Welcome back to another episode of Your Drone Questions Answered! In this special nighttime episode filmed outdoors at a hotel in Cleveland, we’re diving into an essential topic for drone mapping—understanding the difference between RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and PPK (Post-Processing Kinematic).

If you’re not familiar with these terms, they’re methods used to improve the accuracy of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data in drone mapping. We’ll cover why corrections are needed in GNSS data, especially when creating high-precision maps.

You’ll learn how RTK works by providing instant corrections, connecting to reference stations, and achieving near-centimeter accuracy. Then, we’ll discuss PPK, which involves post-processing corrections after flights using raw GNSS data and a nearby reference point on-site. Both methods help ensure that mapping coordinates align accurately with the real world, a crucial factor in professional surveying, engineering, and mapping projects.