly configured. The ProPak6’s COM1, COM2
and COM3 default port settings are as follows:
•

9600 bps, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no handshaking, echo off
Table 12: Data Communication Port Defaults
Connection Name

COM1

COM2

COM3

Connector location

Rear panel-COM1

Rear panel-COM2

Rear panel-COM3/IMU

Default configuration

RS-232

Alternate configuration

RS-422

The data transfer rate determines how fast information is transmitted. Take for example a log whose
message byte count is 96. The default port settings allows 10 bits/byte (8 data bits + 1 stop bit + 1
framing bit). It therefore takes 960 bits per message. To get 10 messages per second then requires 9600
bps. Please also remember that even if you set the bps to 9600 the actual data transfer rate is lower and
depends on the number of satellites being tracked, data filters in use, and idle time. It is therefore
suggested that you leave yourself a margin when choosing a data rate (115200 is recommended for most
applications).



Although the receiver can operate at data transfer rates as low as 300 bps, this is not
desirable. For example, if several data logs are active (that is, a significant amount of
information needs to be transmitted every second) but the bit rate is set too low, data
overflows the serial port buffers, causing an error condition in the receiver status that
results in lost data.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Operation

Chapter 3

3.1.13.1

Configure COM 1, 2 and 3

COM1, COM2 and COM3/IMU can communicate using the RS-422 protocol in addition to the standard
RS-232 protocol. On the ProPak6, the IMUCOM port is equivalent to COM3.
There are 2 ways to select between RS-232 and RS-422 protocol for the various ports (default is
RS-232).
1. A Configuration Code obtained from NovAtel Customer Support can be installed in the receiver to
select the protocol for COM1 and COM3/IMU independently.
2. The SERIALPROTOCOL command can be used to select RS-232 or RS-422 for any of the 3 COM
ports. This method overrides the protocol set using the previous method.
The configuration code will configure the ports at boot time so the receiver may be loaded over the
configured protocol.
For the SERIALPROTOCOL command method, commands are executed after the receiver has completed
booting and so the communication lines are configured as RS-232 during boot. For automatic
configuration, the SERIALPROTOCOL command can be saved using the SAVECONFIG command.



The SERIALCONFIG command is used to configure certain protocol settings when
using either RS-232 or RS-422.

Refer to the OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for command details.

3.1.14 I/O Port
3.1.14.1

Strobes

ProPak6 has configurable inputs and outputs, referred to as strobes, that provide status and
synchronization signals. Refer to Table 16, I/O Port Pin-Out Descriptions on page 116 for details
Also refer to the Chapter 4, Ethernet Configuration on page 74 for details and to the IOCONFIG,
EVENTINCONTROL and EVENTOUTCONTROL commands in the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference
Manual (OM-20000129) for configuration and command details.

3.1.15 Expansion Port
The ProPak6 Expansion port supplies two CAN ports and a USB Host port which is reserved for future
use. Refer to Table 17, Expansion Port Pin-Out Description on page 116 for details.
•

CAN1

•

CAN2

•

USB Host (reserved for future use)

3.1.15.1

CAN Bus

The ProPak6 CAN Bus controller supports physical layer signals and low level messages specified in the
appropriate sections of the J1939 and ISO11783 standards. Manufacturers can also create messages
specific to their application without violating these standards. To facilitate manufacturer messages,
NovAtel provides an Application Program Interface (API). To obtain information about the NovAtel API,
contact www.novatel.com/support.
The ProPak6 has two CAN ports: CAN1 and CAN2. Both CAN ports are brought out to the expansion
port. CAN1 and CAN2 both support applications up to 1 Mbps.
CAN interfaces are accessed using NovAtel’s API, but shared signals must be disabled to avoid conflicts.
Refer to Appendix A, Technical Specifications on page 110 for further details.
Proper bus termination is required.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 3

Operation



CAN Bus functionality is controlled through NovAtel’s optional API software. The API
header file includes documentation on using the CAN bus.

3.1.16 Antenna LNA Port
NovAtel antennas and coaxial cables meet receiver RF input gain requirements. NovAtel antennas are
equipped with built-in LNAs that provide 26 dB of gain to the satellite signal received. The power to the
antenna LNA is provided through the receiver’s RF port center conductor. To achieve the required input
gain to the receiver, NovAtel coaxial cables are designed to introduce no more than 10 dB loss. Antenna
supply over current protection limits the LNA power. The ProPak6 provides +5 VDC ±5% at a maximum
of 200 mA to the antenna connected to the ANT1 connector. If the ProPak6 is equipped with an ANT2
connector, the second antenna is provided with 5 VDC ±5% at a maximum current of 100 mA.

3.1.17 External Oscillator Port (model dependent)
For applications requiring greater precision than what is possible using the on-board Voltage Controlled,
Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator (VCTCXO), the ProPak6 may be connected to an external,
high stability oscillator, at 5 MHz or 10 MHz.
Connect a cable from the external oscillator to the receiver’s external oscillator input connector (OSC).
The receiver does not have to be powered down during this operation. The input impedance is 50 ohms.
When using the external oscillator, use the EXTERNALCLOCK command (refer to the OEM6 Family
Firmware Reference Manual-OM-20000129 for details) to set the clock type (e.g: cesium, rubidium or
ovenized crystal) and frequency.


3.2

An external oscillator is not available for systems with the Heading functionality. On
systems with the Heading feature, the port is used for the second GNSS antenna.

Getting Started

3.2.1

Applying Power to the Receiver

Connect the power supply to the power port. Once valid power is detected, the ProPak6 power LED
briefly flashes red and then turns green as the ProPak6 enters Operational mode. Press the Power
button or issue the SOFTPOWER command to power down the ProPak6.
Figure 14: Power Button
Button

Status LED
LED State



Description

Mode

Off (not lit)

No power connected

Red (solid)

Power connected

brief pre-Operational mode

Green (solid)

Power on

Operational

The ProPak6 also automatically enters Operational mode if valid power is connected or
if activity is detected on COM1, COM2 or COM3.

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Operation

Chapter 3

3.2.1.1

Power Down and Reset the ProPak6

If the ProPak6 button is pressed and held for period of time, the receiver shuts down or resets.
Button Press Time

Result

LEDs

Press and hold minimum
3 s and maximum 10 s

Power to the ProPak6 is turned off

After 3 s, Satellite tracking and GNSS positioning
(1 and 2) LEDs = Amber (solid)
When the button is released, these LEDs turn off.

Press and hold minimum
10 s and maximum 20 s

A FRESET (factory reset) of the ProPak6
is performed

Satellite tracking and GNSS positioning (1 and
2), IMU and ALN LEDs = Red (solid)

Press over 20 s

Button press aborted-ProPak6 returns to
normal operation

Ignored

The ProPak6 can also be powered down by issuing the SOFTPOWER command which unmounts the
internal flash storage to minimize the risk of losing data. Refer to OEM6 Firmware Reference Manual
(OM-20000129) for details.


3.3

Ensure the ProPak6 is properly powered down before removing the power cord.

Establishing a Receiver COM Connection
To establish a new connection to the receiver, complete the following:
1. Launch Connect from the Start menu folder specified during the installation process. The default
location is Start | All Programs | NovAtel PC Software | NovAtel Connect.
2. Select New Connection from the Welcome window.

3. Enter a name for the connection.
4. Select Device Type to use to communicate from the drop list:
•

Serial - choose a COM port

•

USB - choose a COM port

•

Network - choose a receiver and define network settings

5. Click the OK button to save the new connection.



Detailed instructions for using NovAtel Connect are available from within the utility
Help.

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Chapter 3

3.3.1

Operation

Communicating with the Receiver Using NovAtel Connect

Open the NovAtel Connect program and select Device | Open Connection from the main menu. The
Open Connection window appears. Open an existing connection or a create a New connection.

Refer to NovAtel Connect’s Help (press F1, click on ? icon or select the NovAtel button | Help). Ensure
the Console and ASCII Messages windows are displayed (select from the View menu if necessary).
When the receiver is first turned on, no data is transmitted from the COM ports except for the port
prompt. The Console window displays a port name:
[COM1] if connected to com1 port

[COM2]

if connected to com2 port
or
[COM3] if connected to com3 port
Any of the COM port prompts indicate that the receiver is ready and waiting for command input. The
screen may display other port names for other port types (e.g., USB1, USB2, USB3 or AUX).



1. Output from receiver self-tests may take some time. On startup, the ProPak6 receiver is set to
log the RXSTATUSEVENTA log ONNEW on all ports. See Section 8.4 RXSTATUSEVENT Log
on page 107 for more details.
2. If NovAtel Connect is unable to locate the ProPak6 receiver, use a different COM port to communicate with the receiver. When communication has been established, issue a FRESET
STANDARD command. The original communications port should be ready for use.
3. XCOM1, XCOM2 and XCOM3 virtual ports can be generated by the receiver. However, they
are unlikely to appear as a port prompt as you cannot connect to these types of ports using
NovAtel Connect. Also, the XCOM ports are not available with the SERIALCONFIG command but may be used with other commands, such as INTERFACEMODE and LOG. Refer to
the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for details on the virtual ports.

An example of a response to an input FIX POSITION command:

[COM2] FIX POSITION 51.11635 -114.0383 1048.2 [carriage return]
40% to within ±0.5%

Amber (solid)

Internal memory capacity between 20 and 40% to within ±0.5%

Red (solid)

Internal memory capacity >20% to within ±0.5%
Also, when downloading files via the USB Host when connected on
the front of the ProPak6

Green (blink)

Logging as 1 Hz and file is currently open

Green/Amber alternate

System busy (internal setup)

Off

No activity-button not pressed



The capacity indication level for the Logging LED can be configured using the
LEDCONFIG command. Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual
(OM-20000129) for command details.

Pressing the Log button (
) automatically issues the LOGFILE OPEN or LOGFILE CLOSE commands
(the open/close log status toggles between the two states).

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
3.7.1.2

A maximum of 256 files can be stored (depending on individual file sizes). For further
details about file system limitations, consult the FAT32 standards from MicroSoft.

Remote Logging Initiation

Once a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is established, send the LOGFILE OPEN command and specify
FILE as the output port when issuing LOG commands to begin logging data. To stop saving data to the
file, issue the LOGFILE CLOSE command.



To avoid corrupting files, press the Log button or issue the LOGFILE CLOSE command
before powering down the receiver or extracting data.

Example to log data to onboard storage:
LOGFILE OPEN SAMPLE_DATA.LOG
LOG FILE VERSION
LOG FILE RANGEB ONTIME 1
LOG FILE BESTPOSB ONTIME 1
3.7.1.3

Manual Retrieval of Logged Data

By default, files can be copied from the ProPak6 USB Host port (Type A) to a USB stick using DOSCMD
COPY command. Example:
DOSCMD COPY MYFILE.LOG
A check is performed before each file is copied to ensure there is enough space on the USB stick. If there
is not enough room, the file is skipped and copying continues with the next file. This is considered an
error for all copy options except SKIP (refer to OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual for the SKIP
option description) but will continue copying the rest of the files (if space is available). The USB Host LED
blinks red during the copy process.
At the end of the copy, if there is an error the USB Host LED turns off. The USB Host LED is solid red
indicating the USB stick is inserted and idle. Refer to Section 3.1.10.1, USB Host LED on page 41 for
LED details.
3.7.1.4

Automatic Retrieval of Logged Data

The SETFILECOPYMODE command configures how the receiver copies files from internal memory to a
USB stick. The SETFILECOPYMODE command must be issued prior to inserting the USB stick to trigger
auto-copy. When auto copying files, there must be enough space available on the USB stick to hold the
files. Files that won’t fit are skipped and therefore are not copied to the USB stick.
Example: SETFILECOPYMODE AUTO_ALL


3.7.1.5

The ProPak6 only supports FAT12/16/32 file systems. Other file systems, in particular
NTFS, are not supported.
Refer to OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for command
details.

Remote Retrieval of Logged Data

The FTP server on the ProPak6 allow access to the internal flash memory. There is a limitation of one
connection at any given time. This not only means that only one user can access the FTP server at a
time but the FTP Client software must be set to only use one connection (refer to Section 5.2.3, Wi-Fi
Client Configuration on page 87 for Client setup details). The FTP server can be accessed via Ethernet
or Wi-Fi.

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

When transferring binary data files, ensure FTP transfer mode is set to binary. If left in
ASCII mode, files will not successfully download will become corrupted.

Setting FTP Transfer Mode to Binary
1. Using standard terminal software, open an FTP connection to the receiver.
2. To change to binary mode, enter: BIN
3. To transfer a file, enter: get



3.7.1.6

If the FTP connection is lost during the downloading of files, reconnect and begin the
file transfer again. The data files are not removed from internal storage until manually
deleted. If the Propak6 lost power and commands to configure the Ethernet (Chapter 4,
Ethernet Configuration on page 74), Wi-Fi (Section 5.2, Wi-Fi Network Configuration on
page 84), and FTP Server (Section 2.9.2, FTP Server and ICOM Ports on page 34)
were not saved to NVM using the SAVECONFIG command, they must be reconfigured.
Otherwise, the receiver is ready for a connection from client software running on a PC
or other device. When the transfer is successful, files can be deleted issuing the
DOSCMD DEL command or by using the 'del' command from within the FTP client.

Stop Logging

Press the Log button (
) to stop logging (open/close toggles based on the last state) or issue the
LOGFILE CLOSE command.


3.7.2

Logging automatically stops when the ProPak6 internal memory is full (4 GB). To avoid
filling internal memory, ensure transferred or no longer needed logs are regularly
deleted.

Reading Data and Post-Processing

Logs can be directed to any of the ProPak6 communication ports and can be automatically generated
when new or changed data becomes available or at regular intervals.
Example:
LOG BESTPOSA ONTIME 1
Data can be collected through NovAtel Connect using the Logging Control Window.

Refer NovAtel Connect within the Help or the .chm file bundled with the software for further logging
details.
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Chapter 3

3.7.3

Operation

Pass-Through Logging

The pass-through logging feature enables the GNSS receiver to redirect any ASCII or binary data that is
input at a specified COM port or USB port, to any specified receiver COM or USB port. This capability, in
conjunction with the SEND command, allows the receiver to perform bidirectional communications with
other devices such as a modem, terminal or another receiver.
There are several pass-through logs: PASSCOM1, PASSCOM2, PASSCOM3, PASSXCOM1,
PASSXCOM2, PASSXCOM3, PASSUSB1, PASSUSB2, PASSUSB3, PASSICOMX, PASSNCOM and
PASSAUX are available on OEM6 family receivers for logging through serial ports. Refer to the
PASSCOM logs in the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for details.

3.8

ProPak6 Web User Interface (UI)
The ProPak6 is able to perform basic monitoring, configuration and updating tasks over a selected
Ethernet/Wi-Fi network. The feature/functionality available for the ProPak6 web UI is:
•

Advanced Tracking

•

DOP Status

•

Onboard Storage Status

•

Port Configuration

•

Position Mode Configuration

•

Logging Profile Manager

•

Rx Health Status

•

Solution Status

If the necessary feature/functionality required is not available in the Web UI, use NovAtel Connect to
perform comprehensive monitoring, configuration and updating tasks using various connections. Refer to
Section 2.8, Installing NovAtel Connect PC Utilities on page 33 for details regarding NovAtel Connect.
The following browsers are supported:
•

3.8.1

IE11, Google Chrome (33.0.1750.154 m) and Mozilla Firefox (27.0.1)

Setup Up Network IP

After installing and powering up the ProPak6 (follow the steps in Section 2.4, Standard Configuration
Installation on page 24 or Section 2.5, Dual Antenna Configuration and Installation on page 26) perform
the following steps to setup the ProPak6 Web UI.
1. Ethernet DHCP is the default network setup for Internet access for the ProPak6. If a Static IP is
required, refer to Section 4.2, Static IP Address Configuration on page 74. Refer to Section 5.2, Wi-Fi
Network Configuration on page 84 or Section 5.3, Cellular Activation GSM/GPRS/HSDPA on
page 90 for additional network configuration details.
2. On a wireless device, locate the list of detected Access Points. By default, the ProPak6 detected is
named using the Product Serial Number (PSN). Example: ProPak-6 NMCMxxxxxxxxx
3. Select the ProPak6 from the list to connect.
4. Open a supported internet browser, for example, Internet Explorer®.

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Operation

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5. Enter the receiver IP address in the browser address bar and press Enter. The Login page displays:



When entering any information into the Web UI, check for auto corrections or
turn auto correct off.

6. Click in the Username field and enter the default user name: admin
7. Click in the Password field and enter the default password: the ProPak6 receiver Product Serial
Number (PSN) is the default password (located bottom of receiver).
8. Press the Log In button.
The default Product Information home page displays, This page contains information about the
connected ProPak6 receiver. Note, it may take a few moments to load all information into the fields.

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Chapter 3

Operation
Figure 22: Product Information (Info)
Status Information
(refer to Figure 23)
Click to open.

Current
information
regarding
connected
ProPak6

Figure 23: Status Display Top Panel
Hover the mouse over the Solution or Receiver Health
status to display detailed information on the status
message and display troubleshooting suggestions to
Click to display a local
Click + to display assist in resolving any error conditions
information for Satellite Click + to display information
Shows percent of time for the satellites
Vehicles in use and configure Position Mode
onboard storage used being tracked

Click + to display
information for
Dilution of Precision
Color

Click + to display
current receiver health
information
Status

Red

Error

Green

Good

Yellow

Warning

Shows percent
of CPU in use
Shows IP status
The blinking light
indicates receiver
connection alive status

Press the
button, in the upper right corner, to display
additional information and configuration options.

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Operation

Chapter 3
Table 13: Status Drop Menu Examples

3.8.2

Device Menu

The Device menu contains the Info Page (default home page), Update and Change Password options.
3.8.2.1

Info

Refer to Figure 22, Product Information (Info) on Page 64 for location.
3.8.2.2

Update

Use to update either the firmware on the ProPak6 or the Web UI interface.

Click to move
between
options

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3.8.2.3

Change Password

Use this page to change the password.

3.8.3

Dashboard

The Dashboard contains the Constellation, Advanced Tracking, Storage Status, Port Configuration,
Position Mode and Profile Manager.
3.8.3.1

Constellation

Use to monitor the satellites currently being tracked. Each satellite type displays as a different shape.
The color indicates the status of the channel; the colored line below the shape indicates the signal
strength. Each shape also displays the PRN of that satellite. Click a shape, within the Constellation circle,
to display SV information.
Red
Blue
Yellow
Teal
Orange

No signal match
No ephemeris
No ambiguity
All other health status
N/A

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3.8.3.2

Chapter 3
Advanced Tracking

The page displays receiver channel status information.

3.8.3.3

Green

Good

Red

Bad Health, Misclosure, No Ephemeris, Unknown, Not Used, NA, Bad Integrity, Lossoflock

Yellow

OldEphemeris, Elevationerror, Nodiffcorr,Invalidiode, Lockedout, Lowpower, OBSL2,
Noionocolor, OBSL1,OBSE1,OBSL5, OBSE5,OBSB2,OBSB1, NoSignalmatch,
Supplementary, Noambiguity

Storage Status

Displays the amount of memory available, amount used, available space and time left along with a list for
files including size and date modified on the ProPak6. Click on one or multiple check boxes and press the
delete button to delete selected files. Click on the up/down arrows at the top of each column to customize
the sort order.



The ProPak6 contains 4 GB of onboard data storage. Refer to Section 3.7.1,
Onboard Data Storage on page 59 for details.

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Chapter 3
3.8.3.4

Operation
Port Configuration

Use to configure ports and set the interface mode.

3.8.3.5

Position Mode

Displays the current position mode currently used by the receiver. Is also used to configure the receiver
for SBAS, PPP and Differential operation.
Use the SBAS page to select the SBAS system to use in the receiver solution, let the receiver determine
the best system or do not use SBAS system satellites.

Once set, use save button to configure the receiver with the selected position mode settings. Set system
to NONE to reset to previous position mode.
Use the PPP Tab to configure a position mode for Precise Point Positioning if your receiver is enabled
with a TerraStar Subscription. A message at the bottom of the screen indicate the current subscription
status.If there is an active subscription, click the 'Enable L-Band' button to automatically select the
appropriate L-Band Beam and the system will begin converging a PPP solution. Note that this can take
approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Clicking another beam from the beam table and clicking
'Assign L-Band Beam' will manually assign the beam selected.

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If there is no TerraStar subscription available on the receiver, the button text displays 'Track L-Band'
beams, and will only allow the user view the available beams and not select one. Contact NovAtel
Customer Support (support@novatel.com) to inquire about TerraStar subscription activation. For beam
coverage information, visit www.terrastar.net/coverage.html.

Use the Differential page to configure the receiver for Base/Rover operations.

The NovAtel Connect PC Utilities contain a number of additional utilities that can be used to access more
advanced features of the ProPak6.



Download the latest PC Utilities that include NovAtel Connect™ along with the
necessary user documentation from: www.novatel.com/support/info/documents/809.

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Chapter 3
3.8.3.6

Operation
Profile Manager

Use the Profile Manager to group sequences of receiver configuration commands under a common
profile and to create and store multiple profiles on to a receiver. Use saved profiles to easily configure the
receiver for a variety of applications by simply selecting the appropriate profile which after being
activated, will being logging automatically whenever the receiver is powered on, until the profile is
manually deactivated. Up to 9 profiles can be stored on the ProPak6 and 20 commands per profile.

Profile restrictions are each command in a profile cannot exceed 200 characters and a maximum of 1500
characters for all commands in one profile.
Press the Activate Profile to load the selected ProPak6 receiver profile. Activating a profile causes the
receiver to reset.

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Operation

3.8.4

Chapter 3

Terminal

Commands can be sent to the receiver using the command line at the bottom of the Terminal page.



Only ASCII log responses are allowed. No responses and no recording for binary log
requests. If abbreviated ASCII log requests are sent, ASCII responses are shown/recorded.

Load Button
Create a text file containing a list of commands to be executed in sequence. Name and save the file to
the connected computer/device (not the ProPak6). Use the Load button to find and select one of these
files.

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Save Button
Press the Save button to name and create a file of any logged data. Logged data files are listed under the
Storage menu. Use the Cancel button to return to the Terminal page without saving.

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Rec Button
Press the Rec button to record the output results of logged data.

The Rec button flashes during recording. To stop recording, press the Rec button again.



A maximum of 15000 responses can be recorded in one session using the
Rec feature. Refer to Section 3.8.3.6, Profile Manager on page 70 if
intending to log data over a long period of time.

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Chapter 4

Ethernet Configuration

An Ethernet connection can be used to send commands to and obtain logs from an Ethernet capable
ProPak6 receiver. An Ethernet connection can also be used to connect two receivers in a base/rover
configuration.
This chapter describes how to configure the Ethernet port on an ProPak6 receiver. It provides the stepby-step process for connecting to the ProPak6 receiver through the Ethernet interface, setting up a base/
rover configuration through Ethernet connectivity and utilizing the NTRIP interface. The Ethernet port
connections for a computer connected to the receiver are also described for both Windows XP (with SP3)
and Windows 7 operating systems.



4.1

Ethernet (ETHA) is the default network for internet access for the ProPak6. The default
network can be changed to Wi-Fi or Cellular or changed back to Ethernet using the
SETPREFERREDNETIF ETHA command. Refer to the Section 5.2.1, Configure Wi-Fi as
the Network Default on page 84 or Section 5.3.1, Configure Cellular as the Network
Default on page 90 for details.
Refer to Section 3.1.11, Ethernet Port on page 41 for details on the physical parameters
of the Ethernet Port.

Required Hardware
The following hardware is required to set up an Ethernet interface to an ProPak6 receiver:

4.2

•

a user supplied computer with an available Ethernet and serial or USB port or Wi-Fi or Bluetooth link

•

a ProPak6 receiver

•

an RS-232 null modem cable or USB cable

•

a cross-over CAT5 Ethernet cable or a user supplied Ethernet network hub or wired router (optional)
and CAT 5 Ethernet cable

Static IP Address Configuration



The ProPak6 default is Ethernet DHCP Dynamic IP address.

For a static IP address configuration, unique IP addresses are assigned to both the ProPak6 receiver
and the computer. TCP/IP is used for the connection in this simple network. This configuration can also
be used in a bench test environment to confirm Ethernet functionality. By default, the ProPak6 is set to
Ethernet DHCP Dynamic IP address.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual 5

Ethernet Configuration

Chapter 4
Figure 24: Cross-Over Ethernet Cable Configuration—ProPak6

ProPak6

Power Cable

Computer

Ethernet Cable

4.2.1

Static IP Address Configuration—Receiver

Follow these steps to set up a static IP address on the ProPak6 receiver:
1. Connect a computer to the ProPak6 receiver using a null modem serial cable or USB cable or use
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
2. Establish a connection to the receiver using either NovAtel Connect or another terminal program
such as HyperTerminal. This connection is used to send the commands in this procedure to the
receiver.



For information about establishing a connection using NovAtel Connect, refer to the
Quick Start Guide for the product or NovAtel Connect Help included with NovAtel
Connect PC Utilities available from our web site.

3. Enable the Ethernet port on the receiver by entering:
ethconfig etha auto auto auto auto
4. Assign the TCP/IP port number used for the connection by entering:
icomconfig icom1 tcp :2000
5. Assign the receiver IP address, subnet mask and default gateway by entering:
ipconfig etha static 192.168.74.10 255.255.255.0 192.168.74.1



The command above assign the following values to the ProPak6 receiver:
ip address = 192.168.74.10
subnet mask = 255.255.255.0
gateway = 192.168.74.1
These settings are examples only. The settings appropriate to the network may be
different.

6. Save the new Ethernet settings by entering:
saveconfig
7. Log the IPCONFIG command and confirm the TCP/IP configuration by entering:
log ipconfig once

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual 5

Chapter 4

Ethernet Configuration



Issue the SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command to ensure port settings are
retained after a reset and automatically used at boot time. The
SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command is not applicable to the ICOMCONFIG and
NTRIPCONFIG settings. The SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command overrides the
SAVECONFIG command configuration settings.

8. Configure your computer with a static IP address.
For a computer using Windows XP Service Pack 3,refer to Section 4.2.2 Static IP Address Configuration—Windows XP with SP3 on page 76.
For a computer using Windows 7, refer to Section 4.2.3 Static IP Address Configuration—Windows 7
on page 76.

4.2.2

Static IP Address Configuration—Windows XP with SP3

Follow these steps to set up a static IP address on your computer:
1. Click START | Settings | Network Connections.
The Network Connections window appears.
2. Right click on Local Area Connection and select Properties.
The Local Area Connection Properties window appears.
3. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click the Properties button.
The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window appears.
4. Select the Use the following IP address radio button.
5. Enter the IP address, Subnet mask and Default gateway for the Ethernet port on the computer.



Ensure the Ethernet settings used for the computer are compatible with the Ethernet
settings on the ProPak6 receiver.
For example, the following settings are compatible with the ProPak6 receiver settings
used in Section 4.2.1 Static IP Address Configuration—Receiver on page 75:
ip address = 192.168.74.11
subnet mask = 255.255.255.0
gateway = 192.168.74.1

6. Click the OK button.
The Local Area Connection Properties window appears.
7. Click the Close button.
8. Proceed to Section 4.2.4, Confirming Ethernet Setup on page 77.

4.2.3

Static IP Address Configuration—Windows 7

Follow these steps to set up a static IP address on a computer:
1. Click Start | Control Panel.
2. Click View Network Status and Tasks under Network and Internet.
3. Click the Local Area Connection link.
The Local Area Connection Status window appears.
4. Click the Properties button.
The Local Area Connection Properties window appears.
5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click the Properties button.
The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window appears.

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Ethernet Configuration

Chapter 4

6. Enter the IP address, Subnet mask and Default gateway for the Ethernet port on the computer.



7. Click the OK button.
The Local Area Connection Properties window appears.
8. Click the Close button.
The Local Area Connection Status window appears.
9. Click the Close button.
10. Proceed to Section 4.2.4, Confirming Ethernet Setup on page 77.

4.2.4

Confirming Ethernet Setup

1. Connect the computer to the ProPak6 receiver using an Ethernet cross-over cable.
2. Connect to the receiver using NovAtel Connect or any third party terminal program that supports
TCP/IP connections. Use the static IP address and port number assigned to the ProPak6 receiver in
Section 4.2.1 Static IP Address Configuration—Receiver on page 75.
The figure below shows the New Connection window in NovAtel Connect with the example Ethernet
settings used in Section 4.2.1.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual 5

Chapter 4

Ethernet Configuration
Figure 25: ProPak6 Ethernet Hardware Setup

Computer

Power Cable

ProPak6

Network Hub

Ethernet
Cable


4.3

For information about establishing a connection using NovAtel Connect, refer to the
Quick Start Guide for the product or NovAtel Connect Help included with NovAtel
Connect PC Utilities.

Dynamic IP Address Configuration



The ProPak6 default is Ethernet DHCP Dynamic IP address.

For this configuration, a direct connection is made from the ProPak6 receiver to a Dynamic Host
Communication Protocol (DHCP) network and into a computer. The DHCP server automatically assigns
an IP addresses to the OEM6 receiver, based on its predetermined available IP addresses.
To set up a dynamic IP address configuration, follow these steps:
1. For first time configuration, connect a computer to the ProPak6 receiver using a null modem serial
cable or USB cable.
2. Establish a connection to the receiver using either NovAtel Connect or another terminal program
such as Windows HyperTerminal. This connection is used to send the commands in this procedure to
the receiver.



For information about establishing a connection using NovAtel Connect, refer to the
Quick Start Guide for the product or NovAtel Connect Help.

3. Enable the Ethernet port by entering:
ethconfig etha auto auto auto auto

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Ethernet Configuration

Chapter 4

4. Obtain the IP address assigned to the ProPak6 receiver by the DHCP server.
log ipstatus once



Make a note of the IP address returned with this log. This value is used later in this
procedure.

5. Confirm that DHCP is enabled. by entering:
log ipconfig once
6. Assign the TCP/IP port number by entering:
icomconfig icom1 tcp :2000
7. Confirm the port number assigned to ICOM1 by entering:
log icomconfig once
8. Save settings the settings by entering:
saveconfig



Issue the SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command to ensure port settings are
retained after a reset and automatically used at boot time. The
SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command is not applicable to the ICOMCONFIG and
NTRIPCONFIG settings. The SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command overrides the
SAVECONFIG command configuration settings.

9. Use the IP address obtained from the IPSTATUS log and the assigned port number. Confirm new
settings (refer to the figure below)..


4.4

For information about establishing a connection using NovAtel Connect, refer to the
Quick Start Guide for the product or NovAtel Connect Help.

Base/Rover Configuration through Ethernet Connectivity
You can use an Ethernet connection to provide communication between a base and rover receiver.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual 5

Chapter 4

Ethernet Configuration
Figure 26: Base/Rover Ethernet Setup—ProPak6

Antenna

Antenna
Power Cable

ProPak6

Antenna
Cable

ProPak6

USB Cable

Computer

USB Cable
Ethernet
Cable

Network
Ethernet
Cable

Computer

1. Connect your computer to both ProPak6 receivers using null modem serial cables or USB cables.
2. Establish a connection to the receiver using either NovAtel Connect or another terminal program
such as Windows HyperTerminal. This connection is used to send the commands in this procedure to
the receivers.



For information about establishing a connection using NovAtel Connect, refer to the
Quick Start Guide for the product or NovAtel Connect Help.

3. Connect the power cables to both of the ProPak6 receivers and apply power to the receivers.
4. Connect the Ethernet cables to the Ethernet ports on both ProPak6 receivers.
5. Establish an Ethernet connection, either static or dynamic configurations. Refer to Section 4.2 Static
IP Address Configuration on page 74 or Section 4.3 Dynamic IP Address Configuration on page 78
for more information.
6. Send the following commands to each receiver either through serial or USB ports:
Base:
fix position
interfacemode icom1 none rtca off
log icom1 rtcaobs2 ontime 1
log icom1 rtcaref ontime 10
log icom1 rtca1 ontime 5
saveconfig
Rover:
icomconfig icom1 tcp :
interfacemode icom1 rtca none off
log bestposa ontime 1 (optional)
saveconfig
Use the BESTPOS log to confirm that the ProPak6 rover is in RTK mode.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual 5

Ethernet Configuration

Chapter 4



Issue the SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command to ensure port settings are
retained after a reset and automatically used at boot time. The
SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command is not applicable to the ICOMCONFIG and
NTRIPCONFIG settings. The SAVEETHERNETDATA ETHA command overrides the
SAVECONFIG command configuration settings.



The FRESET command does not clear Ethernet setting; FRESET INTERNET must
be issued.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual 5

Chapter 5

Radio Configuration and Activation

This chapter discusses the methods for configuring the ProPak6 radios and activating network services
for Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi and Cellular radios (model dependent, refer to Table 1, ProPak6 Model Features on
page 16).


5.1

The FRESET command can be used to reset any of the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Cellular
ProPak6 radios.

Bluetooth® Configuration
Bluetooth is a wireless radio communication standard designed for use over short ranges (within 10 m).
Before a Bluetooth enabled device can communicate with the ProPak6, it must be configured to
recognize and communicate with the ProPak6 (paired). Only one incoming Bluetooth connection is
supported at a time by the ProPak6. A maximum of 16 devices can be paired with the ProPak6.
Refer to Section 3.1.5, Bluetooth LED on page 37 for status LED information.

5.1.1

Enable Bluetooth on the ProPak6 Receiver

By default, the Bluetooth radio is turned off.
1. Connect the ProPak6 to a computer using one of the communication ports and turn power on.
2. To turn on the Bluetooth radio, issue
BLUETOOTHCONFIG POWER ON command
The Bluetooth LED on the front of the ProPak6 lights blue

3. Enter LOG BLUETOOTHSTATUS ONCHANGED to display the Bluetooth radio status.
4. Issue the SAVECONFIG command to save the configuration to Non-Volatile Memory (NVM).
5.1.1.1

Pairing Bluetooth Devices

5. To allow Bluetooth devices to locate and pair with other Bluetooth devices, found within 10 m of the
ProPak6, issue:
BLUETOOTHDISCOVERABILITY ON
6. If prompted, enter the PIN confirmation (ProPak6 default pin number 0000).
7. Accept or LOG BLUETOOTHSTATUS to verify pass code.
8. To turn off Bluetooth discovery once pairing is complete, issue:
BLUETOOTHDISCOVERABILITY OFF

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Radio Configuration and Activation
5.1.1.2

Chapter 5

Connecting Bluetooth Devices

9. Determine the serial port assigned to Bluetooth for the connected computer (COM port X). This
information is found in different locations depending on the type of the device and/or operating
system. The New Connection window of NovAtel Connect can also be used. Once the COM port is
determined, connect to the device over this port.

Example: NovAtel Connect

Example: Windows® 7



Instructions for configuring Bluetooth devices vary depending on the type of device
and/or operating system. Consult the instructions provided with the Bluetooth
device for detailed setup instructions.

10. To turn off and disconnect devices, issue:
BLUETOOTHCONFIG POWER OFF



Bluetooth discovery may minimally restrict Wi-Fi performance. NovAtel
recommends performing any Bluetooth discovery prior to joining a Wi-Fi network
and always turning off Bluetooth discoverability when pairing is complete.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 5

5.2

Radio Configuration and Activation

Wi-Fi Network Configuration
Wi-Fi is a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) used to exchange data wirelessly over a computer
network. When the ProPak6 Wi-Fi radio is enabled, it can be configured to act as a Access Point (AP) or
Client. By default, the ProPak6 is configured with Wi-Fi on and as an AP.
When configured as either a Client or AP, users can access the ProPak6 using FTP, ICOM ports, telnet,
NTRIP, etc. The mode of operation to use is dependent on how the Local Area Network (LAN) is
configured.
To have the ProPak6 accessible on a LAN like other common devices (printer, computer, etc.), configure
the ProPak6 as a Client. An existing Wi-Fi access point on the LAN must be available for the ProPak6 to
connect to. While in Client mode, the ProPak6 IP address can support both static and dynamic IP
address assignment.
If the ProPak6 is not to be accessible to a LAN or is located in a remote location that does not have an
AP nearby, configure the ProPak6 as the AP. When configured as the AP, the ProPak6 must use a static
IP address, although any devices connecting to the ProPak6 (mobile phone, laptop, etc.) can use either
static or dynamic IP address assignment.
Figure 27: Wi-Fi Configuration Overview


5.2.1

The following commands are used for Wi-Fi Network configuration:
• WIFICONFIG - sets the state (enable/disable) and the mode (AP/Client) of the ProPak6
•

WIFIAPCONFIG - sets AP network parameter values when in AP mode

•

WIFICLICONFIG -sets Client network parameter values when in Client mode

•

WIFICLICONTROL - scans for network access points

Configure Wi-Fi as the Network Default

Ethernet (ETHA) is the default network for Internet access for the ProPak6. The default network can be
changed to Wi-Fi by issuing the SETPREFERREDNETIF WIFI command. Refer to the OEM6 Firmware
Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for additional command details.

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Radio Configuration and Activation

5.2.2

Chapter 5

Wi-Fi AP Configuration

By default, the ProPak6 Wi-Fi radio is configured as an AP and is enabled.



If a ProPak6 is changed from the default AP to a Client configuration and later needs to
return to an AP configuration, the WIFIAPCONFIG MODE AP command is issued and
the Wi-Fi module power cycled (see step 9 below).

1. Connect the ProPak6 to a computer using one of the communication ports and turn power on.
2. The LED on the front of the ProPak6 lights blue
(it may take up to 10 seconds for the AP to
become available). (If the radio is off, issue the WIFICONFIG STATE ENABLED command to turn on
the Wi-Fi radio.)
3. Enter LOG WIFIAPSTATUS ONCHANGED to monitor connection status.
4. Configure the AP by issuing the WIFIAPCONFIG command and the required network values.
Example: WIFIAPCONFIG X AUTHENTICATION OPEN (where X is the AP mode number (1-4))
WIFIAP
Configuration
Parameter

Value

Description

SSID

String
(PSN default)

The Service Set Identifier (network name) of the Wi-Fi AP.

IsHidden

TRUE
FALSE (default)

When this parameter set to TRUE, the Wi-Fi AP does not broadcast the
SSID.

Channel

802.11 Channel
(default 6)

The 802.11 Channel to use for this Wi-FI AP.
The valid range of Channels depends on 802.11 regulatory domain. In
North America the valid range is: 1-11

Authentication

OPEN
WPA_PSK (default)
WPA2_PSK
WPA/WPA2_PSK

The authentication type used for the Wi-Fi AP.
The value for Authentication is dependent on the values for Encryption
and Protocol. Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual
(OM-20000129) for details.

Encryption

NONE
TKIP
AES_CCMP (default)
TKIP AES_CCMP

The encryption protocol used for the Wi-Fi AP.
The value for Encryption is dependent on the values for Authentication
and Protocol. Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual
(OM-20000129) for details.

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Chapter 5

Radio Configuration and Activation

WIFIAP
Configuration
Parameter

Value

Description

Passphrase

String
(PSN default)

WPA/WPA2 passphrase (8 to 63 ASCII characters)
or
Hex key (32 bytes - 64 ASCII characters)

IPAddr

ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd
(192.168.1.1 default)

The IP address of the Wi-Fi AP.
This must be a static IP address.

Netmask

ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd
(255.255.255.0 default)

The netmask for Wi-Fi AP IP address.

Gateway

ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd

The IP address of the gateway.

Protocol

b
g
bg
bgn (default)

The 802.11 standard protocol used for the Wi-Fi AP.
The value for Protocol is dependent on the values for Authentication and
Encryption. Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual
(OM-20000129) for details.

Client_Timeout

1 to 3600 seconds
(300 s default)

Time in seconds for the Wi-Fi AP to detect a lost client connection.

5. Configure the ICOM ports to be used (refer to Section 3.1.12, ICOM Ports on page 42 for details).
6. If required, configure port security (refer to Section 2.9.2, FTP Server and ICOM Ports on page 34 for
details).
7. If using, configure NTRIP (refer to Chapter 6, NTRIP Configuration on page 93 for details).
8. Issue the SAVECONFIG command to save the configuration to Non-Volatile Memory (NVM).
9. If any changes were made to the default WIFIAPCONFIG settings, a power cycle to the Wi-Fi module
is required for the changes to take affect. Issue:
WIFICONFIG STATE OFF
WIFICONFIG STATE ENABLED
10. On a Wi-Fi Client, scan for a ProPak6 AP and connect to it.
11. If prompted, enter a password. (The default password is the Product Serial Number (PSN) located on
the bottom of the ProPak6.)
12. Configure network properties on the connected Client computer to use a static IP address. Consult
the Network Administrator to obtain the necessary network parameters.
•

The first three numbers of the IP should match the receiver

•

To avoid IP conflicts between the static IP address of the Client and the IP of the ProPak6, set the
static IP address of the client to 192.168.1.5 or above

•

The subnet should be the same as the ProPak6

•

The gateway is the same as the ProPak6 IP address

13. Open the port to the receiver from a computer or mobile device.
•

The IP address should be the IP address of the ProPak6

•

The port number is the port number assigned to the ICOM port being connected to (default ICOM
configurations: ICOMCONFIG ICOM1 TCP :3001, ICOMCONFIG ICOM2 TCP :3002 and
ICOMCONFIG ICOM3 TCP :3003


86

Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for log and
command details.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Radio Configuration and Activation

5.2.2.1

Chapter 5

Multiple AP Configurations

Up to four APs can be configured on the ProPak6. Each AP supports up to 5 Client associations at one
time. The default mode is AP1. Default value settings for AP2, AP3 and AP4 are blank.
1. Follow the first three steps in Section 5.2.2, Wi-Fi AP Configuration on page 85.
2. Issue the WIFICONFIG MODE AP X command, X being 2, 3 or 4 for the additional AP
configurations.
3. Continue following the steps in Section 5.2.2, Wi-Fi AP Configuration on page 85.
4. Repeat as required for a maximum of 4 APs.


5.2.3

Refer to the WIFICONFIG command in the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference
Manual (OM-20000129) for command details.

Wi-Fi Client Configuration

The ProPak6 can store configurations for a maximum of 16 APs on each Client.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 5

Radio Configuration and Activation

1. Before Client configuration, consult the Network Administrator and obtain the necessary configuration values required to connect to the wireless network.
WIFIClient
Network
Configuration

Value

Description

SSID

String
(default blank)

Service Set Identifier of the Wi-Fi AP being connected to
This value must be entered in ASCII characters only (no binary).

BSSID

aa::bb::cc::ee::ff

Basic Service Set ID. The client will connect only to this BSSID.

Enabled

TRUE, FALSE

When set to TRUE, the Wi-Fi client network is included as a potential connection
when the client interface is enabled and the system is searching for Access Points
it knows.
When set to FALSE, the Wi-Fi client network is kept for reference but is not
automatically used.

Priority

Int

Instructs the client to always attempt connecting to this network, regardless of
availability of other networks, signal strength, etc

Authentication

OPEN (default)
WPA_PSK
WPA2_PSK

The authentication method for the AP being connected to.

Encryption

NONE (default)
TKIP
AES_CCMP

The encryption method for the AP being connected to.

Passphrase

String, 64

WPA, WPA2 passphrase (8-63 ascii chars), or key (64 hex digits)

DHCP

TRUE (default)
FALSE

When set to TRUE, DHCP is used to acquire the network configuration from the AP.
When set to FALSE the static configuration values (shown below) are used to
connect to the AP.
Note that unless this value is specifically set to FALSE, DHCP is enabled regardless
of any network parameters that may be set (IP, Netmask, Gateway, DNS)

IPAddr

ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd The IP address to be used by the receiver. (If not using DHCP.)
(for example:
10.0.0.2)

Netmask

ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd The netmask to be used by the receiver. (If not using DHCP.)
(for example:
255.255.255.0)

Gateway

ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd The IP address of the default gateway. (If not using DHCP.)
(for example:
10.0.0.1)

DNS1

ddd.ddd.ddd.ddd The IP address of the primary DNS server. (If not using DHCP.)
(for example:
10.0.0.3)

2. Connect the ProPak6 to a computer using one of the communication ports and turn power on.

5.2.4

Wi-Fi Scanning

Wi-Fi scanning is performed before connecting to either an Open/Encrypted, DHCP/Static network.
3. Enter LOG WIFICLISCANRESULTS ONCHANGED to display a list of the scan results.
4. Enter LOG WIFICLISTATUS ONCHANGED to monitor the connection status.
5. Issue the following commands:
WIFICONFIG MODE CLIENT
WIFICONFIG STATE ENABLED
WIFICLICONTROL SCAN

defines receivers as Client
enables Client receiver
initiates scanning for AP

6. Review the WIFICLISCANRESULTS log for any detected APs and manually configure the required
network settings. Refer to Step 1 above.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Radio Configuration and Activation


5.2.4.1

Chapter 5

Scan results are not used to configure the Client Wi-Fi connection.

Connecting to an Open AP Network

7. Consult the Network Administrator for network parameters and values.
Issue the following commands depending on the type of network being used
WIFICLICONFIG 1 SSID XXXX, where XXXX is the open AP to connect to
WIFICLICONFIG 1 AUTHENTICATION OPEN
WIFICLICONFIG 1 ENCRYPTION NONE
WIFICLICONFIG 1 ENABLED TRUE
5.2.4.2

Connecting to an Encrypted AP Network

8. Consult the Network Administrator for network parameters and values.
Issue the following commands depending on the type of network being used
WIFICLICONFIG 1 SSID XXXX, where XXXX is the protected AP to connect to
WIFICLICONFIG 1 AUTHENTICATION XXXX, where XXXX is the authentication setting of the AP
(WPA_PSK, WPA2)
WIFICLICONFIG 1 ENCRYPTION XXXX, where XXXX is the encryption setting of the AP (TKIP,
AES_CCMP)
WIFICLICONFIG 1 PASSPHRASE XXXX, where XXXX is the passphrase (password) of the AP
WIFIWLICONFIG 1 ENABLED TRUE
9. Configure the ICOM ports to be used (refer to Section 3.1.12, ICOM Ports on page 42 for details).
10. If required, configure port security (refer to Section 2.9.2, FTP Server and ICOM Ports on page 34 for
details).
11. If using, configure NTRIP (refer to Chapter 6, NTRIP Configuration on page 93 for details).
12. Issue the SAVECONFIG command to save the configuration to Non-Volatile Memory (NVM).
13. Issue the WIFICLICONTROL APPLYCONFIG command to save settings.
Once Wi-Fi is connected, the ProPak6 Client is accessible on the LAN.



To use Wi-Fi as the primary internet access point, issue the SETPREFERREDNETIF WIFI
command. Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual- (OM-20000129),
various Wi-Fi commands for details.



If Wi-Fi performance is slow, Bluetooth discoverability may be on. NovAtel recommends
performing any Bluetooth discovery prior to joining a Wi-Fi network.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 5

5.3

Radio Configuration and Activation

Cellular Activation GSM/GPRS/HSDPA
By default, the cellular radio is disabled.


5.3.1

Refer Section 2.6, Cellular Antenna Installation on page 28 for instructions on installing
a cellular radio antenna. Refer to Section 3.1.9, Cell Port and LED on page 40 for
status LED information.

Configure Cellular as the Network Default

Ethernet (ETHA) is the default network for internet access for the ProPak6. The default network can be
changed to Cellular by issuing the SETPREFERREDNETIF CELL command. Refer to the OEM6
Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for additional command details.

5.3.2

Cellular Network Activation and Configuration

The GSM/GPRS/HSDPA modem is not “locked” to any particular carrier. To activate a ProPak6 on a
GSM/GPRS/HSDPA network, follow these steps:
1. Obtain an active account and SIM card providing GSM/GPRS/HSDPA data services (recommended
data plans for Network RTK are 5GB/Month Rate Plans). The Service Provider may require the following information to setup an active account.
a. Product Name: ProPak6 GSM/GPRS/HSDPA
b. Modem Serial Number (IMEI): Modem serial number from ProPak6 product label
Example:


90

The cellular provider may require additional activation steps. Refer to any
instructions provided with the SIM card.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Radio Configuration and Activation

Chapter 5
Figure 28: SIM Card Installation



2. Remove the SIM card cover and insert the SIM card.



Only use a mini-SIM card (25 mm x 15 mm). ProPak6 does not support micro-SIM
or nano-SIM cards.

3. Once the SIM card is correctly installed, secure the SIM cover to the base using a screwdriver.
Screws should be torqued to 4-6 inch-pound.



Failure to properly secure SIM cover will violate ProPak6 IP67 ingress rating.

4. Ensure a cellular antenna is connected to the ProPak6 and turn the ProPak6 power on.
5. LOG CELLULARSTATUS ONCHANGED to display the modem and cellular connection status.
6. LOG CELLULARINFO ONCE to display modem and network information.
7. The CELLULARCONFIG command is issued to configure cellular parameters. Issue the following
commands:
enables the radio

CELLULARCONFIG POWER ON

sets AP name1

CELLULARCONFIG APN
CELLULARCONFIG USERNAME

sets user name1

CELLULARCONFIG PASSWORD

sets APN password1

CELLULARCONFIG DATA ON

enables/disables data connectivity on the configured APN

CELLULARCONFIG DATAROAM ON

enables/disables data connectivity when roaming

8. If internet access is required over this interface, issue the SETPREFERREDNETIF CELL command.
9. Issue the SAVECONFIG command to save the configuration to Non-Volatile Memory (NVM).



Cellular data consumption and service charges are dependent on the configuration
of the ProPak6 receiver and data logging rates.



Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for log and
command details.

1.Optional—consult the cellular data provider to determine if required.

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Chapter 5

5.3.3

Radio Configuration and Activation

Eject a SIM Card

Issue the CELLULARCONFIG POWER OFF command to power down the cellular radio before removing a
SIM card.
To remove the SIM card, push it slightly in. It should then partially eject from the SIM card holder. The
modem does not work if the SIM is in the partially ejected “ready for removal” position. Replace the SIM
Card holder cover and ensure the cover is properly aligned and secured.
Issue the CELLULARCONFIG POWER ON command to turn the cellular radio on.

5.4

Airplane Mode
Enabling Airplane Mode turns off any Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular radios in the ProPak6. Airplane Mode is
disabled by default (radios on). If Airplane mode is enabled and then disabled, all radios automatically
return to their last state (on or off) however, any connections made before airplane mode was enabled
are not restored. Refer to the AIRPLANEMODE command and log in the OEM6 Firmware Reference
Manual (OM-20000129) for command details.
To turn all three radios off, issue the following commands:
AIRPLANEMODE ENABLE
AIRPLANEMODE DISABLE
LOG AIRPLANEMODE (to view radio status)

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 6

NTRIP Configuration

Network Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (NTRIP) is an application protocol used to stream
GNSS differential correction data over the Internet.
Configure an ProPak6 receiver as either an NTRIP server or an NTRIP client. For more information
about NovAtel’s NTRIP, refer to our NTRIP Product Sheet on our website at www.novatel.com/products/
firmware-options/ntrip/.
Figure 29: NTRIP System

The NTRIP caster is an HTTP internet service that acts as a communication medium between NTRIP
servers and NTRIP clients. The NTRIP caster is provided by third party sources. For a full list of NTRIP
casters, refer to the following link: www.rtcm-ntrip.org/home.
The following procedure describes how to configure a NovAtel base and a NovAtel rover through a third
party NTRIP caster. This configuration is recommended for optimal RTK performance.
1. Establish a connection to the receiver using Ethernet, Wi-Fi or Cellular. Refer to Chapter 4, Ethernet
Configuration on page 74 or the sections Section 5.2, Wi-Fi Network Configuration on page 84 or
Section 5.3, Cellular Activation GSM/GPRS/HSDPA on page 90 for details.
2. Use the following commands to enable the base receiver as an NTRIP Server:
NTRIPCONFIG NCOM1 SERVER V2
etha
INTERFACEMODE NCOM1 NONE RTCA OFF
FIX POSITION
LOG NCOM1 RTCAOBS2 ONTIME 1
LOG NCOM1 RTCAREF ONTIME 10
LOG NCOM1 RTCA1 ONTIME 1
SETPREFERREDNETIF or or
SAVECONFIG
93

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Chapter 6

NTRIP Configuration

3. Use the following commands to enable the rover receiver as an NTRIP Client:
NTRIPCONFIG NCOM1 CLIENT V1
etha



If using a specific Network RTK system, certain National Marine Electronics
Association (NMEA) strings are required to be sent from the rover back to the RTK
network. For example, if connected to the VRS mount point, the rover is required to
send its position to the network in a standard NMEA GGA message. This is
achieved by issuing the following commands: LOG NCOMx GPGGA ONTIME 5,
until data is received by the caster. For more information about Network RTK
options and properties, refer to the application note APN-041 Network RTK for
OEMV Receivers found on our website at www.novatel.com/support/search/.

The following is an NTRIP Client configuration example without the use of a Network RTK system:
INTERFACEMODE NCOM1 RTCA NONE OFF
RTKSOURCE AUTO ANY
PSRDIFFSOURCE AUTO ANY
LOG BESTPOS ONTIME 1 (optional)
SETPREFERREDNETIF or or
SAVECONFIG

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

Chapter 7

NovAtel Firmware and Software

Download the most recent versions of the NovAtel firmware and receiver software from the Downloads
section of www.novatel.com/support/search/.
OEM6 Firmware and Software



Refer to 7.3.1, Transferring Firmware Files on page 97 for descriptions of
the Update and OEM versions.

NovAtel Connect PC Utilities Software Bundle
Bundled PC Utilities software includes:
•
•
•
•

NovAtel Connect (a GUI interface)
Connection Import (imports connection profiles)
Convert (converts receiver data logs into different formats)
USB Drivers and Window Signing



The NovAtel Connect PC Utilities bundle can be download from the
Downloads section of www.novatel.com/support/search/.

Firmware and Software included
•
•

Firmware *.shex file
WinLoad software utility


7.1

WinLoad and SoftLoad instructions follow.

Firmware Updates and Model Upgrades
A local NovAtel dealer can provide all the information needed to upgrade or update a receiver. Refer to
www.novatel.com/where-to-buy for contact information or contact sales@novatel.com or
support@novatel.com directly.

7.1.1

Firmware Updates

Firmware updates are firmware releases that include fixes and enhancements to the receiver
functionality. Firmware updates are released occasionally on the NovAtel web site as they become
available. Firmware upgrades can be performed using the WinLoad utility, SoftLoad commands or with a
custom loader application. Contact NovAtel Customer Support (support@novatel.com) for details on
custom loader requirements.

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Chapter 7

7.1.2

NovAtel Firmware and Software

Model Upgrades

Model upgrades enable purchased receiver features.
Contact a local NovAtel dealer to assist in selecting the upgrade options that best suit your GNSS needs
at www.novatel.com/where-to-buy. Contact NovAtel Customer Support www.novatel.com/support or
NovAtel Sales to request a temporary upgrade authorization code for trial purposes.
Model upgrades can be applied to the receiver with an authorization code and the AUTH command
without returning the receiver to the dealer.

7.2

Authorization Code
An authorization code, commonly known as an auth-code, is required to upgrade an OEM6 family
receiver. Auth-codes are obtained by contacting NovAtel Customer Support. Upon contact, NovAtel
Customer Support requires:
•
•
•

the receiver model number
the receiver serial number
the receiver firmware version

Enter the LOG VERSION command to determine the receiver model, serial number and firmware
version.
Example:

ENTER

MODEL
NUMBER

SERIAL
NUMBER

FIRMWARE
VERSION

GPSCARD “D2LR0RTTRA” “BFN11230026” “OEM628-1.00” “OEM060300RN0000”
PRODUCT
FAMILY
FIRMWARE
NUMBER

RELEASE
INDICATOR

After determining the appropriate model and firmware version the authorization code (auth-code) is
issued. The auth-code is required to unlock the features on the new model type.
To upgrade to a new model with the same firmware version, use the AUTH command with the issued
auth-code, as outlined in Upgrading Using the AUTH Command.
To upgrade to a new model with a new firmware version, the new firmware needs to be loaded into the
OEM6 receiver. Refer to 7.3, Updating or Upgrading Using the WinLoad Utility on page 97 for use
instructions or to 7.4, Updating Using SoftLoad Commands on page 99.
There are two types of auth-codes:
•
•

Standard auth-codes, which are tied to a model, serial number and firmware version
Signature auth-codes, which are tied only to a model and serial number

When upgrading to a new version of firmware, the Standard auth-code for the old version of firmware will
not work with the new version of firmware. Therefore, a new auth-code is required for each receiver that
is upgraded.
However, Signature auth-codes work with any signed firmware image. Therefore, if a receiver has a
Signature auth-code for the old version of firmware, that same auth-code will work for the new version of
firmware, provided both images are digitally signed by NovAtel.
Signature auth-codes require firmware version OEM060200RN0000 (6.200) or later and boot code
version OEM060100RB0000 (6.100) or later.
Signed firmware images are distributed in *.shex files, while unsigned firmware images are distributed in
*.hex files.

ProPak6 Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 5

NovAtel Firmware and Software

Chapter 7

Temporary auth-codes may be provided by NovAtel for evaluation purposes. Once the trial period has
expired, a new auth-code will need to be obtained from NovAtel Customer Support
(support@novatel.com).
The new download package includes a signed firmware file type that uses an extension designated as
“.shex” (example OEM060200RN0000.shex), as well as the latest WinLoad utility and What’s New file
containing firmware update change details.


7.3

Prior to firmware version OEM060200RN0000, authorization codes depended on the
software model, the firmware version and the serial number of the receiver. The
authorization code changed if any of the three items changed. This is no longer the case,
they are now no longer dependent on firmware version.

Updating or Upgrading Using the WinLoad Utility
WinLoad is the simplest and most common way to update or upgrade an OEM6 receiver.

7.3.1

Transferring Firmware Files

To proceed with an update or possibly an upgrade, obtain the latest version of firmware by downloading
the (OEM Version) for your product from www.novatel.com/support/firmware-downloads/.
Format of Firmware Files
All of the firmware available on the downloads website are packaged in .zip files with the following
names:
•

OEMXXXRN0000.zip for firmware to be installed on OEM615, OEM617, OEM617D,
FlexPak6 or OEM628 receivers

•

OMPXXXRN0000.zip for firmware to be installed on OEM638 receiver

NovAtel Customer Service may generate and provide the required authorization code. Authorization
codes are obtained by contacting support@novatel.com or at www.novatel.com/Support/.
For convenience, unzip the update file to a GNSS sub-directory (for example, C:\GNSS\LOADER). If the
firmware update file is password protected, NovAtel Customer Support provides the required password.
The zip archive includes the following files:
winload.exe

WinLoad utility program

howto.txt

Instructions on how to use the WinLoad utility

whatsnew.rtf

Information on the changes made in the firmware since the last revision

x..x.shex

Firmware version upgrade file, where x..x defines the product name and release
(e.g., OEM060400RN0000.shex)

NovAtel Software License Agreement.rtf License agreement for the firmware.
The files are extracted to unzip/program files/NovAtel Inc/x.xxx Full Update Disk, where x.xxx is the
firmware version.



NovAtel has an online video tutorial that explains firmware uploading at:
www.novatel.com/support/videos.

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7.3.2

NovAtel Firmware and Software

Using the WinLoad Utility

If opening WinLoad for the first time, ensure the file and communications settings are correct.
Open a File to Download
Select File |Open. Navigate to the file to open (Figure 30).
Figure 30: WinLoad’s Open Window

When a file is selected, the filename appears in the main WinLoad display area and in the title bar
(Figure 31).
Figure 31: Open File in WinLoad

Communications Settings
To set the communications port and baud rate, select Settings | COM Settings. Choose the computer port
to use from the Com Port drop down list and the baud rate from the Download Baudrate drop down list.
Set the baud rate as high as possible (the default of 115200 is preferred if a higher baud rate is not
available).
Figure 32: COM Port Setup

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Downloading Firmware
1. Select the file to download according to Open a File to Download on Page 98.
2. Ensure the file path and name are displayed in main display area (see Figure 31, Open File in WinLoad on Page 98).
3. Click Write Flash to download the firmware.
4. When Searching for card appears in the main display, power cycle the receiver.
Figure 33: Searching for Card

5. If the Authorization Code window appears, enter the auth-code and click OK. See Section 7.2 Authorization Code on page 96 for further information about the Authorization Code.
Figure 34: Authorization Code Window

6. The receiver finishes the download and then resets. The process is complete when Done appears in
the main display area.
Figure 35: Upgrade Process Complete

7. Close WinLoad.

7.4

Updating Using SoftLoad Commands
Firmware can be updated on a running receiver using a process called SoftLoad. Any available
communication ports on the receiver (COM, USB, ICOM, XCOM, etc.) can be used. The SoftLoad
process is made up of a set of commands and logs that are used to send new firmware data to a receiver
and check the progress of the update. Use SoftLoad if automated loading is desired or if a connection is
only possible through USB or Ethernet.
The receiver stops tracking GNSS satellites during the SoftLoad process. Do not attempt to SoftLoad
when GNSS satellite tracking on the unit is required. If the unit is connected to the NovAtel Connect
utility, only the Console and ASCII Message windows may remain open in the Connect Utility.

7.4.1

SoftLoad Commands and Logs

Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for further log and command
information.

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Command

Description

SOFTLOADRESET
SOFTLOADSREC
SOFTLOADDATA
SOFTLOADCOMMIT
SOFTLOADSETUP

Initiate a new SoftLoad process
Send an S-Record to the receiver for the SoftLoad process
Send firmware image data to the receiver for the SoftLoad process
Complete the SoftLoad process
Send configuration information to the receiver for the SoftLoad process. This
command is not required when working with a *.hex or *.shex file

Log

Description

SOFTLOADSTATUS Provides status updates for the ongoing SoftLoad process
Each command and log can be used in abbreviated ASCII, ASCII or binary format, with the exception of
SOFTLOADDATA, which should only be used in binary format.
File Types
Firmware data is stored in *.hex and *.shex files as ASCII data in the form of S-Records, based on the
Motorola S-Record format. The *.shex file is the same as the *.hex file but includes a digital signature for
the firmware.

7.4.2

Working With S-Records

Each S-Record has a header indicating the type of information contained in the record.
Records beginning with S0, S5 and S7 contain metadata about the firmware image, such as version
information and which card types are supported by the firmware image.
Example S0 Record
S0~V~OEM060400RN0000
Example S5 Records
S50000
S503D9FE25
S5033158D5A
Example S7 Records
S70000
S70500000000FA
Records beginning with S3 contain the actual firmware image data. Aside from the header, each pair of
characters forms the ASCII representation of a binary byte. The format is as follows:
S3

AAAAAAAA

DDDDDDDD...DDDDDDDD

CC
Check Sum.

Little Endian Data. These bytes are copied into the "data" field of the
SOFTLOADDATA command
4 - Byte Address. Set this as the value of "offset" in the SOFTLOADDATA command
Length.This is the hexadecimal number of character pairs to follow in the record. This value
minus 4 bytes for the address and 1 byte for the check sum is copied into the "data length" field
of the SOFTLOADDATA command
Header

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7.4.3

Chapter 7

Sending Firmware Data

C++ source code is available to provide example code of processing S-Records and converting them to
NovAtel format commands, as well as providing help with the SoftLoad process. Contact NovAtel
Customer Support and ask about the srec2softload utility.
The SOFTLOADSREC and SOFTLOADDATA commands can be used to send firmware data from *.hex
or *.shex files to the receiver.
S0, S5 and S7 S-Records should be sent directly to the receiver using the SOFTLOADSREC command,
by enclosing the S-Record in quotation marks and issuing the command to the receiver, as follows:
SOFTLOADSREC ""
S3 records can be sent individually to the receiver using the SOFTLOADSREC command. Alternatively,
the data from an S3 record can be parsed and packaged together with data from other S3 records into a
binary SOFTLOADDATA command. Packaging data parsed from multiple S3 records into a binary
SOFTLOADDATA command can result in improved firmware update times as each S3 record contains
only a small number of bytes of firmware data. A single SOFTLOADDATA command can package up to
4096 bytes of firmware data from multiple S3 records, whereas a single SOFTLOADSREC command
contains a maximum of 28 bytes of firmware data from a single S3 record.
Multiple S3 records can be packaged into a single SOFTLOADDATA command as long as the data from
one S3 record follows immediately after the previous record.That is, the address from the current S3
record must equal the address from the previous S3 record plus the data length of the previous S3
record. If the data is not consecutive then the SOFTLOADDATA command can be sent with the amount
of data it has packaged up to that point. Subsequent data can be packaged in a new SOFTLOADDATA
command. Within the SOFTLOADDATA command, the "offset" field remains the address of the first S3
record and the "data" and "data length" are updated to include the new data. Refer to the OEM6 Family
Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for more information regarding the SOFTLOADDATA
command.
The *.hex and *.shex file data may contain many gaps and jumps. For example, in many NovAtel *.hex
and *.shex files, data for address 0x000_00000 is stored near the very end of the file.
Example Packaging Multiple S3 Records In A SOFTLOADDATA Command
Start a new SOFTLOADDATA command
S32100407AD48FCA63034B80F5CE0C36507DE3D8DCC0C6C0C00515D74BCACF2F2949E1
Address: 0x00407AD4 Num Data Bytes: 0x21 – 0x01 – 0x04 = 0x1C
S32100407AF04CCA4985F0F7B081E41D9B7D806C26989AE2D4E4CCBCB47C10FBFD3E43
Previous Address + Previous Num Bytes = 0x00407AD4 + 0x1C = 0x00407AF0
Address: 0x00407AF0 Num Data Bytes: 0x1C
Add data to existing SOFTLOADDATA command
S30D00407B0CDE0400A6374D5BFFC5
Previous Address + Previous Num Bytes = 0x00407AF0 + 0x1C = 0x00407B0C
Address: 0x00407B0C Num Data Bytes: 0x0D – 0x01 – 0x04 = 0x08
Add data to existing SOFTLOADDATA command
S3210000000007F0A7F1F4060000147B4000F49217813C7BB00014493F005C00000009
Previous Address + Previous Num Bytes = 0x00407B0C + 0x08 = 0x00407B14
Address: 0x00000000 Num Data Bytes: 0x1C

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Requires new SOFTLOADDATA command because address does not match previous address +
previous number of data bytes
Send existing SOFTLOADDATA command, and start a new SOFTLOADDATA command
S3210000001C80040000E001000030000000082B0100D8060000E4060000C806000063
Address: 0x0000001C Num Data Bytes: 0x1C
Previous Address + Previous Num Bytes = 0x00000000 + 0x1C = 0x0000001C
Add data to existing SOFTLOADDATA command
The SOFTLOADDATA command must be sent as a NovAtel binary format command.

7.4.4

SoftLoad Update Method

This section describes the sequence of commands that are issued to the receiver when updating using a
*.hex or *.shex file.



The response for each command must be processed before sending the next
command so as to determine if the command was accepted or rejected, and to wait
for the receiver to complete the operation. Responses to SoftLoad commands are
guaranteed to be output from the receiver within a specific time, which varies by
command. Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129)
for more information on responses, and the timeout values for SoftLoad commands.

1. Open a connection to any port on the receiver (COM, USB, ICOM or XCOM) with the input and output INTERFACEMODE set to NOVATEL.
2. Request the SOFTLOADSTATUS log using the following command:
LOG SOFTLOADSTATUSA ONCHANGED
3. Initialize SoftLoad with a SOFTLOADRESET command. This command stops all tracking on the
receiver to ensure sufficient memory is available for the loading process. An RXSTATUSEVENTA log
reports a SoftLoad In Progress status.
4. Open the *.hex or *.shex firmware file.
5. Read each line of the *.hex or *.shex firmware file.
A. Send S0, S5 and S7 S-Records directly to the receiver using the SOFTLOADSREC command. The
S-Record must be enclosed in quotation marks:
SOFTLOADSREC ""
Data within S0 records can also be sent to the receiver by converting them to SOFTLOADSETUP
commands. Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for details
on how to convert from S0 S-Records to SOFTLOADSETUP commands.
B. S3 S-Records should be parsed and packaged into a SOFTLOADDATA command.
6. Send the SOFTLOADCOMMIT command after all data from the *.hex or *.shex file has been transferred to the receiver. The SOFTLOADSTATUS log reports the status of the loading process. Wait for
a SOFTLOADSTATUS log to indicate the status is COMPLETE. The COMPLETE status or an error
is guaranteed to be output from the receiver within 300 seconds from the time the SOFTLOADCOMMIT command was received by the receiver.
7. Send the auth code for the newly downloaded image using the AUTH command. This is only required
if there is not already a signature auth code on the receiver as signature auth codes are maintained
through a SoftLoad update. See Section 7.2 on page 96 for details on Auth Codes.
AUTH ADD_DOWNLOAD
8. Reset the receiver using any of the following methods:
A. Enter the RESET command
B. Enter the FRESET command

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C. Power-cycle the receiver
Once the receiver resets, the new version of firmware is active.
The SoftLoad process can be safely canceled at any time using the SOFTLOADRESET command or by
otherwise resetting the receiver. Once the COMPLETE status is reported by SOFTLOADSTATUS, the
new firmware image will be run after the receiver is reset.

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7.4.5

NovAtel Firmware and Software

Firmware Update Using FTP or USB Mass Storage Device

Select OEM receivers support upload of firmware files via FTP or USB. The SOFTLOADFILE command
can be used to update the receiver firmware if *.hex or *.shex files have been uploaded via FTP or are
available on an attached USB mass storage device. This method is called SoftLoad Direct.
The FTP server in the receiver can be accessed using Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Refer to the IPSERVICE
command in the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for details. The FTP server
allows uploads to the internal flash of the receiver, however the firmware file in internal flash must be
copied to the receiver’s boot flash device using the SOFTFLOADFILE command before it becomes the
active firmware running on the receiver.
This method of updating firmware is referred to as the SoftLoad Direct method.

7.4.6

SoftLoad Direct Commands and Logs

Refer to the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual (OM-20000129) for further log and command
information.
Command

SOFTLOADFILE

Description

Allows updating using a *.hex or *.shex file that has been uploaded to the receiver via
FTP or USB on platforms supporting those interfaces

Log

Description

SOFTLOADSTATUS Provides status updates for the ongoing SoftLoad process
Each command and log can be used in abbreviated ASCII, ASCII or binary format.

7.4.7

SoftLoad Direct Update Method

1. Open a connection to any port on the receiver (COM, USB, ICOM or XCOM) with the input and output INTERFACEMODE set to NOVATEL.
2. Request the SOFTLOADSTATUSA log using the following command:
LOG SOFTLOADSTATUSA ONCHANGED
3. Initiate the firmware update using one of the following commands where <>
is the name of the *.hex or *.shex file:
A. If using internal flash use this command: SOFTLOADFILE INTERNAL_FLASH firmwarefilename.hex
B. If using a USB mass storage device: SOFTLOADFILE USBSTICK firmwarefilename.hex
4. During the loading process, SOFTLOADSTATUS logs report the load status. Wait for the SOFTLOADSTATUS to indicate the status is COMPLETE.
5. Send the auth code for the newly downloaded image using the AUTH command. This is only required
if there is not already a signature auth code on the receiver as signature auth codes are maintained
through a SoftLoad update. See Section 7.2 on page 96 for details on Auth Codes
AUTH ADD_DOWNLOAD
6. Reset the receiver using any of the following methods:
A. Enter the RESET command
B. Enter the FRESET command
C. Power-cycle the receiver
7. Once the receiver resets, the new version of firmware is active.

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7.4.8

Chapter 7

SoftLoad Errors

It is possible for errors to occur during the SoftLoad update. All command responses should be checked
to verify all issued commands were accepted. The SoftLoad status should also be monitored in the
SOFTLOADSTATUS log. Any status enum value greater than the ERROR status indicates an error has
occurred during the SoftLoad update. In the event of an error, the SoftLoad update should be restarted by
issuing a SOFTLOADRESET command or normal operation can be restored by resetting the receiver.
In rare cases after a SoftLoad error, the boot code may not be able to determine which is the latest
firmware to be executed. To protect against this, SoftLoad does not erase the previous valid firmware
image from flash on the receiver. In such cases, the boot code will execute the old image and raise the
"Safe Mode" error (see RXSTATUS log). If that error is detected, simply restart the SoftLoad process to
reload the new firmware image and the error will be resolved.

7.5

Upgrading Using the AUTH Command
The AUTH command is used to upgrade to a new OEM6 family model with an authorization code that
enables (unlocks) model features. This command only functions with a valid auth-code assigned by
NovAtel Customer Support.
The upgrade can be performed directly through the NovAtel Connect command line or from any other
communications program.


7.5.1

Refer to the Format of Firmware Files section on Page 97 for details on
updating versus upgrading.

Upgrade Procedure

1. Power up the OEM6 family receiver and establish communications (refer to the Quick Start Guide
included with the product for instructions).
2. Issue the LOG VERSION command to verify the current model, firmware version and serial number
(refer to 7.2, Authorization Code on page 96 for instructions on obtaining).
3. Issue the AUTH command, followed by the auth-code and model type (refer to Section 7.2 Authorization Code on page 96 for details on obtaining any auth-code). The syntax is as follows:

auth
where auth is a command that enables model upgrades and auth-code is the upgrade authorization
code, expressed as follows:

XXXXXX,XXXXXX,XXXXXX,XXXXXX,XXXXXX,MODEL,EXPDATE
where:
1. Each X character is a case-insensitive ASCII character.
2. The MODEL string is a maximum of 15 characters long and represents the model enabled by the
auth-code.
3. The EXPDATE string is the auth-code’s expiry date, in YYMMDD format
Example:

auth 7WBMBK,887CB6,K5J3FH,5DF5P2,42PW8G,D1SB0GTT0,121211
When the AUTH command is executed, the OEM6 family receiver reboots. Issuing the LOG VERSION
command confirms the new upgrade model type and firmware version number.
If communicating using NovAtel Connect, the communication path must be closed and reopened using
the Device menu.

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Chapter 8
8.1

Built-In Status Tests

Overview
The Built-In Status Test monitors system performance and status to ensure the receiver is operating
within specifications. The test detects an exceptional condition and informs the user through one or more
indicators. The receiver status system is used to configure and monitor the indicators:
1. Receiver status word (included in the header of every message)
2. ERROR strobe signal (see 3.1.14.1, Strobes on page 43)
3. RXSTATUSEVENT log
4. RXSTATUS log
In normal operation, the error strobe is driven low. When an unusual and non-fatal event occurs (for
example, there is no valid position solution), a bit is set in the receiver status word. Receiver operation
continues normally, the error strobe remains off. When the event ends (for example, when there is a valid
position solution), the bit in the receiver status word is cleared.
When a fatal event occurs (for example, a receiver hardware failure), a bit is set in the receiver error
word, part of the RXSTATUS log, to indicate the cause of the problem. Bit 0 is set in the receiver status
word to show that an error occurred, the error strobe is driven high. An RXSTATUSEVENT log is
generated on all ports to show the cause of the error. Receiver tracking is disabled but command and log
processing continues to allow error diagnosis. Even if the source of the error is corrected, the receiver
must be reset to resume normal operation.
Two scenarios describe factory default behavior. These behaviors can be customized to better suit an
individual application. RXSTATUSEVENT logs can be disabled completely with the UNLOG command.
RXSTATUSEVENT logs can be generated when a receiver status bit is set or cleared with the
STATUSCONFIG SET and STATUSCONFIG CLEAR commands. Bits in the receiver status word can also
be promoted to act like error bits with the STATUSCONFIG PRIORITY command.

8.2

Receiver Status Word
The receiver status word indicates the current status of the receiver. This word is found in the header of
all logs and in the RXSTATUS log. In addition, the receiver status word is configurable.
The importance of the status bits with priority masks can be determined. For receiver status, setting a bit
in the priority mask causes the condition to trigger an error. The error causes the receiver to idle all
channels, turn off the antenna and disable the RF hardware, just like it would if a bit in the receiver error
word is set. Setting a bit in an Auxiliary Status priority mask causes the condition to set the bit in the
receiver status that corresponds to the auxiliary status.
Use the STATUSCONFIG command to configure the various status mask fields in the RXSTATUS log.
Use the masks to specify whether various status fields generate errors or event messages when set or
cleared.
Refer to the RXSTATUS log, RXSTATUSEVENT log and STATUSCONFIG command in the OEM6 Family
Firmware Reference Manual for more detailed descriptions of these messages.

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8.3

Chapter 8

Error Strobe Signal
The error strobe signal is one of the I/O strobes. The strobe signal is driven low when the receiver is
operating normally. When the receiver is in the error state and tracking is disabled, the error strobe is
driven high. This can be caused by a fatal error or by an unusual receiver status indication that the user
has promoted to be treated like a fatal error. Once on, the error status remains high until the cause of the
error is corrected and the receiver is reset. See also Section 3.1.14.1 Strobes on page 43.

8.4

RXSTATUSEVENT Log
The RXSTATUSEVENT log is used to output event messages, as indicated in the RXSTATUS log.
On start up, the OEM6 family receiver is set to log the RXSTATUSEVENTA log ONNEW on all ports.
Remove this message using the UNLOG command.
Refer to the RXSTATUSEVENT log in the OEM6 Family Firmware Reference Manual for a more detailed
description of this log.

8.5

RXSTATUS Log

8.5.1

Overview

The Receiver Status log (RXSTATUS) provides system status and configuration information in a series of
hexadecimal words.
The status word is the third field after the header, as shown in the example in Figure 36.
Figure 36: Location of Receiver Status Word
, or
Refer to the SETPREFERREDNETIF command in the OEM6 Firmware Reference Guide (OM-20000129)
for command details.

While performing logging, data gaps are experienced, why?
Data gaps indicate a throughput issue. When performing high data rate Ethernet logging using TCP/IP,
disable Windows Delayed Ack Algorithm (DAA) for complete data logging. If DAA is not disabled, data
gaps appear due to the Windows Ethernet buffer.

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If done incorrectly, changing the Windows Registry may impair the operation of the computer. Editing the
Windows Registry is for advanced Microsoft Windows users only. NovAtel Inc. is not able to provide any
technical support for any actions taken regarding information found in Microsoft’s Knowledge Base.
Windows XP (SP3) and Windows Server 2003:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328890
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/815230
Refer to the Chapter Customer Support on page 15 for details on contacting NovAtel Customer Support.

The HWMONITOR log reports Reading Type 6 is under the lower error limit (a
voltage reading of 2.7V and status 602). Is this an error?
This is not an error. The ProPak6 supplies 3.3V directly to the OEM638 within the unit and a back voltage
may be present at the point where the "supply voltage" is sampled. As long as Reading Type 3 is
showing approximately 3.3V and the status is 300, the power supplies are functioning correctly

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