The Precision GPS/GNSS RTK and PPK Mapping and Data Processing for Field and Drone Applications Bootcamp is the third in our Drone Mapping series.  While it is part of the Drone Mapping Bootcamp Bundle, it also stands alone as a comprehensive introduction to high‑accuracy GNSS/GPS mapping.  Participants will gain a clear, practical understanding of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)—including systems such as the U.S. GPS—and how centimeter‑level positioning supports both drone mapping and a wide range of geotechnical, environmental, and engineering applications.

Designed for professionals other than licensed surveyors, the course focuses on applied GNSS methods used in field science and site assessment. Engineers, geologists, biologists, soil scientists, archaeologists, foresters, and other field‑based practitioners will learn how to accurately map the location of points, lines, and features in real‑world conditions.

Throughout the bootcamp, participants will develop the knowledge and hands‑on skills needed to plan, collect, and process survey‑grade GNSS data. Topics will include the role of GNSS data in drone mapping as well as more broadly applicable techniques for mapping and surveying field sites. By working directly with equipment and real datasets, students will learn to evaluate and communicate accuracy, precision, and data quality within their mapping projects. By the end of the course students should be able to:

• Understand the fundamental concepts of GNSS mapping including the principles of relative and absolute accuracy
• Plan GNSS data collection campaigns including accuracy goals
• Set up a base and rover GNSS survey in the field and conduct a RTK GNSS survey.
• Post-Process GNSS data to determine PPP positions and apply PPK corrections
• Integrate GNSS data into drone‑mapping workflows, including LiDAR and photogrammetric processing.
• Use GNSS to establish and verify project control, including GCPs, checkpoints, and re‑occupation/stake‑out tasks.
• Quantify and communicate accuracy and precision of GNSS data.

DAY 1 — Fundamental Concepts of GNSS and Planning a Mapping Campaign

1. Introduction & Context

• Typical use cases and applications
• Basics of satellite navigation systems
• Constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou)
• Carrier‑phase vs code‑based solutions
• Overview of GNSS equipment

2. GNSS Mapping Methods and Strategies

• Coordinate Systems and Datums
• Absolute vs. relative positioning
• Understanding accuracy, dilution of precision (DOP), and baseline length
• Base station and rover setup and best practices:
• Antenna height, tripod stability, multipath avoidance
• Positioning methods:
• RTK – Real-Time Kinematic corrections
• PPK – Post-Processed Kinematic corrections
• PPP – Precise Point Positioning
• OPUS, NRCan
• CORS, NTRIP, Sources for Base Data

• GNSS Data in UAS workflows
• Metadata (camera events, time tagging, IMU sync)
• Ground Control Points
• Check Points
• Defining accuracy and precision needs for projects

3. GNSS Data Acquisition in the Field

• Occupying or Establishing benchmarks
• Establish a base station
• Base station initialization
• Logging RINEX observations files
• Broadcast real-time corrections
• Occupy a known point
• Rover Set up and Mapping:
• Logging RINEX observation files
• Rover procedures (occupation time, metadata logging)
• Acquiring points, lines, polygons
• Establish local project control
• Troubleshooting: multipath, canopy, poor satellite geometry

Hands‑On Field Exercise:
Participants work in small groups to set up a GNSS base/rover system and map points using RTK techniques.

DAY 2 — LiDAR + Trajectory/GNSS‑Driven Processing + Hybrid Workflows

1. GNSS Data Post-Processing

• PPP workflow for accurate determination of base station position
• OPUS, NRCan
• PPK workflow overview:
• Downloading Rover and Base Station RINEX observation files
• Obtaining Base Station Corrections from CORS
• Organizing data
• Applying corrections
• Reviewing quality indicators
• Coordinate system decisions:
• Projected vs. Geographic coordinates
• UTM vs. State Plane
• Vertical datums (orthometric vs. ellipsoidal)
• Exporting corrected data for CAD, GIS, KML

Hands‑On:
PPP and PPK post-process GNSS data from the Day 1 field exercise and generate corrected positions.

2. Reoccupation and Stake Outs

• Principles, applications, and strategies for reoccupying a site for repeat or additional mapping
• Mapping and marking the precise location of planned or previously surveyed positions
• Field Methods
• Setting up the Base Station
• Preparing and Loading positioning data on the Rover
• Navigating to the defined points

Hands‑On:
Plan a sampling grid for the field site in Google Earth Pro, upload the points to a Rover, and stake those points out at the field site.  Resurvey points from the Day 1 exercise.

3. QA/QC with GNSS Data

• Horizontal and Vertical accuracy checks
• Repeatability of positioning
• RMSE computation (XYZ)
• Reporting accuracy for stakeholders

Hands‑On:
Calculate horizontal and vertical accuracy reoccupied points from the Day 1 and Day 2 exercises.