In this guide
This article explains RTK, CORS and PPP in plain terms.
Mapping
RTK, CORS and PPP explained for agricultural drone buyers
RTK is often listed as a feature without explaining what it depends on. The correction source decides whether centimetre accuracy is available in your field.
By Commercial Drone FactoryUpdated 6 November 20265 min read
Quick answer
RTK needs a correction source, and that source is part of the purchase decision. The P150 uses RTK ±10 cm at up to 18 m/s and the APC2 autopilot ±2.5 cm; CORS needs coverage and a subscription, while PPP needs convergence time before the pass. Match accuracy to the job, not the headline.
RTK
What RTK does
RTK corrects satellite positioning using a nearby reference. It brings the aircraft or vehicle to centimetre-level accuracy, which reduces overlap and keeps repeat passes aligned.
Sources
Base station, CORS and PPP
| Source | How it works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Local base station | A radio link to a fixed reference on the farm | Range, power, setup, radio licence |
| CORS network | A subscription service of fixed reference stations | Coverage, subscription cost, login |
| PPP | A satellite-based correction service | Convergence time, accuracy, availability |
Coverage
What affects accuracy
Accuracy depends on the correction source, satellite geometry, distance to the reference and the machine. Obstacles, canopy and radio interference can degrade the link.
Buying
What to confirm before buying
- Which correction source is available in your area.
- Who pays for the subscription and who supports it.
- Whether the source is RTK, CORS or PPP.
- How the system behaves when the correction drops.
- What accuracy is needed for your job.
Fit
Do you always need RTK?
For broadacre passes on large blocks, RTK pays back through overlap reduction. For occasional mapping or rough work, metre-level GNSS may be enough. Match the accuracy to the job.
Key takeaways
- RTK needs a correction source; the source is part of the purchase decision.
- CORS needs coverage and a subscription; PPP needs convergence time.
- Match accuracy to the job, not to the headline.
Commercial Drone Factory/Updated 6 November 2026
Related guides
Mapping
Mapping drones, RTK and multispectral: what the outputs actually mean
A mapping drone produces more than a picture. It produces a georeferenced layer that can be measured, compared over time and used to plan an application.
SelectionAgricultural drone selection: start with the job, not the payload
Most agricultural drone comparisons start with payload. That is the wrong first question. The right first question is: which job do you need to repeat, on which blocks, with what support?
ApplicationSpraying drone coverage: payload, tank, swath and the real hectares per hour
A spraying drone listing usually leads with tank size and maximum flow. Those numbers matter, but they do not tell you how many hectares you will finish in a day.
Next step
Check the correction source in your country.
Tell us the country and the job. We will confirm which RTK, CORS or PPP option is available.