Geodetics Inc., in cooperation with Exelis, has announced the availability of a new Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) high-accuracy real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS capability. The new capability is based on a collaborative effort between the two companies.
Leica Geosystems has released version 4.2 of its Leica Spider software suite for GNSS RTK networks and reference stations. Leica Spider software is an integrated suite of programs for GNSS networks, consisting of Leica GNSS Spider, Leica SpiderWeb and Leica SpiderQC. With its scalability and modularity, it can be tailored to suit various GNSS surveying, machine control, GIS, seismic and structural monitoring applications, Leica Geosystems said.
Some folks are proposing that a nationwide RTK Network (RTN) be piggy-backed on the controversial LightSquared communications network. That could be cool, if it can be done. No one is saying that it can’t be done, but there are reservations on whether it would be worth the massive investments needed to pull it off, and that there might be little gain at all over the existing presence of RTN in the U.S.
A couple of weeks ago, I participated in a roundtable discussion at the Land Surveyors Association of Washington (LSAW) annual conference on the subject of RTK networks (RTN). I always enjoy listening to heavy RTK users on their thoughts, their procedures, and how they arrived at them. We danced around a number of subjects with one being the “RTN’s biggest flaw.” My first thought was the communications link, but…
Many surveyors I know use RTK for setting boundaries. Some even use single-baseline RTK for this task, which is essentially just a radial survey (no redundancy). I?d say that almost all whom I know that are doing this have used their RTK systems enough to understand the limitations. In fact, I think most have run RTK and total stations side-by-side on jobs to gain confidence and understand RTK in the field.
What can you say about RTK Networks, except wow! They have popped up everywhere and continue on a path of rapid growth. In the last five years, I’d say it’s clear that two GNSS technologies have changed the survey/construction industry more than any others; machine control and RTK networks.
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