DJI D-RTK3 Features Overview

This article will outline the main features of the DJI D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station's base, rover, and relay modes. We will cover capabilities of the D-RTK 3 Base Station and D-RTK3 Rover and then break down the pros and cons to help you decide if it's worth a purchase or if you should consider another option, like an Emlid RS2+ or RS3.  

Base Capabilities - Let’s get started with the D-RTK 3 as a base station. The D-RTK 3 integration in DJI Pilot makes the setup as a base for your DJI drone quick and simple. Once it has been used with your drone, the only steps needed to fly with RTK corrections will be powering it on in base station mode and powering your drone on. You can save frequently used coordinates for repeatable results on sites you return to often. They can be saved to fly with better absolute accuracy or to maintain relative accuracy when not using a monument or PPP. You can also connect multiple drones simultaneously so long as they are on the list of supported drones. The M4E and newer DJI drones will have the additional benefit of improved video transmission.   

Rover Capabilities - With the D-RTK 3 in rover mode we have the ability to collect some ground checks or control points with the DJI Enterprise Companion app available on Android. Through the Android app we can connect to our NTRIP provider for RTK corrections as long as we have internet connectivity. We can collect our points in a wide range of established coordinate systems but are limited to ellipsoidal height for our vertical. The D-RTK 3 is equipped with an iMU, enabling tilt shots and exports from the DJI Enterprise app are ready for import into Terra.  

Relay Capabilities - The purpose of the relay station mode is to extend video transmission from controller or dock to the drone, up to 25km. For challenging environments, it can be useful to permanently install a relay station with the fixed deployment version.  

Pros and Cons – Here's a breakdown of the major pros and cons of this device in each mode: 

The D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station is a great option for drone service providers who primarily offer inspection work and need RTK for tight control while flying manually. This unit is also the only device that can extend the transmission range of your DJI drones with the caveat that you will need to be flying the latest platforms. As a rover there are some disappointing drawbacks that severely hamper its potential in that area since the rover is limited to NTRIP corrections only. That means you can’t pair two D-RTK 3 as a base and a rover and will be unable to collect accurate points as a rover if you are in a remote area without internet connectivity or if you are just too significant of a distance from your RTK network.  

This article discussed the main features of the DJI D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station's base, rover, and relay modes. We listed pros and cons as well to help you determine if this is the right solution for your needs. An Emlid RS2+ or RS3 would be a better fit in some instances.