So what are the factors to consider when looking at a phone for SiteVision?
1. RAM
2. Screen size
3. Lens calibration
4. Data storage
5. Processor
6. Battery size
The SiteVision system works with ARCore capable Android phones, so the question is, what is the best phone to buy for use with SiteVision from the broad range of ARCore capable phones.
The list of supported phones to pick from is listed here.
With over 100 models to pick from, Trimble has selected a few to test and recommend. We have run SiteVision on phones from Samsung, Sony, Huawei, and Google. This does not mean that the other models will not work, just that we have not tested them.
RAM: This affects how large a model you can load and manage (and in the next paragraph we explain what we mean by size of the model). For phones that Trimble has tested and recommend we use the maximum available RAM memory.
The size of data model that SiteVision supports is a function of the complexity of the data (the number of lines, meshes/triangles, and textures in the model), and the device’s available memory. This means that a smaller file with very complex geometry may not load the full model, but a very large file with simple geometry but a lot of attribute information may load the full model. The amount of available RAM memory in a device depends not only on what the phone has, say 8GB, but also what other applications you have, that may be using some of that memory.
For phones we have not tested we need to we need to be conservative and use a subset of the memory. For example, using a recommended phone with 8GB of RAM will give you a larger model load than a non-recommended untested phone with 8GB of RAM.
Additionally, if a model file size is over 200 MB then the application will ask you to confirm that you want to download it. This is because large models may take a long time to download depending on the speed and reliability of the device’s connection.The following list includes recommended devices, in order of preference. The model size limits associated with each of these models is also listed:
| Device | Number of Triangles |
| Samsung S10 Plus (8 GB) | 8 Million |
| Samsung S10 5G (8 GB) | 8 Million |
| Samsung Note 10 Plus | 10 Million |
| Samsung Note 9 | 8 Million |
| Samsung S9 Plus | 6 Million |
| Samsung Note 8 | 6 Million |
| Samsung S8+ | 3 Million |
| Pixel 3XL | 3 Million |
| Pixel 2XL | 1.5 Million |
For devices that are not on the list above the model size limits are:
| 4GB RAM | 1.5 Million |
| 6GB RAM | 3 Million |
| 8GB or greater than 8GB RAM | 6 Million |
If you try to load a model larger than the limits described above, the application warns you that it will not render and display some of the data.
Screen size: The bigger and brighter the better. Of the recommended phones the Samsung S10 5G (6.7”) and the Samsung Note 10 Plus (6.8”) have the largest screens. We have also tested with the Huawei Mate Pro with a 7.3”. This phone is not on our recommended list but has a great screen that is the biggest on an ARCore supported “phone” that we have found.
Processor: The simple rule is the faster the better and the more modern the better. The SiteVision system is running the video camera, Bluetooth to talk to the EDM, cellular or WiFi for corrections, ARCore processing, the software based GNSS receiver doing RTK, and the application itself, plus any other apps the phone may have running in the background. All of this is a high processing load so the faster the processor the better to ensure that when you load a large model with millions of entities, the system is responsive.
Additionally, the latest processors are also more efficient (e.g. Snapdragon 855 with 7nm technology verse a Snapdragon 835 with 10nm technology) and generate less heat in the phone. As a result you a get a few degrees more of operating temperature range. The Samsung Galaxy devices are designed for operating in an ambient temperature between 32 and 95F degrees (0 to 35C degrees) but if they have a heavy processor load, such as running SiteVision with a large model, in higher temperatures the phone may start turning down the screen brightness and slowing/stopping services. One of the first things the phone will do as it approaches its upper temperature range is to switch off any charging because batteries do not like being charged at high temperatures. From a user perspective, on Samsung phones, a red LED turns on to tell you that charging is disabled, and at the point that it stops the SiteVision unit from charging the GNSS connection will do a reset and re-initialize.
The newer processors also have faster RAM access, which will further improve responsiveness and faster communications, which means less waiting when loading large data sets.
Lens calibration: For recommended phones we have also looked at how well the lens calibration is done. The quality of the lens calibration affects the accuracy of the representation of the model in the AR view. This can be quite noticeable and it varies by phone model. At the time of writing we would recommend the Samsung S10 Plus for the accuracy of its AR view.
Samsung S8 Plus – Misaligned at a distance
Samsung S9 Plus – Better at a distance
Samsung S10 Plus – Great at a distance
The images above show the differences you can get between phone models, using an identical data set, based on the different lens calibrations.
We see a trend that the more modern phones have better calibrations. We observed in our testing that the Google Pixel phones have good calibration which is what we would expect as Google develops both the phones and the ARCore software.
Data Storage: Model file sizes for SiteVision tend to be between a few megabytes and 2-300 megabytes. Each model is cached on the phone. When you reload a model, it checks with Trimble Connect to make sure the model on the phone is the current revision. If it is the current revision, SiteVision reloads the model from the cache in the phone’s internal storage. This is done to improve speed and reduce data usage from your data plan. The minimum storage we would recommend is 64 GB. Depending on how much you plan to use the phone for photos, videos and other applications, a better option may be 128GB phone. A 128GB phone can store more than 500 large models.
Battery Size: The length of time you can operate SiteVision for between charges is a function of three main factors; the battery size, the processor, and the charge rate. The more modern phones tend to have larger batteries which provide longer operating times. For example the Samsung S8+ had a 3500 mAh battery compared to the S10 Plus with an 4100 mAh battery and the S10 5G with a 4500 mAh battery. Based on battery size alone the S10 5G will operate about 25% longer than the S8 Plus, but the improvements in processor efficiency result in the S10 5G operating for nearly twice as long as the older Samsung S8 Plus when running the SiteVision application. To help extend the operating time of the phone, the SiteVision system also provides a trickle charge into the phone.
Conclusion
The “best” phone is always a moving target because there is always a new phone coming. Considering both price and performance the best overall phones that we have tested at the time of writing are the Samsung S10 Plus with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and the Samsung S10 5G with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Video – Hardware set up (1) and getting your phone ready. Trimble SiteVision brings geospatial data to life so you can easily visualise, explore and understand complex information with unrivaled accuracy, right from your mobile device.
In our KOREC series of SiteVision ‘Essentials’ we’ll be bringing you all the information you need to know including Trimble tips and advice, KOREC opinion, video examples, training, customer feedback and some good honest FAQ’s!
First up, a short Trimble tutorial looking at the hardware setup:
- Unboxing SiteVision
- Getting your phone ready
Need some advice as to which is the best phone to use with SiteVision? Then read our ‘What phone should you use with SiteVision?’ post.
You can buy Trimble SiteVision online from KOREC here
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The final issue of Mensura for 2019 is out now and includes:
- New releases including Trimble X7 & Trimble R12
- Case study – Surveying the ‘Big One’
- Extended KOREC news
- Monitoring and Rail updates
Download your issue here or request a printed copy here
The greenhouse effect of gas emissions per kilometre on railway transport is 80% less than cars. In a year that has seen the UK become far more environmentally aware, we can reasonably expect to see a corresponding increase in travel by rail in 2020 and beyond.
With exciting new projects such as HS2 on the horizon, the KOREC rail team is preparing for another busy year which is why we’ve introduced our new rail newsletter, Alignment.
Topics in this issue include:
- Product Focus – GEDO IMS
- Interview with Trimble Rail’s Matthew Moss
- KOREC News
- Enhancing safety on site with new technology
Download a pdf of Alignment here
The Autumn issue of CES’s supplement, Geospatial Engineering, features one of our favourite monitoring stories of the year:
“How a single Trimble monitoring system is all that’s required for a challenging site thanks to intelligent planning and a full understanding of the project’s challenges.”
Our thanks to Vince Bridle of Sir Robert McAlpine for all the information and pictures.
Read the story in the supplement here
or
Welcome to the third issue of our KOREC Ireland newsletter, Traverse. Front page news includes the introduction of the newly released Trimble X7 3D laser scanner.
Inside this issue:
Intergeo 2019 – The Trimble X7 has landed!
New releases from Trimble, GeoSLAM and Parrot
KOREC news round-up
KOREC Opinion – Testing Trimble SiteVision
KOREC is delighted to announce that the Drone Pilot Academy, our training partners in the provision of flight training and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) accredited pilot training courses, have successfully launched their Operational Safety Case consultancy service to assist KOREC senseFly eBee users attain EVLOS (Extended Visual Line of Sight) approval. A UK eBee user has already successfully attained this approval through the new Drone Pilot Academy service.
It will now be possible for the users of eBee X, eBee Plus and eBee Classic models in the UK and Northern Ireland to get approval to fly up to 1500m away from the remote pilot (compared to usual 500m) giving a potential operating range of 3km. This will bring a significant competitive advantage to KOREC customers, particularly those surveying quarries, coastal areas and large-scale projects by cutting extensively the need for multiple take-off and landing points.
eBee drone pilots applying for approval will need to submit an Operational Safety Case to the CAA and demonstrate a history of safe flying and an additional person to act as a spotter on site is required.
senseFly’s Christopher Thomson (Regional Manger EMEAI) said, “Seeing the eBee X being able to fulfil its true potential is hugely exciting. The UK is always on the forefront of pushing the advancements in UAV technology and the EVLOS permission across all of our platforms attests to this. This will now enable over 200 senseFly users to push the boundaries of their mapping capabilities”
Drone Pilot Academy’s Jim Ixer (Managing Director) said, “With the number of large scale mapping projects our clients are routinely involved with at the moment, and the number in the pipeline we wanted to offer a service that allows eBee operators to maximise the impressive flight endurance with the latest battery advancements. With a standard CAA permission, the limiting factor is the regulations, not the drone, so we sought to safely resolve that issue. Now we can offer a consultancy service that includes bespoke training to assist senseFly drone operators to attain the EVLOS accreditation from the CAA”
KOREC’s Richard Gauchwin (Business Area Manager – Mapping & GIS) said, “This really is a game changer for the UAV market in the UK. Being able to fly larger sites and now only requiring one take-off and landing point has huge benefits in terms of efficiencies the system can bring to businesses. The eBee X, with its flight time of up to 90 minutes, has always been capable of undertaking these larger surveys, but has been limited by the legislation governing maximum flight distance from the pilot; now it can realise its full potential.”
A PDF of the release can be downloaded here.
Jim Ixer, Managing Director of the Drone Pilot Academy with a senseFly eBee X
It’s been our rail story of the year – the successful 90mph handback of a 400m stretch of the West Coast Mainline during the replacement of Willesden North Junction. The success of this project was assisted by the willingness of the S&C South Alliance to adopt a range of innovative technology during the blockade including the Trimble GEDO IMS and Trimble SX10. It’s also a major feature in the August/September issue of Rail Engineer.
Read the story in Rail Engineer here
LSTC has conducted more than 50 underground manhole surveys using a KOREC supplied ZEB-REVO RT handheld laser scanner.
Our thanks to Kurt Slater of LS Transmission Consultancy Limited for providing all the information for this great story that focuses on how to achieve more accurate data and safer working conditions for those involved in the collection of invert survey data.
Read the story online here or download the page layout PDF here.
‘A’ road survey completed in safety, 20 times faster!
Out now, the July/August issue features a great story on how Anthony Lawton, Director at Academy Geomatics tackled a complex road survey using mobile mapping. KOREC Professional Services specialises in collecting and processing high quality data using the Trimble MX9 Mobile Mapping System.
or the full KOREC case study here
