How to Setup & integration in the field: what does it typically look like?
For teams new to RTK, field setup is usually simpler than expected. The controller or tablet needs a reliable internet connection (LTE/5G, hotspot, or Wi-Fi), which in practice is the most common limiting factor. In the flight app, the operator creates a Custom Network RTK / NTRIP profile and enters the RTKdata credentials.
In most regions, selecting the AUTO mountpoint lets the network serve the appropriate correction stream. Once outdoors, RTK typically converges within a few seconds to tens of seconds, moving from RTK Float to RTK Fix as the aircraft establishes a stable GNSS solution.
RTKdata delivers real-time RTCM corrections over standard NTRIP, so RTK-capable drones and receivers can integrate it directly in their existing RTK settings. In practice, it’s a quick connection plus an RTK Fix check before takeoff.
Where does centimeter-level GNSS accuracy make the most critical difference?
Centimeter-level GNSS matters most when absolute position and repeatability drive decisions. This includes photogrammetry where strong georeferencing can reduce ground control, construction and change detection where datasets must align over time, and inspection workflows where findings need to attach to the correct asset—not just “nearby.”
A common example is weekly construction site mapping for earthworks, stockpiles, or
as-built documentation. Without RTK, each flight can introduce small absolute shifts that look fine visually but degrade volume tracking and time-series analysis. With RTK, camera positions are consistent at capture time, improving alignment between runs and often reducing GCP effort.
One practical nuance is height reference: results are commonly ellipsoidal by default. When projects require elevations in a local vertical datum, applying the correct geoid or model remains essential.
Network RTK vs. local base station vs. PPK — key trade-offs?
In practice, all three approaches can deliver centimeter-level results, but the day-to-day trade-offs are very different.
With Network RTK (NTRIP), cost is usually a predictable subscription and setup is light: you configure one NTRIP profile and you’re live. It also scales easily across crews and sites.
Reliability is strong when the internet link is stable, but coverage and mobile connectivity are the deciding factors.
A local base station comes with higher upfront cost and more field logistics. You’re responsible for placement, power, communications, and coordinate control, plus ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The upside is autonomy: it can be a great fit for fixed sites or truly remote work with little or no mobile data, but it remains “your system to run,” and it only helps locally.
PPK is the most connectivity-proof option because it doesn’t rely on a live correction link. The trade-off is operational: it isn’t real-time and it adds post-processing steps (raw logs, reference data, QA), so you pay in workflow time and tooling rather than field infrastructure.
Most teams end up choosing Network RTK for speed and scale, a local base when they need full control on a site, and PPK when offline robustness matters more than immediate results.
What technical factors matter most when evaluating real-world RTK performance?
When operators compare network RTK providers, the real differences tend to show up in stability, not in marketing claims. In day-to-day field use, that starts with low latency and low jitter. RTK isn’t just about raw speed; it’s about a consistent correction flow that stays locked. RTKdata uses regional caster endpoints to keep connections short and stable, with IP fallbacks so crews aren’t stuck if one route misbehaves.
Coverage also has to be something you can trust. A generic “green map” doesn’t help if a specific site is weak, which is why RTKdata provides live coverage visibility so operators can check availability before mobilizing.
Another common source of issues is reference handling. Many apparent accuracy problems are really frame or datum mismatches, so RTKdata keeps this simple with AUTO regional mountpoints, plus WGS84/ITRF options when workflows require a specific global frame.
Finally, real sites have messy LTE/5G. RTKdata is designed to be field-friendly: quick setup, resilient endpoints, and a workflow that doesn’t require heavy base station logistics. Our goal is simple: “minutes to RTK FIX,” not “hours of configuration.”
What should survey managers prioritize when selecting an RTK correction provider?
When choosing an RTK service, survey managers should focus on a small set of practical criteria.
Coverage needs to be proven where work is actually performed, not inferred from generic coverage maps. The service should deliver standard RTCM corrections via NTRIP so it works reliably across mixed fleets, controllers, and receivers.
Reference frame and mountpoint handling are just as important, since hidden offsets can create downstream GIS/CAD alignment issues. Operational reliability also matters in practical terms like uptime, monitoring, and clear responsibility boundaries between provider and operator.
Finally, field-ready documentation and responsive support make a real difference: short setup guides and fast troubleshooting reduce downtime when crews are blocked on site. A good provider is predictable in daily use and transparent about how corrections are delivered and referenced.
What are the Common field challenges and best practices?
Most RTK issues in the field are operational rather than accuracy-related. Common challenges include unstable mobile data, multipath in urban environments, and expecting RTK before the aircraft has a solid GNSS fix.
Best practices are to verify coverage and run a short outdoor connection test before starting, choose the cleanest takeoff location available, and wait for GNSS stability so RTK can progress reliably from Float to Fix.
It’s also important to double-check NTRIP settings, including exact mountpoint names and formatting. When elevations matter, teams should confirm whether outputs are ellipsoidal and apply the correct geoid or vertical datum. For difficult environments, having a fallback workflow such as PPK or a local base remains good practice.
Beyond accuracy, how does Network RTK improve efficiency?
For commercial crews, the biggest gains from Network RTK are operational. It removes base-station logistics, so no hauling hardware, no setup/calibration routine, no batteries to manage, and no “who placed it where?” questions—so jobs start faster and with fewer
variables. In good conditions, startup is also more predictable because teams connect to a standardized correction service rather than building a site-specific base workflow.
In mapping work, Network RTK often reduces ground control effort for typical deliverables and improves repeatability between flights, which helps avoid re-flights caused by inconsistent georeferencing. When you’re running multiple crews, the same NTRIP settings and checks can be standardized across devices, reducing training time and troubleshooting overhead
“Most RTK issues in the field are operational rather than accuracy-related. Best practices are to verify coverage before starting, wait for a solid GNSS fix, and have a fallback workflow like PPK for difficult environments.”
— Konstantin Nidens, Co-Founder of RTKdata
How should correction services evolve as drone operations become more autonomous?
We see two major directions.
First, as autonomy increases, correction services need to feel less like a “feature” and more like infrastructure. Utility-grade reliability with stable performance, redundancy, and predictable behavior, because autonomous workflows can’t rely on manual intervention in the field.
Second, as data integration deepens, reference integrity becomes just as important as raw accuracy. If frames, height references, or regional stream selection are unclear, issues show up downstream and are hard to unwind. And since fewer crews have a GNSS specialist on site, services need better transparency and diagnostics. A clear status, availability, and actionable indicators, so problems can be identified quickly and resolved without guesswork.
