# HYPACK

HYPACK is a professional hydrographic survey software suite developed by Xylem, used worldwide for planning, collecting, processing, and analyzing marine survey data. HYPACK includes a dedicated **NTRIP Output (NTRIPOUT)** driver that receives RTK corrections from an NTRIP caster like RTKdata.com and forwards them to the survey vessel's GNSS receiver over a network or serial connection, enabling centimeter-level positioning for bathymetric surveys, dredging operations, and marine construction.

**Download / Purchase:** [HYPACK by Xylem](https://www.xylem.com/en-us/brand/hypack/) (commercial license required — contact Xylem for pricing; lease options available)

## Key capabilities

| Feature                 | Details                                                                                                                                |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Platform**            | Windows (desktop/laptop aboard survey vessel)                                                                                          |
| **Cost**                | Commercial license (contact Xylem for pricing). Lease options available with up to 85% of lease price applicable toward full purchase. |
| **NTRIP support**       | Built-in NTRIPOUT driver — dedicated NTRIP client that forwards corrections to GPS receiver                                            |
| **NTRIP version**       | V1 and V2 (checkbox to advertise as NTRIP V2 client)                                                                                   |
| **Correction delivery** | Network (TCP/IP) or shared serial port with GPS driver                                                                                 |
| **Mock location relay** | Not applicable — HYPACK receives corrected positions from the GNSS receiver after corrections are applied                              |
| **Typical use**         | Bathymetric surveys, dredging guidance, marine construction positioning                                                                |

## Requirements

* **Windows PC or tablet** running HYPACK (current version recommended)
* **GNSS receiver** capable of accepting RTCM3 corrections (e.g., Trimble, Hemisphere, u-blox, SBG, or integrated units like CEE HydroSystems CEESCOPE)
* **Internet connection** on the survey vessel (cellular modem, Wi-Fi, or satellite link)
* **Network or serial connection** between the HYPACK PC and the GNSS receiver
* **Active RTKdata.com account** with RTK 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 %}

#### Add the NTRIP Output driver in HYPACK Hardware

1. Open HYPACK and go to **Preparation > Hardware** (or **Hardware Setup**).
2. In the Hardware configuration window, click on your survey vessel.
3. Under the **Devices** tab, click **Add Device**.
4. From the driver list, select **NTRIPOUT** (the NTRIP Output driver).
   * If you do not see NTRIPOUT in the list, click **Rescan Driver List** to refresh available drivers.
5. The NTRIPOUT driver will be added to your hardware configuration.

{% hint style="info" %}
The NTRIPOUT driver is a standalone driver dedicated to receiving NTRIP corrections and forwarding them to a GPS receiver. It replaces the older NTRIP tab that existed inside the GPS.DLL driver.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Configure the NTRIP connection settings

1. Double-click the **NTRIPOUT** driver to open its settings dialog.
2. Enter the NTRIP caster connection details:

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

* **Caster Address / Host:** `rtk.rtkdata.com`
* **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" %}

* **Caster Address / Host:** `eu.rtkdata.com`
* **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" %}

* **Caster Address / Host:** `aus.rtkdata.com`
* **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 %}

3. If available, check **"Advertise as NTRIP Ver. 2 Client"** to use the newer NTRIP V2 protocol (optional — RTKdata.com supports both V1 and V2).
4. Ensure the driver is configured to **send GGA at 1 Hz** — this is typically the default. RTKdata.com requires GGA to generate VRS corrections.

{% hint style="danger" %}
**GGA output must be enabled at 1 Hz.** Without GGA, RTKdata.com cannot determine your vessel's position and cannot compute corrections. The correction stream will not deliver usable data.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Configure the correction output to the GNSS receiver

The NTRIPOUT driver receives RTCM3 corrections from the caster and must forward them to your GNSS receiver. Configure the output path based on your hardware setup:

**Option A: Network (TCP/IP) — most common for modern setups**

1. In the NTRIPOUT driver settings, set the output connection to **Network Client TCP**.
2. Enter the GNSS receiver's IP address and the TCP port for corrections input.
   * Example for CEE HydroSystems CEESCOPE: IP `192.168.2.2`, Port `3001`
   * For other receivers, consult your receiver's documentation for the corrections input port.

**Option B: Serial port — for receivers connected via RS-232**

1. The NTRIPOUT driver can share the same serial port as the GPS.DLL driver (the NTRIP.DLL shares the serial port with GPS.DLL).
2. Set the COM port and baud rate to match your GNSS receiver's serial connection.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Start sequence matters.** For network connections, the GNSS receiver must be powered on and have acquired a position **before** starting the NTRIP driver. If the TCP socket cannot connect, the correction stream will not start. Suggested workflow: (1) Power on receiver, (2) Wait for satellite acquisition, (3) Start HYPACK survey with NTRIP driver.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Verify RTK Fix in HYPACK

1. Start a survey session in HYPACK.
2. The NTRIPOUT driver connects to RTKdata.com and begins receiving RTCM3 corrections.
3. Monitor the GPS device status in the HYPACK status bar or the **Survey** window:
   * The GPS quality indicator should progress from **Autonomous > DGPS > Float > Fix**.
4. Once **RTK Fix** is achieved, the corrected position is used for all survey data collection.

{% hint style="info" %}
Check the correction age in the GPS status display. It should remain below 5 seconds. If correction age climbs steadily, the NTRIP connection may be dropping — verify internet connectivity.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Vertical reference (heights)

{% hint style="info" %}
Heights from RTKdata.com are **ellipsoidal**. For hydrographic surveys, you typically need heights referenced to a chart datum or local vertical datum. Use HYPACK's **Tide** or **RTK Tide** module to apply tidal corrections, or convert ellipsoidal heights to your required vertical datum using a geoid model or local benchmark.
{% endhint %}

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                                          | Cause                                   | Fix                                                                                                                                                       |
| ------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| NTRIPOUT driver not in device list               | Driver DLL missing or not scanned       | Click **Rescan Driver List** in Hardware setup. Ensure HYPACK installation is complete.                                                                   |
| TCP connection to receiver fails                 | Receiver not powered or wrong IP/port   | Verify the receiver is on and has acquired a position. Check IP address and TCP port in receiver documentation.                                           |
| NTRIP connects but no corrections reach receiver | Output path misconfigured               | Verify the TCP or serial output settings match the receiver's correction input port.                                                                      |
| Stuck on Float                                   | GGA not being sent or baseline too long | Confirm GGA is sent at 1 Hz. Check RTKdata coverage for your survey area.                                                                                 |
| Mountpoint error                                 | Wrong capitalization                    | Type `AUTO` in ALL CAPS.                                                                                                                                  |
| Corrections drop during survey                   | Vessel cellular signal lost             | Use a cellular modem with external antenna mounted high on the vessel. Consider a marine-grade 4G/LTE router.                                             |
| GPS quality oscillates between Fix and Float     | Marginal sky view or multipath          | Ensure the GNSS antenna is mounted with a clear 360-degree sky view above the vessel superstructure. Avoid mounting near radar or communication antennas. |

## Tips for best results

* **Internet at sea is the biggest challenge.** Invest in a quality marine cellular modem with external antenna. For offshore work beyond cellular range, consider Starlink Maritime or Iridium-based solutions.
* **The NTRIPOUT driver is separate from the GPS driver.** This is by design — NTRIPOUT handles the correction stream while GPS.DLL reads the corrected position from the receiver. They can share a serial port if needed.
* **Data usage is minimal.** RTK corrections use approximately 5–10 kbit/s, which is negligible even on metered satellite connections.
* **Test the full chain dockside** before going to the survey site. Verify NTRIP connection, correction delivery to the receiver, and RTK Fix — all while you still have reliable internet.
* **HYPACK version matters.** The standalone NTRIPOUT driver replaced the older NTRIP functionality embedded in GPS.DLL. Ensure you are running a current version of HYPACK for the best NTRIP support.