The Phantom 4 Pro RTK, M300, and M350 RTK drones produce high-resolution drone maps with accuracy to within a few inches or centimeters due to a combination of a mechanical shutter camera and the enhanced coordinate precision of RTK or PPK.
Known Limitations
- You must use the DJI GS RTK app to plan your flight. Once your flight is complete, you can still upload images to DroneDeploy for processing.
- The Mavic 3 Enterprise is the only drone with an instant RTK automated workflow within the DroneDeploy Flight app.
How to Capture and Process RTK Images
To successfully capture and process RTK images with DroneDeploy, follow these steps.
1. Set up your network
Before your flight, set up your Phantom 4 RTK and controller. You will need a network dongle with a compatible SIM card to use the Phantom 4 RTK controller.
2. Pick your reference station
The position accuracy of your drone depends on its distance from the base station and the quality of the differential corrections. You can select a reference station to base your corrections on. You have two options for your corrections network: a DJI D-RTK 2 Base Station or a custom reference network.
If you are using a third-party base station, be sure to properly reference the positioning data from the Phantom 4 RTK. You have the following options:
- Connect locally via OcuSync to your D-RTK 2 Mobile Station. (RTCM3.2)
- Connect remotely via a 4G Dongle to a custom RTK network using a NTRIP account.
- Connect remotely via a WiFi hotspot to a custom RTK network using a NTRIP account.
You can select the option in the RTK menu within the GS RTK Mobile app. Ensure your base station supports the following frequencies:
-
GPS L1/L2
- GLONASS L1/L2
- BeiDou B1/B2
3. Plan and launch your flight: To plan your RTK flight, open the DJI GS Pro app on the controller. Phantom 4 RTK Photogrammetry Tutorial:
4. Upload images to DroneDeploy. After you complete your flight, upload your corrected images directly to DroneDeploy using our Smart Uploader. You may also use Ground Control Points (GCPs) with your RTK map for additional accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When should I use PPK or RTK on the Phantom 4 Pro?
A: RTK and PPK are two different kinematics technologies that reference data in different ways. Although PPK generally has slightly higher positioning accuracy than RTK, both could achieve sub-inch/centimeter-level precision. RTK is recommended for users flying in environments that allow for real-time connection via OcuSync or 4G and who prefer convenience and efficiency. For users who have no demand on timeliness and/or need to operate in conditions without connectivity, PPK is a better option.
Q: How can I map and process in PPK mode?
A: The following DJI drones are supported for PPK processing in DroneDeploy: DJI M3E RTK, DJI P4P RTK, and DJI M300 & M350 RTK. PPK processing is integrated within map processing in the DroneDeploy platform. You'll include the .OBS and .MRK files with your drone imagery during upload. More information here!
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