Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning is a GPS-based technology that provides extremely accurate location data, often down to the centimeter level. An RTK system typically includes a base station and a rover. The base station is a fixed reference point with a precisely known location, while the rover is a mobile unit that uses the correction data provided by the base station to achieve high-precision positioning.

NTRIP (Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol) is a system that delivers correction data over the internet, making RTK even more accessible and versatile. Here’s how it works:

Base Station Network

A network of base stations, each with a known precise location, collects data from GNSS satellites. These stations calculate the difference between their known location and the position data received from the satellites, creating correction data.

Data Transmission via NTRIP

The correction data is sent to an NTRIP caster, a server that broadcasts this information over the internet. Users can access these corrections using NTRIP client software or devices that connect to the internet.

Applying Corrections

The rover, equipped with an NTRIP client, receives these corrections and applies them to its GNSS data. This process enhances the accuracy of the rover’s position to centimeter-level precision, useful for applications like surveying, agriculture, and construction.