6/25/2019 How PPK works - Reach M+ docs

How PPK works

PPK stands for Post-Processed Kinematic.

De nitions and differences from RTK

Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) is an alternative technique to Real-Time

Kinematic (RTK). With PPK work ow, accurate positioning doesn't happen in real
time, all algorithms are applied afterwards. Both base on the ground and rover
(usually on a UAV) record raw GNSS logs, which are then processed to receive an
accurate positioning track.

While PPK is mainly used in UAV mapping, it can also be used as a back up for
RTK for any surveying job. PPK offers more exible work ow, allowing to run the

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processing multiple times using different settings. It also doesn't require a

correction link between base and rover, making equipment setup simpler.

PPK for UAV Mapping

There are several advantages of using PPK for mapping with a drone. PPK
doesn’t require placing Ground Control Points (GCPs), which allows to inspect
much wider areas. It is especially useful when you need to map large territories
or places with di cult terrain.

For the PPK mapping, it is recommended to have few GCPs on site for data check
(checkpoints).

The most critical part of PPK for UAV Mapping is synchronisation of a camera
and Reach M+, because:

1. There is always a delay between camera trigger and the actual moment the
photo is taken.

2. When a drone ies at high speeds, the autopilot receives position readings
only each several meters. The accuracy of, say, 2 meters is not enough for
surveying.

Reach (M+) solves this by connecting to a camera shutter via hot shoe. The time
of each photo is logged with a resolution of less than a microsecond. During
PPK you receive coordinates of exact moments of each photo taken.

There’s no need in integrating Reach to autopilot for UAV mapping.

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Connecting a camera and Reach M+ with a hot shoe adapter

As a result of UAV PPK mapping with Reach, you'll have a set of images and a
text le containing a list of accurate coordinates corresponding to each photo.
This data is then imported in mapping software such as Agisoft PhotoScan,
DroneDeploy, Pix4d, etc.

 DJI Drones Workaround

You can’t easily integrate Reach M+ with DJI Mavic or Phantom, as their cameras don’t have hot
shoe. But you can always stick to working with GCPs, which is simple and e cient for small
areas – just like your DJI drone.

Further Reading:

Camera control [../../reachview/camera-control]

Logging [../../reachview/logging]

Post-Processing Guide [../gps-post-processing/]

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