Centimeter-Resolution GPS For Smartphones, VR, Drones

agent elevator writes: UT Austin engineers have come up with a software fix that corrects for the errors GPS has when using the tiny antennas on smartphones. They demoed it using a VR setup and got 2-cm accuracy. For now it runs on a separate processor from the smartphone, but they say they'll fix that. The demo appears to have been done on a rooftop. VR. Outside. On a roof. Doesn't seem like a good idea, does it?

Comments

The secret is strictly the software.

[chasm22]

They use RTK technology. It doesn't rely on the same data as GPS or dGPS. It isn't new techology. And it wouldn't matter if the DOD screwed with the dGPS signal.

What is new is just what the article talked about. They have found a way, through 6 years of developing the software, to use a cheap antennae to capture signals. Prior to the software development, cheap antennae couldn't be used because they allowed for too much signal degradation. Their solution is their software, which they have apparently perfected to the point where it can recognize and correct or mistakes caused by the antennae.

My understanding of RTK is that it isn't useful for navigation, but is very useful and accurate in obtaining your position(while not moving) This is because it relies on a base station in addition to the other receiver.