New SparkFun RTK Surveyor GNSS Receiver Offers Centimeter-Level Positioning

SparkFun has released its new preprogrammed RTK Surveyor GNSS receiver designed for centimeter-level positioning, making it an ideal solution for surveying, autonomous driving, navigation, asset tracking, and other applications that utilize a clear view of the sky. The RTK Surveyor can also be used as a base station, and with the flick of a switch, a pair of Surveyors can be chained to create an RTK system capable of 14mm horizontal positional accuracy.

The RTK Surveyor GNSS receiver features an ESP32-WROOM with Bluetooth, enabling the user to use the RTK Surveyor with their choice of GIS application on their preferred mobile device. The built-in rechargeable battery allows the Surveyor to be used in the field for up to four hours and is compatible with common USB power banks.

The RTK Surveyor can handle GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou signals and receive both L1C/A and L2C bands. The unit can be used in three modes: GNSS positioning (~30cm accuracy), GNSS positioning with RTK (1.4cm accuracy), and a GNSS base station. In position mode, the Surveyor acquires L1/L2 signals from a user-provided antenna, while a high-grade GNSS receiver provides lat/long and altitude with accuracies of around 300mm.

In positioning with RTK mode, the Surveyor receives L1/L2 signals from the antenna and correction data using a base station. The correction data can be obtained from a cellular link to online correction sources or over a radio link to another RTK Surveyor set up as a base station. Finally, in base station mode, the device is mounted to a fixed position, such as a tripod, and begins transmitting correction data over a radio or internet connection. In this mode, a base is typically used in conjunction with another unit set to 'positioning with RTK' to acquire a 14mm accuracy.

The SparkFun RTK Surveyor is now available for $399.95, but it's considered a 'device in development,' as it's currently undergoing FCC/CE EMI and safety testing. It should also be noted that the Surveyor does not come with an antenna, serial telemetry radio, or any mounting hardware; those items can be purchased separately if needed.