Learning Center

Connect the tablet to the machine

Join the control module's or DIG module's Wi-Fi, then connect from any workflow card: Connect, the System Check and Continue. Manual Options, Bluetooth GPS, Simulate, the Wi-Fi badge, and what each failure message means.

  • Full Automation Kit
  • Guidance Only Kit
  • DIG™ Kit
  • Ditch Assist Lite

In the app Home › workflow card › Connect; Pre-Flight Checks › Connect

The tablet talks to the machine over Wi-Fi. The control module (the black Ditch Assist box on the machine) makes its own Wi-Fi network. Connecting has two parts: first join that Wi-Fi in the tablet's Settings app, then tap Connect in the Ditch Assist app. You do it at the start of every day's work.

Simulate connects a practice controller. On a real machine you tap Connect instead; either way, wait for the rows to turn green, then tap Continue.

Ditch Assist® Lite connects to the Reach's hotspot with an Emlid Reach button instead: see Connect to the Reach.

Before you start

About 2 minutes. Check:

  • The machine is running and the control module is switched on: its lights are on.
  • The GPS receiver is on and getting RTK corrections (your base station is set up, or your RTK network is running).
  • The tablet was set up once: Location on, and in Samsung's Intelligent Wi-Fi menu "Switch to mobile data" off (tablets with a SIM card) and "Switch to better Wi-Fi networks" off, if your tablet has it (Set up the tablet).
  • Satellite imagery and LiDAR were saved at home. The module's Wi-Fi has no internet.
  • New to tablets? Tablet basics: Wi-Fi shows how to open the Wi-Fi list.

1. Join the module's Wi-Fi

These steps happen in the tablet's own Settings app, not in Ditch Assist.

  1. Open the tablet's Wi-Fi list

    Open the tablet's Settings app (the grey gear icon). Tap Connections, the first item on the left. Then tap the word Wi-Fi at the top right. Pictures of each screen.

    Give the module about a minute after you switch it on. Its network appears in the list.

  2. Tap your module's network

    It's in the list under Available networks. Control module: the name starts with DitchAssist. DIG™ module: the name starts with MECU_Ditch_Dig. A page opens with a Password box and the keyboard.

  3. Type the password 12345678 and tap Connect

    The password is 12345678 for both (DIG modules from firmware 1.7; an older DIG module that won't take it needs an update, so call support). Typing on the tablet.

  4. Tap Always connect

    Android says Internet may not be available. That's normal: Ditch Assist networks have no internet. Tap Always connect (on some tablets Keep Wi-Fi connection).

    Tablet with a SIM card and no such message? Turn mobile data off while you work (the pull-down panel), and back on at home.

Which Wi-Fi the tablet joins A reference card for each kit. Ditch Assist control module (Full Automation or Guidance Only Kit): join the Wi-Fi network whose name starts with DitchAssist, password 12345678; only one device can be connected at a time. DIG module on an excavator or backhoe: network name starts with MECU_Ditch_Dig, password 12345678 on DIG firmware 1.7 or later; its Wi-Fi is up about 30 seconds after power-on. Ditch Assist Lite receiver, an Emlid Reach RS3 or RS4: the network is named after the receiver, Reach:XX:XX or the name it was given, password emlidreach unless someone changed it. Bluetooth GPS receiver: no Wi-Fi; pair it in the Android Settings app under Bluetooth, then connect from the app; it is for survey and field mapping only and cannot start grading or move the blade. None of these networks has internet: save imagery and LiDAR on shop Wi-Fi first, and when Android warns that the internet may not be available, tap Always connect. Control moduleFull Automation or Guidance Only KitWi-Fi name starts withDitchAssistOne device at a timePassword12345678DIG™ moduleExcavator or backhoeWi-Fi name starts withMECU_Ditch_DigReady 30 s after startPassword12345678Firmware 1.7+Ditch Assist Lite receiverEmlid Reach RS3 or RS4Wi-Fi nameReach:XX:XXor the name it was givenPasswordemlidreachunless changedBluetooth GPSNo Wi-Fi: pair it in the Settings app,under Bluetooth. Survey and mapping only.No internet on these networksSave imagery and LiDAR on shop Wi-Fi first.Android warns? Tap Always connect.
Join the network for your kit. None of them has internet, so cache imagery and save LiDAR on shop Wi-Fi before you go. When Android warns Internet may not be available, tap Always connect. A Bluetooth GPS has no Wi-Fi: pair it in the tablet's Settings app, under Bluetooth. It's for survey and field mapping only.

2. Connect in the app

Tap the square for today's job

Go back to the Ditch Assist app. On the Home screen, tap the big square for the job you're about to do, for example Ditching (first square, top left).

A window opens with the job's name and — Connect at the top.

Home screen: nine large squares in three rows, Ditching first at the top left, and a column of big buttons down the right-hand side
  1. Ditching. Each square starts one kind of job.

Already connected earlier today (from Pre-Flight Checks or another job)? Then there's no Connect window: the app goes straight to the job's first question. Skip to step 6.

Tap Connect

Tap Connect, the big green button at the top of the window.

Connect to Controller, then four buttons from the top: a green Connect, Simulate, Bluetooth GPS, and Manual Options in small green writing 1
  1. Connect. The green button. It finds the module by itself.

The other buttons: Simulate is a pretend machine for practice (Practise with the simulator). Bluetooth GPS is for a Bluetooth receiver (below). Manual Options lets you pick the module type (below).

Wait a few seconds

The window says Detecting connected module... with a spinning circle. The app tries the control module and the DIG module, starting with the one that matches your Wi-Fi.

Connect to Controller with a spinning circle and the words Detecting connected module... 1
  1. Detecting connected module... Wait. A red message means it couldn't find the module: see When it won't connect.

Read the System Check

The window changes to System Check, with three rows:

  • Controller Connected: the module answered.
  • GPS Signal: GPS positions are arriving, with the number of satellites. Red after 10 seconds means no GPS is reaching the module.
  • GPS Accuracy: how exact the position is.

Orange FLOAT — grading accuracy reduced or GPS — grading accuracy reduced means the receiver doesn't have its most accurate position yet. Wait.

System Check rows: Controller Connected with a green tick; GPS Signal, 14 satellites, green tick; GPS Accuracy, FLOAT — grading accuracy reduced, in orange with a warning triangle 1
  1. GPS Accuracy, orange. Not ready. Wait for green.

When it reads RTK Fixed, tap Continue

All three rows turn green and the last one reads RTK Fixed. RTK Fixed is the most accurate GPS position, and the only one good enough to survey or grade.

Tap Continue, the long green button at the bottom. (Continue works as soon as GPS arrives, even on FLOAT, but wait for RTK Fixed.)

System Check with three green rows: Controller Connected; GPS Signal, 22 satellites; GPS Accuracy, RTK Fixed — 0.8 HDOP; and the green Continue button 1 2
  1. RTK Fixed — 0.8 HDOP. Green: good to work.
  2. Continue. Bottom of the window.

Choose what to do

Most jobs now ask What would you like to do?: New Survey, Load Survey or Load Design. You're connected. Carry on with your job's guide, for example Your first job.

What would you like to do? with three choices: New Survey, Load Survey, Load Design 1
  1. Three ways in. Record a new survey, open a saved survey, or grade a saved design.

Manual Options

You rarely need this: when the tablet is on the module's Wi-Fi, Connect finds the module by itself. Tap Manual Options (small green writing under the buttons) and two squares appear:

  • DIG Module (Tap to connect): tap it to connect to a DIG module straight away.
  • The left-hand square: the control module. Tapping it only tells the app to try the control module first. It doesn't connect by itself, so tap Connect after it.
Manual Options open: two squares, the control module on the left and DIG Module Tap to connect on the right, above a red message 1 2
  1. Left square. Control module (Full Automation and Guidance Only Kits). Then tap Connect.
  2. DIG Module. The DIG™ Kit's module. Connects when tapped.

Bluetooth GPS

For surveying or field mapping with a Bluetooth receiver and no module. It can't start grading, generate contours or unlock LiDAR & Mapping. Bluetooth GPS.

  1. Pair the receiver in the tablet's Settings app first

    Open the Settings app, tap Connections, then Bluetooth, and pair the receiver as its maker describes (the Settings app). The Ditch Assist app only lists receivers that are already paired.

  2. Tap Bluetooth GPS

    In the Connect window, tap Bluetooth GPS, the third button.

    Connect to Controller buttons: Connect, Simulate, Bluetooth GPS, Manual Options 1
    1. Bluetooth GPS. Third button.

  3. The first time: tap While using the app, then Allow

    Android asks twice. First, to use the tablet's location: tap While using the app. Then, to find nearby devices: tap Allow. The app needs both to see Bluetooth receivers (about permission questions).

    Android question: Allow Ditch Assist to find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices? Buttons Allow and Don't allow 1
    1. Allow. Lets the app find the paired receiver.

  4. Tap your receiver in the list

    A window called Bluetooth GPS says Select a paired GNSS receiver. Pair new devices in Android Settings. Tap your receiver's name. The System Check follows, as above.

    Bluetooth GPS window: Select a paired GNSS receiver. Pair new devices in Android Settings. Scanning... 1
    1. The list. Paired receivers appear under this line while it says Scanning...

The Wi-Fi badge

On the Survey and Grade screens, the bar across the top has a small Wi-Fi symbol, between the GPS button and BM. Lit green means connected. Tap it to see the device, the GPS fix, satellites and HDOP (and the firmware, when the module reports it).

Survey screen. At the top right of the bar: the green RTK 22 GPS button, a grey BM square, a green Wi-Fi symbol and a spanner
  1. Wi-Fi symbol. Tap it for the connection details.

In the window, Close leaves things as they are. Disconnect ends the connection, the simulator included. If nothing is connected, tapping the symbol only says Tap a workflow card on the Home screen to connect.

Wi-Fi badge popover titled Simulator: Device Simulator, Fix RTK, Satellites 22, HDOP 0.8; Close and Disconnect 1 2
  1. Close. Leaves the connection as it is.
  2. Disconnect. Ends it. Reconnect from a workflow card or Pre-Flight Checks.

Connecting from Pre-Flight Checks

Use this to connect before you pick a job, for example to test Raise and Lower first. It finds the module the same way, with Manual Options but no Simulate or Bluetooth GPS (Ditch Assist Lite shows Emlid Reach and Simulate).

  1. Tap Pre-Flight Checks

    The orange button at the bottom of the column down the right-hand side of the Home screen. A window opens.

    Home screen with the orange Pre-Flight Checks button at the bottom of the right-hand column
    1. Pre-Flight Checks. Orange, bottom right.

  2. Tap Connect

    Bottom left of the window. (Once connected it reads Change.) A Connect to Controller window opens.

    Pre-Flight Checks window reading OFFLINE, with every row empty and a Connect button at the bottom left 1
    1. Connect. Bottom left.

  3. Tap Connect again

    The green button at the top of the new window. When it finds the module, Pre-Flight Checks reads ONLINE. Read the rows.

    Connect to Controller window from Pre-Flight Checks: a green Connect button, Manual Options and Close 1
    1. Connect. Finds the module.

If the connection drops

  • A dropout while the tablet stays on the same Wi-Fi: the app retries every 2 seconds by itself, including after No data from controller for 10s — connection lost.. After 5 failed tries it tells you to power-cycle the controller.
  • The tablet changed Wi-Fi network: the retries stop. Rejoin the module Wi-Fi, then reconnect from a workflow card or Pre-Flight Checks.
  • Grading holds by itself on a lost connection or lost RTK; nothing moves until it's back.

When it won't connect

MessageWhat to do
Could not detect a Ditch Assist module. Connect tablet WiFi to the module and try again.The tablet isn't on the module's Wi-Fi, the module is off, or mobile data is taking the traffic. Fix it
Could not reach the DIG module. Check WiFi and retry.Tapped DIG Module without being on the DIG Wi-Fi. Fix it
The module's network isn't in the Wi-Fi listNo power to the module, or out of range. Fix it
Connects, then drops every few minutesWi-Fi keeps dropping
Connected but GPS Signal stays redNo GPS reaching the module. No GPS
Stuck on FLOATRTK Float

After a red message the buttons are still there: fix the cause (usually the Wi-Fi), then tap Connect again.

A red box: Could not detect a Ditch Assist module. Connect tablet WiFi to the module and try again. Below it the green Connect button, then Simulate and Bluetooth GPS 1
  1. Connect. Try again once the tablet is on the module's Wi-Fi.

Related

Did this answer your question?

Still stuck? Talk to a product specialist. 1-833-DITCH-AS · support@ditchassist.com · Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central.

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