How It Works

The TOOMEY ECS takes advantage of a simple concept that is part of the technology on which the RTK technology is based. Simply put, the stationary GPS Base Station and the GPS Rover (either stationary or mobile) are “tied” together in a manner similar to how a Laser Transmitter works with Laser Receivers. As you raise the GPS antenna of a Base Station, the Rovers experience the same height change almost instantaneously. The “elephant in the room” is the drift caused mostly by atmospheric influences.

The TOOMEY ECS concept is to position a stationary Rover in the field and monitor the RTK GPS elevation. This elevation data is then sent to the main control module (ECM) located at the Base Station which then adjusts the height of the GPS antenna of the Base Station through means of a Linear Actuator. As the ECM sees the height coming from the stationary Rover “drift” from the “SET” value in the ECM, a command is sent to the linear actuator which moves the base antenna which then brings the elevation that the rover is calculating back to the SET height. This means that the Rover is being continually being sent “corrected” data from the base that would keep its elevation readings at the same value.

In the same way, earthmoving machines and survey rigs running off the ECS would be receiving this “corrected” data from the Base Station and achieving a much more stable elevation solution without the “drift”.

What is the operational range of the Toomey ECS?

The working range of the Toomey ECS unit depends on weather conditions and the topography. However, the ECS-900 Radio Modules have a typical range of up to 3,000 meters from the ECM. The effective working range from the base station has been many kilometers but the typical reduction in accuracy over distance still applies even when using the ECS. It is always advisable to have the stationary somewhere central to the working area.

+ What GPS systems are the Toomey ECS compatible with?

The Toomey ECS concept allows it to be used with any brand of GNSS receiver. The only prerequisite is that the receiver being used as the stationary Rover needs to output a NMEA GGA string at 1Hz and 38.4K Baud Rate. The ECS has been tested successfully with the following brands of GPS receivers; Trimble AgGPS and SPS, Topcon Hyper and GR, John Deere, Novatel and Leica. Please refer to your GPS receivers manual for information about your unit.

+ Do I need to change or upgrade any of my current Machine Control or Survey set up when using the Toomey ECS?

No, the Toomey ECS system has only an affect on the Base Station and does not change the correction data going into the software guiding your machinery. The ECS improves the quality and consistency of the “correctional” information being provided from the Base Station.

+ What happens if something goes wrong?

The Toomey ECS comes with a 12 month warranty. We also provide phone and email support for customers to assist them while in the field. Details of your nearest service provider are given when purchasing a Toomey ECS system. Please also refer to our Owners Manual and Troubleshooting sections.

WHAT IS IN THE CASE

The TOOMEY ECS-900 has the following;

1 x Elevation Control Module (ECM)
1 x Actuator
1 x Rover Radio Module (RM)
2 x Radio Antennas
Power and Data Cables, brackets and accessories

What you need to supply for ECS-1 (apart from the typical Base Station and Machine Control/Survey equipment)

1 x Stationary GNSS Rover Receiver (including tripod and power supply)

WHATS NEW IN 2023? THE ECS-RTK now has a ROVER MODULE with an incorporated NOVATEL GNSS RECEIVER and 450 MHz RADIO which will allow it be used with most generic GNSS Machine Control System.