What is OpenRTK?

OpenRTK is an open source hardware and software platform for development of high-performance navigation and localization applications on top of multi-constellation, multi-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chips, a family of low-drift pre-calibrated Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) and cloud based server supports.

  • Hardware

    • OpenRTK hardware features of a multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS chipset from STMicroelectronics (aka ST), a triple-redudant 6-axis IMU sensor module from Aceinna, and an embedded STM32 ARM Cortex-M4 MCU with floating-point computation support for complex positioning engine

    • Spare I/O and ports for external sensors such as Odometer, camera for enhanced sensor fusion navigation

    • There comes two form-factors as follows:

      Model Description
      OpenRTK330LI Inertial Navigation System Module – Industrial Grade
      RTK330LA Inertial Navigation System Module – Automotive Grade (Contact Aceinna)

  • Software

    • OpenRTK embedded software (i.e. the module firmware) is developped on top of the standard STM32 Cortex MCU library

    • Utilizes the FreeRTOS as the real time operating system for MCU

    • Provides a cost-free embedded environment and toolchain using VS Code and the associated Aceinna extension (based on PlatformIO)

    • Features with open-sourced firmware in the drivers and user interfaces, user can use or modify the provided firmware code to utilize or customize:

      • raw IMU data generation in sensor data extraction, pre-filtering and output data rate/format/interface and so on
      • UART input/output baudrate/mode/messages
      • CAN input/output mode/messages
      • Ethernet driver and input/output mode/messages
      • SPI driver
      • Bluetooth driver

    • Features with proprietary positioning engine library (NOT open-sourced):

      • GNSS Real Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning engine
      • GNSS/IMU integrated Inertial Navigation System (INS) positioning engine

  • Cloud Service

    • OpenRTK cloud service provides Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (NTRIP) server and caster service for GNSS correction data
    • Provides online developer site for user interface
      • Web GUI
      • Data and algorithm simulation
      • Database for storage
      • Live support forum