Hi all!
We are glad to announce the start of crowdfunding campaign for Reach - compact and affordable RTK GPS receiver, capable of centimeter-level precision.
RTK is a widely used technology well-known in surveying and precision agriculture. Currently available systems cost thousand of dollars and are not affordable to hobbyist, makers and small businesses.
Reach has a tiny Linux computer inside, which runs open-source RTKLIB engine and has comprehensive connectivity options. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Serial, USB on-the-go - whatever your application is, integration would be seamless. Reach can be connected to the internet and work independently with NTRIP casters. Here is an example of Reach installed in a vehicle compared to a standalone GPS:
We are working on integration with Pixhawk and other APM based autopilots. Reach can be powered from autopilot port and will send accurate coordinates using NMEA protocol.
Great antennas are the key for RTK performance. Tallysman Wireless, an industry leading company in high accuracy antennas provided their latest advanced antennas for the project. These antennas receive Glonass G1, Beidou B1, GPS L1 and Galileo E1 signals as well as signals from corrections services.
The Emlid Reach program is an excellent example of the potential for huge reductions in cost available of precision RTK positioning systems. Tallysman’s Accutenna™ technology is a great match for the Reach product because it too provides high precision at new price levels. Just as one wouldn’t expect a high quality image from an expensive TV receiver with a “rabbit ear” antenna, one should not expect the levels of precision the Reach product is capable of with a low precision antenna. Tallysman’s raison d’etre is production of high quality, high precision antennas at an affordable price for systems exactly such as the Emlid Reach product.
Allen Crawford – Director Marketing & Sales, Antennas and RF Products, Tallysman Wireless
Reach highlights:
- Raw data receiver: U-blox NEO-M8T - 72 channels, output rate is up to 18Hz, supports GPS L1, GLONASS G1, BeiDou B1, QZSS, SBAS, ready for Galileo E1
- Processing unit: Intel Edison - dual-core 500MHz
- Connectivity: I2C, UART, GPIO, TimeStamp, OTG USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- GNSS Antenna: external with MCX connector
- Very compact: 25x35mm
- Lightweight: 20gr
We are now funding the project on Indiegogo platform and early supporters can get an RTK kit with two receivers and Tallysman survey-grade antennas for just 499$.
Comments
Selling an extra Emlid Reach RTK Kit if anyone is interested. Only used for bench testing and setup...never flown! http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2750520
@Phan Hoai Nam
Did you check this?: http://docs.emlid.com/reach/quickstart/#connecting-to-reach
So you can connect to a router after proper configuration.
How far you can get is depending on the antennas you use. The Intel Edison has an onboard antenna but also a U.FL. connector. So if your range is insufficient you can simply connect a better antenna.
Regarding the connection between the three Reach modules and two computer... no idea sorry.
But I got my two Reach modules today. (germany) :)
Hi Niels,
I have sent you a PM to discuss integration.
We have mostly been using Wi-Fi 3g tethering from cellphone for our tests with a base broadcasting corrections to the internet. Really convenient.
Yes, RTK has many challenges and requires proper integration work. Dual frequency receivers are currently "out of reach" (pun intended). Using multi constellation data looks also quite promising.
@Victor and Jesus
Thank you guys! You have supported us with Navio and now again. Very much appreciated!
@Jiro
Yes, we decided to fit all components required to run RTKLIB in a tiny device.
@Randy
Thank you so much for your kind words. We have chosen a different approach by relying on open-source project with a long history and large user base (RTKLIB). Initialization time is going to remain for any RTK system, but in good conditions RTKLIB fixes fast. Reach can also work in GPS/Glonass or GPS/Beidou mode (Galileo with future firmware upgrade) which increases amount of satellites in view.
@Martin
It will be as accurate as other L1 RTK systems.
Great guys and very supportive. Hope you keep creating great products.
+1 for this campaign.
Igor, Mikhail, Georgii and the rest of Emlid team is doing a great job pushing the Linux port of APM. This Linux-based GPS seems really promising.
Would this system be accurate enough for direct georeferencing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18rmxlbRhkw
These are the same talented guys who brought us the Navio board so we should expect great things.
As some others have mentioned, the nearest competitor is the swiftnav RTK GPS which initially had some problems getting the system to work really reliably but announced to the dev team a couple of weeks ago that they've got the issues sorted out and pushed in a big patch to ardupilot to add support.
There's certainly room in the market for multiple low-cost RTK GPS systems.
The biggest issue with the swiftnav system (and maybe other RTK GPSs?) is the 15min it takes to get a good solid lock.
So, you are making this system into Frisk case.
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