The Truth about GNSS Receivers. If you use GNSS, you should know this.
Background: This test was performed to learn if we could get away with using just one rover with RTK via phone network, or if we should set up a base onsite for better results.
48 points were collected of building corners circling the entire building. This building has awnings, tall sides, and a few trees nearby.
My prediction was that the base and rover would provide better results because it offers greater signal and corrections (shorter baselines)..
When using the base and rover 24 out of 24 points achieved a fixed position and we were able to use tilt to collect accurate positions of all building corners even underneath an awning!
HRMS is .089 ft for this position. You could shoot this same exact shot with a total station and compare.
Email me if you would like to see the raw data for this project.
When using the rover with RTK via phone network, only 4 out of 24 points achieved a fixed position in these tough locations.
Trust me, the S900A with RTK via phone network works fast and amazing even in tree canopy, but these were intentionally tough positions used to test and compare results. Buildings definitely have more affect on the signal than tree canopy. I'm performing a tree canopy test next.
Why couldn't the receiver get a fixed position using RTK via phone network?
It could, but only in 4 of the points! Maybe if I sat there longer at each point I may have got a fix, but that could have taken me up to an hour!
Let me tell you why it struggled to get a fixed position. Because when you hold a GPS receiver next to or underneath a building or tall structure, it loses view of satellites.
Losing view of satellites means it loses its ability to calculate its position. Having tilt on the Stonex S900A allows users to tilt the receiver away from the building, maintaining view of satellites...
Maintaining view of satellites means maintaining fixed positions and accuracy. The software can calculate the position of the rod tip even when the receiver is tilted up to 60 degrees.
I spent 10 minutes per method, 10 minutes collecting 24 points with base and rover, and 10 minutes collecting 24 points with just a rover and phone network RTK.
4 out of 24 points using phone network RTK were fixed in the amount of time I allowed. Would it have achieved fixed positions on more points? Sure had I waited longer...
As you can see, where the green and blue lines overlap, that is where the points were fixed from both methods, and very similar positions. But only 16% of the points achieved a fix when using phone corrections versus a local base, in the amount of time I was willing to invest.
Using the base and rover, the rover achieves higher accuracy, which allows tilt to work better, and overall improves the quality of data and speed at which you can collect data.
The Stonex S900A base and rover is where it's at, I'll say it again louder for the people in the back with headphones on...
THE STONEX S900A BASE AND ROVER IS WHERE IT'S AT!
Using just the rover with RTK via phone network, this may have taken me 30+ mins and some points may not have been achievable at all. That's GPS for you.
That's why you should consider the Stonex S900A base and rover setup with 800 channels, 6 GNSS constellations, UHF, and tilt compensation up to 60 degrees.
Base and rover is the way to go. But wait, did you know if your base is not over a known position, you must post process to get an accurate position?
If you need help learning the different methods for using GNSS receivers, get in touch with our team.
There are several ways to use the S900A GNSS receivers including DGPS (no corrections), RTK corrections via phone network, static survey (set receiver up for 2 hours), PPK, internal UHF network - base and rover over a known point, localization, and several more ways!
This is what I love so much about these receivers. They are a GNSS computer. They have a Linux operating system with a UI that you can use to update settings, modify satellite parameters, input activation codes, download static data, and more.
Using Cube-a, you can then survey, map, measure, inverse, COGO, import, export, and quickly change the configurations of each receiver to update the working mode of each receiver back and forth from rover to base, and then use existing point coordinates when setting up the base.
What you can do with these receivers and software is just unfathomable, from land surveying, utility mapping, construction stakeout, to landscaping, SUE, mosquito management, agriculture, marine construction, and maritime navigation, it is incredible technology.
If you are thinking about buying new GNSS receivers, I encourage you to explore the S900A and Cube-a software. Hands down, my favorite receiver and software. If I go a week without using it, I get sad and miss it a lot. We have several receivers already setup and in stock, ready to ship and survey (see below for more information).
Here Are A Few Key Takeaways From This Test:
48 points were collected of building corners circling the entire building. This building has awnings, tall sides, and a few trees nearby.
My prediction was that the base and rover would provide better results because it offers greater signal and corrections (shorter baselines)..
When using the base and rover 24 out of 24 points achieved a fixed position and we were able to use tilt to collect accurate positions of all building corners even underneath an awning!
HRMS is .089 ft for this position. You could shoot this same exact shot with a total station and compare.
Email me if you would like to see the raw data for this project.
When using the rover with RTK via phone network, only 4 out of 24 points achieved a fixed position in these tough locations.
Trust me, the S900A with RTK via phone network works fast and amazing even in tree canopy, but these were intentionally tough positions used to test and compare results. Buildings definitely have more affect on the signal than tree canopy. I'm performing a tree canopy test next.
Why couldn't the receiver get a fixed position using RTK via phone network?
It could, but only in 4 of the points! Maybe if I sat there longer at each point I may have got a fix, but that could have taken me up to an hour!
Let me tell you why it struggled to get a fixed position. Because when you hold a GPS receiver next to or underneath a building or tall structure, it loses view of satellites.
Losing view of satellites means it loses its ability to calculate its position. Having tilt on the Stonex S900A allows users to tilt the receiver away from the building, maintaining view of satellites...
Maintaining view of satellites means maintaining fixed positions and accuracy. The software can calculate the position of the rod tip even when the receiver is tilted up to 60 degrees.
I spent 10 minutes per method, 10 minutes collecting 24 points with base and rover, and 10 minutes collecting 24 points with just a rover and phone network RTK.
4 out of 24 points using phone network RTK were fixed in the amount of time I allowed. Would it have achieved fixed positions on more points? Sure had I waited longer...
As you can see, where the green and blue lines overlap, that is where the points were fixed from both methods, and very similar positions. But only 16% of the points achieved a fix when using phone corrections versus a local base, in the amount of time I was willing to invest.
Using the base and rover, the rover achieves higher accuracy, which allows tilt to work better, and overall improves the quality of data and speed at which you can collect data.
The Stonex S900A base and rover is where it's at, I'll say it again louder for the people in the back with headphones on...
THE STONEX S900A BASE AND ROVER IS WHERE IT'S AT!
Using just the rover with RTK via phone network, this may have taken me 30+ mins and some points may not have been achievable at all. That's GPS for you.
That's why you should consider the Stonex S900A base and rover setup with 800 channels, 6 GNSS constellations, UHF, and tilt compensation up to 60 degrees.
Base and rover is the way to go. But wait, did you know if your base is not over a known position, you must post process to get an accurate position?
If you need help learning the different methods for using GNSS receivers, get in touch with our team.
There are several ways to use the S900A GNSS receivers including DGPS (no corrections), RTK corrections via phone network, static survey (set receiver up for 2 hours), PPK, internal UHF network - base and rover over a known point, localization, and several more ways!
This is what I love so much about these receivers. They are a GNSS computer. They have a Linux operating system with a UI that you can use to update settings, modify satellite parameters, input activation codes, download static data, and more.
Using Cube-a, you can then survey, map, measure, inverse, COGO, import, export, and quickly change the configurations of each receiver to update the working mode of each receiver back and forth from rover to base, and then use existing point coordinates when setting up the base.
What you can do with these receivers and software is just unfathomable, from land surveying, utility mapping, construction stakeout, to landscaping, SUE, mosquito management, agriculture, marine construction, and maritime navigation, it is incredible technology.
If you are thinking about buying new GNSS receivers, I encourage you to explore the S900A and Cube-a software. Hands down, my favorite receiver and software. If I go a week without using it, I get sad and miss it a lot. We have several receivers already setup and in stock, ready to ship and survey (see below for more information).
Here Are A Few Key Takeaways From This Test:
- Base and rover work better than just a rover (but not just any base and rover)
- Base and rover work better than just a rover (but not just any base and rover)
- Base and rover work better than just a rover (but not just any base and rover)
- Base and rover work better than just a rover (but not just any base and rover)
- Tilt compensation is powerful and useful
- Tilt compensation is powerful and useful
- Tilt compensation is powerful and useful
- Tilt compensation is powerful and useful
- I love Stonex
- I love Stonex
- I love Stonex
- I love Stonex
S900A GNSS Receiver
Trusted by Licensed Surveyors
S900A GNSS Receiver
Trusted by Licensed Surveyors
Stonex S900A is equipped with an high performance GNSS board 800 channels and capable of supporting multiple satellite constellations: GPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU, GALILEO, QZSS and IRNSS, including L-Band correction.
Through the 4G GSM modem a fast internet connection is guaranteed for the reception of correction data and the management of the maps in the background. In the amazingly compact structure the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules allow always reliable data flow to the controller, and the integrated TX/RX UHF radio with selectable frequencies, make S900A the perfect system for a GNSS Base + Rover.
Stonex S900A integrates E-Bubble sensor that allows the measurement of difficult points with the pole not levelled. It is possible to measure points with an inclination of the pole up to 30° even in harsh environments and in the presence of magnetic fields.
S900A is also equipped with the optional IMU technology. Fast initialization, up to 60° inclination.
The S900A is compatible with Carlson SurvCE and MicroSurvey FieldGenius software.
S900A DATA SHEET
S900A BROCHURE
Price: $9,200.00 - $11,140.00
Call or Email To Receive A FREE Quote in Minutes!
Questions? Contact Tyler Bristow | 757.647.7016 | tyler@centerlinemapping.com
Through the 4G GSM modem a fast internet connection is guaranteed for the reception of correction data and the management of the maps in the background. In the amazingly compact structure the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules allow always reliable data flow to the controller, and the integrated TX/RX UHF radio with selectable frequencies, make S900A the perfect system for a GNSS Base + Rover.
Stonex S900A integrates E-Bubble sensor that allows the measurement of difficult points with the pole not levelled. It is possible to measure points with an inclination of the pole up to 30° even in harsh environments and in the presence of magnetic fields.
S900A is also equipped with the optional IMU technology. Fast initialization, up to 60° inclination.
The S900A is compatible with Carlson SurvCE and MicroSurvey FieldGenius software.
S900A DATA SHEET
Price: $9,200.00 - $11,140.00
Call or Email To Receive A FREE Quote in Minutes!
Questions? Contact Tyler Bristow | 757.647.7016 | tyler@centerlinemapping.com
