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GCPs vs RTK vs PPK - What is best?

Updated: Feb 2


GCP vs RTK vs PPK | Mapping Accuracy | What works best?
GCP vs RTK vs PPK | What works best?

Overview of GCPs, RTK & PPK


There are many different ways of improving your data collection and delivery in the drone industry, from the type of camera you use to the actual drone itself, but there are 3 tried and tested methods that can vastly improve the accuracy and quality of the data you collect.


As the title suggests this post will concentrate on GCPs, RTK, and PPK and which method is best to improve not only the quality of your data but the accuracy.


In this post, we will be looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you make a choice of what option you think is best.



1. GCPs


GCPs, short for Ground Control Points are points that are laid out on the ground that have known coordinates.


A Typical GCP | Hammer Missions
A Typical GCP | Hammer Missions

A GCP is often a square of chequered fabric, as shown above, that is laid down across

the site at various designated spots. These markers act as a known coordinate point.


How do they work? 💡

  • markers are placed on the ground

  • measure their position using survey-grade equipment, like a base station

  • upload those positions alongside the images to the processing software


Advantages ✅

  • doesn’t require RTK-enabled drones

  • a relatively low-cost upfront investment

  • good fallback method if nothing else works


Disadvantages 🔻

  • requires instrumenting the site - the survey might take longer

  • requires access to different parts of the site

  • post-processing needed


2. RTK


RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic and is a technique used to increase the accuracy of GNSS (global navigation satellite system) positions using a fixed base station that remotely sends out data to a moving receiver.


DJI has developed drones that carry an RTK unit, these RTK units can be found on the DJI M300, DJI M2E, Phantom 4 RTK, and most recently the DJI M3E.


RTK drone

How RTK Works | Hammer Missions
How RTK Works | Hammer Missions


How does it work? 💡

  • real-time method

  • drone positions itself using a base station and satellite

  • real-time corrections for GPS positions


Advantages ✅

  • no post-processing needed

  • drone positioning is precise - increases safety

  • less time on site and post-processing


Disadvantages 🔻

  • at the mercy of signal in the field

  • requires a base station or internet connection

  • nothing to fall back on if you lose connection during the flight



PPK


PPK stands for Post Processed Kinematic and is a method of correcting the data after the flight has taken place and the data has been uploaded.


The data can be uploaded to specialist software that enables the correction of data after the flight has occurred, hence Post Processed.


PPK


How does it work? 💡

  • post-processing method

  • requires RTK devices to log their own position separately

  • positions are corrected in the post using software


Advantages ✅

  • allows for many corrections in the post including lever arm correction

  • doesn’t need instrumenting the site or constant connection

  • easier to correct positions in the comfort of an office


Disadvantages 🔻

  • doesn’t provide real-time corrections for safety

  • requires additional post-processing software

  • not a real-time method - still requires RTK-enabled hardware


How To Decide


So now we have looked at all the advantages and disadvantages of the three options how do you decide on what method is best?


There are a few factors to consider...

  • do you have site access?

  • what’s your budget?

  • how much time do you want to spend on-site vs in the office?

  • Can you invest in additional software?


Our Recommendation


Our recommendation would be geared more toward the use of GCPs with post-processing your data using PPK for most projects, and RTK for projects that involve open spaces so that signal strength is not an issue.


For more information on some of our subjects above please see the following posts:





Summary


We hope this blog post helps you understand which method is best, GCPs, RTK, or PPK?


If you'd like to learn more about how to high-quality data and get the most out of your drone missions, please feel free to visit our learning resources.


If you haven't got a Hammer account as yet and would like to try Hammer Missions you can get started on our free trial.


To learn more about our enterprise solutions, including mission collaboration, data processing, and AI solutions, please contact us at team@hammermissions.com.


We look forward to hearing from you.


— Team at Hammer Missions


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