SparkFun RTK Reference Station

SKU: GPS-22429 Brand: Sparkfun

The SparkFun RTK Reference Station is the perfect solution for your high-precision geolocation, surveying, and time reference needs...

$1,234.95 AUD, inc GST

$1,122.68 AUD, exc GST

Available with a lead time
Expect dispatch between May 08 and May 13

Quantity Discounts:

3-6 $1089.00 (exc GST)
6+ $1066.55 (exc GST)

Designed and manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the SparkFun RTK Reference Station is the perfect solution for your high-precision geolocation, surveying, and time reference needs. For basic users, it is incredibly easy to set up a fixed location NTRIP server, enabling RTK for rovers and even as an NTP server for equipment synchronization and an astoundingly accurate time base.

RTK is short for Real Time Kinematics. A satellite positioning receiver capable of RTK takes in the normal signals from the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) along with a correction data stream to achieve improved positional accuracy. GNSS includes satellites from GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Beidou (China), Galileo (Europe), plus special additional satellites (e.g., SBAS and QZSS). On their own, these signals will deliver ~30cm positional accuracy. An RTK receiver takes in an additional Real Time Correction Message (RTCM) data stream and then calculates the device's location with 1cm accuracy in real-time. RTK works best when the correction data is generated locally; the 'Rover' receiver accuracy degrades as the distance (baseline) between it and the 'Base' generating the corrections increases. With just a few minutes of setup, the SparkFun Reference Station allows you to generate that correction data locally and share it via Ethernet!

Under the hood, the Reference Station is based on the ESP32-WROOM processor and u-blox ZED-F9P multi-band GNSS module. It runs the same open-source firmware as our other RTK products. The Reference Station has 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connectivity and it can be powered by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). The microSD card is connected via a 4-bit SDIO interface, providing an order of magnitude improvement in read and write speed. Similarly, the u-blox ZED-F9P GNSS module is connected via a high-speed SPI interface, also providing an order of magnitude improvement in the GNSS data transfer speed. Want to log RAWX and SFRBX from all constellations at 20Hz? With this product, you can! Sparkfun also included an ATECC608A crypto co-processor if you want to write your own firmware and use the Reference Station for crypto mining/space weather station applications or to secure/authenticate your GNSS data.

Need an affordable Network Time Protocol (NTP) time server for your Ethernet network? We've got you covered. The Reference Station can also act as an NTP server. Having your own NTP server allows the computers on your Ethernet network to achieve must closer clock synchronization. The Reference Station supports DHCP by default, but you can give it a fixed IP address if you want to. DNS, gateway, and subnet mask are all configurable too.

We've designed the Reference Station to be robust and lab friendly. Internally, all of the electronics (except the Qwiic OLED display) are mounted on a single circuit board. ESP32 WiFi / Bluetooth antenna, GNSS antenna, and timing pulse output are all connected via robust SMA connectors. IO connections are made via a robust 3.5mm header with cage screw connections. The timing pulse SMA output is 3.3V by default but can be configured for 5V if needed and is good for 100kHz (but not in NTP mode, that's fixed at 1Hz). The Reset and Mode switches have been positioned carefully; Mode is easily clicked when required, and Reset is flush and requires a more assertive press. (This helps prevent any accidental resets when connecting to the ESP32 USB port.) The edge of the microSD card protrudes slightly when inserted, making it easy to eject and re-insert. Then there is the beautiful custom extruded aluminum case with machined end panels and slotted flanges, making it simple to install the Reference Station in a weatherproof enclosure up on the roof or in your server rack.

The Reference Station has multiple power options. It can be powered by any or all of the ESP32 USB connection; the u-blox ZED-F9P USB connection; a separate USB-C power port on the rear; Power-over-Ethernet (36V to 57V); a 5V pin on the IO screw header. The 5V IO pin can accept a maximum of 5.5V if required. The GNSS SMA antenna connection provides 5V for the included active L1/L2 antenna instead of the usual 3.3V. The Reference Station provides both short-circuit and open-circuit detection and protection for the antenna cable; symbols will flash on the OLED display if a short or open is detected.

This device can be used in multiple modes, including:

GNSS Base Station with NTRIP - RTCM corrections are sent to a Caster over Ethernet
Network Time Protocol (NTP) Server - providing high-accuracy timing data to other machines via an Ethernet network

Those two modes are the ones most users will want to use, but you never cease to amaze us with the variety of ways you use our products. Should you want to, the Reference Station can also be used as:

GNSS Positioning Receiver (~30cm accuracy) - also known as 'Rover'
GNSS Positioning with RTK (1.4cm accuracy) - also known as 'Rover with RTK Fix' - using NTRIP RTCM correction data over Ethernet or from your phone via Bluetooth
GNSS NMEA/UBX TCP Client - sending NMEA and/or UBX navigation data to a remote server using TCP over Ethernet

Please see the Hookup Guide for more details on which configurations we've tried and tested.

Our kit includes everything you need to get up and running. Please see the 'Includes' tab for more information.

Get Started With the SparkFun RTK Reference Station Guide

RTK Product Manual

Includes

Cased Reference Station
L1/L2/L5 GNSS Surveying Antenna
Reinforced RG58 TNC-SMA Cable (10m)
SMA WiFi / Bluetooth Antenna
32GB microSD Card (Class 10)
USB-C Cable (A to C, 2m)
Ethernet Cable (CAT-6, 1m)
USB Wall adapter

Note: The US USB Wall adapter has been replaced with an AU Wall adapter

Features

ESP32-WROOM processor
- Reverse Polarity (RP) SMA WiFi / BT antenna connection
u-blox ZED-F9P multi-band GNSS module
- Connected via SPI for high-speed data transfer
microSD socket
- Connected via 4-bit SDIO for high speed read and write
WIZnet W5500 Ethernet interface
- 10/100 Mbps with auto-negotiate
ATECC608A Crypto Co-processor
- Future upgrade; not currently supported by the RTK firmware
OLED display
SMA Time Pulse output
- 3.3V default
- Configurable for 5V
- 100kHz maximum usable output
- 1Hz output in NTP mode
SMA GNSS antenna connection
- 5V power for an active antenna
- Short-circuit detection
- Open-circuit detection
Custom extruded aluminum case with machined end panels
- IP42 ingress protection
- A weatherproof enclosure is required for outdoor use
Matt-effect front and rear stickers
Power options:
- ESP32 USB-C connector
- u-blox GNSS USB-C connector
- Rear USB-C power connector
- Power-over-Ethernet (36V - 57V)
- 5V I/O screw terminal (5.5V Maximum)

Documents

Product Comments

Exact shipping can be calculated on the view cart page (no login required).

Products that weigh more than 0.5 KG may cost more than what's shown (for example, test equipment, machines, >500mL liquids, etc).

We deliver Australia-wide with these options (depends on the final destination - you can get a quote on the view cart page):

$3+ for Stamped Mail (typically 10+ business days, not tracked, only available on selected small items)
$6+ for Standard Post (typically 6+ business days, tracked)
$10+ for Express Post (typically 2+ business days, tracked)
Pickup - Free! Only available to customers who live in the Newcastle region (must order online and only pickup after we email to notify you the order is ready). Orders placed after 2PM may not be ready until the following business day.

Non-metro addresses in WA, NT, SA & TAS can take 2+ days in addition to the above information.

Some batteries (such as LiPo) can't be shipped by Air. During checkout, Express Post and International Methods will not be an option if you have that type of battery in your shopping cart.

International Orders - the following rates are for New Zealand and will vary for other countries:

$11+ for Pack and Track (3+ days, tracked)
$16+ for Express International (2-5 days, tracked)

If you order lots of gear, the postage amount will increase based on the weight of your order.

Our physical address (here's a PDF which includes other key business details):

Unit 18, 132 Garden Grove Parade
Adamstown
NSW, 2289
Australia

Take a look at our customer service page if you have other questions such as "do we do purchase orders" (yes!) or "are prices GST inclusive" (yes they are!). We're here to help - get in touch with us to talk shop.

Have a product question? We're here to help!