RTK for Drones: Achieving PPK and RTK Accuracy
How to integrate RTK corrections into your UAV mapping workflow for cm-accurate orthomosaics.
A standard mapping drone tags each photo with a position accurate to a few metres. That is enough for a pretty map, but not for measuring volumes or checking a design. Adding RTK or PPK brings every image position to within a few centimetres, often reducing the need for ground control points.
RTK on the drone
With RTK, the drone receives corrections live during flight, either from a base station via the controller or from an NTRIP service through the controller's mobile connection. Photos are tagged with accurate positions straight away, so processing is quick.
PPK: processing after the flight
Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) records raw satellite data on the drone and at a base, then combines them in software after landing. It does not depend on a live link, so it is more robust in remote areas or where the radio signal drops.
Which is better?
- Choose RTK when you have reliable mobile data or a short radio link and want fast results.
- Choose PPK for long corridors, remote sites or when link drop-outs are likely.
- Many modern drones support both, so you can fall back to PPK if RTK fails.
Best practice
- Use a base on a known point or a network tied to your local coordinate system.
- Keep a few checkpoints on the ground to prove the accuracy of each survey.
- Confirm the coordinate system and height model in your processing software match your project.
- Fly with good overlap and steady speed for the best results.
Need corrections for your drone? Many network RTK services in our directory work directly with popular drone controllers.