{"id":211,"date":"2017-09-24T22:02:42","date_gmt":"2017-09-25T02:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bartondrone.com\/blog\/?p=211"},"modified":"2017-09-24T22:06:31","modified_gmt":"2017-09-25T02:06:31","slug":"reach-lora-antenna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bartondrone.com\/blog\/reach-lora-antenna\/","title":{"rendered":"Upgrading LoRa Antenna"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why use a LoRa Antenna<\/h2>\n

Our testing<\/a> of the Emlid Reach RS GNSS real-time kinematic (RTK) units continues. \u00a0The units deliver impressive results. \u00a0We find the units to be very accurate at a fraction of the cost of comparable or Survey grade RTK units. \u00a0When using two Reach RS units in the field you will need to configure the units to communicate RTCM3 correction data for RTK. \u00a0 The simplest method is to use the built in LoRa radio to send and receive the correction messages between the base and rover. \u00a0Utilizing the LoRa radios for RTK corrections requires using the supplied LoRa antenna.<\/p>\n

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The supplied LoRa Antenna<\/h2>\n

\"Supplied<\/p>\n

The supplied LoRa antenna appears to be a directional antenna due to it having two flat sides. \u00a0Directional antennas are great an minimizing\u00a0interference by radiating the signal in specific directions. \u00a0Focusing the signal ensures more of the signal power goes into the direction you. \u00a0 The signal is narrow close to the antenna. The signal width gets wider as the signal travels further away. \u00a0This will be ideal for long distance base lines due to the limited interference with focused signal strength. \u00a0 Emlid has post<\/a> detailing the supplied antenna reaching a 19.2 km baseline. \u00a019.2 km is nothing short of impressive, however it does require a clear line of sight.<\/p>\n

Our LoRa Antenna use<\/h2>\n

We prefer to set up our Reach RS Base in the middle of the area we are working while using the base and rover configuration. \u00a0The ideal setup allows our base to be on a high point in the center of the land. \u00a0When set up in the center our rover will move around the base while collecting points. \u00a0Using this strategy we keep the baseline distance from one end to the other end of our project pretty consistent. \u00a0The directional antenna is great for hitting a long range baseline, however we rarely need our baseline greater than 100m.<\/p>\n

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Using an Omnidirectional LoRa Antenna<\/h2>\n

\"Reach<\/p>\n

An omnidirectional radiation pattern is ideal when the base is in the center.\u00a0 Using an omnidirectional antenna provides a consistent LoRa signal in all directions around our base. \u00a0A donut like radiation pattern helps ensure we have optimal signal coverage around our base. \u00a0We purchased two different metal whip antennas with magnetic bases for our test. \u00a0The photos show the 5 db omnidirectional antennas we are using. \u00a0The magnetic base allows the base antenna to be placed on the roof of our vehicle which was about nine feet away from the base. \u00a0These antennas have a 10′ cable attached. The 10′ cable allows us to put some distance between the GNSS antenna and the LoRa antenna.<\/p>\n

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A side benefit?<\/h2>\n

Our signal noise appears to decrease when using the omnidirectional antenna away from the base. Private reference station networks from providers like Trimble or Topcon stations do not have LoRa antennas in close proximity to their stations. \u00a0They utilize computer network connections to transmit correction data. \u00a0This is more than likely to improve the GNSS reception and quality of the signal. \u00a0We need to continue testing this to document the existence of GNSS reception improvement while placing the LoRa away from the Reach RS.<\/p>\n

\"omnidirectional<\/p>\n

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Why use a LoRa Antenna Our testing of the Emlid Reach RS GNSS real-time kinematic (RTK) units continues. \u00a0The units deliver impressive results. \u00a0We find the units to be very accurate at a fraction of the cost of comparable or Survey grade RTK units. \u00a0When using two Reach RS units in the field you will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[10,6,5,7],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n