gnss-rtk

GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

In French : Géolocalisation et Navigation par un Système de Satellites

RTK : Real Time Kinematic

In French : Cinématique temps réel

What is RTK ?

Here is a french documentation explaning what is RTK :https://docs.centipede.fr/docs/centipede/2_RTK.html

To cut a long story short, the architecture is made of :

one still base that captures some special GPS frames and we knwo the exact position of this base
one rover that captures some special GPS like the base but also receives some correction frames from the base through the NTrip protocol (Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Networked_Transport_of_RTCM_via_Internet_Protocol

With this configuration, the rover is able to get centimeter localisation accuracy !

Below the board I am using : https://www.ardusimple.com/simplertk2b/

This board is using the ZED-F9P u-blox chip, see Integration Manual : https://www.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/ZED-F9P_IntegrationManual_%28UBX-18010802%29.pdf

Getting a Rover RTK FIX using a free NTRIP Caster

An easy way to get an RTK FIX is to use an existing NTRIP Caster.

This NTRIP Caster will send RTCM frames to the rover so it gets a RTK FIX.

In this configuration, you'll need :

ucenter software
a laptop with an Internet connexion (WiFi or phone provider)
a multi-band GNSS antenna
a simplertk2b board with the ZED-F9P ublox chip
a place with clear sky view (you will not get an RTK FIX inside your home)
a NTRIP Caster/server and a NTRIP mount point next to where you live (it will send RTCM frames to your RTK base)

Updating the GNSS F9P Firmware

Lastest firmware is available from u-blox web site

To update the GNSS F9P Firware you have to use ucenter

Follow instructions here (it is in French) : https://docs.centipede.fr/docs/base/Installation.html

Configuring the simplertk2b board

Use an USB cable and connect the USB+GPS port to your laptop.
Connect the GNSS antenna to the simplertk2b
Change the default baudrate for UART1 and UART2 to 115200 bauds :

In ucenter : View, Configuration view, PRT (Ports)

Change measurement period to 200ms (5Hz) :

In ucenter : View, Configuration view, RATE (Rates) - all time sources

Don't forget to click the send button and to save this configuration permanently (Configuration View, CFG (configuration), Save current configuration, send button)

Setting the NTRIP Caster connexion

In ucenter : Receiver, NTRIP Client...

I am using a Open source French NTRIP Caster :) : https://docs.centipede.fr/

Fill the NTRP Caster settings and choose a NTRIP mount point as close as where you live.

Checking NTRIP frames reception

In ucenter : View, Messages View, UBX-RXM (Receiver Manager)-RTCM (RTCM input status)

You should see incomming RTCM messages

Go outside in a clear open sky space

After a few minutes, you'll see in the Data View the fix mode going to 3D/GNSS/FIXED

Check the accuray, in ucenter : View, Messages View, UBX-NAV (Navigation)-HPPOSECEF (High Precision Position ECEF)

Bingo ! with the method you can easely check whether your simplertk2b board is operational.

Configuring an RTK base

In this configuration, you'll need :

ucenter software
a laptop with an Internet connexion
a multi-band GNSS antenna
a simplertk2b board with the ZED-F9P ublox chip
a place with clear sky view (you will not get an RTK FIX inside your home)

Updating the GNSS F9P Firmware

Lastest firmware is available from u-blox web site

To update the GNSS F9P Firware you have to use ucenter

Follow instructions here (it is in French) : https://docs.centipede.fr/docs/base/Installation.html

Connecting the simplertk2b board

Use an USB cable and connect the USB+GPS port to your laptop.

Connect the GNSS antenna to the simplertk2b

Change the default baudrate for UART1 and UART2 to 115200 bauds :

In ucenter : View, Configuration view, PRT (Ports)

Don't forget to click the send button and to save this configuration permanently (Configuration View, CFG (configuration), Save current configuration, send button)

Configuring the board

In ucenter : View, Messages View, Enable UBX-NAV (Navigation)-PVT (Navigation PVT Solution)
Estimation of the base position. In ucenter : View, Messages View, UBX-CFG (Config)-TMODE3 (Time Mode 3)

Choose either : 1-Survey-in or Fixed-Mode and fill in the form depending on your choice.

Wait for a few minute and the receiver begins operation in timemode and can output a base position message if configured.

The survey-in status can be queried using the UBX-NAV-SVIN message.

Now you want the base station to output RTCM messages

In ucenter : View, Messages View, UBX-CFG (Config) - MSG (Messages)

Enable all RTCM3.3 messages you want on the desired UART port.

Activating message below should be enough to get a RTK Fix

F5-05 RTCM3.3 1005 Stationary ARP       
F5-4A RTCM3.3 1074 GPS MSM4             
F5-54 RTCM3.3 1084 GLONASS MSM4         
F5-5E RTCM3.3 1094 GALILEO MSM4         
F5-7C RTCM3.3 1124 Beidou MSM4          
F5-E6 RTCM3.3 1230 GLONASS code-phase

You can refer to this nice tutorial for more information : https://wiki.ardumower.de/index.php?title=Ardumower_Sunray, and especially this part that shows RTK Base basic configuration : https://wiki.ardumower.de/index.php?title=Ardumower_Sunray#What_are_the_differences_between_the_Ardumower_and_ArduSimple_ublox_receiver_configurations

Don't forget to click the send button and to save this configuration permanently (Configuration View, CFG (configuration), Save current configuration, send button)

Configuring a base and a rover communicating with 2 Xbees

Maybe you don't have any free open source NTRIP caster near your home and as a consequence, you may want to build your own RTK base and rover.

The RTK Base must be able to send RTCM3 correction frames to the rover. How can you achieve this ? You can find diffents methods on the Internet. I'll show you one that needs 2 XBees (I am using 2 XBees PRO S5)

Configure a RTK base, refers to Configuring an RTK base of this documentation
Configure a RTK Rover, refers to Getting a Rover RTK FIX using a free NTRIP Caster of this documentation but skip point 3 - Setting the NTRIP Caster connexion
Configure the 2 XBees that way:

Use XCTU software, update firmware and reset to factory default

Use this tutorial, to setup your Xbees : https://www.digi.com/resources/documentation/digidocs/90001526/tasks/t_configure_2_devices_transparent_mode.htm

Base settings

NI : RTK BASE ID : 666 (the devil ID :) DH : 0013A200 (should be the value of SH) DL : 408BED48 (SL of Rover settings) BD : 115200 (same baudrate that the UART2 simplertk2b board)

Rover settings

NI : RTK ROVER ID : 666 (the devil ID :) DH : 0013A200 (should be the value of SH) DL : 408BEDD9 (SL of Base settings) BD : 115200 (same baudrate that the UART2 simplertk2b board)