LRTK Starter Kit Usage Guide: On-site Mounting Examples and Techniques to Improve Positioning Speed

Table of Contents

⒈ What is the LRTK Starter Kit? ⒉ On-site examples of mounting the LRTK Starter Kit ⒊ Techniques to speed up positioning with the LRTK Starter Kit ⒋ Benefits of introducing the LRTK Starter Kit ⒌ Summary: Easy surveying for anyone with LRTK ⒍ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the LRTK Starter Kit?

The LRTK Starter Kit is a set that includes the compact high-precision positioning device for smartphones called the LRTK Phone and dedicated accessories that support on-site work. With this single kit, a smartphone quickly turns into an all-purpose surveying tool with centimeter-level accuracy (cm level accuracy, half-inch accuracy), supporting a wide range of uses from coordinate measurement and point-cloud measurement (3D scanning) to layout marking and AR-based construction assistance.

Traditionally, achieving centimeter-level accuracy (cm level accuracy, half-inch accuracy) on site required expensive dedicated equipment and skilled technicians, which involved significant time and cost. To address the issue of not being able to measure immediately when needed, the LRTK Phone lowers that barrier by providing a high-precision positioning solution that anyone can use with just a smartphone. It is designed to be easy to use not only for construction managers and surveyors but also for beginners on site, and it is quietly becoming popular among practitioners. Adoption has already begun at construction companies and surveying businesses nationwide, and further spread is expected.

The LRTK Phone itself is pocket-sized and smartphone-sized, and it is very lightweight at approximately 125 g. Its housing is about 1 cm (0.4 in) thick and contains a battery that enables up to about 6 hours of continuous positioning. It connects wirelessly to a smartphone and supports network RTK corrections via the internet. It also supports Japan’s quasi-zenith satellite Michibiki’s centimeter-level positioning augmentation service (CLAS) (cm level accuracy, half-inch accuracy), enabling high-precision positioning even in mountainous areas outside mobile coverage. The major appeal of LRTK is that centimeter-level positioning, which previously required expensive dedicated GNSS surveying instruments and the skills of a surveyor, can be achieved with one smartphone per person. In addition, because the introduction cost is significantly lower than that of conventional surveying instruments, it is realistic to equip each worker with one unit on site. In the construction industry, where labor shortages are a major issue, the LRTK Starter Kit is likely to attract increasing attention as an easy tool to support on-site digital transformation.

The starter kit includes, in addition to the LRTK Phone itself, convenient tools useful on site. Specifically, it contains an adjustable-length dedicated monopod, a bubble level to mount on the monopod, a holder to secure the smartphone, and a shoulder bag to carry the equipment. Each accessory is designed with on-site usability in mind, such as allowing the pole to be held vertically using the bubble level and stabilizing screen operations with the smartphone holder. These accessories make surveying tasks on site much easier. In the next section, let’s look at examples of actual mounting methods using the starter kit.

On-site examples of mounting the LRTK Starter Kit

The LRTK Starter Kit is designed to be used flexibly depending on the situation. Here are some representative on-site mounting styles.

• Direct attachment to a smartphone: The LRTK Phone can be attached with one touch to a dedicated smartphone case. This turns the smartphone itself into a high-precision GNSS terminal; holding it with both hands allows stable walking while performing positioning and recording. For example, you can take photos at each point during a field survey and record coordinates, or log a track while walking. Because it is pocket-sized, you can always carry it with you and quickly take measurements when needed.

• Mounting on the dedicated monopod (pole): Using the monopod included in the starter kit makes single-point positioning more stable and easy. The operation is simple: attach the LRTK device to the tip of the monopod, place the pole tip plate on the point to be measured, and press the button on the smartphone screen. The pole has a bubble level attached, so simply keeping the pole vertical lets the system automatically calculate height corrections and obtain accurate three-dimensional coordinates for the ground reference point. The smartphone can be fixed to the pole with the holder, allowing one-handed pole support while operating the screen. There are reports that surveying tasks that previously took two people 30 minutes can be completed by one person in about 10 minutes after introducing LRTK, representing dramatic efficiency gains. Tasks that used to require two people for GNSS surveying or stake-driving can be carried out quickly by one person with LRTK.

• Mounting on a tablet device: The LRTK Phone is compatible not only with iPhone but also with iPad. When you need to display drawings or 3D models on site, mounting it on a large-screen tablet is effective. Attaching it to an iPad and displaying your current location in AR while overlaying design data allows construction managers to check and share information with those around them. Like with smartphones, high-precision positioning is possible, making tablets a dynamic on-site surveying tool.

As described above, the LRTK Starter Kit lets you choose between the mobility of smartphone mounting and the stability of monopod mounting depending on the situation. The compact set fits in the shoulder bag, so it isn’t a burden even on days with a lot of site movement. The ability to quickly take it out and mount it to start surveying immediately is a major advantage for busy sites.

Techniques to speed up positioning with the LRTK Starter Kit

Introducing the LRTK Starter Kit dramatically speeds up positioning work on site. Here are the points that explain how LRTK increases positioning speed and leads to improved work efficiency.

• High-precision positioning starts within tens of seconds from power-on: When you start the LRTK and place it outdoors with a clear view, positioning begins in about 40 seconds. After that, correction information is acquired and an RTK fix solution (from float to fix) is obtained in about 20 seconds, reaching horizontal ±1-2 cm (±0.4-0.8 in) accuracy. The time-consuming initial setup and waiting for stable positioning that used to be required with conventional GNSS equipment is greatly reduced, allowing you to start full-scale surveying immediately after powering on.

• Easy for one person to measure immediately: Because there is no need to arrange a professional survey team or transport and set up heavy equipment, you can measure by yourself whenever necessary. For example, if you suddenly need the elevation of a point or want to measure terrain changes before and after construction, LRTK lets you quickly measure on the spot. Positioning results are automatically recorded in the smartphone app, eliminating the need to take notes on site and enabling data acquisition to be completed the same day. There are cases where tasks that used to take two people more than 30 minutes are now completed by one person in about 10 minutes after introducing LRTK.

• Area coverage by measuring while moving: LRTK supports not only stationary point positioning but also measurements while walking. When you hold the smartphone and move, your trajectory is plotted in real time on a map in the cloud (LRTK Cloud). For areas of about 1–2 hectares, there are cases where point-cloud data can be acquired in less time than flying a drone. It can also be used for as-built confirmation and earthwork volume calculations after heavy equipment work, allowing you to obtain detailed terrain point clouds simply by walking the site. LRTK’s dynamic measurement function is powerful when you want to perform wide-area surveying or as-built management in a short time.

• Quick layout work with AR: Traditionally, laying out coordinates from drawings on site required surveying instruments or installing batter boards. The LRTK smartphone app has an AR navigation function that guides you to stake or installation points by following arrows and markers shown on the screen. Intuitive AR guidance greatly streamlines layout work and speeds up operations. Even people with little surveying experience can reach target locations by following on-screen instructions.

• Immediate sharing via cloud integration: Measured data can be synchronized to the cloud (LRTK Cloud) on the spot, allowing information acquired on site to be shared immediately with the office or other stakeholders. Measured points’ coordinates and photos are automatically plotted on a map, so results can be checked remotely. This reduces the need for frequent reporting on progress and streamlines downstream data organization and drawing creation.

• Accuracy improvement using averaging measurements as needed: Although single-shot measurements for speed can provide sufficient accuracy, you can further improve accuracy using the app’s averaging function. For example, averaging several dozen measurements per point (over several seconds to tens of seconds) can reduce errors to less than half of single-shot measurements. Averaging can be performed with a single button, so you can achieve higher accuracy in a short time when needed.

As described above, the LRTK Starter Kit embodies “measure immediately, finish quickly.” Reducing on-site waiting times for surveying and speeding up measurement tasks themselves dramatically improves overall work efficiency. This in turn can shorten construction schedules, reduce labor costs, and improve safety, bringing significant benefits to the entire site.

Benefits of introducing the LRTK Starter Kit

Introducing the LRTK Starter Kit on site offers various benefits beyond the speed improvements described above.

• Low-cost introduction: Because it can be introduced at a fraction of the cost of conventional high-precision surveying equipment, it is easy to adopt even for small sites or projects with limited budgets. Reducing the frequency of renting specialized equipment or outsourcing surveying reduces total costs.

• High precision and reliability: Despite its simple appearance, the actual positioning accuracy of the LRTK Phone rivals that of top-tier GNSS terminals. For example, comparisons with a first-class GNSS surveying instrument at the same point have reported positioning differences of 5 mm or less (≤ 5 mm (≤ 0.20 in)). In experiments with the LRTK device fixed for positioning, the horizontal standard deviation of 10 measurement points was about 12 mm for single-shot measurements and reduced to 8 mm for 60-sample averaged measurements, achieving accuracy below 1 cm (less than 1 cm (less than 0.4 in)). Such high reliability is a major advantage.

• Highly versatile and multipurpose: A single LRTK unit can handle point surveying, wide-area scanning, photogrammetry, stake-driving guidance, and as-built management. It also provides functions to calculate distances, areas, and volumes from acquired coordinate data, enabling versatile on-site use of measurement results. Tasks that would normally require separate instruments and software can be handled all-in-one, reducing equipment management overhead. It truly serves as a tool to promote on-site digital transformation.

• Intuitive and easy operation: The refined UI of the smartphone app allows intuitive operation even without specialized knowledge. Complex settings and calculations are automated, the app is available in Japanese, and support is extensive, so even those who are not comfortable with machinery can use it with confidence. Training costs are minimal, and it can be used effectively from day one.

• Improved safety and efficiency: The lightweight, compact device is easy to handle and safe to use for measurements at heights or on scaffolding. Using subject-positioning features available on iPhone Pro series models, you can measure difficult-to-access areas from a safe distance. Avoiding entry into hazardous areas enhances safety management. Real-time sharing reduces rework and contributes to both efficiency and safety.

Summary: Easy surveying for anyone with LRTK

Surveying has traditionally been a specialized field requiring special equipment and advanced know-how. However, the arrival of the LRTK Starter Kit has greatly lowered that barrier. Whether you are an experienced construction manager or surveyor, or a novice on site, anyone can perform necessary on-site measurements with just a smartphone and LRTK. In other words, the LRTK Starter Kit is a reliable companion that makes “simple surveying” possible for anyone.

By using this kit, you can immediately measure and record points noticed during routine site rounds, check construction as-built conditions on your own, and easily perform tasks that were once outsourced or handled by specialized departments. As a result, response speed on site, information sharing, and ultimately quality and productivity are improved. Its compact and portable nature also makes it powerful for emergency uses such as recording damage after a disaster. For example, a local government in the Hokuriku region used the LRTK Phone for immediate post-disaster site surveying, achieving rapid damage assessment and cost reduction. Such cases are beginning to appear, and simple surveying with LRTK may become a new standard in future construction and civil engineering site operations. If your site has not yet introduced it, trying the convenience and accuracy of this system once should make its usefulness clear. Why not leverage the LRTK Starter Kit to bring revolutionary speed and efficiency to your on-site operations?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is included in the LRTK Starter Kit? A1. The kit includes the LRTK Phone (high-precision GNSS receiver), a dedicated smartphone mounting case, a monopod (pole), a bubble level, a smartphone holder, a pole tip plate, and a shoulder bag for carrying the equipment, making it easy to transport the set to the site.

Q2. Can positioning be performed at sites that are out of mobile coverage? A2. Yes. The LRTK series supports not only network correction services via the internet (such as Ntrip) but also Michibiki’s CLAS signal broadcast from satellites. With an optional out-of-coverage antenna, you can receive correction information via satellite and maintain centimeter-level positioning (cm level accuracy, half-inch accuracy) even in areas without mobile coverage.

Q3. What is the positioning accuracy? A3. Under good conditions with an RTK-Fix solution, you can expect about ±1–2 cm (±0.4–0.8 in) horizontally and about ±3 cm (±1.2 in) vertically. Considering that typical smartphone GPS has errors of about 5–10 m, LRTK provides orders-of-magnitude higher precision. If you want even higher accuracy, you can use the averaging function to improve results.

Q4. How long does the battery last? A4. The LRTK Phone runs for about 6 hours on a full charge. For long measurement sessions, preparing a spare battery is recommended. Charging and powering are done via a USB Type-C port, and power can be supplied from a mobile battery.

Q5. Which smartphones and tablets are supported? A5. Currently, iOS devices are supported; the system works with iPhone and iPad. Basic positioning functions work on the standard models, but some features—such as 3D scanning (point-cloud measurement) and subject-positioning functions (measuring from a short distance using the smartphone camera)—are available on iPhone Pro series models (LiDAR-equipped). Using the latest iPhone 15 Pro provides the most comfortable experience for all features.

Q6. Are specialized surveyors or special qualifications required? A6. No special qualifications are required. The LRTK Starter Kit is designed to be used by people without surveying expertise, so you can obtain high-precision results once you learn the basic operations. However, for official public surveying work, obtaining prescribed qualifications or registering equipment for inspection may be required.

Q7. What coordinate systems and data formats are used for positioning data? A7. Coordinates acquired with the LRTK app can be displayed and saved in Japan Geodetic Datum 2011 (JGD2011) or World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) latitude/longitude, as well as in plane rectangular coordinate systems (X, Y). Elevation values including geoid heights are automatically calculated, so you can check elevations directly on site. Acquired data can also be exported via the cloud as CSV or SIMA formats, allowing them to be handled like standard surveying results.