Unlimited possibilities or just a marketing gag?
Recently there is a possibility to use the popular GNSS receiver as a base station for DJI drones. How this workaround works, what is necessary for it and what advantages and disadvantages this configuration has can be read here.
What do you need for the workaround?
You need the following products for this setup.
- Emlid Reach RS2
- DJI UAV with RTK (e.g. DJI P4 RTK)
- Internet access on both devices
- Emlid Ntrip Caster App
- A benchmark
How does the workaround work?
You're basically just replacing your correction data service with this configuration.
Access to the Emlid Ntrip Caster
Emlid Caster is our free NTRIP caster. It enables corrections to be transferred from your base to the rover. In order to receive a personal mount point, you must first register. Go to caster.emlid.com.
Configure Reach RS2
The Reach RS2 acts as a basis and sends the corrections via the NTRIP service.
- Place the Reach RS2 on the fixed point and ensure a clear view of the sky
- Navigate to the Base Mode tab and enter the NTRIP base station credentials
- Enter the coordinate of the fixed point.
Configuring DJI Phantom 4 RTK
- Open GS RTK
- Select the Fly menu
- Open the settings by tapping the 3-point button in the top right
- Go to the RTK Settings tab
- Under RTK Service Type, select the Custom network RTK option and enter the data from the Emlid Ntrip Caster app.
- Tap the Connect button. The message “Network RTK server connection successful” is displayed
Conclusion
The configuration is simple and a nice addition for those who cannot call a DJI base station their own. So if a fixed point has already been measured in your project, one possible way to save the correction data service (SAPOS, AXIO, etc.). You create your own.
The big disadvantage you need an internet connection for both the RS2 and the UAV. This is the only way that the two devices can communicate with each other at the moment. The biggest advantage of the DJI Base Station, unfortunately, I don't have the independence from the Internet.
Because of this, this system can be a supplement for special projects, but is not a full replacement for the DJI base station.
