UAV MATE — USER MANUAL

About this manual

This manual is task‑oriented: start with Quick Start for the workflow you need, then use the Reference chapters for details on every screen.

Conventions used in this manual

Note — Useful background or context.

Tip — A faster or better way to do something.

Warning — Read before continuing; ignoring this may cause data loss or inaccurate results.

Figures. Console screenshots are taken directly from the device consoles.

1. Overview

UAV Mate has two operating roles. You choose the role in the console; the device performs one role at a time.

Note — Because UAV Mate gets its base coordinate from PPP, you do not need to set up over a known mark or connect to a CORS network. The base coordinate is delivered in ITRF2020, current epoch.

2. What's in the box

Contents may vary with the kit you ordered. A typical kit includes:

• UAV Mate GNSS receiver
• Type‑C to USB cable (charging and data)
• 410–470 MHz UHF whip antenna and extension pole — for the internal radio
• Carrying case
• Quick Start Guide
• (Optional) 5/8″ × 11 mounting connector (for tripod/pole)

Note — Contents vary with the kit ordered; check your kit against its packing list.

3. Hardware overview

UAV Mate has a white faceted GNSS dome on top of a charcoal body. The front control panel carries the status icons and the power button; the bottom connector mounts the unit to a pole, tripod, or drone mount.

Control‑panel indicators (LEDs)

UAV Mate has five green status LEDs on the front panel — Satellite, Correction Data, Static Survey, Solution, Bluetooth — plus the power button. The smart battery has its own power display on the bottom. The receiver also supports voice prompts.

Smart battery / power display (bottom). Press the battery button to show the remaining charge — each lit segment ≈ 25 %. While charging, the display flashes to show the current level; at 20–10 % it flashes slowly and below 10 % it flashes fast (charge soon). The unit also has a built‑in electronic bubble for levelling.

LED behaviour at a glance

Power button

• On: press and hold ~2 seconds.
• Off: press and hold ~5 seconds (release when all LEDs turn off).

Ports and mounting (bottom)

Mount the unit on a stable tripod/pole (base or rover) or the appropriate drone/vehicle mount via the 5/8″ connector.

Power, charging & battery

• Built‑in 7000 mAh / 7.4 V lithium battery — up to 10 hours of field work (varies with radio/cellular use, temperature, and battery age).
• Fast charging up to 15 W (5 V / 3 A) over USB‑C; about 3 hours from 20 % to 90 %.
• External power: USB 5–20 V.
• Charge between +10 °C and +45 °C.
• IP68 dust‑ and water‑proof.

4. Connecting to the Device Console

The Device Console is hosted on the receiver itself. No internet connection is required in the field.

1. Power on UAV Mate and wait for the green power LED.
2. On your phone, tablet, or laptop, open Wi‑Fi settings and connect to the receiver's hotspot UAV MATE-<SN> — where <SN> is your unit's serial number (a numeric string printed on the device label). The hotspot is open — no Wi‑Fi password.
3. Open a web browser and go to the receiver's console address http://192.168.2.1:8080.
4. Sign in at the Device console login screen with the default password uavmate. You can sign out later under Device › Sign out (Simple console) or via the Professional console header.

Tip — The console is responsive and works on a phone. On small screens the left menu becomes a hamburger drawer at the top‑left.

Note — You can confirm or change the Wi‑Fi name, IP, and MAC address later under System (see §14).

5. Two consoles: Simple and Professional

UAV Mate ships with two consoles on the same device. Both control the same receiver — pick whichever suits the task and switch at any time.

Signing in with the password on the device label opens the Simple console. Your sign‑in is shared between both consoles.

5.1 Simple console — Base Station tab

Everything needed to run a PPP base on one screen:

• Static logging strip — RINEX 3.x raw logging (1 Hz, max 2 h) starts automatically with the base (see §12).
• Base station status card — signal bars, a large state label, and the three stages Place → Converge (typ. 6–8 min) → Broadcast.
• Start mode — PPP (self‑converge, default), Auto start (smooth an unknown point), or Known point (enter latitude / longitude / ellipsoidal height).
• Broadcast card — how corrections reach your rover / drone: Local NTRIP hotspot (default; credentials shown with a Copy button), Internal radio (UHF) (channel, TX power, protocol, air baud), or External NTRIP server (4G) (requires a SIM and a cellular setup — see §14). Broadcast settings are locked while the base runs.
• L‑Band PPP correction link — how many PPP correction satellites are visible at your location.
• Base position card — once fixed: latitude / longitude / ellipsoidal height in ITRF2020, current epoch with Accuracy H 1.5 cm / V 3.0 cm and a Copy button. Record this position for your flight‑planning software.

One unit, one role — starting the base stops GCP collection, and vice‑versa. The console tells you before it switches.

5.2 Simple console — GCP Collection tab

• Correction source — L‑Band PPP (no base needed), CORS (your NTRIP account over 4G), or Radio (corrections from an external base — match the transmitter's channel, protocol and air baud). Apply with Apply & Start Rover.
• Solution status card — live state with horizontal / vertical accuracy and the live position (ITRF2020).
• Collect point — enter a Point ID and the antenna height (vertical distance from the ground mark to the antenna reference point; stored heights are reduced to the ground mark), wait for Fixed, then hold the pole steady for the 5‑second occupation.
• Collected points — review, Copy, or Export CSV (see §19 for the CSV format).

5.3 Simple console — Device screen

Open with the gear icon: device information (ID, model, firmware, PPP serial and expiry, battery), static logging configuration, Cellular (4G) setup (APN and authentication — used by External NTRIP and CORS), Files (on‑device RINEX & log storage; oldest files are removed first when full), local firmware update (a .bin file — no internet needed), Sign out, and Open Professional Console.

5.4 Professional console at a glance

The Professional console is the full‑depth interface. The left‑hand menu is the main navigation:

Guided setup (Professional)

The Dashboard's Guided setup card exposes two step‑by‑step wizards — the PPP Base Wizard and the Rover & GCP Wizard. Each is a 3‑step guide with a live PPP status display (see §10 and §15); you can close it at any time and configure manually.

6. Placement and site selection

Where you put UAV Mate matters as much as how you configure it: placement drives how fast it reaches a fix and how accurate the result is. Choose the spot before you power through the setup.

Sky view and obstructions

• Set up in the open, with a clear view of the sky in every direction — the fewer obstructions, the faster and more reliable the fix.
• Keep well clear of buildings, walls, dense tree canopy, vehicles, and large metal or glass surfaces. Signals reflecting off these (multipath) reduce accuracy and can stop the receiver from fixing.
• Avoid setting up directly beneath power lines or next to transmitting antennas.

Tip — Rule of thumb: if you can see open sky all around and nothing tall is within a few metres, it's a good spot.

Mounting the base

• Mount UAV Mate on a stable tripod or fixed pillar so it cannot move, sink, or be knocked.
• Level it with the tribrach bubble and tighten every connection so the unit is rigid.

Warning — After the base has fixed and started broadcasting, do not move or re‑level it. Moving the antenna invalidates the base coordinate and every drone/rover position derived from it.

Antenna height

Accurate heights depend on entering the correct antenna height — the vertical distance from the ground mark to the receiver's antenna reference point (ARP).

• Measure with a tape or the tripod's graduated rod, and record it consistently (always to the same reference).
• Enter the value where the workflow asks for it: Static Survey, GCP Manager → Antenna height, or your drone software's base‑height field.
• Measure to the ARP (the receiver's mounting base). The ARP‑to‑phase‑centre offset is applied automatically by the receiver — there is nothing to configure in the console, and stored heights are reduced to the ground mark.

Base‑to‑controller range

• The drone's remote controller joins UAV Mate's Wi‑Fi and pulls the RTCM corrections, then relays them up to the drone over its own control link — the drone itself never connects to UAV Mate's Wi‑Fi directly.
• Keep the controller within reliable Wi‑Fi range of the base; the drone can then fly wherever its own control link reaches.

Rover placement (GCP collection)

• Hold the pole vertical with the bubble centred while measuring — or enable Tilt Compensation (Device Configuration → Tilt) and let the unit correct for pole tilt.
• Rest the pole tip precisely on the mark and hold it steady for the full sample count.
• Stay in the open; step away from walls, vehicles, and canopy that can block or reflect signals.

7. Quick Start A — Set up a PPP base station

Use this workflow to put UAV Mate on a tripod and broadcast RTK to your drone. It uses the Simple console — Base Station tab (see §5.1).

Step 1 — Place and start

1. Mount the receiver on a stable tripod with a clear, open view of the sky (§6). Once started, don't move it.
2. On the Base Station tab, keep PPP (self‑converge) selected. To use a surveyed mark instead, choose Known point and enter its latitude, longitude and ellipsoidal height — the console sanity‑checks your entry against the observed position.
3. Tap Start base station.

Step 2 — Converge

The status card shows Converging… with live progress — typically 6–8 minutes under open sky. It's a good window to set up your drone. Broadcasting starts automatically once converged; static RINEX logging runs alongside (§12).

Step 3 — Broadcast & connect the drone

When the card reads Broadcasting, the base position (ITRF2020, current epoch; typ. H 1.5 cm / V 3.0 cm) appears with a Copy button — record it for your flight‑planning software.

Connect the drone in two steps:

1. On the drone remote controller, open Wi‑Fi settings and join UAV Mate's hotspot UAV MATE-<SN> (open — no password). The controller needs this link to reach the base's NTRIP caster.
2. In the flight‑control app, choose custom network RTK / NTRIP and enter:

No Wi‑Fi on the controller? In the Broadcast card choose Internal radio (UHF) — set the rover radio to the same channel, protocol and air baud — or External NTRIP server (4G) with a SIM installed (§14).

Confirm the drone shows RTK Fix — then you're ready to fly.

Professional alternative — the PPP Base Wizard (Dashboard › Guided setup) walks the same flow in the Professional console, with the live PPP status display and skyplot.

8. Quick Start B — Collect GCPs in rover mode

Use this workflow to walk a pole and measure ground control points, on the Simple console — GCP Collection tab (see §5.2). UAV Mate can correct itself via L‑Band PPP (no base needed), a CORS NTRIP account over 4G, or an external base over radio.

Step 1 — Choose the correction source

Open GCP Collection. One unit plays one role at a time — if the base is broadcasting, tap Stop base first. Pick the source, fill in its details (CORS: caster address, port, mountpoint, account; Radio: channel, protocol, air baud matching the transmitter), then tap Apply & Start Rover.

Step 2 — Reach a Fixed solution

The solution card walks through Acquiring… → Float → Fixed with live horizontal / vertical accuracy. With PPP, expect the usual convergence time; with CORS or radio, Fixed typically arrives within seconds. Collection is blocked until the solution is Fixed.

Step 3 — Measure & export

1. Enter a Point ID (auto‑incremented if left blank) and the antenna height — pole height from the ground mark to the antenna reference point. Stored heights are reduced to the ground mark.
2. Put the pole tip on the mark, hold it steady, and tap Collect point — 5 s. Keep still for the 5‑second occupation.
3. Repeat for each point. Review the Collected points list, then Copy or Export CSV (§19).

Professional alternative — the Rover & GCP Wizard and GCP Manager offer the same flow plus tilt compensation (§9.3), CSV import, and per‑point solution records.

9. Reference — Device Configuration

Device Configuration has three tabs: Base Mode, Rover, and Tilt Compensation.

8.1 Base Mode Config

Base Station Status shows the live base state.

8.2 Rover

Tip — With PPP rover input the device corrects itself anywhere; you do not need to deploy a separate base for GCP work.

8.3 Tilt Compensation

Calibration‑free tilt. UAV Mate's tilt compensation needs no magnetic calibration and is immune to magnetic disturbances, with accuracy of ≤ 2 cm within 60° of tilt. To initialise, enable Tilt Compensation and then move/rock the pole gently as prompted until the console reports a valid attitude.

Warning — When tilt compensation is enabled, GCP measurement requires tilt initialisation to be complete (a valid attitude). Move/rotate the pole to initialise if prompted.

10. Reference — PPP Configuration

The PPP Configuration page controls the satellite PPP correction service the base (or rover) uses.

Note — On UAV Mate the correction service is labelled PPP throughout the console.

11. Reference — I/O Configuration

The I/O Configuration page sets how position data leaves the device and how the local caster behaves.

10.1 Output Method & Port Configuration

Note — Bluetooth output uses the default message frequency; the per‑message rates below do not apply to Bluetooth.

10.2 Output Data (NMEA)

Set each message to OFF or a frequency (10s, 5s, 1Hz, 2Hz, 5Hz, 10Hz):

GGA · RMC · VTG · GSV · GSA · GNS · ZDA

Click Apply NMEA Config to save.

10.3 Local NTRIP Caster

This is the on‑device caster that broadcasts base corrections over Wi‑Fi.

10.4 Radio Settings

The internal UHF radio can broadcast corrections (base) or receive them (rover). Configure under I/O Configuration → Radio Settings (Professional) or in the Broadcast / Correction source cards (Simple).

Pairing rule — transmitter and receiver must use the same channel, protocol and air baud rate. The radio stays idle until the base is ready, then transmits automatically.

Regulatory — UHF transmit frequencies and power are subject to local licensing. Confirm what you may legally use in your region before enabling the radio.

12. Reference — Static Survey

Record a raw‑data session on the device for later post‑processing (PPK).

13. Reference — GCP Manager

Measure, review, and export Ground Control Points. UAV Mate must be in Rover mode and report an RTK Fixed solution before a point can be saved.

Measuring a point

Warning — If the solution is not Fixed (e.g. Single, Float, or PPP Converging), Measure & Save is blocked and the console tells you the current solution. Wait for L1 / Wide / Narrow Fixed or PPP Fixed before measuring.

Measured Points table

Columns: ID · Lat · Lon · Height · Std · Solution. The Solution column records the solution status at the moment of capture, so you can audit point quality later.

Managing points

Tip — A separate GCP Manager — Quick View appears on the Dashboard showing the most recent points measured in the current project.

14. Reference — System & Modules

System

Warning — Factory Reset erases your settings and presets. Export your configuration first with Download Config.

Cellular (4G)

Used by External NTRIP server broadcasting and CORS rover corrections. Install a SIM, then configure under Device › Cellular (Simple) or System (Professional): APN, optional APN username/password, and authentication (None / PAP / CHAP / PAP+CHAP). Enter the APN exactly as issued by your SIM provider.

Files — RINEX & logs

Raw observation files and logs are stored on the device (about 8 GB). Files are kept until deleted or storage is full — oldest files are removed first. Download what you need before long projects.

Updating firmware

Firmware updates are applied from a local file — no internet needed:

1. Get the .bin firmware file from UAV Mate or your dealer and save it on your phone/laptop.
2. Open Device › Firmware update (Simple) or System (Professional), choose the file, and tap Upgrade firmware.
3. Keep the receiver powered throughout the update. The console reports the detected firmware date and skips the update if you are already current.

Modules

The Modules page manages optional hardware (e.g. the cellular modem). Use Turn On / Apply Cellular Config to enable and configure a module.

15. Understanding Solution Status

The Dashboard shows the current Solution Status. Higher‑quality fixes mean more accurate positions. The table groups the statuses you will see.

Note — For GCP work, only L1 Fixed / Wide Fixed / Narrow Fixed / PPP Fixed are accepted by Measure & Save. Narrow Fixed is the best.

On‑screen display — On the PPP Status page (and in the wizards / Base Mode Config when using PPP), these statuses are summarised as a four‑stage indicator — Single → Converging → Float → Fixed — with signal bars, an estimated time to Fixed, and the estimated accuracy (H / V RMS).

16. Specifications

Figures from the UAV Mate Datasheet (V1.0, 2026‑02). Real‑world PPP performance depends on sky view and atmospheric conditions.

Positioning accuracy (RMS)

Performance

System & data

Communication

Electrical, physical & environmental

17. Troubleshooting

Tip — Use System → Download Config to keep a backup before firmware upgrades or experiments.

18. Glossary

19. Appendix — GCP CSV format

Exported points (Export CSV) include, per point:

• Point ID
• Latitude, Longitude
• Ellipsoid Height (m)
• RMS (H / V)
• Solution (status at capture)

Note — Confirm the exact column order/headers against your photogrammetry software's import template. [Insert sample CSV header here once confirmed.]

20. Safety and regulatory information

Important — Read and understand these requirements before using UAV Mate.

General safety

• Operating or storing the receiver outside its specified temperature range can damage it.
• Do not use the receiver during a thunderstorm — there is an increased risk of a lightning strike.
• When using the internal radio, install the radio antenna before transmitting. Transmitting without an antenna can overheat and damage the radio module.
• Do not operate near electrical blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere. Keep equipment properly grounded and have it serviced only by a qualified technician.
• Changes or modifications not expressly approved by UAV Mate Inc. may void your authority to operate the equipment and can damage the receiver.

RF exposure

To limit exposure to radio‑frequency energy, do not operate the transmitter when anyone is within these distances of the antenna:

• Bluetooth / Wi‑Fi / cellular: less than 20 cm
• 410–470 MHz UHF radio: less than 47 cm

Do not operate unless all RF connectors are secured or properly terminated.

CE marking

UAV Mate Inc. declares that the UAV Mate GNSS receiver complies with the essential requirements (radio performance, electromagnetic compatibility, and electrical safety) and other relevant provisions of the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU, the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, and the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. [Confirm the certifications that apply to your market — e.g. FCC, RCM.]

Disposal (WEEE)

Do not dispose of this product with household waste. Dispose of it in accordance with the regulations in force in your country, and prevent access by unauthorised personnel.

Warranty & support

UAV Mate is covered by a one‑year warranty from the date of purchase (see the UAV Mate Datasheet). For support, contact your dealer or UAV Mate Inc.:

• Web — uav-mate.com
• Email — sales@uav-mate.com

uav-mate.com · © 2026 UAV Mate Inc. All rights reserved. — Document v2.0.