Testing precise positioning using RTK and NRTK corrections provided by MAC and VRS approaches in SE Spain

Abstract

RTK networks can provide an active service through the computation and transmission of error correction data to support the application of location-based services that require high accuracy positioning, e.g. land surveying, precision agriculture, machinery control etc. At present, the most used approaches to generate the NRTK (Network RTK) corrections are VRS (Virtual Reference Station) and MAC (Master Auxiliary Concept). In the Region of Murcia (SE Spain), two GNSS active networks (i.e. REGAM and MERISTEMUM) are available and they use MAC and VRS respectively. In order to analyse these RTK networks, four tests were designed and applied at five representative locations distributed throughout the Region of Murcia. The results indicate that both VRS and MAC solutions provide an accuracy within 2.5 cm in horizontal positioning and 5.0 cm in vertical positioning.

Keywords:

• NRTK
• VRS
• MAC
• time to fix ambiguities
• accuracy
• precision

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the facilities provided from the Mapping Service of Ministry of Public Works and Planning (REGAM Network) and to the General Directorate of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water (MERISTEMUM Network) the Region of Murcia.

 This research was financed by the research project ESP2006-10113 supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (European Regional Development Fund-ERDF).