About the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module
If you’re a surveyor or drone service provider looking to collect accurate GPS data in real time, you need an RTK module.
The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module achieves centimeter-level accuracy and is compatible with network RTK, custom network RTK services, the D-RTK 2 Mobile Station, and the Emlid Reach RS2+ Base Station. The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module is small, lightweight, and easy to connect to a base station. You can affix the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module to your DJI Mavic 3E mapping drone in seconds, without any special tools, so you’re ready to fly right away.
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Below are a few commonly asked questions about RTK, PPK, and the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module.
Do I need an RTK module for drone mapping?
Technically, no. The DJI Mavic 3E can receive GPS data from GPS satellites with or without an RTK module. But if you’re looking for surveying-grade data, the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK module will deliver.
That’s because the RTK module allows the DJI Mavic 3E to receive both GPS satellite data and corrections from your base station, which improves the accuracy of the GPS tags on every image. With the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module, you can achieve centimeter-level accuracy, both horizontally and vertically. This higher accuracy geotags are used for post processing photogrammetry to make maps, resulting in a superior survey product.
Additionally, the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module dramatically reduces the number of ground control points (GCPs) you need. If you were using a drone without an RTK module, you’d need a grid of GCPs, ideally with 500 or fewer feet between each one. With an RTK module, you might not need more than three GCPs. For some projects, you might not need any.
So, in other words, if you need professional quality, accurately scaled data, you’ll want an RTK module.
An RTK module offers a secondary benefit as well. The RTK module informs the drone more accurately where it is in flight. This makes it slightly easier to plan for takeoffs and landings in tight quarters or near trees, buildings, and other obstacles. Granted, the DJI Mavic 3E has obstacle detection sensors, so the odds of the drone drifting into an obstacle are low with or without an RTK module. But the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module does offer some peace of mind and risk reduction in some scenarios.
What’s the difference between RTK and PPK?
Real-time kinematic (RTK) and post-processed kinematic (PPK) are both GPS correction methods used to correct geotagged data captured by a drone. The primary difference between RTK and PPK is when the correction takes place. RTK corrects geotagged data in real time. PPK corrects data after image capture is complete and the data has been uploaded.
Is RTK more accurate than PPK?
Both RTK and PPK are highly accurate GPS correction methods.
RTK does require a strong, consistent signal to ensure accurate, real-time correction of geotagged data. A disrupted connection—for example, if the drone flew behind a building or other obstacle—could lead to inaccuracies and gaps in flight data. In these circumstances, you could argue that PPK is more accurate, since PPK corrections happen after the flight is completed and thus are not affected by any disruptions that may have occurred during the flight itself.
However, line-of-sight laws dictate that the drone operator must be able to see the drone with their own eyes at all times. It would be tough for the drone operator to fly the drone out of range without losing sight of it. Thus, the point is probably moot. It’s also worth noting that a high-quality RTK module, such as the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module, won’t lose its connection to its base station simply because it flew behind a tree. There are very few circumstances under which choosing RTK won’t result in excellent, accurate data.
As previously stated, both RTK and PPK are accurate GPS correction methods. However, E38 Survey Solutions was curious to see if we could determine whether RTK or PPK is more accurate, even by a small margin. So we ran some experiments of our own. You can read about our exact test methods here. In a nutshell, we found that the most accurate results came from using the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series RTK Module and a base station, specifically the Emlid Reach RS2+ base station.