Reach: affordable centimeter-level precise RTK GPS on Indiegogo

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$.

Hi guys!

It's exciting to see more work in this area! I've been working with Swift on getting their Piksi RTK receiver integrated into Pixhawk (that patch Randy quoted was mine), and I've got quite a bit of experience flying RTK GPSes on quads by now. Bit of brackground - I'm a current Stanford Ph.D student using drones in research, and got onboard with Swift since I'm motivated to see much higher accuracy in flight trajectories!

@Emlid, i'd love to get my hands on one of these! After working with Swift on the integration I can do a side-by-side comparison and help with the integration if you guys need more hands on deck! What link have you guys been using between base and rover? Can you guys give us some insight into the biggest challenges developing this solution?

For those curious, the biggest challenge in my mind with single-frequency RTK systems, such as both this Reach and the current Piksi, is the long initialization times (~15 mins), and the difficulty in detecting cycle slips. RTKLIB has these same challenges, as does Piksi. We'll have to wait for dual and triple-frequency receivers to really push this through.

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Comments

Stmpngrnd October 2, 2016 at 4:47pm

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
Guenter April 14, 2016 at 3:17am

"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."

@Patrick: NO, the connector is not usable, it is only for factory test. Other Intel Edison devices have such an external antenna connector, but NOT the Reach devices.

Normally, there is no need to have access to both devices (Rover, Base) via WiFi. In operation, it is sufficent to get the Base RTCM messages via a 433MHz radio link, which works over more then 1km.
Patrick Schmidt December 30, 2015 at 10:47am

@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) :)
Phan Hoai Nam December 24, 2015 at 7:37am

If I have a base reach module and two roller reach modules, and GPS data of two roller will send to two PCs. The distance of them is less than 100m. Can I use a wifi router to connect them to each other. How far can a reach module connect to a wifi router.
Emlid May 5, 2015 at 2:42pm

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.
Niels Joubert May 5, 2015 at 12:38pm

Hi guys!

It's exciting to see more work in this area! I've been working with Swift on getting their Piksi RTK receiver integrated into Pixhawk (that patch Randy quoted was mine), and I've got quite a bit of experience flying RTK GPSes on quads by now. Bit of brackground - I'm a current Stanford Ph.D student using drones in research, and got onboard with Swift since I'm motivated to see much higher accuracy in flight trajectories!

@Emlid, i'd love to get my hands on one of these! After working with Swift on the integration I can do a side-by-side comparison and help with the integration if you guys need more hands on deck! What link have you guys been using between base and rover? Can you guys give us some insight into the biggest challenges developing this solution?

For those curious, the biggest challenge in my mind with single-frequency RTK systems, such as both this Reach and the current Piksi, is the long initialization times (~15 mins), and the difficulty in detecting cycle slips. RTKLIB has these same challenges, as does Piksi. We'll have to wait for dual and triple-frequency receivers to really push this through.
Emlid May 2, 2015 at 2:37pm

@Victor and Jesus

Thank you guys! You have supported us with Navio and now again. Very much appreciated!
Emlid May 2, 2015 at 2:35pm

@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.
Jesus A May 2, 2015 at 9:48am

We have already backed it!

Great guys and very supportive. Hope you keep creating great products.
Víctor Mayoral May 2, 2015 at 4:54am

+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.

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