The Display, the Light Bars, and the various sensors are connected electrically by a system harness that allows the system components to send data and commands between each other.
Additionally, the AccuGrade System requires one of the following types of Base Stations somewhere near the project:
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Guidance Information
Guidance is given to the operator in the following two ways:
- The Display
- The Light Bars
Display
 | |
| Illustration 1 | g01265962 |
(1) LCD (2) Soft Key Labels (3) Soft Keys (4) Escape Key (5 ) Next Key (6) Power Key (7) "+" Key (8) Arrow Keys (9) "-" Key (10) "OK" Key (11) Menu Key (12) "Data Card Slot" | |
The Display is a computer that runs the software for the AccuGrade System. The Display has a color LCD screen in order to display guidance information and other information. The Display has push buttons that are used to operate the AccuGrade System.
Data Card Slot
 | |
| Illustration 2 | g01265965 |
(12) "Data Card Slot" | |
The Display has a data card slot that is used for loading and saving machine and display configuration data. The data card slot is also used for loading and saving designs.
Light Bars
 | |
| Illustration 3 | g01176126 |
Three Light Bars are installed. Each Light Bar shows different information for your blade position:
- Two vertically-mounted Light Bars give cut/fill guidance to the blade tip on each side.
- A horizontal Light Bar gives horizontal guidance from a selected alignment to the blade tip with focus.
System Sensors
The guidance information that the system can provide depends on the type of sensors and number of sensors that are installed on the machine. The AccuGrade System can operate with the following types of sensors:
Angle Sensors
 | |
| Illustration 4 | g01244447 |
The Angle Sensor (15) is a highly accurate sensor that is capable of measuring up to 100 degree slopes.
The Angle Sensor (15) is mounted on the blade. The Angle Sensors measures the forward/aft pitch of the blade in order to determine the position of the blade in Manual mode operation. Additionally, the Angle Sensor can be used to determine the blade slope for operation with a Single GPS Receiver.
Location Sensors
 | |
| Illustration 5 | g01244448 |
(20) GPS Receiver (21) Mast (22) Thumb Wheel On Quick Release Bracket | |
The location sensors that are used by the AccuGrade System allow the AccuGrade System to determine the location of the location sensor in 3 dimensional space. Refer to the following list for the type of location sensor that is used by the AccuGrade System:
- Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver
- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Receiver
GPS Receivers and GNSS Receivers are able to calculate their location by using information that is broadcast from satellites that are orbiting the earth and correction signals that are sent from a base station. GPS Receivers and GNSS Receivers must be configured into the AccuGrade System before the information can be used for guidance.
Other Components
In addition to the Display, the Light Bars, and Sensors, you may also find the following associated equipment connected to the system harness and configured into the system:
Data Radio
 | |
| Illustration 6 | g01178442 |
A Data Radio is used to receive data from one of the following types of Base Stations: GPS and GNSS. The Data Radio is required to be working before the system can be used. The GPS Data Radio can also be used to send files and receive files and other types of data from the office.
There are 2 Data Radios available from Caterpillar. Refer to the following list for the Data Radios that are currently available from Caterpillar.
- 450 MHz Data Radio
- 900 MHz Data Radio
Note: The 450 MHz Data Radios must be set up with the same frequency as the Base Station .
Note: The 900 MHz Data Radios have 40 networks channels to choose in order to communicate to the Base Station.
These radios are compatible with the Trimble radio infrastructure.
Base Station
Note: One of the following types of Base Station is required for the AccuGrade System to function correctly: GPS and GNSS. Currently, Caterpillar does not sell or service these Base Stations. A Trimble base station is recommended.
A Base Station consists of the following components:
- GPS Receiver or GNSS Receiver
- GPS Antenna or GNSS Antenna
- Radio
- Cables
- Power Supply
There may also be a tripod or mast for the antenna and the radio, depending on the particular site. For construction sites where work can continue for a long time, use a semi-permanent location such as the roof of the site office. A reliable power supply is needed.
Make sure that the base antenna is clear of obstructions, reflected signals (multipath), and sources of electro-magnetic interference such as power lines.
The Base Station Data Radio must be elevated several meters off the ground in order to provide optimum coverage.
The Base Station requires a starting location. For best results set up the Receiver for the Base Station on a surveyed point. In order to establish this survey point, use a site calibration or a professional surveyor experienced with this type of equipment.
You must correctly set the antenna type at your Base Station. If you do not, the position is degraded.