Global GNSS correction service
Topnet Live is a real-time GNSS correction service that delivers high-quality data to GNSS receivers around the globe. Sold through aftermarket, system integrators and OEM channels, the service can be used in a variety of applications including survey, construction, GIS, mapping, and agriculture. With the emergence of IoT-enabled devices, correction services offer even more industries seamless connectivity.
Application fields
Construction
Topnet Live is increasingly employed in high-profile construction projects in the shift away from on-site base stations. Large highway construction projects, airport runways and machine control operations all benefit from the reliable accuracy and performance of Topnet Live GNSS reference networks.
Agriculture
Topnet Live networks deliver consistent and accurate positions to precision agriculture machines used in applications across the crop cycle such as soil preparation, seeding and crop care. Equipped tractors, sprayers, spreaders and harvesters benefit from fast initialisations and reliable positioning any time of the day or night.
Survey
Topnet Live delivers high-accuracy positioning to professional surveying and engineering applications such as land surveys, engineering surveys, GIS and mapping. Topnet Live removes the need for individual base stations, dramatically increasing production and safety.
OEM – System integrators
Topnet Live is a global positioning correction service for system integrators, product designers and OEMs. It is ideal for scalable, precision GNSS positioning applications such as automotive, Industrial IoT and autonomous robotics.
Technology overview
In order to provide precise positioning accuracy, a GNSS receiver needs to compensate for inaccuracies caused by satellite constellations, receiver hardware and atmospheric conditions. These inaccuracies can be calculated by a network of fixed reference stations that constantly receive GNSS data.
This correction information is then broadcast to GNSS receivers as a service. Topnet Live is Topcon’s GNSS correction service and consists of the reference station network, correction calculation software and the correction broadcast service.
Positioning methods
Topcon manages, operates and monitors all Topnet Live reference networks.
RTK
Real-Time Kinematic positioning (RTK) is a method to enhance the precision of position data derived from satellite-based positioning systems. RTK works through a network of local stations disbursed throughout countries. Single Base RTK provides correction from either a specific reference station or the nearest one, whereas Network RTK delivers the correction from a number of stations in a local network.
PPP
Precise Point Positioning (PPP) is a method to calculate precise positions at the centimetre level using a single receiver in a global reference framework. PPP delivers high accuracy with slower start-up speed, but provides service anywhere on the planet, independent of local networks.
Topnet Live
The best of RTK and PPP
Realpoint
Provides network RTK accuracy and a quick start-up time.
Correction type / delivery
RTK via cellular network
Coverage
Regional
Accuracy
2 cm
Initialisation time
Seconds
Application
Surveying, Construction, Machine Control, Agriculture, OEM, Industrial IoT and Autonomous Robotics
Starpoint and Starpoint Pro
Provides PPP service anywhere on the planet, independent of local networks.
Correction type / delivery
Correction from satellite
Coverage
PPP via L-Band
Accuracy
Regular: 50 cm
Pro: 3 cm
Initialisation time
Regular: < 5 minutes
Pro: < 20 minutes
Application
Agriculture, OEM, Surveying in Remote Areas, Automotive, Industrial IoT Autonomous Robotics
Skybridge
Provides and maintain position accuracy in case where RTK services are interrupted.
Correction type / delivery
Correction from satellite
Coverage
Regional or Local
Accuracy
Infill for RTK
Initialisation time
Seamless
Activate automatically
Application
Surveying, Construction, and Agriculture
Disclaimer:
The graphics are intended as a representation of countries that have coverage available.
However, coverage may not be fully available within the countries indicated.
Broadcasting
The Topnet Live correction service is broadcast to customer receivers in two ways:
- NTRIP – The internet, typically using a mobile phone SIM card data link
- L-Band – Direct broadcasting from a satellite
Customers have both options and can use whichever is most convenient.
Data services
As an additional service, the raw data (RINEX) from the networks is available to download. There is also an online correction processing service for specialist applications.
Constant coverage
Both RTK and PPP offer advantages and disadvantages. That's why Topcon designed and developed a service to provide its customers access to both systems simultaneously, even automatically switching between as reception changes. This means the customer always has the best of both systems and a truly global service.
Full-constellation service
The Topcon reference station network uses all four GNSS satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. This ensures the best accuracy and reliability, often referred to as a full-constellation service.
Why Topnet Live?
Related applications
Get in touch
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