Leica Geosystems has been selected to supply a GPS Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network for the Dallas District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT).

The Dallas TXDOT system includes six Leica RS500 permanent reference stations with AT504 choke-ring antennas and Spider network control software.

The six stations have been placed in strategic locations so as to provide coverage for the seven counties which are in the Dallas TXDOT region. The CORS network will be used to broadcast real-time kinematic (RTK) data via cellular phone data links to DOT and contractor survey crews for high-precision surveying jobs throughout the service region.

Currently five of the stations are providing RTK data and the sixth will be online shortly. Excellent results have been achieved during testing at ranges of more than 30 mi.

The RS500 reference stations are based of Leica’s ClearTrak technology, providing enhanced signal reception, satellite tracking, jamming resistance and multipath integration. The AT504 choke-ring antenna features multipath rejection with phase center stability.

The Spider control software provides automatic and continuous control for all reference stations and communication links in the network. Spider permits system supervisors to manage each reference station’s software and the entire network from a remote computer using a TCP/IP network or dial-up connection.

Leica Geosystems’ authorized dealer, Midwest Survey Supplies of Richardson, TX, was responsible for the sale, and the Leica Geosystems, Inc. Reference Station Team out of Norcross, GA, is responsible for the installation and ongoing technical support.