RTK and NTRIP "Level Up Accuracy" at Pollen Systems

As anyone who has navigated by their phone knows, standalone GPS can be inaccurate to tens of feet. In order to measure individual plant growth in a crop, we needed to improve both our capture mechanisms and our analytics to filter out ground cover and other obstacles from the data required to collect accurate sample data on each and every flight.

At Pollen Systems, we aim to collect data that is ever more accurate than could be obtained with previous generations of technology. We have invested in natively supporting Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning for our aerial imagery as the next step onward and upward! RTK supersedes the GPS receiver present in most drones by reaching centimeter-level accuracy without the need for Ground Control Point (GCP) installations or lengthy surveys.

While typical GPS receivers rely solely on a satellite network for their positioning data, RTK systems add a local base station to the mix. Both the base station and the RTK rover connect to a network of positioning satellites, but they also connect to each other, validating the data collected by each party and calculating the drone position in real-time. This reduces the positioning error by up to 98% compared to standalone GPS, allowing us to generate precision analytics such as the damage survey below without installing any GCPs in the field.

Adding to all these benefits, RTK is compatible with two base station types, from survey-grade antennas planted onsite to NTRIP caster stations operated by local institutions. While antennas are best for our most remote service areas, NTRIP casters offer an accessible path to RTK accuracy in more developed regions. With these tools available, Pollen Systems can deploy centimeter-accurate data solutions to more fields than ever. If you are curious about how our technology can deliver the precision insights you need, reach out to us at info@pollensystems.com to schedule a call with our team!