Table of Contents

• What is the LRTK Phone?

• Basic operations beginners should know

• Pro tips! How to master the LRTK Phone

• The potential of simple surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

What is the LRTK Phone?

Welcome to this guide for beginners who want to learn how to use the LRTK Phone. This blog explains in detail everything from basic operations of the LRTK Phone to professional usage techniques.

So what is the LRTK Phone? The LRTK Phone is a cutting-edge surveying device that works with a smartphone to achieve centimeter-class high-precision positioning (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)). It adopts satellite positioning technology known as Real-Time Kinematic (RTK), reducing errors that were several meters with conventional GPS to about ±2 cm (±0.8 in). It weighs just approximately 165 g, making it as lightweight and compact as a smartphone and easy to carry to the field.

The LRTK system consists of the high-precision GPS terminal, the LRTK Phone itself, a dedicated iPhone app called the "LRTK App," and the "LRTK Cloud" for storing and sharing measurement data. Coordinate data and point clouds collected in the field can be synchronized to the cloud immediately, allowing you to view them on a map from an office PC or easily calculate distances, areas, and volumes.

Traditionally, centimeter-level positioning and 3D scanning required expensive, large surveying instruments like total stations and multiple operators. But with the LRTK Phone, you can achieve comparable accuracy alone with just a smartphone and a palm-sized device. For example, after only a few minutes of instruction, even a beginner can take an LRTK Phone in their pocket to the site and, with one hand, intuitively capture 3D point clouds of terrain or coordinates of control points. Read on to master how to use the LRTK Phone and start comfortable surveying and measurement work in the field.

Basic operations beginners should know

Once you have the LRTK Phone in hand, first learn the basic operation procedure. Below is the sequence from preparation to positioning and data saving.

Preparation and setup

Before you begin, perform the following preparations.

• Charge the device: Fully charge the LRTK Phone unit (operating time is approximately 6 hours via USB Type-C). For long work periods, it is wise to prepare a mobile battery.

• Install the app: Install the LRTK App from the App Store on your iPhone. After installation, launch the app and complete the initial setup. On first launch you will need to register as a user (create an account) and log in.

• Connect the device: Turn on the LRTK Phone unit and enable Bluetooth on your smartphone. In an outdoor location with good visibility, use the "Connect" function in the LRTK App to select and connect to the nearby LRTK unit. When the connection succeeds, the LRTK unit will notify you with a sound and the app screen will display the current positioning status.

High-precision positioning flow

Once the device and smartphone are connected, start high-precision positioning. The LRTK Phone begins receiving satellite signals immediately after startup, but initial location accuracy is low and errors may be on the order of meters. This is shown in the app as the status, initially appearing as `no RTK` (no corrections) or `Float` (partial accuracy). If you wait in an open area, the status will change to `Fix` (high-precision positioning complete) in about 20–40 seconds. When `Fix` is reached, positioning accuracy is usually within ±2 cm (±0.8 in), indicating that high-precision location information is now available.

Saving and using data

Once you reach `Fix` and accuracy is ensured, start recording position data. To record your current location during positioning, simply tap the app’s Save button. With one tap, the coordinate of that point is saved, and you can add a point name or notes as needed. Saved points are listed in the app and can be viewed on the map.

You can also use the built-in camera to take geotagged photos. Photos automatically record the high-precision capture position and the heading (which direction you were facing), so you can accurately know later on the cloud “which point was photographed in which direction.” This is a convenient feature for site records and report creation, so beginners should make use of it.

Data saved or photographed in the LRTK App is synchronized to the LRTK Cloud as soon as a network connection is available. Once data is uploaded to the cloud, you can log in from a PC browser to view it on a map or in 3D, and share it with your team. In particular, using the share link feature you can send point cloud data or photos to stakeholders with one click; recipients can view them in a browser without special software.

Those are the basic operations. By trying saving points, taking photos, and syncing data, you should get a feel for the LRTK Phone workflow. The device also offers features such as point cloud scanning (3D scanning) and coordinate navigation (guidance to a specified coordinate). In the next section, we introduce advanced usage tips and tricks honed in professional settings.

Pro tips! How to master the LRTK Phone

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, try techniques to fully utilize the features of the LRTK Phone. Here we explain pro tips to further improve accuracy, best practices for point cloud scanning, and how to use AR functions and the cloud effectively.

Tips for achieving accurate positioning

First, here are points to maximize positioning accuracy. The keys to high-precision positioning are a “good reception environment” and “stable data acquisition.”

• Ensure clear view: Choose a location with as open a sky as possible while measuring. Buildings or dense trees can block satellite signals, delaying `Fix` and making accuracy unstable.

• Device placement: When carrying the LRTK Phone attached to the back of the iPhone, try to keep the unit as level as possible. If mounting on the included pole (monopod) for measurement, use the pole’s built-in level to confirm verticality. The more level and stationary the unit is, the better the accuracy.

• Use averaged positioning: For especially important points, improve accuracy by averaging multiple observations. The LRTK App includes a function to compute an average coordinate over a set time, so holding still for several tens of seconds can further reduce error (for example, averaging 60 observations for one point can improve horizontal accuracy to about 8 mm (0.31 in)).

• Battery management: During long fieldwork, avoid the device running out of battery. As noted earlier, continuous operation time is about 6 hours, but using a mobile battery can enable surveying all day. Use spare power and charge during breaks as needed.

Best practices for point cloud scanning

One highlight of the LRTK Phone is its 3D point cloud scanning using the iPhone’s LiDAR sensor, etc. While you can quickly digitize terrain and structures over wide areas, scan technique affects accuracy and data quality. Below are professional tips for effective scanning.

• Maintain an appropriate angle: During scanning, face the iPhone (with the attached LRTK unit) toward the target and hold it at an angle close to horizontal—within about 30°. Avoid extreme up-or-down tilts; keeping it nearly parallel to the ground allows the LiDAR sensor to capture stable point clouds.

• Move at a distance: Maintain a distance of about 1.5～2 m (4.9-6.6 ft) from the target. Getting too close narrows the area, while being too far makes the point cloud sparse. Walk slowly to cover the target area while keeping a proper distance.

• Scan continuously in one direction: Capture point clouds like drawing a single stroke. Once you start, avoid stopping the scan or repeatedly crossing the same spot. Generally, move forward while capturing and avoid backing up or making sudden lateral moves. If you must move sideways, do so with a crab-step without changing body orientation to minimize data shift.

• Cover the surroundings broadly: Scan with a margin so the entire object is well covered. For example, when capturing ground undulations, walk around a slightly larger area than the target so the edges are well captured. With practice you can smoothly scan and digitize slopes about 100 m (328.1 ft) in length in one pass.

Following these tips will significantly improve the accuracy and density of point clouds obtained with the LRTK Phone. Point cloud data can be displayed in 3D on the cloud and used to measure distances, areas, and volumes; high-quality point clouds broaden onsite usability.

AR features and cloud usage tips

The LRTK Phone offers not only measurements but also functions to apply measured data on site, notably AR features and cloud integration. Below are useful workflows used by professionals.

• Project design data onto the site: You can upload design drawings or CAD data (for example DWG drawings or pre-measured control point coordinates) to the LRTK Cloud and display them in AR on site. In road construction, for example, overlaying the designed finished model at the actual location lets you compare construction status immediately. Even complex drawings can be overlaid with the real scene through a smartphone, enabling less-experienced staff to intuitively share the finished image.

• Stakeout made easy with coordinate navigation: Using the app’s Coordinate Navigation feature, the smartphone navigates you to pre-set target coordinates. Following the on-screen arrow and distance display allows you to find stakeout positions or control points with centimeter-level accuracy. Tasks that used to require surveying instruments and were labor-intensive can be simplified with the LRTK Phone.

• Instant sharing via cloud: As mentioned earlier, cloud sync and share links are highly valued by professionals. For example, after uploading a point cloud to the cloud, simply send the URL to stakeholders so supervisors or clients in remote offices can instantly view the 3D data. No special software installation is required and anyone can view it in a browser, speeding reporting and decision-making.

Using these functions, data captured with the LRTK Phone can directly inform onsite decision-making and work. In professional settings, measured data is used to modify construction plans the same day or to reflect results in as-built verification, moving beyond “measure and stop” workflows. Beginners should try these convenient features.

The potential of simple surveying with LRTK

The arrival of the LRTK Phone has greatly lowered the barrier to surveying. Tasks that previously required professional surveyors and expensive equipment can now be done easily with an LRTK Phone. This is truly a new era of “simple surveying.”

For example, consider measuring the area of a vacant lot. Traditionally you’d use a tape measure or surveying equipment, manually record measurements, and calculate area on a drawing—a time-consuming process. With the LRTK Phone, you can walk the site to perform a point cloud scan, process the data in the cloud, and automatically obtain an accurate area. Similarly, volume calculations for fill or spoil can be computed instantly in the cloud by scanning around the site, allowing real-time understanding of earthwork quantities.

Such rapid and simple measurement improves efficiency in everything from project planning to progress management and as-built verification. In practice, local governments have begun introducing LRTK Phones in disaster recovery sites to assist surveying and recovery planning. Being able to perform surveying in-house instead of relying entirely on specialists can lead to substantial time and cost savings.

The LRTK Phone is a solution that looks beyond measuring to how the measured data is used. If beginners learn the basic operations and usage methods in this article, they can quickly obtain necessary field data themselves and use it for on-the-spot decisions, enabling a new workflow. Experience the possibilities of simple surveying with the LRTK Phone.

FAQ

Q: What applications is the LRTK Phone suitable for? A: It can be used in a wide range of applications such as civil engineering, surveying investigations, infrastructure inspections, and disaster prevention. From terrain surveying to recording photos for construction management, it handles many tasks and is useful for situation awareness and preparing reports.

Q: Can I use it without surveying knowledge? A: Yes, basic operations are designed to be intuitive. By reviewing this article and the official manual beforehand, even those without specialized knowledge can start high-precision positioning and point cloud scanning. However, if you plan to apply the obtained data to civil engineering designs, having basic surveying and drawing knowledge will make the process smoother.

Q: Is it available on Android smartphones? A: Currently, the LRTK App supports only iOS (iPhone and iPad). It is not available for Android devices.

Q: How long does it take to obtain high-precision positioning (Fix)? A: In typical environments, you can often get `Fix` about 20–40 seconds after device startup. In open spaces where satellites are easily received, high precision is achieved more quickly. However, near tall buildings or inside forests where visibility is obstructed, it may take 1–2 minutes or accuracy may temporarily decline.

Q: Can it perform positioning in remote mountains without mobile coverage? A: Positioning itself is possible even where mobile communication is unavailable. The LRTK Phone supports Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite “Michibiki” centimeter-class augmentation service (CLAS) so it can maintain high-precision positioning with satellite augmentation signals even in areas without coverage. Of course, with network connectivity it becomes more stable, but maintaining a certain level of accuracy even out of range is a major advantage.

Q: What coordinate system are the obtained coordinates in? A: Positioning data is obtained as latitude, longitude, and ellipsoidal height based on the World Geodetic System (WGS84). The LRTK App can also display coordinates in Japan’s plane rectangular coordinate system (regional geodetic systems), and you can switch to your desired system (e.g., specific zone) from the settings. Configure the coordinate system to match existing survey results as needed.

Q: Will point cloud data fill up my phone storage? A: Data acquired with the LRTK App can be synced to the cloud, so you don’t need to keep it on the device for long. After syncing, you can delete the data from your smartphone and it will remain in the cloud, so even devices with limited storage can be used safely. You can also selectively download needed data from the cloud.

Q: Can the acquired data be used in other software? A: Yes. By exporting survey data from the LRTK Cloud, you can use it in most CAD and GIS software. For example, saved coordinates can be exported as CSV for import into drawings, and point cloud data can be downloaded in standard 3D formats such as LAS or PLY. The system is designed so field data can be integrated into existing workflows.