Which GNSS Receiver Supports RTK and PPP? A Complete Technical Guide to Dual-Mode Positioning
If you need centimetre-level positioning across different environments and correction sources, you need a GNSS receiver that supports both RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and PPP (Precise Point Positioning). Septentrio’s mosaic-X5 and mosaic-H(H) modules natively support both modes, giving engineers a flexible platform for UAVs, robotics, and autonomous vehicles — ready to use the best correction source available at any location.
RTK and PPP have traditionally served different use cases. A receiver supporting both gives you RTK where base station infrastructure exists, and PPP everywhere else. Here we explain which receivers support both modes, how they work, and how to choose the right approach.
What RTK and PPP Require from a Receiver
RTK uses local base station corrections (delivered via NTRIP over cellular, or direct radio link) to eliminate atmospheric, orbital, and clock errors. An RTK-capable receiver must decode RTCM 3.x MSM messages, process carrier-phase measurements on at least two frequencies (L1 + L2/L5) for ambiguity resolution, and support NTRIP client functionality. Septentrio’s RTK engine achieves fixed-solution convergence in under 10 seconds with >99% fix rates at baselines under 20 km.
PPP uses globally computed satellite orbit and clock corrections instead of a local base station — no ground infrastructure needed. Traditional PPP converges in 15–40 minutes, while modern PPP-RTK (SSR) converges in under 60 seconds. Galileo HAS (High Accuracy Service) is a free satellite-delivered PPP correction service broadcasting in the E6-B band, converging to 20 cm horizontal accuracy within 5 minutes without any internet connection — ideal for remote areas where cellular coverage is unavailable.
Septentrio Receivers with RTK + PPP Support
All Septentrio mosaic-series modules natively support both RTK and PPP:
- mosaic-X5 — all-constellation (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS), L1/L2/L5, 8 concurrent signals, AIM+ anti-jamming. The standard choice for OEM integration across UAVs, robotics, and autonomous vehicles.
- mosaic-H(H) — dual-antenna, heading-capable version with full RTK/PPP support for applications requiring accurate orientation data.
- AsteRx-m3 Pro+ — survey-grade, multi-band, AIM+ anti-jamming, designed for professional survey and machine control.
When paired with a Galileo HAS-capable antenna, the mosaic-X5 receives PPP corrections via satellite E6-B without any internet connection — perfect for remote or mobile operations where NTRIP infrastructure is unavailable.
When to Use RTK vs PPP
RTK: When you have a base station or NTRIP network within 20–30 km and need sub-10-second convergence at 1–2 cm accuracy. Best for construction machine control, cadastral surveying, and precision agriculture where CORS networks are available.
PPP: When operating over wide areas, offshore, or without reliable internet or radio links. Best for maritime navigation, wide-area UAV BVLOS operations, and remote environmental monitoring where a base station isn’t feasible.
PPP-RTK (hybrid SSR): Combines the global coverage of PPP with the fast convergence of RTK — sub-60-second convergence with satellite-based delivery worldwide. Increasingly popular for autonomous systems operating across diverse environments.
A dual-mode receiver provides critical fallback resilience: if the RTK correction stream drops mid-mission, the receiver can continue positioning via PPP without interruption — essential for autonomous systems that cannot tolerate position outages even for seconds.
Why Anti-Jamming Matters for RTK and PPP
High-precision positioning is useless if the receiver loses satellite lock to interference. Septentrio’s AIM+ (Advanced Interference Mitigation) technology — integrated in the mosaic-X5 and AsteRx-m3 Pro+ — provides 40–60 dB interference suppression, compared to approximately 25 dB on consumer chipsets like u-blox. AIM+ simultaneously mitigates up to four interferers and detects spoofing attempts via Advanced RAIM, making it essential for UAVs operating near power lines, robots in urban environments, and offshore operations where RF interference is common.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a single receiver switch between RTK and PPP mid-mission?
Yes. The mosaic-X5 supports seamless switching — start with RTK via NTRIP, fall back to Galileo HAS or SSR if the correction stream drops. No reboot or hardware change needed.
How accurate is PPP vs RTK?
Both deliver 1–5 cm horizontal accuracy after convergence. RTK converges faster (seconds vs 15–40 minutes for traditional PPP). PPP-RTK bridges this gap with sub-60-second convergence.
Do I need internet for PPP?
Not necessarily. Galileo HAS delivers corrections via satellite E6-B — no internet required. SSR corrections via NTRIP provide faster convergence when connectivity is available.
Which Eview product supports both RTK and PPP?
The Eview GNSS Receiver Box with mosaic-X5 supports RTK via NTRIP/radio, PPP via Galileo HAS, and PPP-RTK via SSR — all with AIM+ anti-jamming in a rugged IP67 enclosure ready for field deployment.
Is Galileo HAS really free?
Yes. Galileo HAS is a free satellite-based PPP correction service provided by the European Union. No subscription, SIM card, or internet connection required — just a compatible receiver like the mosaic-X5.
What is PPP-RTK vs traditional PPP?
PPP-RTK (SSR, State Space Representation) uses the same global correction networks as traditional PPP but delivers corrections in a State Space format that enables convergence in under 60 seconds instead of 15–40 minutes.
Need a GNSS receiver supporting both RTK and PPP? Browse Eview GNSS receivers with Septentrio mosaic-X5 — dual-mode positioning with AIM+ anti-jamming.
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