5
2.
Applications
Alpha RTK
Base
RTK
antenna
Alpha RTK
Rover
RTK
antenna
. . .
RTCM3.x / RAW
NMEA
Figure 2-1
Alpha RTK rover works with carrier phase measurement, using fractional part of ~19 centimeter wave
length GNSS signals and differential principles to achieve centimeter-level accuracy positioning with
respect to the RTK base.
Referring to figure 2-1, Alpha RTK base antenna is set at a fixed location, with antenna location
coordinates already a known reference, or surveyed by method described in later section. It receives
signals from GPS/GLONASS or GPS/BDS satellites, generates correction data in RTCM3.x or SkyTraq
raw measurement format, and sends it to remote Alpha RTK rover through wireless channel. The rover
uses this correction data along with signals received from satellites to calculate the precise position of
the RTK rover antenna, and output antenna position / velocity / time information in NMEA-0183
format. Correction data from the one RTK base can be sent to an unlimited number of RTK rovers.
The Alpha RTK receiver is suitable for, but not limited to, following applications:
Surveying and GIS data collection with Android mobile device
Precision farming machine guidance
Precision grass cutting machine guidance
Precision guidance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
Aerial survey RTK position stamping without need of ground control points
Precision tracking of vehicle dynamics