What are the environmental factors that challenge RTK system accuracy in gardens
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Environmental factors that challenge RTK system accuracy in gardens include:
Multipath Interference:
GNSS signals can bounce off nearby objects like trees, buildings, fences, water features, or even the ground before reaching the receiver. These reflected signals arrive delayed and distorted, causing significant errors in position accuracy. This is especially problematic in gardens with dense vegetation, metal structures, or water bodies.
Obstructed Sky View:
Trees with heavy foliage, tall buildings, garden sheds, or pergolas can block or partially obscure the direct line of sight to satellites. This reduces the number of satellites the RTK receiver can track, degrading accuracy and sometimes causing loss of RTK fix.
Ionospheric and Tropospheric Delays: The atmosphere affects GNSS signals as they travel from satellites to the receiver. The ionosphere (charged particles, especially during solar activity) and the troposphere (humidity, temperature, and pressure changes) can both introduce delays and distortions, leading to errors in position calculation. These effects are heightened during periods of high solar activity or rapidly changing weather, and are more challenging to correct in humid or stormy conditions.
Poor Satellite Geometry:
When satellites are clustered in a small part of the sky (high DOP—Dilution of Precision), accuracy drops. This is more likely in areas with limited sky view, such as gardens surrounded by tall trees or buildings.
Electromagnetic Interference: Nearby power lines, radio towers, or electronic devices can create electromagnetic noise that disrupts GNSS signals, further impacting RTK accuracy.
Vegetation and Terrain:
Dense foliage, thick bushes, and uneven or sloped terrain can weaken or block signals, especially in rural or heavily landscaped gardens.
Baseline Distance:
In RTK systems, a long distance between the base station and the mower (rover) can introduce errors due to differing atmospheric conditions at each location, though this is more relevant for very large properties.
Understanding and mitigating these environmental challenges—by placing the base station in an open area, trimming overhanging branches, and avoiding sources of interference—can help maintain optimal RTK performance in garden settings.