rtk4all: Implementing a Low-Cost and Accurate Positioning System

Global positioning systems are in many electronic devices for location based functionality. These systems yield position accuracy within 5 meters. Survey grade location information yield position accuracy within centimeters. Survey grade equipment costs tens of thousands of dollars to collect high accuracy location data. However, highly accurate data is crucial to utilizing imagery captured with unmanned aerial systems. This project introduces a low cost alternative to a survey grade system. By utilizing the open source library RTKLIB and electrical system design this project implemented a network of ground control points embedded with real time kinematic capabilities. These ground control points yield a position location with centimeter accuracy for a fraction of the cost. They also reduce survey time dramatically as surveying is done automatically after the points are in position