In this step-by-step tutorial we will explain how to connect ArduSimple products to your Android device and use it with RTKcamera App

RTKcamera App is an all in one and easy to use App that fits perfectly for external GNSS usage. While some features like ntrip connection, logging standard messages and taking photos with limited position accuracy are free, the logging of RINEX data and writing full accuracy position values into EXIF requires a subscription.

Required hardware:

• Ardusimple   RTK Handheld Surveyor Kit
• an Android 13+ Smartphone or a tablet

Required software:

• RTKcamera App RTK camera - 3D geotag scanner - Apps on Google Play 

How to

1. Download and install RTKcamera App from Google Playstore https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=at.redcatch.rtkcamera
2. Connect the GNSS antenna to your device, in a location with good view of the sky, or near a window for testing the functionality.
3. Power your Ardusimple kit using its USB connector. Use the OTG cable to directly connect to your Smartphone, or use an esternal USB power bank
4. Enable the Bluetooth connection on your device.
5. Pair the Ardusimple board in Androids Bluetooth menu. When searching for devices, you may see only the MAC address, but once paired the name will update to RTK_GNSS_XXX, where XXX is a random number. Password is 1234. If you bought a newer device, you may see the BT-BLE bridge as device name. Notice that you may need to connect two times to the BT+BLE Bridge at each power up.
6. The pairing only needs to be done once. Unlike other Bluetooth devices, it won´t show as “connected” until you click “connect” button in an app.
   
   
7. Open RTKcamera App and give permissions (first time only) 
8. Select the Bluetooth RTK_GNSS_XXX /BT-BLE Bridge device. Klick on the button "No device selected" to choose your Bluetooth RTK antenna.
9. Since you have a RTK capable GNSS receiver, let’s connect it to a NTRIP server to get cm accuracy. Click on "Add NTRIP caster" to enter your credentials. 
10. Fill all the fields with your NTRIP provider data. If you do not know how to find NTRIP provider in your area, Ardusimple prepared a list of RTK Correction Services in your Country, check the page to find suitable service for you.
    In most cases, NTRIP v1 is the type of choice, since we assume 99% of NTRIP casters are still at v1.
    
11. Click "Check Caster" to verify your input! If everything is fine, the symbol changes and you can "ADD caster"
12. After adding the caster, its time to select the Mount point by clicking on "No mountpoint selected". An available mountpoint list for your inputted caster will be displayed. Select your mountpoint of choice. You can also search for specific names if there are many (eg. Emlid casters....)
    
13. Klick "Start RTK Session" to finally connect to Bluetooth and ntrip caster and receive accurate coordinates
     
14. Check the quality. If the symbols become green, everything is fine. Keep an eye on the left one, as it indicates the FIX and FLOAT solutions. You can click on the symbols to get more information. Details will show more information on the coordinates
    
    
    
15. Now you're ready to go

Take the pictures

Go to "Camera" menu to take pictures.  On your first start, you are in manual mode. So each time you push the button, a photo is taken and the geoinformation saved in EXIF data of the *.jpg file automatically.

Click on the gear wheel, to switch between:

- manual photo

- time laps , take a photo every 3 seconds.

- auto tracker 3d mode  => This is for photogrammetry users. Full resolution Photos are taken AUTOMATICALLY based on overlap and content!

After taking the photos, switch back to "RTK" menu and STOP RTK.

Where to find my files

All logfiles and the geotagged photos are stored on your Android device. 

- The simplest way to access is by pluging in the smarpthone to your computer and allow "file transfer".

- but you can also set up a sync client like dropbox, google drive, etc to sync the folders automatically.

You can also refer to this article: See this article

Next steps?

• explore the different CAMERA MODES, 
• the Subscription information and
• logging options!

Suggestions / Improvements for better performance

While the RTKcamera App and Ardusimple RTK Handheld device are working from scratch, we suggest some adaptations for best performance and accuracy:

1. increase to 5-10 Hz GNSS update rate. Ardusimple provides a good tutorial and predefined "Rover 10Hz" configuration files HERE
2. enable "GNGST" nmea message as it includes detailed accuracy information

Need help?

Open a ticket to contact our support team if you are struggling https://redcatch.freshdesk.com/a/tickets/new

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