RTK stands for Real Time Kinematics it is a highly accurate technique used to determine the position of a receiver using the signal received from Global Navigation Satellite-based positioning Systems (GNSS) like GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, and GLONASS. RTK uses the phase of the carrier signal to eliminate timing errors and to determine the location of a receiver. As a result, it is significantly more accurate than traditional timing based GNSS solutions found in devices like smartphones. RTK is typically used in precision surveying technology including drones.

FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 7

Q: Who is the Data Controller?

Your company or the company whose OWL environment you are logged into, will be the Data Controller. Onwave will only be a Data Processor.

Q: Where do you currently offer coverage?

Our RTK base stations already cover large areas of the country, where we do not currently have coverage we can combine our base station infrastructure with that provided by 3rd Parties. To check where we already have coverage just contact the sales team; sales@owl-bi.com

Q: How does the RTK service work?

To use an RTK service you need two items: a special RTK chip within the device, that can process an RTK data stream, an RTK ground network (base-stations) which has surveyed in locations that can act as reference for the correction data. The data used is a format called RTCM, to get this RTCM data to the chip within the wearable device (Tag) we use a protocol called NTRIP (Network Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol). As the data flow is via IP (a standard networking protocol used by most IT equipment) the communication does not rely on a local radio broadcast from the base stations, it is transferred from the base stations to our cloud servers using the mobile network(s). It is then distributed to all devices within an effective area, these devices process the data on the RTK chip to give a very accurate position (c100mm).

Q: If I choose to use OWL base stations, what do I need to provide?

OWL base stations are designed to be simple to install with low maintenance. They do not need to be installed in any particular location, as such, they can be installed anywhere that is easily accessible with a good view of the sky. Installation is typically completed within 3 hours. They are designed to take power from any supply between 12v and 240V and this is the only requirement. We are currently working on a fully independent unit that will work based on Solar and that will be completely stand alone.

Q: Why did you develop your own base stations?

At Onwave we have engineered our own RTK base stations for several reasons: Affordability, base stations allow us to eliminate the cost of 3rd Party Subscriptions. For relatively small volumes of users, having OWL base stations is more economical. Greater control of the product (one stop shop) with less reliance on 3 rd party solutions. Application to other technologies

Q: Do I need to install RTK Base Stations to use OWL?

No – The simple answer is that you don’t have to install base stations. We have a couple of ways in which we can provide devices with RTK correction data: using our own base stations, or via 3rd party subscription to an RTK service Onwave have the facility to provide a subscription service.