• Achieve 1-3 cm absolute accuracy
• Reduce or eliminate GCPs
• Faster field operations
• Consistent accuracy across large areas
• Real-time quality assurance
• Reduced post-processing time
• Corridor mapping without GCPs
• Rapid emergency response surveys
• Precision agriculture monitoring
• Construction progress tracking
• Environmental monitoring
• Infrastructure inspection
Many modern mapping drones include integrated RTK receivers that connect directly to correction services via cellular or radio links. This provides seamless integration with real-time corrections and simplified workflow.
Advantages:
• Seamless integration
• Real-time corrections
• Simplified workflow
• Factory calibration
Considerations:
• Higher initial cost
• Communication requirements
• Limited to specific platforms
• Subscription costs
Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) approach records raw GNSS data during flight and applies corrections during post-processing, ideal for areas without real-time communication.
Advantages:
• Works in remote areas
• No communication needed
• Flexible processing options
• Lower operational costs
Considerations:
• Post-processing required
• Delayed quality feedback
• More complex workflow
• Processing expertise needed
• Verify RTK coverage in survey area
• Plan for adequate overlap (80% forward, 60% side)
• Consider sun angle and lighting conditions
• Plan emergency landing zones
• Check weather conditions and wind speed
• Ensure sufficient battery life
• Verify RTK coverage in survey area
• Plan for adequate overlap (80% forward, 60% side)
• Consider sun angle and lighting conditions
• Plan emergency landing zones
• Check weather conditions and wind speed
• Ensure sufficient battery life
Before Takeoff:
• Verify RTK fixed solution
• Allow 2-3 minutes for initialization
• Check satellite visibility and DOP values
• Confirm correction age < 10 seconds
During Flight:
• Monitor RTK status continuously
• Abort if RTK fix is lost
• Maintain consistent flight speed
• Avoid rapid altitude changes
Altitude
Maintain consistent AGL height, typically 80-120m for mapping missions
Speed
Fly at 8-12 m/s for optimal image quality and overlap
Overlap
Maintain 80% forward, 60% side overlap minimum
RTK Status Indicators
• Fixed solution: Green status
• Float solution: Yellow warning
• Single point: Red alert
• Correction age: < 10 seconds
Flight Metrics
• Consistent ground speed
• Stable altitude profile
• Adequate image overlap
• Proper exposure settings
Data Quality Checks
• Verify image count and coverage
• Check GPS log continuity
• Validate overlap percentages
• Review exposure consistency
Accuracy Verification
• Compare to check points
• Verify coordinate system
• Check altitude consistency
• Validate with known features
RTK Processing
1. Import raw GNSS data and images
2. Process RTK corrections (if PPK workflow)
3. Synchronize GPS time with image timestamps
4. Verify coordinate system accuracy
5. Quality control position data
Photogrammetric Processing
1. Import images with GPS coordinates
2. Perform image alignment
3. Optimize camera parameters
4. Generate dense point cloud
5. Create orthomosaic and DSM
RTK/PPK Processing
• RTKLIB (free)
• NovAtel Inertial Explorer
• Waypoint Inertial Explorer
• Trimble Business Center
Photogrammetry
• Agisoft Metashape
• Pix4D Desktop
• RealityCapture
• DroneDeploy (cloud)
Integrated Solutions
• UgCS Pro
• Pix4D Cloud
• Trimble UAS Master
• Leica Infinity
Causes:
• Communication interruption
• Satellite visibility obstruction
• High DOP values
• Atmospheric disturbances
Solutions:
• Return to home and re-initialize
• Switch to backup correction source
• Increase flight altitude
• Abort mission if persistent
Symptoms:
• Large positional offsets
• Inconsistent check point residuals
• Scale discrepancies
• Projection distortions
Solutions:
• Verify datum and projection settings
• Check with survey control points
• Validate coordinate transformations
• Use local coordinate systems
Combining RTK with oblique cameras enables detailed facade mapping and 3D reconstruction with survey-grade accuracy.
• Plan multi-angle flight paths
• Synchronize all camera triggers
• Maintain consistent geometry
• Process with specialized software
RTK-enabled LiDAR systems provide direct georeferencing of point clouds, eliminating the need for traditional aerial triangulation.
• Calibrate LiDAR-GPS offsets
• Monitor RTK quality continuously
• Validate with ground truth
• Process with trajectory data
Find NTRIP / RTK correction service providers with proven experience in drone mapping applications and specialized support for aerial surveys.