Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) provides the best position accuracy for precision agricultural guidance systems. RTK technology delivers up to 2.5 centimeters or 1 inch, 95% accuracy with very short initialization times, but these RTK systems do require the vehicle to have a line of sight radio communication with the base station.

Interruptions in radio transmission of the RTK correction data caused by hills, obstacles and transmitter range mean the intermittent loss of RTK accuracy and loss of automatic steering control in the field. 

Whether you use an unmanned aerial drone in the sky or equipment on the ground, NovAtel’s RTK Assist Correction Service provides seamless centimeter-level accuracy during RTK correction outages caused by UHF radio connectivity issues and cellular signal disruptions.

RTK Assist works by using NovAtel’s precise TerraStar correction data delivered via satellite to your RTK-enabled NovAtel GNSS receiver. RTK Assist operates seamlessly in the event of an RTK correction outage to provide 5 centimeter (2 inch) or better accuracy for up to 20 minutes and smoothly transitions you back to an RTK accuracy position when corrections are restored.

RTK Assist significantly reduces downtime caused by RTK correction signal outages letting you work anytime and anywhere.

TerraStar Correction Service maintains its own worldwide network of reference stations and transmits 24/7/365 all-weather correction data over seven satellites, making it possible for your GNSS receiver to see two or three satellite beams from almost anywhere on earth for optimum global coverage.

TerraStar provides reliable positioning even in difficult environments and fast re-initialization in challenging conditions.

RTK Assist is supported on all NovAtel OEM7, OEM628 and SMART6-L products. Subscriptions can be purchased for various durations and locations. Contact NovAtel or your precision agricultural equipment supplier to find the TerraStar service and subscription that best fits your application needs

Visit us at Agritechnica in Hall 15 Booth F22 or on www.novatel.com/agriculture. This is part four of a four-part sponsored content series from NovAtel leading up to Agritechnica 2017 in Hannover, Germany.