Performance of RTK Positioning in Forest Conditions: Case Study

This paper presents the performance of the real-time kinematic (RTK) technique in very severe conditions. The measurements were conducted in forest conditions during two different experiments. Two Global Positioning System receivers were used: an Ashtech Z-Surveyor and a Z-Xtreme. Radiomodems were used for transmitting RTK corrections from a reference station to a rover. The RTK measurements were performed during quite good satellite configuration. The use of RTK technology, based on the Ashtech Z-Xtreme receiver as a rover in forest terrain, allowed centimeter accuracy to be obtained. However, practical experiments showed that there is a need for redundant independent RTK solutions based on repeated independent ambiguity reinitializations. Although gross errors might occur, the RTK technique can be very helpful technology for centimeter positioning in woodland areas.