Wireless RTK (Base-Rover) vs Network RTK: Advantages, Disadvantages, and When to Use Each

Table of Contents

• What is RTK (overview of Real Time Kinematic positioning)

• Characteristics of wireless RTK (base-rover method)

• Characteristics of network RTK

• Wireless RTK vs network RTK: points for choosing between them

• Simple surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

RTK is a technology for performing high-precision satellite positioning in real time. Standalone GPS positioning typically produces errors on the order of several meters (several ft), but by using RTK (Real Time Kinematic) you can determine positions with errors within a few centimeters (a few inches). RTK positioning is increasingly used in civil engineering surveys and construction sites, and it has become an indispensable technology for efficient and accurate surveying.

This article compares the two main ways of implementing RTK—“wireless RTK (base-rover method)” and “network RTK”—and explains the advantages and disadvantages of each. We also consider points for choosing between them depending on site conditions and objectives, and at the end of the article we introduce a new simplified positioning method called “LRTK.”

What is RTK (overview of Real Time Kinematic positioning)

RTK is a positioning method that uses correction information transmitted from a reference station (base) with known coordinates to a rover (mobile station) to improve the rover’s position in real time. With standalone GNSS positioning, satellite signal errors typically cause position shifts of about 5–10 m (16.4–32.8 ft), but RTK positioning uses two GNSS receivers to cancel out these error factors and can improve accuracy to about a few centimeters (a few inches) in both horizontal and vertical directions. Specifically, a reference station installed at a point with accurately known coordinates observes satellite data and the rover observes its own satellite data; the difference between them (the error) is sent to the rover as correction values in real time. The rover applies the received corrections immediately to compute highly accurate position coordinates that cannot be obtained by standalone positioning.

A major advantage of RTK surveying is that it combines immediacy and high accuracy. Historically, measuring positions to centimeter-level accuracy required long-duration static GNSS surveys or surveying with total stations, but with RTK you can bring the equipment to the point you want to measure and obtain results on the spot in a short time. For this reason, RTK technology is used in a wide range of applications such as current-condition surveys for civil engineering works, stakeout/layout tasks, automatic tractor guidance in agriculture, and improving the accuracy of drone surveys.

To operate RTK, correction data must be transmitted from the reference station to the rover. There are two main communication methods: installing your own reference station on site and sending corrections via radio (wireless RTK), or receiving correction information via the Internet using an existing reference-station network (network RTK). Below we examine the characteristics of wireless RTK and network RTK.

Characteristics of wireless RTK (base-rover method)

Wireless RTK (self-operated base method) is an operational style in which the user installs a GNSS receiver as a reference station on site and transmits correction data to the rover via local radio communication. For example, when performing wireless RTK at a construction site, you set up the first GNSS receiver at a known point (a point whose accurate coordinates are known) in or near the site as the reference station, and the operator carries a second receiver (the rover) to perform surveying. As long as the base and rover can communicate directly, you can achieve centimeter-level positioning in real time without an Internet connection.

Advantages:

• Communication infrastructure independent: Because the base and rover are connected directly by radio, operation does not rely on cellular signals or external services. Even in mountainous areas or regions with undeveloped communications infrastructure, RTK positioning can continue as long as radio signals reach between the two stations. By using local radios within the site (UHF band or special low-power radios, for example), correction data can be reliably delivered even where Internet connectivity is not available.

• Low running costs: While you must initially procure equipment for the reference station, once your in-house base station system is established you do not pay fees to external correction services (monthly subscription fees, etc.). For frequent long-term RTK surveying, self-operated systems can be more cost-effective than continually paying service fees. Also, multiple rovers can operate simultaneously from a single base station without additional usage fees, enabling several people to survey at once at no extra cost.

• Stable accuracy management: If you install and operate the base station at an accurately known point, you can maintain consistent accuracy within that site. Keeping the baseline length between the base and rover short reduces atmospheric error effects and yields stable, high positioning accuracy. In addition, by managing the base station coordinates internally, you can more easily guarantee absolute accuracy (accuracy in a public coordinate system) according to your own standards.

Disadvantages:

• Initial setup hurdles: You need a full set of equipment for the base station—GNSS receiver and antenna for the base, radio communication equipment, tripods and mounting hardware, battery power, etc. High-performance GNSS receivers tend to be expensive, making the initial investment large. Depending on the radio frequency band used, you may also need to apply for a radio station license. Selecting equipment and completing license procedures require expertise and preparation, which can be hurdles to adoption.

• Operational effort required: You must set up and configure the base station before each survey. Choose a stable location with a wide open sky for the base station; if installed on a known point, input its coordinates, and if installed on an unknown point, you need to observe it so you can correct its coordinates later. Equipment setup and leveling take time, so you cannot start surveying immediately. For short-duration tasks or inspection-style surveys, the preparation effort can reduce efficiency.

• Operational range limitations: As the distance between the base and rover increases, positioning accuracy degrades, so wireless RTK is generally best suited for surveying in the vicinity of the base station. Typically, high accuracy is maintained within a few km, but if the site is vast and tens of km from the base, accumulated errors make it difficult to obtain RTK fixed solutions. Covering large areas requires moving the base station sequentially or setting up relay stations, complicating operations. When surveying separate distant sites, you must set up the base station each time, reducing mobility.

Characteristics of network RTK

Network RTK receives correction information via the Internet from an existing network of reference stations in the region. Users do not need to install their own reference station on site; they can utilize data from fixed stations such as the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan’s Continuously Operating Reference Stations. In practice, the rover’s GNSS receiver connects to the Internet via a cellular line or mobile router, and accesses correction services via a protocol called NTRIP. Service providers’ servers set up a virtual reference station (VRS) near the user’s survey position and generate and return correction information corresponding to that virtual point in real time. This allows positioning accuracy as if a nearby base station were available.

Advantages:

• Easy initial setup: You do not need additional base station equipment; you can start with just a single rover GNSS receiver and a communication device (smartphone or tablet). Because there is no need to install a base station on site, preparation time before surveying is greatly reduced. Even without specialized knowledge, you can start operation relatively easily by entering the connection ID and coordinate system settings provided by the service provider into your receiver.

• Usable over wide areas: Network RTK uses a wide-area reference-station network, so it can maintain accuracy even far from any single base station. Increases in distance-related errors are reduced by interpolating data from multiple reference stations when generating corrections. Except in extremely remote mountain areas, as long as there is cellular coverage you can achieve centimeter-level positioning nationwide. Because you continually receive appropriate correction data while moving, network RTK is suitable for surveying tasks with wide movement ranges or for projects moving between many sites.

• Positioning results directly tied to public coordinate systems: Network RTK corrections are generated based on official coordinate references (in Japan, JGD2011 or JGD2022, for example). Therefore the positioning results are directly in geodetic coordinates, and you generally do not need to perform coordinate transformations later to match known points. Always being in a public coordinate system makes data comparison between multiple sites and alignment with design coordinates straightforward.

Disadvantages:

• Dependent on communication environment: Internet connectivity is required, so in areas with poor signal you cannot receive correction data and RTK positioning cannot be established. This is a major constraint when working in mountainous regions, underground spaces, or disaster sites where cellular service is unavailable. If communication failures, server maintenance, or service-side problems occur, users cannot resolve them and work may be interrupted. Compared with self-operated base stations, there is a risk from factors you cannot control.

• Ongoing usage costs: Using network RTK typically requires a contract with a correction service provider and payment for correction data. Pricing models vary by service but commonly include monthly or annual flat rates or pay-as-you-go charges based on usage time. Long-term frequent use can become costly. Additionally, if you operate multiple GNSS units simultaneously, each may require its own contract or license, increasing costs as the number of units grows.

• Service area and datum constraints: The availability of reference-station networks differs by country and region, so some services may not cover certain areas. In Japan, VRS services utilizing the Geospatial Information Authority’s stations cover almost the entire country, but overseas or on remote islands, available network RTK services may be limited. Service providers may also use different geodetic datums or vertical reference systems, so depending on your application you may need to pay attention to coordinate transformations or height corrections.

Wireless RTK vs network RTK: points for choosing between them

So far we’ve looked at the characteristics of wireless RTK and network RTK; which is easier and more user-friendly in practice? In short, for first-time RTK users or those unfamiliar with equipment, network RTK has a lower barrier to entry and is easier to adopt. Network RTK requires minimal equipment and simple on-site setup.

On the other hand, in some operational scenarios wireless RTK (self-operated base) is more suitable and may even feel “easier.” For example, in mountainous areas with no communication infrastructure or at disaster sites, preparing your own base station may be the only realistic solution, making wireless RTK the practical option. Also, if you survey the same site daily for a long-term large project, once the base station is set and fixed you can maintain stable accuracy, and repeated use can improve efficiency so that it ultimately “feels easier.” Which method is easier depends on site conditions and intended use.

Overall, network RTK has the advantage in initial setup and configuration simplicity, while wireless RTK has the advantage in “the freedom to use it anywhere regardless of communication environment.” Which one you find easier depends on site conditions, operating costs, and the level of accuracy management you require. Below is a summary of cases suited to each method.

Wireless RTK (self-operated base) is suitable when:

• Surveying in areas without cellular coverage, in mountainous regions, or in disaster zones where Internet connectivity cannot be relied upon

• Performing long-term large projects where you repeatedly survey the same area and want to maintain stable accuracy using your own base

• Operating multiple survey units (rovers) simultaneously and determining that installing your own base is more economical than paying per-unit fees to an external service

• Your company has in-house surveying or GNSS expertise and can independently manage equipment and reference points (so you can fully benefit from self-operation)

Network RTK is suitable when:

• Surveying in urban or flat areas with cellular coverage and wanting to perform mobile, on-the-move surveying (you can receive corrections even when moving over wide areas)

• Keeping survey equipment minimal and wanting to start using RTK positioning quickly even as a beginner (easy to start without specialized knowledge)

• Doing short-term tasks or spot inspections where there is no time to install a base station on each site

• Sequentially surveying multiple sites spread over a wide area where a single base station cannot cover all sites

Currently, a common approach is “start easily with network RTK, and consider installing your own base station as needed.” In the early stage, use external services to accumulate know-how, and when usage grows to the point where self-operation is cost-effective and beneficial, introduce your own base station—this two-step strategy can be effective.

Simple surveying with LRTK

Traditionally, RTK positioning required either installing your own base station or contracting an external network service, but recently new approaches have appeared that further reduce that effort and make high-precision positioning more convenient. One such system is called LRTK. LRTK is a smartphone-linked positioning solution that aims to eliminate specialized surveying equipment and complicated settings as much as possible, enabling “anyone to easily handle centimeter-level positioning.”

LRTK achieves RTK-like high-precision positioning through a combination of a dedicated small GNSS receiver and a smartphone app, with a simple workflow. For example, a receiver attached to a smartphone can be held in one hand and, by pressing a button at the point to be measured, you can obtain high-precision coordinates for that point. LRTK can also handle the challenging vertical component of positioning that ordinary GPS struggles with; errors are about horizontal ±1–2 cm (±0.4–0.8 in) and vertical errors are within a few centimeters (a few inches), achieving survey-grade accuracy. Operation is intuitive and does not require the complicated settings and adjustments of traditional RTK equipment.

Unlike conventional RTK, LRTK users do not need to provide their own base station or subscribe to external correction services. Proprietary algorithms using cloud-based correction data and observations from multiple points allow a single receiver to achieve high accuracy. The acquired coordinate data can be converted to the Japanese geodetic system on the spot and displayed on a map, automating post-processing. In short, even non-specialists can perform precise surveying with just a smartphone and an LRTK device.

Having compared which of wireless RTK and network RTK is “easier,” LRTK can be viewed as a third option that eliminates the hassles of both. With minimal equipment to carry, no communication concerns, and the simplicity of pressing a button to get results, LRTK offers conveniences not found in traditional methods. Of course, the optimal method depends on application and site conditions, but for those who want to try high-precision surveying more casually, LRTK is a compelling solution. Detailed implementation guides and usage examples for LRTK are available; if you are interested, please also see the official site (https://www.lrtk.lefixea.com). Cutting-edge technology will make high-precision surveying more accessible.

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between RTK and ordinary GPS positioning? A: Standalone GPS (GNSS) positioning uses only satellite signals and typically has errors of about 5–10 m (16.4–32.8 ft). RTK positioning uses correction information from a reference station to cancel error factors and can determine positions with centimeter-level accuracy. In other words, RTK is dramatically more accurate than ordinary GPS.

Q: How much accuracy can RTK surveying achieve? A: Properly operated RTK positioning generally yields horizontal positions of about ±1–3 cm (±0.4–1.2 in) and vertical (height) accuracy of about ±3–5 cm (±1.2–2.0 in). However, accuracy depends on the distance to the reference station and satellite reception conditions; as the baseline length increases, errors tend to grow. Accuracy may also degrade in environments with many obstructions. In an open sky environment with short baselines, you can expect errors to be about 2 cm (0.8 in).

Q: What do I need to use network RTK? A: To use network RTK you need an RTK-capable GNSS receiver (rover side) and an Internet connection. Specifically, prepare the GNSS receiver and antenna, and a communication device to connect to the correction service (a mobile router with a SIM card or a smartphone). You must contract with a network RTK service provider in advance and input the login ID, server information, and coordinate system settings into the receiver or connected app. Then start the receiver on site and connect via your smartphone, and correction data reception will begin.

Q: Are there benefits to installing your own reference station? A: Yes. Under certain conditions, installing your own reference station has benefits: you can perform RTK positioning even where there is no communication infrastructure; you can reduce long-term costs by avoiding correction service fees; and you can manage the base station coordinates and operation internally to ensure stable accuracy. However, owning a base station involves equipment costs and operational effort, so it is not universally recommended. Consider site conditions and usage frequency to determine whether the benefits outweigh the downsides.

Q: Do I need a radio station license to use wireless RTK? A: It depends on the radio equipment used. Some frequency bands, such as special low-power radios, can be used without a license, but radio systems commonly used for wide-area stable communication—like UHF-band digital simple radios (registered stations)—may require prior license application or registration. In real operations, follow radio laws and complete license procedures appropriate to the equipment and frequency band.

Q: What is LRTK and how does it work? A: LRTK is a new positioning system that achieves centimeter-level accuracy with a single small GNSS receiver and a smartphone, without requiring the user to operate a base station or configure complex communications. Proprietary algorithms and cloud technology enable RTK-like accuracy with the simple operation of pressing a button on a smartphone. LRTK is designed to be “RTK positioning anyone can easily use,” simplifying on-site survey work. Compared to conventional methods, it significantly reduces setup and operation effort, making it accessible even to non-specialists.