Real-time GNSS field procedures: Maximising gain and minimising pain

Abstract

Real Time Kinematic (RTK) is an established, proven and extremely popular Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technique. Users may employ either a conventional radio link between base and rover, or its modern equivalent, a wireless internet connection to a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS). In any case, RTK is the norm in many spatial applications. Users revel in the high precision, increased productivity and hassle-free positioning offered by this ‘real-world digitising’ technique. Today’s modern user also benefits from the additional rewards provided by Network RTK (NRTK). In this article, we revisit two of the original GNSS best practice field procedures for non-mobile (static) RTK/NRTK applications. Using CORSnet-NSW and some 5 million observations in four test areas, we confirm these procedures are still valid, and continue to improve precision (or repeatability), accuracy and reliability when coupled with modern techniques. We present updated guidelines regarding occupation times and the time span between double occupations. We also show that coordinate quality (CQ) indicators provided by the GNSS rover equipment should continue to be used with caution.