RTK vs. PPK Drone Mapping: What's the Difference?
Did you know that there are advanced positioning methods that can significantly enhance the accuracy of GPS systems in drone surveys? These technologies are Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Post-Processing Kinematic (PPK).
Commercial drones typically rely on GPS units and compasses. However, the accuracy provided by these devices can vary widely depending on weather conditions, terrain, the quality of the device, or other environmental factors. Even under optimal conditions, standard GPS systems offer meter-level accuracy.
To achieve higher precision, technologies like RTK and PPK are essential. These systems correct common errors in satellite navigation (GNSS) to improve the accuracy of mapped and surveyed data.
Curious about how RTK works? Want to understand the differences between RTK and PPK? Continue reading to discover how these technologies can benefit your projects.
What is an RTK on a drone?
RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematics. It's a positioning and navigation system that corrects GPS data in real time as the drone flies over and surveys an area.
This technology is also known as DGPS (carrier phase correction) when used with GPS networks.
RTK positioning is similar to total station radial measurement, where a reference station provides real-time corrections to achieve centimeter-level accuracy.
It doesn't require post-processing of the data, making real-time topographic surveys possible in the field.
How does an RTK drone work?
RTK GPS drones have an onboard GNSS RTK receiver that collects data from satellites while flying and taking photos. A field GNSS base station at a known location or connected to a CORS network must provide accurate real-time location data for the images captured.
During the RTK workflow, seamless communication between the drone and the GNSS base station is required.
When the drone lands, absolute accuracy data is available for processing in mapping software if all signals remain constant.
The RTK method is suitable for flat terrain where trees or mountains do not obstruct the signal. It’s ideal for flying within 2 to 3 kilometers of a field base station or 30 kilometers of a CORS station. If you have access to your own base station, it can be used with an RTK drone as long as it can generate NTRIP data.
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