RTK Makes Precision Agriculture Simple

Real-time Kinematics (RTK) is a technology widely used in Precision Agriculture Equipment to improve the accuracy of positioning and navigation systems. Essentially RTK is a technology used to improve the accuracy of independent GNSS receivers. Traditional GNSS receivers, such as those in cell phones, can only determine your location to an accuracy of 2-4 meters. RTK is an ideal GNSS correction system because it provides real-world object accuracy up to 1 cm and sends correction data in real-time. Huida Tech - China's No.1 Market Share HD408 Autopilot Navigation System Manufacturer supports RTK cm-level precise positioning. At the same time, Huida Tech's independently developed Farming Spray Drone: HD540pro Agricultural Drone also supports RTK base stations.

Real-time Kinematics (RTK) is a technology widely used in Precision Agriculture Equipment to improve the accuracy of positioning and navigation systems. Essentially RTK is a technology used to improve the accuracy of independent GNSS receivers. Traditional GNSS receivers, such as those in cell phones, can only determine your location to an accuracy of 2-4 meters. RTK is an ideal GNSS correction system because it provides real-world object accuracy up to 1 cm and sends correction data in real time. Huida Tech - China's No.1 Market Share HD408 Autopilot Navigation System Manufacturer supports RTK cm-level precise positioning. At the same time, Huida Tech's independently developed Farming Spray Drone: HD540pro Agricultural Drone also supports RTK base stations.


How RTK works

With RTK technology, the precise position of the receiver is determined by a combination of satellite positioning received by the receiver itself and corrections to that position received from nearby "fixed base stations" or "mobile base stations." The base station calculates corrections several times per second by comparing its changing theoretical position (received in real time by the same satellite from which the receiver obtains its position) with its actual position (constant).

Advantages of RTK in Agriculture
Large area and specialist uses of RTK in agriculture include drainage, drip irrigation, land leveling, planting, Farming Spray Drone seeding and spraying. Here are some of the benefits of using RTK for precision farming:

1. Overlapping positions are reduced and the efficiency of on-site agricultural machinery is improved.

2. Save agricultural resources such as pesticides and fertilizers to the greatest extent.

3. The time in the field can be extended, such as night operations.

4. You can save money by maximizing farm machine utilization.

5. Consistent driving performance even in low-light conditions.

Some key applications of RTK in precision agriculture:

1. Precision guidance: RTK technology is used to provide precise positioning for Beidou Navigation Autonomous Tractor, Farming Spray Drone, harvesters and other agricultural machinery. By using RTK-enabled GPS receivers, farmers can achieve precise parallel planting lines, reducing overlap and ensuring even coverage of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. This results in improved resource utilization, increased productivity and cost savings.

2. Automatic steering: RTK can realize automatic steering of Precision Agriculture Equipment, such as Beidou agricultural machinery automatic driving navigation system tractor, providing precise path control during field operations. This enables farmers to achieve straighter rows and consistent spacing, increasing planting efficiency and reducing operator fatigue. Autosteering also facilitates the integration of other technologies such as Variable Rate Applications (VRA) and prescription mapping to optimize input layout based on specific site conditions.

3. Variable Rate of Application (VRA): With RTK, farmers can implement VRA, which involves adjusting the rate of application of inputs (such as fertilizers, herbicides or seeds) based on the varying needs of different areas within a field. By accurately mapping soil fertility, moisture levels and crop health, RTK guided machines can apply inputs precisely to meet the requirements of each specific area. This improves crop uniformity and reduces costs associated with over-application.

4. Yield mapping: RTK-based positioning is critical for accurate yield mapping. RTK combines GPS technology with a yield monitoring system to collect precise spatial data on crop performance during harvest. This information is valuable for identifying production changes within a field, assessing the success of management practices, and monitoring long-term trends to make informed decisions.

5. Fixed-site management: RTK enhances the implementation of fixed-site management (SSM) technology in Precision Agriculture Equipment. By combining precise location data with other field information such as soil sampling, satellite imagery and remote sensing, farmers can create detailed field maps and analyze spatial variation. This allows targeted interventions, such as variable seeding rates, fertilization and irrigation, to optimize resource allocation and minimize environmental impact.

6. Boundary Mapping and Site Mapping: Accurate boundary mapping is critical for accurate site management. RTK systems provide real-time feedback of vehicle position, helping farmers define accurate field boundaries, track work progress and ensure complete coverage while reducing encroachment or missed areas.

To sum up, RTK technology plays a vital role in Precision Agriculture Equipment, enabling precise positioning, automatic steering, variable rate applications, yield mapping and fixed-point management. By harnessing the power of RTK, farmers can optimize their operations, minimize input waste, increase productivity, and make informed decisions for sustainable farming practices.

Featured Product

Elmo Motion Control – The Platinum Line, a new era in servo control

Elmo Motion Control - The Platinum Line, a new era in servo control

Significantly enhanced servo performance, higher EtherCAT networking precision, richer servo operation capabilities, more feedback options, and certified smart Functional Safety. Elmo's industry-leading Platinum line of servo drives provides faster and more enhanced servo performance with wider bandwidth, higher resolutions, and advanced control for better results. Platinum drives offer precise EtherCAT networking, faster cycling, high synchronization, negligible jitters, and near-zero latency. They are fully synchronized to the servo loops and feature-rich feedback support, up to three feedbacks simultaneously (with two absolute encoders working simultaneously). The Platinum Line includes one of the world's smallest Functional Safety, and FSoE-certified servo drives with unique SIL capabilities.