# Trimble Earthworks

Connect a **Trimble Earthworks** machine control system to RTKdata.com for centimeter-level RTK positioning on excavators, dozers, and graders. Earthworks provides a straightforward NTRIP configuration — no VRS confusion like in Trimble Access.

## Key capabilities

| Feature                  | Details                                                           |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Compatible display**   | Trimble TD520                                                     |
| **Compatible receivers** | SNR930, MS992, MS995                                              |
| **NTRIP configuration**  | GNSS Configuration > Corrections > NTRIP                          |
| **Correction format**    | RTCM 3.x via NTRIP                                                |
| **RTK license**          | Required on the receiver                                          |
| **VRS confusion?**       | No — Earthworks uses a simple NTRIP toggle, unlike Trimble Access |

## Requirements

* **Trimble Earthworks** software on a **TD520** display
* **GNSS receiver:** SNR930, MS992, or MS995 with **RTK activation**
* **Internet connection:** Built-in cellular modem on the receiver or external modem
* **RTKdata account:** Active subscription with NTRIP credentials

{% hint style="info" %}
Don't have an RTKdata.com account yet? [Start 30-day Free Trial](https://rtkdata.com/try-rtk-corrections-free-for-30-days/) or [View Pricing](https://rtkdata.com/pricing/)
{% endhint %}

## Step-by-step setup

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Verify RTK activation on the receiver

1. Confirm that your GNSS receiver (SNR930, MS992, or MS995) has an active **RTK license**.
2. RTK activation is tied to the receiver hardware, not the Earthworks software.
3. If RTK is not activated, contact your Trimble dealer.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Without RTK activation on the receiver, the NTRIP connection will not deliver corrections even if all settings are entered correctly.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Verify internet connectivity

1. Ensure the receiver has internet access via its built-in cellular modem (with active SIM card) or an external modem.
2. Verify signal strength on the display or receiver status indicators.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Open NTRIP correction settings

1. On the TD520 display running Earthworks, navigate to **GNSS Configuration** > **Corrections**.
2. Under **NTRIP**, set **Use NTRIP** to **Yes**.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter RTKdata.com NTRIP settings

Fill in the NTRIP connection fields:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="North America" %}

* **Host (domain):** `rtk.rtkdata.com`
* **Host (IP fallback):** `13.56.117.10`
* **Port:** `2101`
* **Username / Password:** From *RTK Credentials* in the internal dashboard (not website login)
* **Mountpoint (ALL CAPS):** `AUTO`
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Europe" %}

* **Host (domain):** `eu.rtkdata.com`
* **Host (IP fallback):** `3.73.41.96`
* **Port:** `2101`
* **Username / Password:** From *RTK Credentials* in the internal dashboard (not website login)
* **Mountpoint (ALL CAPS):** `AUTO`
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Australia" %}

* **Host (domain):** `aus.rtkdata.com`
* **Host (IP fallback):** `54.206.56.130`
* **Port:** `2101`
* **Username / Password:** From *RTK Credentials* in the internal dashboard (not website login)
* **Mountpoint (ALL CAPS):** `AUTO`
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Type `AUTO` manually in ALL CAPS. Do not browse the source table — enter the mountpoint name directly.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Connect and verify RTK status

1. Save the settings. Earthworks will initiate the NTRIP connection.
2. Monitor the GNSS/RTK status indicator on the TD520 display:

| Status               | Meaning                                                                   |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Autonomous / GPS** | Basic satellite fix. No corrections applied.                              |
| **Float**            | Correction data arriving and being processed.                             |
| **RTK Fixed**        | Centimeter-level accuracy achieved. Ready for machine control operations. |

3. Convergence to RTK Fixed typically takes **30–90 seconds** with clear sky visibility.

{% hint style="info" %}
For machine control operations, always wait for **RTK Fixed** before beginning grading, excavation, or dozing. Working in Float mode may result in elevation errors that affect cut/fill accuracy.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Vertical reference (heights)

{% hint style="info" %}
RTK corrections deliver **ellipsoidal heights** (height above the WGS 84 ellipsoid), not orthometric heights. For machine control, you typically work with a local site calibration or localization. Configure the appropriate vertical datum in your Earthworks project settings.
{% endhint %}

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                          | Cause                        | Fix                                                                                                                |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| "Use NTRIP" option not available | Outdated Earthworks software | Update Trimble Earthworks to the latest version.                                                                   |
| RTK not available                | Receiver not activated       | Contact your Trimble dealer to activate RTK on the SNR930, MS992, or MS995 receiver.                               |
| No internet connection           | No SIM card or signal        | Verify the receiver's cellular modem has an active SIM card with a data plan. Check signal strength.               |
| Connection fails                 | Wrong host or port           | Double-check the host address for your region and confirm port is `2101`.                                          |
| Authentication error             | Wrong credentials            | Use the username and password from your RTKdata dashboard, not your website login. Credentials are case-sensitive. |
| Stuck on Float                   | Poor sky visibility          | Ensure the GNSS antenna is mounted high and clear on the machine. Move away from buildings and dense structures.   |
| Stuck on Float                   | Receiver issue               | Power-cycle the receiver. If Float persists, verify RTK activation status.                                         |
| Mountpoint error                 | Wrong capitalization         | Type `AUTO` in ALL CAPS.                                                                                           |

## Tips

* **No VRS confusion.** Unlike Trimble Access (which has separate VRS and NTRIP options that cause confusion), Earthworks uses a simple "Use NTRIP: Yes/No" toggle. Just set it to Yes and enter your credentials.
* **TD520 is the standard display** for current Earthworks installations. Older displays may have slightly different menu paths but the same NTRIP settings apply.
* **SNR930 vs MS992 vs MS995:** All three receivers support NTRIP and RTK. The configuration is the same — only the receiver hardware capabilities differ (number of channels, tracking performance).
* **Site calibration is critical.** Perform a site localization to align RTK coordinates with your design surface before starting machine control work.
* **Keep firmware updated** on both the Earthworks software and the GNSS receiver for the latest NTRIP client improvements and constellation support.
* **Multiple machines on one site** can each connect to RTKdata.com independently. Each receiver needs its own internet connection and NTRIP credentials.