RTK Internet data link

Use an Internet data link if you are obtaining RTK data by connecting to a server using an IP address. The equipment at the rover connects to the server hosting the data from the base receiver using an IP address. RTK data is transferred over the Internet.

The server providing RTK data may be a:

  • Data collector running Trimble Access connected to the base receiver.

    In this case, the base station is operating as a server.

  • Broadcast server provided by a service provider using a system such as the VRS Now™ subscription service.

    In this case, the base station is uploading data to a remote server.

When the base station is operating as a server, the number of rover connections to that base is limited by the capacity of the base Internet connection. In some cases, only one rover connection may be possible.

When the base receiver is uploading data to a server, the broadcast server can send the base data to many rovers.

Your controller and your receiver may each have an internal modem. You may also have another device that contains a modem, such as a mobile phone. The modem you use for the connection to the server determines how you will connect and configure your equipment.

How you will connect the Trimble Access software to the Internet depends on:

  • Which device contains the SIM card you want to use for the data.
  • Whether you want to use the Internet only to receive RTK corrections, or whether you will use it for additional functions such as downloading projects and jobs or email.

You can use the Internet for additional functions if you:

  • Connect the controller to the Internet using a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

  • Connect the controller to the Internet through another device, such as or an older receiver or mobile phone that supports the Bluetooth DUN service. You can also connect the controller to the Internet through a separate smartphone.

You cannot use the Internet for additional functions if you connect the receiver to the Internet.

For more information, see To create a GNSS contact for a rover Internet data link.

How you will connect the Trimble Access software to the Internet depends on:

  • Whether you want the base station to operate as a server, or to upload data to a remote server.
  • Whether you can leave the controller connected to the base receiver during the survey or whether you need to disconnect it from the base receiver after survey setup so that you can use it at the rover.
  • Which device contains the SIM card you want to use for the data.

If you will disconnect the controller from the base receiver after survey setup, then you must use the receiver to connect to the Internet.

For more information, see To create a GNSS contact for a base Internet data link.

To configure an Internet data link at the rover or the base, in Trimble Access:

  1. Configure a connection to the Internet. See Internet connection setup.
  2. Configure the RTK survey style for an Internet data link and select the appropriate GNSS contact. See To configure an Internet data link.
  3. Create a GNSS contact that specifies:
    1. How the Trimble Access software will connect to the Internet.
    2. Where the Trimble Access software will obtain RTK corrections from.
    3. The connection settings for the real-time correction source.

    See To create a GNSS contact for a rover Internet data link or To create a GNSS contact for a base Internet data link.

To start the survey, see To start an RTK Internet survey.