Centimetre-Accurate GNSS for British Columbia
BaseLink is building a network of permanently installed GNSS reference stations across BC, delivering real-time RTK corrections and post-processed PPP solutions to surveyors, contractors, and drone operators.
What is BaseLink?
BaseLink is a self-hosted GNSS correction service. Each station runs a high-precision multi-constellation receiver that continuously tracks satellites and broadcasts correction data over the internet. Any surveyor, machine operator, or drone pilot within range can connect to receive centimetre-level positioning in real time.
NTRIP Caster
Industry-standard NTRIP protocol compatible with every major GNSS receiver, survey controller, and drone platform. Connect with the equipment you already own.
Multi-Constellation
Tracks GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou simultaneously. More satellites means faster fix times and better accuracy in challenging terrain and tree cover.
Web Dashboard
Real-time monitoring portal showing station health, satellite tracking, client connections, and data quality. Download RINEX and RTCM data for any date range.
Secure Access
User accounts with authentication. Administrators manage access, monitor usage, and control station settings from anywhere via the web interface.
24/7 Data Logging
Every observation is logged continuously. Historical RINEX data available for post-processing weeks or months later. Automatic daily archiving and cloud backup.
BL-PPP Engine
Built-in PPP-AR processor generates daily millimetre-accuracy station coordinates. Automated reports with drift monitoring ensure your reference position is always verified.
Accuracy Comparison
How BaseLink RTK compares to other positioning methods:
Network Coverage
Each BaseLink station provides primary RTK coverage within a 55 km radius and extended coverage to 85 km. New stations are planned across the BC interior, coast, and island to create overlapping coverage zones.
Who Benefits?
BaseLink serves any industry that needs precise positioning. Here's how centimetre accuracy transforms work across BC's key sectors:
📐 Land Surveying
- Eliminate the need to set up your own base station on every job
- Achieve 2 cm RTK accuracy from the moment you power on
- Download RINEX for post-processed PPK and PPP-AR verification
- Consistent reference frame across all projects in the coverage area
- Save hours of setup time and base station management per job
🏗 Earthmoving & Grading
- Real-time machine guidance for excavators, dozers, and graders
- Hit design grade the first time without re-staking
- Reduce material overages and undercuts on every cut/fill
- Automatic as-built verification against design surfaces
- No base station to protect on an active construction site
🚩 Drone / UAV Mapping
- PPK-quality orthophotos and point clouds without ground control points
- 2 cm geotagged imagery direct from RTK/PPK-enabled drones
- Faster turnaround — fly, process, deliver in the same day
- Consistent accuracy across large corridor mapping projects
- Works with DJI, senseFly, WingtraOne, and any RTK drone
⛵ Marine / Hydrographic Survey
- Precise vessel positioning for bathymetric surveys
- Tidal datum control and water level monitoring
- Chart-quality positioning for harbour and channel surveys
- Centimetre-level height for dredge volume calculations
- Works with any marine GNSS receiver supporting NTRIP
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| GNSS Receiver | Unicore UM980 — 1408 channels, full multi-frequency tracking |
| Constellations | GPS (L1/L2/L5), Galileo (E1/E5a/E5b/E6), GLONASS (G1/G2/G3), BeiDou (B1/B2/B3) |
| Observation Type | MSM7 — Full resolution pseudorange + carrier phase + Doppler + SNR |
| Output Rate | 1 Hz (1 second) continuous |
| Correction Protocol | NTRIP v2.0 (HTTP-based, compatible with all survey software) |
| Data Formats | RTCM 3.3 (real-time), RINEX 3.03 (download), PPP-AR reports (PDF) |
| RTK Accuracy | Horizontal: 2 cm + 1 ppm | Vertical: 3 cm + 1 ppm |
| PPP-AR Accuracy | Horizontal: 5 mm | Vertical: 10 mm (24h static, final products) |
| Station Position | Verified daily via automated PPP-AR with drift alerting |
| Uptime Target | 99.5% — battery backup + automatic recovery + remote monitoring |
Host a BaseLink Station
We're looking for building owners, businesses, and community organizations across BC willing to host a BaseLink station. The installation is simple, unobtrusive, and provides valuable infrastructure to your entire region.
Compact weatherproof enclosure — approximately the size of a small shoebox
What We Install
- Small GNSS antenna mounted on your roof (size of a hockey puck)
- Compact weatherproof enclosure with the BL-100 local server
- Single Ethernet cable to your existing internet connection
- Standard power outlet (draws less than a phone charger)
- Built-in battery backup for continuous operation during outages
What It Means for You
- Zero maintenance — fully self-reliant and remotely managed
- No cost to you — we provide and maintain all equipment
- Minimal footprint — antenna is barely visible from the ground
- Support your local survey and construction community
- Free access to the BaseLink network for your own projects
Requirements
- Clear, unobstructed sky view from the antenna location
- Stable structure (concrete/steel roof preferred)
- Internet connection (minimal bandwidth — under 1 Mbps)
- One power outlet within cable reach of the antenna
How It Works
From antenna to centimetre-accurate position in three simple steps:
1. Station Tracks Satellites
The BaseLink antenna continuously receives signals from 40+ satellites across four constellations. The receiver computes precise observations every second.
2. Corrections Broadcast
RTCM correction data streams over the internet via NTRIP. Your rover receiver connects from anywhere within range using cellular data or Wi-Fi.
3. You Get 2 cm Position
Your receiver combines its own satellite observations with BaseLink corrections to compute a position accurate to 2 centimetres — in real time.
Fully Self-Reliant System
Every BaseLink station is designed to operate autonomously with zero intervention from the host:
Battery Backup
Built-in LiFePO4 battery maintains operation through power outages. The system draws only 5W — less than a night light — and can run for hours on battery alone.
Remote Monitoring
We monitor every station 24/7 from our operations centre. Satellite tracking, data quality, temperature, battery level, and internet connectivity are all tracked in real time.
Automatic Recovery
If the system encounters any issue, it automatically restarts and reconnects. Firmware updates are deployed remotely. Hosts never need to touch the equipment.
Data Products Available
| Product | Format | Use Case | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-Time RTK Corrections | RTCM 3.3 MSM7 | Surveying, machine guidance, drone RTK | NTRIP stream (live) |
| RINEX Observations (1 Hz) | RINEX 3.03 | PPK post-processing for drones and rovers | Web download |
| RINEX Observations (30s) | RINEX 3.03 | PPP and precise orbit determination | Web download |
| Raw RTCM3 Binary | Binary | Custom processing, archive | Web download |
| Daily PPP-AR Report | Station position verification and QA | Email (automated) |
Bring BaseLink to Your Community
Whether you want to use the service for your projects or host a station on your building, we'd love to hear from you. Let's build BC's next-generation positioning infrastructure together.
chris@scenicviewcanada.com