Using RTK navigation in surveying: precision at your fingertips 🛰️

What is RTK Navigation and Why It Has Forever Changed Geodesy

Imagine trying to measure the distance between two points using a standard GPS navigator. The error margin could be several metres! Now imagine being able to determine coordinates with centimetre-level accuracy. This is precisely what RTK (Real Time Kinematic) navigation enables – a technology that has revolutionised modern geodesy.

How Does It Work? Explaining in Simple Terms

RTK navigation works as an enhanced version of standard GPS. The basic principle is as follows:

1. A base station with precisely known coordinates is established on-site
2. A mobile RTK receiver (rover) receives signals from satellites
3. The base station compares its actual coordinates with those received from satellites and calculates the error
4. These corrections are transmitted to the rover via radio or internet
5. The rover applies the corrections and determines its coordinates with millimetre precision

Practical Applications: From Construction to Agriculture

Construction and Planning

Consider the construction of a multi-storey building. Thanks to RTK navigation, surveyors can:

• Precisely mark out the foundation
• Verify wall verticality
• Monitor ground subsidence
• Plan utility networks

Real Example: During the construction of a residential complex in Kyiv, RTK navigation saved 40% of time on surveying works and helped avoid errors in foundation layout.

Agriculture

RTK technologies are actively used in precision farming:

• Automatic tractor steering
• Precise seeding and fertiliser application
• Field condition monitoring

Practical Case: A farming enterprise in the Cherkasy region implemented RTK navigation for tractors and reduced fuel consumption by 15% and fertiliser use by 20%.

Advantages of Using RTK Navigation

1. High accuracy (up to 1 cm)
2. Real-time operation
3. Time and resource savings
4. Ability to work in any weather
5. Reduction of human error

Limitations and Operating Characteristics

It's important to understand that RTK navigation has certain limitations:

• Need for clear sky visibility
• Dependence on internet connection quality
• Equipment costs
• Need for qualified specialists

Future of the Technology

RTK navigation continues to evolve. New trends include:

• Integration with drones and robots
• Creation of networks of permanent base stations
• Improved accuracy and reliability
• Reduced equipment costs

Conclusion

RTK navigation isn't just a technology; it's a new standard of precision in geodesy. It has transformed the approach to measurements, making them faster, more accurate, and more reliable. As technology develops, its accessibility increases, opening new possibilities for various industries.