What is RTK?

What is RTK? A Comprehensive Overview of Precise Positioning Technology

RTK (Real Time Kinematic) is a modern high-precision positioning technology that uses data from satellite navigation systems to achieve centimetre-level accuracy in real time. Unlike standard GPS, which provides accuracy within several metres, RTK enables coordinate determination with precision up to 1-2 centimetres.

How Does RTK Technology Work?

An RTK system consists of two main components: a base station and a mobile receiver (rover). The base station is installed at a point with known coordinates and continuously receives signals from satellites. The rover is a device that moves and determines its coordinates relative to the base station.

The RTK principle is based on differential correction. The base station compares its known coordinates with data received from satellites, determines errors, and transmits corrections to the rover via radio or mobile internet. The rover, receiving these corrections, adjusts its measurements, enabling extremely high positioning accuracy.

RTK Applications

Agriculture:

Precision farming
Automated agricultural machinery control
Crop and yield monitoring

Construction and Surveying:

Construction site layout
Topographic surveying
Construction equipment control

Cartography and GIS:

Creating high-precision maps
Infrastructure asset inventory
Landscape change monitoring

Unmanned Systems:

Autonomous drone navigation
Precise positioning of robotic systems
Automated delivery systems

Advantages of RTK

High Accuracy

RTK provides centimetre-level coordinate accuracy, making this technology indispensable for professional use.

Real-Time Operation

Unlike traditional surveying methods, RTK enables instant accurate coordinate determination without the need for post-processing.

Cost-Effectiveness

Despite initial equipment investments, RTK significantly reduces time and costs for surveying and other high-precision operations.

Versatility

RTK technology can be used across various industries and conditions, from open fields to urban development.

Limitations and Usage Considerations

When using RTK, it's important to consider certain limitations:

Need for stable communication between base station and rover
Dependency on the number of visible satellites
Impact of atmospheric conditions on measurement accuracy
Distance limitations between base station and rover (typically up to 10-20 km)

The Future of RTK Technology

RTK development continues in the direction of:

Integration with 5G networks for improved correction transmission
Creation of global base station networks
Development of more accessible and compact receivers
Enhancement of data processing algorithms

Conclusion

RTK technology is a powerful tool for high-precision positioning that finds increasing applications across various industries. Through continuous development and improvement, RTK is becoming more accessible and efficient, opening new possibilities for automation and optimisation of various processes.