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Trimble APX RTX
Achieve centimeter-level accurate mapping, no matter where you fly
The Trimble APX RTX offers premium direct georeferencing solutions for UAV mapping sensors, enabling OEMs and drone payload integrators to easily achieve high-accuracy mapping in variable environments. With real-time and post-mission georeferencing, the APX RTX delivers centimeter-level accuracy automatically without the need for base stations, making mapping more efficient and reliable.
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Unlock pinpoint accuracy with Trimble APX RTX!
Perfect for UAV mapping, it delivers centimeter precision without base stations. Efficient, reliable, and ready for any environment.
Trimble APX RTX
Product Summary
A high-performance GNSS-inertial (GNSS + INS) OEM solution for UAVs, delivering unparalleled mapping efficiency and accuracy in a compact, lightweight design with real-time and post-processed CenterPoint RTX positioning.
Product Specifications
- Real-time positioning: Achieves centimeter-level accuracy without base stations.
- Compact GNSS inertial hardware: Delivers precise roll, pitch, and heading measurements.
- Four variants: Supports different flying heights and BVLOS applications.
Product Resources
Precision Mapping, No Base Stations Required!
Features
- CenterPoint RTX Complete service: Includes both real-time CenterPoint RTX correction service and post-processing in Applanix POSPac UAV
- Streamlined workflows: Corrections are delivered via satellite or cellular IP, removing the need for a base station
- Compact GNSS-inertial OEM hardware: Small, single-board design with optional external IMU support
- High-accuracy MEMs sensors: Calibrated with Applanix SmartCal compensation technology
- Applanix IN-Fusion+ multi-sensor technology: Ensures consistent performance in all environments
- Online subscription store: Easily manage RTX service activation and renewals directly
Benefits
- Eliminates additional licenses and fees: No need for a separate Applanix POSPac UAV license or internet connection
- Efficient mapping: Simplifies workflows and reduces setup time
- Enhanced orientation accuracy: Supports higher accuracy and gimbal mount applications
- Increased accuracy: Provides precise roll, pitch, and heading measurements.
- Reliable performance: Delivers consistent results regardless of the environment
- Ease of management: e-store and over-the-air activation simplifies RTX service activation and renewal processes for OEM integrators
Frequently Asked Questions
The Trimble APX RTX products are the next generation of GNSS-Inertial based OEM solutions from Trimble Applanix for mapping with UAV’s. They enable highly efficient cm level real-time and post-mission direct georeferencing of camera, LiDAR and hyperspectral mapping sensors on UAVs without base stations.
The APX RTX solutions are comprised of:
- High performance GNSS-Inertial OEM hardware modules with optional external IMU’s
- A Centerpoint RTX Complete subscription
- POSPac/GNSS-INS Direct Georeferencing Software
The APX RTX unites three Trimble technologies:
- Trimble Maxwell multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS tracking technology
- Trimble CenterPoint RTX high accuracy GNSS correction service
- Applanix SmartCal and IN-Fusion+ IMU compensation and multi-sensor
aided Inertial software engine
The APX RTX HW uses the Trimble Maxwell HW to reliably and accurately track the RF signals from the GNSS satellites. Simultaneously the unit obtains the Trimble Centerpoint RTX corrections over L-Band satellite or an Internet connection to correct the signals for errors such as satellite clocks and orbits and atmospheric delays. The IN-Fusion+ software engine then blends this information with the angular rates and accelerations from its inertial sensors to compute a real time trajectory solution (position, roll, pitch, true heading) with cm level accuracy at the rate of 100Hz. The inertial sensors are calibrated using the Applanix SmartCal Compensation technology in order to achieve georeferencing accuracy requirements of the mapping sensor. All raw GNSS and inertial measurements plus the RTX corrections are logged in internal memory or an external USB device for post-processing using the Applanix POSPac office software or Cloud service to generate a 200 Hz navigation solution with improved orientation accuracy.
Both solutions (real-time and post-processed) can achieve cm level positioning accuracy using RTX without the need for GNSS base stations. Unlike an RTK or PPK GNS only product, the APX RTX position is computed exactly at the location of the mapping sensor (etc. camera perspective center or LIDAR reference point) by translating the position from the GNSS antenna phase center using the orientation measurements.
Trimble Centerpoint RTX Complete is a service activated on the APX RTX HW that enables both cm level positioning accuracy in real-time and in POSPac using Post-processed Centerpoint RTX (PP-RTX) and other GNSS augmentation methods including single base station processing and Applanix SmartBase.
No, a separate POSPac license is not required. POSPac PP-RTX, Single Base and SmartBase processing are all included as part of the Centerpoint RTX Complete service. Any compatible version of POSPac desktop or Cloud can be used to automatically process the data logged from the APX RTX. POSPac PP-RTX processing can also be done directly in the field without an internet connection using the RTX corrections logged by the APX RTX.
The APX RTX enables the “freedom to fly” with a UAV for mapping by combining the benefits of Direct Georeferencing with the supreme position accuracy and ease of use of the RTX correction service. Using real-time RTX and PP-RTX eliminates the need for a base station which simplifies using UAV’s for cm level accurate mapping. It saves set up time in the field and enables mapping products to be generated quickly and efficiently, even in real-time. For Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) mapping there is no worry about planning for base station separation of VRS coverage, and since the RTX corrections are global, missions can be flown anywhere at any time without complex planning. And with the output in a single consistent datum, APX RTX eliminates the often time consuming and challenging task of dealing with base stations in different datums.
The APX RTX product comes in in four performance models:
- APX-15 RTX: Single board entry level model with onboard IMU-103, ideal for low altitude and line of sight flight applications.
- APX-20 RTX: Single board with onboard IMU-104, ideal for higher altitude flights and low noise mapping sensors.
- APX-30 RTX: Single board with onboard IMU-104 coupled with external IMU-93 for improved orientation performance on higher altitude and over longer BVLOS flight lines.
- APX-50 RTX: Single board with onboard IMU-104 coupled with external IMU-95. Designed for using UAV’s as a replacement for traditional crewed operated missions at high altitudes and extra long flight lines.
All APX RTX products are designed for use with stabilized or gimballed mounts. The gimbal encoder or autopilot angles can be fed to the board and these are used to translate the GNSS observables from the antenna phase center mounted on the UAV airframe to the imaging sensor origin installed on the mount together with IMU. With dual IMU installations the gimbal can be addressed in post-processing without a real time feed of the gimbal angles back to APX by mounting lower grade IMU on the UAV airframe and the higher grade IMU attached to imaging sensor on the gimbal. The APX logs the data from both IMU’s and POSPac then uses the data to automatically translate the GNSS observables to the sensor origin.
For more information about CenterPoint RTX please visit our website at https://www.applanix.com/products/centerpointrtx.htm
The APX RTX requires the use of a high-performance GNSS antenna that supports tracking of all GNSS bands including L-band frequencies. RTX performance is only guaranteed with the use of a Trimble Applanix specified or supplied antenna. Please contact Trimble Applanix for more information.
The APX RTX is not limited to UAV platforms; it can be used on any aerial platform. However before attempting to do so, please check the accuracy requirements of your application. The APX RTX HW is not upgradable to the Applanix POS AV or Trimble AP+ Air products.
Every APX RTX is shipped from the factory with the CenterPoint RTX Complete service activated for a minimum of 1 year. Multi-year service enablements can also be purchased at the time of sale.
Centerpoint RTX Complete service renewals are activated over the air or via a code entered into the APX RTX. They can be purchased from your payload manufacturer or Applanix Customer Support https://www.applanix.com/contact.htm#support
Ezra Philipse, Technical Director, Aerodata International
John Knowles, Vice President, First Base SolutionsGet answers before you buy
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