GNSS RTK Explained: How Centimeter Accuracy Works
A standard smartphone GPS is accurate to a few meters, fine for navigation but useless for surveying. RTK, or Real-Time Kinematic positioning, brings that accuracy down to centimeters by using a second fixed receiver to correct errors in real time.
The trick is comparing signals. A base station sitting at a precisely known location receives the same satellite signals as a moving rover, calculates the error in those signals, and broadcasts a correction that the rover applies instantly.
Watch RTK Correction in Action
Live Correction Broadcast Simulation
See How Distance Affects Accuracy
Interactive Baseline Distance Explorer
Try a Fixed vs Float Solution
Click to Capture a Position
How RTK Positioning Works
Base station setup
A receiver is placed at a precisely known coordinate, either surveyed or referenced to a known benchmark.
Satellite signal reception
Both base and rover receive signals from the same set of GNSS satellites simultaneously.
Correction calculation
The base compares its known position against calculated position from satellite signals to determine the current error.
Correction broadcast
The base sends this correction data to the rover via radio link or internet connection in real time.
Fixed solution achieved
The rover applies the correction, resolving ambiguities to achieve a centimeter-accurate fixed position.
A fixed RTK solution delivers centimeter accuracy, but a float solution, which happens when the system cannot fully resolve signal ambiguities, may only achieve decimeter-level accuracy. Always confirm fixed status before recording survey points.
GPS tells you roughly where you are. RTK tells you exactly where you are, down to a few centimeters.
Why RTK Matters for Surveying
Every precise survey point, from boundary corners to construction stakeout, relies on this base-rover correction relationship working correctly. Our DGPS survey and drone teams use RTK positioning as the backbone of accurate GIS mapping data collection across every project.
Need centimeter-accurate survey data?
Tell us about your project and we will explain our RTK positioning approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic, a GNSS positioning technique that uses a base station correction to achieve centimeter-level accuracy.
Standard GPS is accurate to a few meters, while RTK uses a base station correction to bring that accuracy down to centimeters in real time.
A base station is a receiver placed at a precisely known location that calculates satellite signal errors and broadcasts corrections to rover receivers.
A fixed solution achieves full centimeter accuracy, while a float solution occurs when ambiguities are not fully resolved, resulting in lower decimeter-level accuracy.
Yes, longer baseline distances can reduce correction reliability and accuracy, which is why base stations are typically kept within a reasonable range of the survey area.
Correction data is typically transmitted via radio link for local setups or internet-based networks for wider coverage areas.
A CORS network is a system of permanent reference stations that provide RTK corrections over a wide area without needing a dedicated local base station.
Yes, RTK and PPK positioning are commonly integrated into drone survey workflows to achieve survey-grade accuracy without extensive ground control points.
Severe atmospheric conditions can occasionally affect signal quality, though modern RTK systems are generally robust under typical weather conditions.
RTK positioning with a fixed solution provides the accuracy needed for legal boundary work, though local surveying standards and verification practices still apply.
This line is reserved for project leads. Please do not contact for learning, training, or job inquiries.