Single-Baseline Long-Distance RTK using a CLS GNSS Module and Open-Source Software: A Case Study from India

Abstract

For GNSS Real-Time Kinematic (RTK), the reference Base receiver operating at a precise location together with the wirelessly connected Rover receiver(s) provide(s) high-quality real-time position solutions. This work shows the potential of compact, low-cost, single-frequency (CLS) GNSS modules as the RTK Rover up to large baseline distances. A combination of the uBLOX M8T CLS module and the Tallysman TW2710 patch antenna is used in single and hybrid GNSS combinations for short-to-long single-baseline lengths with the open-source RTKLib as the processing software. The results show that, for up to 288 km baseline distance, GPS, GLONASS and Galileo standalone operation provides below 1, 3 and 2 m precisions, respectively and sub-0.5 m precision is achieved for GPS+GLONASS+Galileo and GPS+Galileo+QZSS operations. The work shows the advantages of CLS modules as Rover those exploits the multi-constellation signal availability from India using open-source RTK processing software for reduction of the overall RTK infrastructure cost.