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SparkFun RTK EVK
Designed and manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the SparkFun RTK EVK (Evaluation Kit) is the perfect development platform for your fixed or mobile high-precision positioning and navigation needs. Regarding connectivity, the SparkFun RTK EVK has it all: WiFi / Bluetooth®, Ethernet and LTE cellular! We called it the EVK (Evaluation Kit) as it truly covers all the options: L1 + L2 RTK GNSS, with L-Band correction built-in if needed, running on an agile processor with memory to spare!
Under the hood, the RTK EVK is based on the Espressif ESP32-WROVER processor with 16MB flash and 8MB PSRAM. The GNSS is the excellent dual-band (L1 + L2) ZED-F9P from u-blox. The integrated u-blox NEO-D9S provides L-Band reception and access to correction services such as PointPerfect. The u-blox LARA-R6001D provides global cellular connectivity; insert your nano SIM into the front panel, and away you go! A built-in USB hub provides direct access to all three u-blox modules if needed - very handy for firmware updates! A WIZnet W5500 provides 10 / 100 megabit Ethernet connectivity; PoE is supported, too. Data storage is microSD. The OLED display is 1.3 inches with 128x64 crisp white pixels.
The RTK EVK comes pre-loaded with our RTK Everywhere firmware. The firmware will let you do many things: configure the EVK as an RTK Base and push corrections to an NTRIP Caster over WiFi or Ethernet; configure the EVK as an RTK Rover and use corrections delivered over WiFi, Bluetooth or Ethernet. However, the firmware doesn't yet support LARA-R6 cellular. So, we've written and tested extra code examples that will allow you to stream MQTT correction data from a u-blox PointPerfect Localized Distribution topic via the LARA-R6 cellular chip. This example demonstrates how easy it is to subscribe to PointPerfect and only receive the IP correction data you need for your location, minimizing cellular data costs.
The RTK EVK includes a feature we call Zero-Touch RTK. Register the device, plug it into Ethernet or give the device the WiFi credentials for a hot spot or other WiFi network, enable PointPerfect, and it will begin getting corrections without any further setup. No NTRIP credentials required! These corrections are obtained over Ethernet or 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 latest RTK Everywhere firmware supports both localized distribution and AssistNow. The RTK EVK includes a one month free subscription to PointPerfect L-Band+IP - covering both L-Band corrections from the inbuilt NEO-D9S and localized corrections delivered by IP. 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 Ethernet, Bluetooth or WiFi).
We've designed the RTK EVK to be robust and lab-friendly. Internally, all electronics (except the Qwiic OLED display) are mounted on a single circuit board. The GNSS antenna, ESP32 WiFi / Bluetooth antenna, and dual LTE cellular antennas are connected via robust SMA connectors. I/O connections are made via a removable 3.5mm header with cage screw connections. The edge of the microSD card protrudes slightly when inserted, making it easy to eject and re-insert. The Nano SIM is push-push but is fully recessed to prevent accidental removal. Then there is the beautiful custom extruded aluminum case with machined end panels and slotted flanges, making it simple to install the RTK EVK in a weatherproof enclosure up on the roof or in your server rack.
The RTK EVK has multiple power options. It can be powered by any or all of the following: the u-blox USB-C connection, the ESP32 USB-C connection, Power-over-Ethernet (36V to 57V), or an external DC power source between 9V and 36V. The GNSS SMA antenna connection provides 5V for the included active L1/L2/L5/L-Band antenna instead of the usual 3.3V.
Our kit includes everything you need to get up and running. Please see the 'Includes' tab for more information.
The included antenna has been certified by the National Geodetic Survey. The ANTEX and ANTINFO are available. You can see the full listing under SFESPK6618H on the NGS Antenna Calibrations website.
- 1x Cased GNSS Receiver
- 1x L1/L2/L5 GNSS Surveying Antenna
- 1x Reinforced RG58 TNC-SMA Cable (10m)
- 1x RPSMA WiFi / Bluetooth Antenna
- 2x SMA LTE Cellular Antennas
- 1x 32GB microSD Card (Class 10)
- 1x USB-C Power Supply (5V 1A)
- 1x USB-C Cable (A to C, 2m)
- 1x Ethernet Cable (CAT-6, 1m)
- 1x Hologram eUICC nano-SIM card
- Designed and manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, USA
- GNSS Receiver: ZED-F9P
- Concurrent reception of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou
- Receives both L1C/A and L2C bands
- 184-channel u-blox F9 engine
- Time to First Fix: 25s (cold), 2s (hot)
- Max Navigation Rate: 20Hz / 25Hz depending on mode
- Horizontal Position Accuracy: 2.5m without RTK; 0.010m with RTK
- Max Altitude: 50km (31 miles)
- Max Velocity: 500m/s (1118mph)
- Correction Data Receiver: NEO-D9S
- L-Band data receiver compliance: SESTB28A
- Frequency range: 1525 to 1559MHz
- Sensitivity: -133dBm
- Time to First Frame: <10s
- Receives PMP messages from Inmarsat Geosynchronous Satellites
- LTE Cat 1 Cellular Module: LARA-R6001D
- Region: Global
- LTE FDD Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, & 28
- Certifications and approvals:
- PTCRB, GCF, FCC, ISED, RED, UKCA, NCC, RCM, Giteki, Anatel, KC, AT&T,
- Verizon, T-Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, NTT DoCoMo, SBM, KDDI, Telstra
- Note: Although the LARA supports GSM/GPRS, the RTK EVK does not due to the high current required.
- ESP32-WROVER processor
- 16MB Flash, 8MB PSRAM
- Reverse Polarity (RP) SMA WiFi / BT antenna connection
- Provides WiFi connectivity for the RTK EVK
- USB-C interface (UART via CH340)
- microSD socket
- Nano SIM Card Slot
- OLED 1.3” display
- 128x64 pixels
- GNSS antenna connection
- SMA with antenna short and disconnect detection
- 5V power for an active antenna
- I/O Connections
- Robust 3.5mm screw terminals
- Fully isolated external DC power input (9V - 36V)
- ZED-F9P UART2: TX, RX (3.3V)
- ZED-F9P EXT-INT input (3.3V)
- ZED-F9P timing pulse output (3.3V)
- I2C (3.3V)
- Custom extruded aluminum case with machined end panels
- Ingress protection: designed to IP42
- A weatherproof enclosure is required for outdoor use
- Matte-effect front and rear stickers
- Power options:
- u-blox USB-C connector
- ESP32 USB-C connector
- Power-over-Ethernet (36V - 57V)
- External DC power (9VDC - 36VDC via screw terminals) (Fully isolated)
- Enclosure Dimensions: 180.60mm x 101.8mm x 41.00mm
- Weight (without antennas attached): 0.8929 lbs (~405.0g)
SparkFun RTK EVK Product Help and Resources
Core Skill: DIY
Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.
Skill Level: Noob - Basic assembly is required. You may need to provide your own basic tools like a screwdriver, hammer or scissors. Power tools or custom parts are not required. Instructions will be included and easy to follow. Sewing may be required, but only with included patterns.
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Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Experienced - You will require a firm understanding of programming, the programming toolchain, and may have to make decisions on programming software or language. You may need to decipher a proprietary or specialized communication protocol. A logic analyzer might be necessary.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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