Hello all and thanks for providing this forum. I’m working on a project that involves surveying & sampling geothermal features (geysers, fumaroles, hot springs, etc.) in New Mexico. I’ve been using smartphone GPS with ~2-meter accuracy, I’d like to do better. The locations I’m working in typically lack cell service and NTRIP base proximity, so I’m looking at Galileo HAS as a potential solution. The RTK Postcard specs list Galileo E6, but there is no mention of performing HAS calculations. Is there (or will there be) a way to take advantage of HAS using the RTK Postcard?
Since my targets tend to stay put, I’m also looking at using post processing techniques to increase accuracy. Any info on simple reliable solutions for this would be appreciated. Accuracy in the ± 10cm range is the goal, since the targets tend to be at least that large. I’m working as an unfunded volunteer, so cost is a consideration. Thanks!
Welcome @gnewcom! Currently, only the RTK Torch has HAS support. Quectel says HAS support is coming for the LG290P (the RTK Postcard’s receiver) but we don’t have any firmware updates as of yet.
Then the PostCard would appear to be your best bet.
The workflow you can investigate would be PPP, using the online service by CSRS-PPP.
You would record the RAW Observables and later covert the file to RINEX using RTKLIB (there are a few tricks), then submit the RINEX to CSRS-PPP for online post-processing at a later date.
The downside to PPP is the required long occupation times.
In Theory, I think 15 minutes is the minimum required. But I’d consider 1-2 hours to be practical for planning.
The Benefit to PPP is you don’t need to depend on any other physical infrastructure near the project site (base station, CORS, cellular coverage, etc).
As @sparky mentioned - Once Quectel releases the Firmware Update for the LG290P used in the PostCard, then HAS E6 corrections would be your real-time workflow instead of recording RAW, converting to RINEX, and submitting to CSRS-PPP. A 15 minute convergence time would be a decent expectation for planning purposes for real-time PPP using HAS E6.
However, if you need to be at the site for 1+ hours performing other work anyway, there’s no reason to not do both: HAS E6 “real-time” position (after the FW update) & store the RAW data for a CSRS-PPP solution as the primary position. If something goes wrong in your RAW files for CSRS-PPP, you would still have the HAS E6 real-time position.
Do not underestimate the potential of PPK (Post-Processed Kinematic)
the same as the PPP, in PPK are also necessary the rinex of a base station even very far away, in this case 80/100KM for a tolerance of 10cm in accuracy.
HAS solutions have a tolerance of 40 to 80 cm depending on the location…
but Quectel underestimated the real importance of this feature; on the contrary Unicorecomm (which is a paramilitary company) has grasped its importance that it is a signal hardly to be spoofed.
