Low-cost feature-rich RTK receiver for accurate positioning

SkyTraq has introduced the S2525F8-RTK, a low-cost, low-power, single-frequency real-time kinematic (RTK) receiver for applications requiring centimetre-level accuracy positioning. The S2525F8-RTK is a multi-constellation GNSS RTK receiver that can use 12 GPS, 8 SBAS, 6 BDS, and 1 QZSS signal. In situations where an RTK fix is not possible, a Float RTK mode can be used for decimetre-level accuracy positioning. A moving-base mode is also supported for precise heading GPS compass application. Its 25mm x 25mm form factor, 3 gram weight, and 250mW power consumption makes it ideal for any outdoor mobile applications requiring high precision RTK positioning. S2525F8-RTK supports both base station and rover modes. As a rover, it receives RTCM 3.0 or 3.1 data from a base station, or raw measurements from another S2525F8-RTK receiver serving as base station, and performs carrier phase RTK processing to achieve relative positioning with 1cm + 1ppm position accuracy within 10Km baseline, and decimetre-level accuracy for over 10Km baseline can be achieved using Float RTK mode. Two S2525F8-RTK receivers can be used to form GPS compass that provides 0.17degree heading accuracy at one metre baseline; better accuracy and more reliable than conventional digital magnetometers affected by changes in the magnetic environment. An evaluation board in breakout board form is available for easy evaluation and integration into portable survey equipment, unmanned vehicle, machine control, and robotic guidance applications. The standard nmea-navsat-driver package of Robot Operating System (ROS) works directly with NS-HP, enabling easy accessible centimetre-level accuracy positioning for robotic applications, says the company.