Key features
- Companion app to Eos Tools Pro app and Eos Positioning GNSS receivers
- Map points, lines, and polygons
- Collect RINEX data for post-processing
- Use staking mode for construction staking
- Use topo mode to auto-collect points based on time or distance spanned
- View 3D buildings and terrain for context while mapping
- Import and export data for use in GIS, CAD, etc
- Compatible with many file types (CSV, KML, shapefile, etc) and coordinate systems
¶ Getting started
- Create a FastXY account Create an acocunt to access premium features, including on a free trial basis
- Download Eos Tools Pro Use Eos Tools Pro to interface your device with your GNSS receiver
¶ Installation
Eos Tools Pro is how your Arrow and your data collection device communicate. Before using FastXY, configure Eos Tools Pro to enable NMEA and raw data. (Raw data only required for static and PPK workflows.)
How to set TCP ports in Eos Tools Pro
In Eos Tools Pro, select the three dots menu in the top right to enter the Settings page. Near the top of the Settings page, there is one labeled "TCP server". Select the TCP Server settings ensure your receiver's data can flow from Eos Tools Pro to FastXY.
Confirm the TCP settings below, then toggle the TCP servers on. Now you're ready to use FastXY for raw data collection.
- NMEA Port 3967
- Raw Data Port 3980
Eos Tools Pro settings page:
TCP settings details:
You will also use Eos Tools Pro to connect to your RTK base and manage geoid settings.
Install FastXY through the App Store.
FastXY is not yet publicly available on the Google Play store. Contact Discovery Management to request access to the beta testing program through Google Play.
To install FastXY from an APK file, you must enable "install from unknown sources" in your Android device settings. Instructions on how to achieve this for different Android versions can be found online. Here is one example
Depending on your device settings, you may receive a warning that Google Play does not recognize the app. Choose to install anyway.
Screenshot - Play Protect warning on Samsung device
¶ Using the app
¶ GNSS status indicator
The GNSS status bar at the top of the map screen shows GNSS metadata in real time. Always shown are: number of satellites, differential correction age, differential status, estimated HRMS, and estimated VRMS. Tap the status bar to show additional metadata (such as PDOP, latitude, longitude and more) in real time. Tap it again to minimize the drop-down.
Note the latitude and longitude shown in the GNSS status indicator are directly from your GNSS receiver; no transformations are performed. This allows you to confirm that FastXY is receiving the correct position data from Eos Tools Pro.
GNSS status indicator
GNSS status indicator, expanded
The GNSS status bar is red when your Arrow is disconnected. It turns yellow when your Arrow is connected, but the estimated accuracy does not meet the accuracy threshold. The status bar turns green when the estimated accuracy meets the accuracy threshold.
Users can edit their accuracy threshold from the User Profile, under the "Accuracy Settings" section.
User settings page
You can access the User Settings from the user icon in the upper right corner.From the user settings page, you can set your antenna height, change accuracy settings for the GNSS status indicator, change your units, export raw data files (RINEX), and more.
¶ Maps
Select your project map from the main page of the app. Maps are a collection of layers.
Use the search bar at the top to search for a map. Search uses both the map title and description to find your desired item.
Map selection page
Creating a new map step by step example with screenshots
First, choose the area you want shown by default when you open the map
Second, give the map a name and description
Lastly, choose the coordinate system. You can search by EPSG code or coordinate system description.
EPSG codes are unique numbers used to reference a specific coordinate reference system, including ellipsoids, datums, spheroids, and units. More information and EPSG code search tools can be found online at multiple sources [1], [2], [3].
Delete a map with the ... button on the map selection page
¶ Layers
FastXY supports Point, Line, and Polygon layer types.
Layer selection
Choose your working layer. When the user collects new data, it will go on the working layer.
Layers shown under "Map Layers" are part of the current map, but not necessarily the working layer. Layers shown under "all layers" are not part of the current map. Tap the layer name (like, "hippos") to add it to the current map.
Screenshots - layer selection
Creating a layer - step by step example
Name your layer
Create an attribute for that layer and input pre-defined entry options. In this screenshot, we create a text attribute with a pick list. This is a text type where we allow the user only to choose between the pre-defined options of "good" and "damaged".
Create another attribute field by selecting the plus button (it may be hiding under your keyboard). This field is for tree diameter, so we've made the type "number." We don't need to pre-define the options, so we chose "none" for the selection option.
Next we create a third attribute, a text attribute with a suggestion list. This means the user can choose from the pre-defined attribute options or enter their own. We might expect cedar, alder, and pine trees on site, but the user can still add "maple" if they find a maple tree.
Attribute options
- Type: Attribute field types
- Select: Options for how the user fills this attribute
- Pick: Pre-defined options are the only choice
- Suggest: Pre-defined options are a choice, and users can input their own data. Inputs from the user are not added to the suggestion list.
- History: Pre-defined options are a choice, and users can input their own data. Inputs from the user are added to the history list.
- None: No pre-defined options are shown to the user. The user inputs their own data.
- Field: pre-defined attribute data
- Type your option, then hit enter on your keyboard to add it as an option
Importing a layer
FastXY allows you to import a single layer at a time. Many common file formats are supported, including zip, shapefile, csv, kml, dxf, and more. When using file formats that support multiple layers, only a single layer can be imported to FastXY.
Import a Layer - step by step example
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Create a file for the layer you'd like to upload from your 3rd party source.
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Get that file onto your device
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In the FastXY app where you manage layers (bottom left button when in a Map) there is an upload icon, press that and go through your phones files to select the correct file, zip file, or folder.
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Follow the steps to set your layer information. EPSG will be autodetected on some file formats.
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Your points should now show as a layer in the app, select that layer and the staking workflow.
Exporting a layer
Access the Layer Actions menu by tapping the ... button next to a layer name. From there, you can export a layer using your device sharing menu.
The EPSG selection dropdown creates the projection file that may be associated with your choosen filetype (such as shapefile). The horizontal datum and epoch selection are used for velocity modeling calculations on export.
¶ Workflows
Summary of each FastXY workflow
- Free workflow
- Basic data collection
- Collect points using RTK, SBAS, Galileo HAS, etc.
Screenshot - map with data
Screenshot - tapping point features
A point will be highlighted in the map view when selected:
Pull up the bottom tray to see more information for the selected point:
Screenshot - 3D buildings
3D buildings are shown for context while mapping. Tap the user location button at the bottom left of the screen to switch between nadir (top down) and oblique views.
If you have trouble zooming by pinching your fingers on the screen, you can also zoom in and out by quickly double tapping in the center of the map, then dragging up or down to zoom in or out.
- Paid workflow
- In development
- Post-processed asset capture
- Achieve RTK accuracies without a real-time connection
- Best for disconnected or semi-disconnected environments
- Requires RINEX file from a nearby public or private base
- Capture static RINEX data for post-processing
- Use with services like OPUS, AUSPOS, CSRS-PPP, etc.
- Set your own control points
- Use as a base station for your drone flight (PPK only. For RTK, use a FastRTK base.)
Eos Tools Pro settings
Before collecting static data, make sure to setup TCP in Eos Tools Pro so FastXY receives data from your GNSS receiver.
How to set TCP ports in Eos Tools Pro
In Eos Tools Pro, select the three dots menu in the top right, scroll to the bottom, and turn off the TCP servers (if toggled on) to edit the settings.
Set the Raw Data TCP server TCP Port to 3980 and the TCP server TCP Port to 3967 as shown below. Then toggle the TCP servers on.
Screenshot - GNSS not connected
FastXY Static workflow
Starting static data collection
Submitting to OPUS
A note from OPUS about when to process your files:
Wait a day before submitting your file: OPUS will use the best CORS and orbits available at the time you upload your data. While most CORS are archived within 30-minutes past the hour, some aren't available until the next day. If you process your data in less than 24 hours after collection, OPUS will use Ultra-Rapid orbits. Rapid orbits, available at 17:00 UTC the next day, will offer a slight improvement in your accuracy. Final orbits, available weeks later, offer only slight benefit to solutions in areas with usable CORS nearby.
After your capture completes, you have the option to submit to OPUS. You can also submit files to OPUS from the files menu.
Make sure to input your email and antenna information correctly in the OPUS submission settings
Browse your files
Saved static captures can be viewed and exported from the files menu in the user profile.
If your raw data file (bin) did not convert automatically, you can convert it manually.
Raw data conversion settings
If you select a RINEX file (file extension is YYo, where YY is the year abbreviation), you can submit to NGS OPUS directly from the app.
- Paid workflow
- import a data file, then stake out to the points in that file.
- You can then capture the staked-out point for a precise record of how the design positions differ from staked positions.
- Paid workflow
- Automatically collects a point based on time or distance passed.