PPK (Post-Processing Kinematic) is a GNSS correction method that georeferences scan data after capture rather than in real time. Both the rover and a base station record raw satellite observations during the mission. After the mission, these recordings are processed together in Emlid Studio to produce a corrected trajectory file, which Aura applies during scan processing.
PPK is suitable when a live correction link is unavailable or unreliable. Common scenarios include sites with no cell coverage, long baselines from a GNSS correction network, and environments where radio links between base and rover are interrupted. Emesent recommends enabling RINEX logging on the rover as standard practice, even when RTK is expected to work, so that the recorded data is available as a fallback if RTK quality is compromised.
Before starting
Read Understanding PPK Georeferencing for the concepts and how PPK compares to RTK, then read Get started with PPK Georeferencing for the workflow overview and prerequisites.
Field: capture and export GNSS data
The rover records RINEX data alongside the scan. After the mission, export the rover data and convert it to RINEX format. The conversion procedure depends on the receiver type.
Office: process the data
Office processing is a two-step workflow. First, produce a corrected trajectory file from the rover and base RINEX files. Then apply the trajectory in Aura to georeference the scan.