Evaluating Smartphone RTK Performance with Low-Cost GNSS Receivers and Correction Services in Traditional and Low-Cost GNSS Networks

The emergence of low-cost GNSS hardware and affordable RTK correction services has made high-precision positioning more accessible. While prior studies have investigated RTK capabilities using smartphones, most rely on professional geodetic infrastructures. This study shifts the focus toward evaluating smartphone-based RTK positioning within low-cost GNSS networks and comparing the performance against traditional geodetic network setups. The research investigates two main configurations: (1) a smartphone functioning as an RTK rover within a low-cost GNSS network, using a low-cost base station and publicly available or inexpensive correction services, and (2) the same smartphone setup operating within a traditional geodetic network with high-grade base stations. The study aims to assess the viability of smartphones as RTK rovers in low cost networks, exploring metrics such as horizontal and vertical positioning accuracy, fix reliability, initialization time, and system responsiveness. Preliminary findings suggest that smartphones integrated with low-cost GNSS receivers can deliver sub-meter accuracy under favorable conditions, though some trade-offs are noted when compared with geodetic-grade infrastructure. The study emphasizes the potential of cost-effective RTK configurations for practical applications where high precision is required. By comparing performance across traditional and low-cost network configurations, this research demonstrates the increasing potential of using smartphones and low-cost GNSS systems to make high-precision positioning more accessible.