Before Looking for RTK Receiver Rentals: LRTK — an Option Easy to Adopt with an Annual Contract

Introduction

When high-accuracy positioning is required on construction sites or in surveying operations, many people consider using RTK receiver rental. If you temporarily rent an RTK (Real Time Kinematic) GNSS receiver, you can use centimeter-level positioning (inch-level positioning) without purchasing dedicated equipment. However, renting an RTK receiver involves several hurdles, such as arranging the equipment and learning how to operate it.

Actually, before looking for RTK receiver rentals, there is a new option called LRTK that can be easily adopted through an annual subscription. LRTK is an integrated solution that combines a compact RTK-GNSS receiver attachable to a smartphone with cloud services and support. It is attracting attention as a system that is easy to use for everyone from beginners to field professionals and that makes it simple to incorporate high-precision positioning into everyday work. In this article, taking into account the merits and demerits of renting RTK receivers, we introduce the features and advantages of an annual subscription service using LRTK.

Table of Contents

Reasons and Challenges for Renting RTK Receivers What is LRTK, Easy to Adopt with an Annual Contract Rental vs Annual-Contract LRTK: Which Is Better Suited to Job Sites Cloud Integration and Support Benefits Provided by LRTK LRTK Use Cases Across a Wide Range of Job Sites Summary FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Reasons and Challenges for Renting an RTK Receiver

For tasks that require high-precision positioning, purchasing an RTK receiver requires a significant upfront investment, so when usage is infrequent, it is sometimes procured by renting only when needed. RTK receiver rental has the advantage that you can borrow the equipment for a short period and use it only when necessary. However, on the other hand, rentals also come with several challenges and constraints.

• Limited availability period: Rental equipment can only be used within the contract period. Even if an urgent survey is required, you may not be able to use the equipment immediately without reservations or equipment handover procedures. The fact that you cannot use it instantly when needed can undermine flexibility on site.

• Learning curve and setup effort: If you are handling an RTK receiver for the first time, you need to learn how to set up and operate the device. Because rentals must be returned within a short period, the rental term may end before you have mastered its use. In conventional RTK surveying, you must prepare both a base station (base unit) and a rover unit, install them at control points, and configure radio settings, which is a high hurdle for beginners.

• Procurement of equipment and services: RTK positioning requires a high-performance receiver and, in some cases, subscription to commercial correction information services (network RTK services). If the rental equipment does not include those service contracts, the user must arrange separate contracts such as Ntrip. You must also consider the effort of procuring equipment and services separately and the risk of positioning errors due to configuration mistakes.

• Limited support: In the case of rentals, support provided by the supplier may be limited to equipment operation guarantees and basic inquiries. If serious problems occur during full-scale operations and you are unsure how to handle them on site, you may find it difficult to receive comprehensive support. For users inexperienced in surveying, not being able to consult someone immediately when problems arise can be a source of anxiety.

Thus, RTK receiver rentals are effective for spot use of high-precision positioning, but it is clear that there are challenges such as restrictions on rental periods and issues with proficiency and support. So, what is LRTK, which is attracting attention as a potential alternative?

LRTK: easy to adopt with an annual subscription

LRTK (pronounced "el-ahr-tee-kay") is a solution developed by Refixia, a startup originating from Tokyo Institute of Technology, that combines a compact integrated RTK-GNSS receiver device with a cloud service. The palm-sized device can be attached as an add-on to commercially available smartphones and tablets (mainly iPhone/iPad) and enables centimeter-level positioning through a dedicated app.

The biggest feature of LRTK is that an annual contract makes it easy to introduce a high-precision positioning environment. Compared with purchasing dedicated equipment, the initial hurdle is lower, and it’s a flexible model that allows you to use the service only for the period you need. During the contract period, LRTK devices, the app, cloud services, and support are provided together, so all the components required for positioning are in place.

From a technical standpoint, LRTK devices are equipped with high-sensitivity antennas and positioning engines that support multi-GNSS and multi-frequency. In addition to supporting the input of correction information via network RTK (Ntrip), they can also receive signals from Japan’s satellite positioning system Michibiki, including the centimeter-level augmentation service (CLAS). Therefore, high-precision positioning can be achieved not only when using internet-based correction services but also in mountainous areas without mobile coverage or at disaster sites by using augmentation signals from satellites. The revolutionary point of LRTK is that it achieves cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) without a base station, eliminating the need to set up a base station at each site as with conventional methods.

Operation using the dedicated app is simple, and it’s designed to be easy for on-site personnel without specialized knowledge to use. The actual procedure is intuitive: “turn on the network RTK function in the app → enter the ID and password for the provided correction information → start positioning.” Because a single person can start positioning work in a short time, it’s reassuring for sites with few staff and for those using RTK for the first time.

Rental vs Annual-Contract LRTK: Which Is Better for the Jobsite?

So, what are the specific differences between renting RTK receivers as needed and implementing LRTK through an annual contract? We'll compare them from several perspectives.

• Available period: With rentals, you can use the equipment only for the contracted period or number of days. By contrast, with LRTK you can use it whenever needed within the scope of your annual contract. You can respond to sudden surveying needs immediately, with the same feel as if you owned the equipment.

• Equipment preparation and transport: Rental equipment must be arranged, picked up, and returned each time, and the gear brought to the site includes a wide range of items such as tripods for mounting and batteries. LRTK only requires a device that fits in your pocket and a smartphone, so large-scale equipment preparation is unnecessary. Because no base station is required, you also avoid the effort of transporting and installing heavy equipment.

• Ease of operation and positioning: Conventional RTK receivers require learning manufacturer-specific controllers or software, but LRTK is completed through smartphone or tablet app operation. Intuitive UIs and simple procedures make positioning easy to perform, so high-precision positioning can be handled even without specialized knowledge.

• Response to ongoing usage needs: If high-precision surveys occur frequently or irregularly, introducing LRTK makes planning easier than renting each time. Rentals carry the risk of not being able to secure reservations during busy periods and impose the burden of arranging equipment for each use. With an annual LRTK contract, equipment is always at hand, improving field operation efficiency over the long term.

• Support and troubleshooting: As noted above, rentals often provide limited advanced technical support. In contrast, LRTK has a system in place to receive inquiries and support at any time during the contract period. Even if trouble or questions arise on site, you can receive appropriate advice from specialist staff, giving you peace of mind.

As this comparison shows, renting an RTK receiver is effective for spot or one-off use, but if you plan to use high-precision positioning continuously throughout the year, adopting LRTK will greatly improve on-site productivity and peace of mind.

Benefits of LRTK's Cloud Integration and Support

LRTK not only provides equipment but offers a total service that includes cloud integration and a comprehensive support system. This brings significant advantages for on-site data utilization and aftercare.

First, LRTK is equipped with a mechanism to upload positioning data and photo records to the cloud in real time and share them with relevant parties. For example, photos with location coordinates obtained at an infrastructure inspection site can be shared on the spot with the office or other team members. Because data accumulates in the cloud, preparing post-work reports becomes smoother, and as part of DX (digital transformation) the efficiency of managing on-site information improves. Especially in disaster response or emergency inspection situations, sharing data measured on site instantly via the cloud enables all stakeholders to grasp the latest situation and make rapid decisions.

Next, regarding support, LRTK provides comprehensive assistance to contracted users at no additional cost. From initial setup assistance during implementation to routine technical inquiries, expert staff will provide support, so even those new to surveying can continue using the system with confidence. In the event of equipment failure, replacement units may be provided and rapid repair service may be available, minimizing the impact on operations even if equipment trouble occurs on site. Because this support structure is included in the annual contract, a major advantage is that you can operate without worrying about unexpected additional costs.

LRTK Use Cases Across a Wide Range of Field Sites

LRTK is an easy-to-use tool for a wide range of field personnel, including beginners to intermediate-level surveyors, thanks to its ease of use and reliability. It is active in various scenes, from as-built verification and batter-board installation at construction and civil engineering sites, to inspection and displacement measurement for infrastructure maintenance, and even surveying in agriculture and disaster sites.

For example, for construction contractors, introducing LRTK enables heavy equipment operators and craftsmen to perform simple surveys themselves, allowing them to verify construction accuracy and check as-built conditions. By having site personnel carry out work on the spot that was previously requested from specialist surveyors, waiting times are shortened and communication losses are reduced.

In infrastructure inspection and survey work, recorded photos with precise positioning data obtained by LRTK can be shared via the cloud, allowing technicians in remote locations to grasp the current situation in real time. This smooths information sharing between the field and the office and speeds up decision-making.

Also, LRTK is effective for surveying in mountainous areas where GPS and mobile signals are difficult to receive, and in environments with unstable communications immediately after a disaster. As mentioned above, because LRTK devices can receive Michibiki's CLAS signals, they can perform standalone centimeter-level positioning (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) even when out of communication range. This enables the collection of accurate location information for recording damage in emergencies and for situations such as forest surveys.

Thus, LRTK is a flexible solution that is useful for a wide range of applications, from routine construction management to emergency surveying. Its ease of use has led to more companies adopting it as part of new employee training and in-house development, and its accessibility on sites without dedicated surveying departments is highly valued.

Summary

Renting RTK receivers only when needed is an effective way to use high-precision positioning on a spot basis without incurring initial costs. However, if you plan to use precision positioning continuously throughout the year, it is worth considering LRTK, which is easier to adopt with an annual subscription model, rather than handling each instance with RTK receiver rentals. With LRTK, you'll always have high-precision positioning tools on hand and gain comprehensive benefits including cloud services and support.

If you introduce LRTK that leverages the latest digital positioning technologies, surveying work that used to rely on specialists can be performed easily, directly contributing to on-site digital transformation (DX) and productivity improvements. Having your own means of ensuring accuracy, rather than relying on rentals, will increase operational flexibility and help improve competitiveness. Why not take this opportunity to consider adopting LRTK-based simple surveying?

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is RTK? How does it differ from regular GPS? A1: RTK stands for "Real Time Kinematic" and is a technique that uses GNSS (satellite positioning) to perform high-precision positioning in real time. Regular GPS positioning can produce errors of several meters, but RTK uses two receivers—a base station and a rover—and sends the error information calculated at the base station to the rover for correction, reducing errors to the order of a few centimeters. By using network RTK, it is also possible to achieve centimeter-level accuracy with just one rover receiver and a correction data delivery service over the internet.

Q2: What does LRTK specifically refer to? A2: LRTK is the name of an integrated solution consisting of a compact high-precision GNSS receiver device, a dedicated app, and cloud services. It is attached to and used with a smartphone or tablet, enabling centimeter-level positioning. Developed by a startup originating from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, it is characterized by making RTK positioning, which traditionally required specialized equipment, easy to achieve.

Q3: Which is better, renting an RTK receiver or subscribing to LRTK? A3: It depends on usage frequency. If it’s a short-term, one-off survey, renting an RTK receiver should be sufficient. However, if you expect multiple surveys throughout the year or potential ongoing use, subscribing to LRTK will be more efficient in the long run. With LRTK you’ll have constant access to equipment, plus cloud integration and support, which together contribute to improved field operations productivity. In short, rent for spot use and subscribe to LRTK for continuous use.

Q4: What is required to use LRTK? A4: Using LRTK requires a dedicated LRTK receiver device and a compatible smartphone or tablet (it is mainly used with iPhone or iPad). As methods to obtain correction information for high-precision positioning, you can either connect to the Internet to access a commercial RTK correction service (Ntrip distribution), or obtain correction information by receiving the "Michibiki (QZSS) CLAS signal" that the LRTK device supports. Using the latter CLAS allows you to obtain correction data without an additional subscription even in environments where cellular service is out of range. In any case, the provider will carefully guide you through the necessary settings and service contracts when introducing LRTK, so users do not need to go through complicated procedures themselves.

Q5: How much positioning accuracy and stability can be ensured? A5: LRTK uses the RTK method and, under suitable conditions, can achieve positioning accuracy of several centimeters (a few inches). In open areas with few obstructions, if correction information is received correctly, it can measure positions with accuracy comparable to conventional expensive surveying equipment. However, because it relies on satellite signals, positioning accuracy can degrade or take longer in environments where the sky is blocked, such as streets of high-rise buildings or forests. Even in such cases, LRTK devices that can receive multiple satellite systems are designed to be less likely to lose lock than a single GNSS and to maintain high accuracy as stably as possible.

Q6: Can beginners master LRTK? Is support available? A6: Yes. LRTK is designed to be simple to operate so that beginners without surveying or GPS expertise can use it. The dedicated app features an intuitive interface, and the basic steps to begin positioning can be completed in just a few steps. In addition, contracted users have access to a support system, so if you are unsure how to use it or encounter problems on site, you can easily contact them for advice. Support is provided at no additional charge, so you can adopt and use LRTK with confidence.

Q7: In what sites and use cases is LRTK useful? A7: LRTK is effective in a wide range of applications such as surveying and as-built management at construction sites, land surveying, inspection of infrastructure facilities, field measurement in agriculture, and damage recording at disaster sites. Its compact size and portability make it useful in any outdoor situation where high-precision positioning is required. It particularly proves valuable in locations where a base station cannot be installed or where rapid surveying is needed.