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SmartFix RTK Float Issues & Accuracy Guide

You have successfully connected to the SmartFix server, you are receiving data (baud rate/Kbps is ticking up), but your rover is stuck in an autonomous or Float RTK state instead of achieving a Fixed position.

Follow these steps to diagnose the issue.

1. Network vs Single Baseline Configuration

The most common reason for a rover refusing to fix is a mismatch between the Port, the Mountpoint, and the Rover's internal RTK expected format.

  • If you connected to a Regional Port (e.g., 4809):
    • You MUST select a mountpoint ending in singleADV4 (e.g., AUCKsingleADV4).
    • Your rover's network rover type must be set to standard RTK or Single Baseline.
  • If you connected to a Fixed Network Port (e.g., 4819):
    • You MUST select a mountpoint ending in fixedADV4 (e.g., AUCKfixedADV4).
    • Your rover's network rover type must be set to i-Max (Master-Auxiliary Concept) or VRS (Virtual Reference Station), depending on the brand. Note: SmartFix natively processes i-Max.

2. Satellite Visibility & Obstructions

It requires physical satellite geometry to achieve a centimeter-level lock.

satellite_dropout
Check your PDOP/GDOP: Navigate to the satellite tracking page on your controller. High PDOP (above 3.0) indicates poor constellation geometry.
  1. Count common satellites: Your rover must see the same satellites that the SmartFix base station sees. If your rover is under heavy canopy, deep in an urban canyon, or next to a multi-story building, it may track satellites, but not enough shared satellites to resolve the ambiguities.

3. Distance to the Base Station

If you are using a Single Baseline mountpoint, the distance (baseline length) between your rover and the physical reference station matters.

  • As a general rule, initialisation time increases and accuracy degrades by approximately 1ppm per kilometre.
  • If you are 40km+ away from the selected reference station, atmospheric modelling degrades.
  • Solution: Check the Live Network Status Map to ensure you are connected to the closest physically active station. If not, disconnect and select the mountpoint for the closer station.

4. Hardware Antenna Health

If you are in an open sky environment, connected to the correct port, and within 10km of a base station, but still cannot fix:

* Ensure the antenna cable (if using a modular receiver and external antenna) is secure and undamaged.

* Verify your hardware is capable of tracking multi-frequency (L1/L2) signals. Single-frequency receivers cannot easily resolve RTK ambiguities over long baselines.