SparkFun RTK Torch

The SparkFun RTK Torch is your one-stop shop for high-precision geolocation and GIS needs. We compiled your wish list and got it all: tri-band reception, tilt compensation, and millimeter accuracy; all protected inside of a waterproof housing.

With just the press of a button, the RTK Torch is the fastest way to take millimeter-grade measurements. By connecting your phone to the RTK Torch over Bluetooth, your phone or tablet can receive the NMEA output and work with most GIS software. This is exactly how professional-grade surveying devices have been operating for the past decade - we just made it faster, more precise, and a lot more economical.

The RTK Torch includes a feature we call Zero-Touch RTK. Register the device, give the device the WiFi credentials for a hot spot or other WiFi network, and it will begin getting corrections without any further setup. No NTRIP credentials required! These corrections are obtained over WiFi from u-blox PointPerfect and are available in the US, EU, and various parts of Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Korea (see the coverage map). The RTK Torch includes a one month free subscription to PointPerfect. Additional subscriptions can be purchased if desired. If PointPerfect coverage is not available in your area, corrections from a local base station or service can be provided to the device over NTRIP (delivered via Bluetooth or WiFi).

We've upgraded the housing to a fully IP67 rated enclosure, so it’s waterproof when submerged up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes when the USB cover is closed. The RTK Torch comes in a hard sided carrying case with lots of room for a tablet, data collector, or other device.

Under the hood of the SparkFun RTK Torch is an ESP32, a UM980 L1/L2/L5 high precision GNSS receiver from Unicore, and an IM-19 for tilt compensation. The addition of the L5 reception makes this portable GNSS device ideal for densely canopied areas where normal L1/L2 reception may have problems.

This device can be used in a variety of modes but these are six of the most common:

• GNSS Positioning (~400mm accuracy) - also known as 'Rover'
• GNSS Positioning with RTK (8mm accuracy) - using a local base station
• GNSS Positioning with PPP-RTK (14 to 60mm accuracy) - using PointPerfect corrections
• GNSS Positioning with Tilt Compensation
• GNSS Base Station
• GNSS Base Station NTRIP Server

For more information on how each of these modes work, check out the hookup guide.

The RTK Torch runs open source software meaning you can fully obtain, see, and even modify the functionality of the device. This allows for easier feature expansion, bug maintenance, and longer device longevity.

The SparkFun RTK Torch kit includes everything you need: the enclosed device, thread adapter, charger, data cables, and carrying case, along with a free one month subscription to PointPerfect for RTK corrections via Internet. It does NOT include a surveying pole. Any additional items will need to be purchased separately.

Please Note: PointPerfect IP based correction service for the SparkFun Torch is currently only available in select areas shown in the coverage map below. See the interactive coverage map. If PointPerfect is not available in your area, RTK Torch is still capable of RTK precision but a local correction source will be needed.



Important: While the SparkFun RTK Torch is fully water proof, we do not recommend it for permanent outdoor mounting. Please use the RTK mosaic-X5 or the RTK Reference Station that is located inside or protected from the elements. Or, for a DIY solution, the ESP32 attached to our ZED-F9P breakout is a great way to go. See our How to Build a DIY GNSS Reference Station tutorial for more information.

Includes:

• 1x SparkFun RTK Torch
• 1x Hard-Shell Carrying Case
• 1x USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable
• 1x USB A and C Power Delivery (PD) Wall Adapter - 65W
• 1x Antenna Thread Adapter - 1/4in. to 5/8in.
• 1x SparkFun Sticker

Features:

Supported GIS Data Collector Software:

• ArcGIS Survey123
• Field Genius
• QField Android / iOS
• QGIS
• Survey Master
• SurvPC
• SW Maps Android / iOS
• Vespucci
• Any GIS software that supports NMEA over Bluetooth or TCP.

Overall Device

• Enclosed Aluminum and Plastic Design IP67 - Protected from water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
• Internal Antenna: L1/L2/L5 with ≥2.3dBi gain
• Internal Battery: LiPo 7.2V 6.8Ah 48.96Wh with fast 10W charging
• Single push button control
• Weight: 428g (0.94 lbs)
• Dimensions: 71 x 71 x 147mm (2.8 x 2.8 x 5.8in)

GNSS Receiver: UM980

• 1408-Channel concurrent reception of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
  • GPS: L1C/A, L1C^*, L2P(Y), L2C, L5
  • GLONASS: L1, L2
  • Galileo: E1, E5a, E5b, E6^*
  • Beidou: B1I, B2I, B3I, B1C, B2a, B2b^*
  • QZSS: L1, L2, L5
  • SBAS
• Horizontal Accuracy
  • Autonomous: 1.5m
  • DGPS: 0.4m
  • RTK: 0.8cm + 1ppm
• Vertical Accuracy
  • Autonomous: 2.5m
  • DGPS: 0.8m
  • RTK: 1.5cm + 1ppm
• Max Altitude: 18km (11 miles)
• Max Velocity: 515m/s (1152mph)
• Bands marked with * are only supported by specific firmware.

Bluetooth® Transceiver: ESP32 WROOM

• Xtensa® dual-core 32-bit LX6 microprocessor
• Up to 240MHz clock frequency
• 16MB of flash storage
• 2MB of PSRAM
• 520kB internal SRAM
• Integrated 802.11 BGN WiFi transceiver
• Integrated dual-mode Bluetooth® (classic and BLE)

Documents:

• RTK Torch Schematic
• Register PointPerfect Subscription
• RTK Everywhere Product Manual
• UM980 Datasheet
• UM980 GNSS Receiver Commands
• IM19 Tilt Sensor Datasheet
• BQ40Z50 Battery Pack Manager Datasheet
• BQ40Z50 Battery Pack Manager Technical Reference
• HUSB238 USB PD Sink Controller Datasheet
• HUSB238 USB PD Sink Controller Registers
• Building a GNSS System
• Learn More About RTK Surveyors
• GitHub Firmware Repo

Videos