Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

Advantage of using RTK/PPK

in drone survey

by Norbert Plate, iQlaser (Pty) Ltd

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

or

how to achieve survey grade accuracy

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

Drones (UAV’s, RPAS) usually do use a standalone

GNSS receiver (sometimes only a GPS receiver)
enabling the drone to navigate safely

While a standalone GNSS/GPS receiver is able to achieve

a satisfactory accuracy for safe navigation, the overall
accuracy which can be achieved is far away from what we call
‘survey grade accuracy’.

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

In order to correct the positioning error in drone surveys so called ‘ground control points’ or GCP’s are used.

GCP’s are points which are visible in the images and where the exact
location (longitude, latitude and elevation) is known.

While the correct use of GCP’s does provide survey grade accuracy,
there are a few ‘draw backs’:

- GCP’s needs to be placed and surveyed before the flight, defeating the
‘data on demand’ advantage
- Depending of the size of area the number of GCP’s can go into the hundreds,
making the whole process very time consuming (and it will add costs!)
- GCP’s which are placed wrong (wet surfaces, long grass, etc) will not work
and will not deliver the desired accuracy. If not checked this will be most likely
not detected.
- GCP’s can move (weather impact) or disappear (never use GCP’s made out of wood
winter time!
- Etc.

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

Including techniques such as RTK (real time kinematic) or PPK (post processing kinematic) will:

- Eliminate the need for GCP’s, therefore reducing costs tremendously

- Reduce possible human error’s
- Achieve survey grade accuracy for the mapping/survey project
- Bring back the ‘data on demand’ advantage
- Makes it easy to proof accuracy by using a couple of check points
(different survey method used!)

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

Surveyors do use RTK all the time:

A GNSS/GPS base station is used to correct the initial
positioning error in real time while the surveyor is
measuring points.

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

By enabling a drone to become the ‘rover’ of a GNSS/GPS base station or

a Trignet (CORS) station survey grade accuracy can be achieved in real time:

RTK requires a constant communication link between the

GNSS/GPS base and the drone. In case this
communication link is lost RTK will not work anymore

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

By using a drone equipped with a L1/L2 receiver and capable post processing sotware
the positioning error can be corrected in post process using correction data coming either from
a local base or Trignet (CORS)

The advantage of PPK over RTK: no communication issues

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017

Advantages of using RTK/PPK in drone surveys

To summarize:
1. Standalone and GCP
– Time consuming, requires special
equipment.
2. RTK – VRS
1 5 – Multiple services (swipos.ch ,
Teria.fr, SAPOS.de, USGS.us, …)
– Phone with 3G, that’s it!
2
4 3. RTK – base station
– Topcon, Leica, Trimble, etc.
4. PPK – VRS
6 – Same as RTK-VRS, but in post
processing, no stress
3 5. PPK – base station
– Receiver Independent
6. PPK – CORS
– 10, 20, 30 km away is fine

Norbert Plate www.iqlaser.co.za SA GeoTech 2017