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High fidelity GPS is a form of GPS that utilises correctional data to more accurately determine a position. A typical GPS has an error of 3m and up, while the various high fidelity GPS solutions can have readings with error as low as 10mm.
High fidelity GPS solutions historically were used by surveying professionals requiring complex specialised equipment and pricing in the thousands of dollars. Modern high fidelity GPS hardware with similar performance to survey class equipment can now be purchased for hundreds of dollars and is simple to set up and operate.
The improved accuracy and precision in high fidelity GPS solutions allows you to have more confidence and certainty with GPS positioning, opening the possibilities for new solutions.
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge the difference between precision and accuracy in GPS. High accuracy means that the GPS position will appear accurate on a map. For example, high accuracy is useful in a situation where a drone may be flying a long distance and you want to track its position. High precision means that repeating GPS measurements will be more stable with smaller deviations from the actual location.
It’s the combination of high location accuracy and high repeatable precision that is the hallmark of a High Fidelity GPS solution.
The correction data is calculated from changes in the atmospheric conditions and other sources of error such as satellite clock delay, using either a local reference station, or a network of reference stations. In the first 2 forms of RTK, the data is relayed to the rover using RTCM, which the rover uses to correct its own position. In the SBAS solution, the data is relayed as an augmentation or in place of the original GPS signal. When using a network of reference stations the accuracy of the position can be affected by how far away the closest reference station is. The closer the reference station, the more accurate the corrections.
A popular misconception is that the US based satellites have scrambled the accuracy of GPS, making it less accurate for civilian use, which is not the case.
High fidelity GPS solutions still require reasonable sky view to ensure the accuracy, which means that this technology is not suitable for situations where there is limited view of the sky
The Rover Base RTK (Real Time Kinematics) is the most precise of the GPS systems. It uses two GPS devices, one that acts as a reference station and one that acts as a rover. The devices communicate with each other, correcting the position of the rover with centimetre level precision.
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NTRIP stands for Networked Transmission of RTCM via Internet Protocol, which just means that the GPS receives correctional data from the internet. This correctional data is produced by a network of continuously operating reference stations (CORS), that are placed geographically to provide a reference station for almost any location. This GPS solution does not quite have the same level of accuracy and precision as the Rover Base RTK.
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SBAS stands for Satellite Based Augmentation System. It works on similar principles to the NTRIP RTK, but it receives the corrections via Satellite instead of an internet connection. It does have reduced precision and accuracy compared to the NTRIP RTK solution due to the corrections from the satellite averaged over the country, but has the important advantage of not requiring an internet connection. SBAS is being rolled out across ANZ in 2021, and Buildvation was invited to develop a SBAS industrial safety solution for railway scenarios as part of the SBAS trials undertaken in 2020.
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Buildvation is able to develop integrated GPS solutions from the ground up. We discuss and conceptualise the ideal solution for your needs, by matching the High Fidelity GPS technology to fit the purpose. We develop custom devices by combining High Fidelity GPS with microcontrollers and associated peripherals such as Bluetooth and WiFi, with unique user interfaces. If you have a suitable use case for a High Fidelity GPS solution but need a hand with design and implementation, contact us.
The vision for Buildvation is to solve safety & efficiency problems through the innovative application of new technologies in the construction and mining industries.
