Introduction

The RTK-camera App is compatible with any external L1/L2/e5 GNSS devices connected via USB or Bluetooth. 

It contains an NTRIP client for handling the connection to a caster/provider that sends correction messages using RTCM3-x format. In return, the external GNSS device returns centimetre accuracy to the App via NMEA style messages. At a high GNSS rate, the photos are geotagged with this coordinates and can be used for terrestrial photogrammetry, 3D documentation and many other applications. The precise GNSS position and metadata information on accuracy is stored in the EXIF file of each image.

Feature/Subscription information

You can use the App without subscription to 

• connect to NTRIP Caster
• Connect to USB / Bluetooth RTK chip/antenna
• log the RTK GNSS path on your mobile phone
• take geotagged photos with reduced resolution (thumbnails only)

With active subscription, (see Subscription information (link)) you can:

• take full-resolution photos at high rate
• use the auto-trigger functionality
• use HDR (if supported by your phone)

Install the RTK-Camera App

Open the GooglePlay store and search for “RTKcamera REDcatch” or use the following link/QR code

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=at.redcatch.rtkcamera

Setup for first time users:

1. Connect to device: See 
   • Connect using Bluetooth (link)
   • Connect using USB cable (link)
2. Setup up NTRIP Caster and enter login credentials 
   • Setting up NTRIP Caster (link)
3. Start RTK
4. Record Geotagged Photos

Home screen

For First Time Users you will have to grant the App all permissions to find, to connect to and to determine the relative position of nearby devices (e.g., “Allow while using the App”).

Start RTK

Press “Start RTK”. This might take a few seconds but however, if your Screen looks like this the process was successful: 

If you press on the icons, you will receive further status information. 

• The icon “Satellites” will show you how many satellites the device is connected to. If the number is too low the icon “Satellites” will be red. Once the Device connects to more Satellites it will turn to yellow and later to green. 
• The same goes for the icon “RTK Quality”, depending on the accuracy it will change colours. When reaching Fix Solution, the icon will turn green. 
• Status device will inform you weather the connection to your external GNSS chip was successful or not. If not, you might check USB or BT settings again.
• Status NTRIP informs you if the connection to your correction service was established, or if you are still waiting for a valid GNGGA line (in this case, go outdoor to receive satellite signals and wait until the icon turns green. If nothing happens and you are connected via serial-USB, check the settings: see Connect using USB cable (link)
• The Accuracies show how precise the coordinates are. As in the example given, they are about 1 centimetre accurate. 

See the Troubleshoot connection problems (link) article or contact us if you are struggling with connection issues.

Taking photos

Once the connection is established, switch to camera to take your photos  Record RTK-Geotagged photos (link) and see where they are stored at your smartphone: Where to find your photos and log files (link)

Copyright

When using material from us, please respect CC - BY - SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ and mention our company REDcatch GmbH, Austria and re-link our webpage