PPK vs RTK in LiDAR mapping: what you need to know

High-accuracy positioning is the backbone of any LiDAR mapping system. Whether you're surveying infrastructure, modeling vegetation, or creating digital twins, every point in your LiDAR dataset must be precisely georeferenced. That’s where GNSS correction methods come in, and the two most widely used approaches are RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and PPK (Post-Processed Kinematic).

Though both serve the same goal, improving positioning accuracy, they differ in workflow, infrastructure needs, and precision. But there’s a key nuance many drone pilots miss: RTK might be enough to fly the drone, but it’s often not enough to ensure survey-grade LiDAR data. Let’s break it down.

RTK: Real-time corrections for navigation

RTK receives live GNSS corrections from a base station or network. As the drone flies, it adjusts its position in real time based on these corrections.

In drone operations, RTK has clear benefits:

• It improves flight path stability and positioning during the mission.
• It enables automated flight modes that depend on accurate GPS.
• It allows for fast data turnaround when only visual imagery or navigation logs are needed.

But here’s the catch:

RTK is not always reliable for LiDAR mapping, especially when the correction signal is weak, lost during flight, or compromised by terrain, buildings, or trees. And once that correction link fails, so does the accuracy of the georeferenced point cloud.

PPK: Post-processed accuracy for data integrity

On the other hand, PPK logs raw GNSS data during the mission and applies corrections after the flight using base station data. That means it doesn't depend on live signals and can handle challenging environments far better.

Why PPK is better for LiDAR data:

• Greater consistency and reliability: GNSS corrections are applied in a controlled post-processing environment, not in real time.
• Better handling of signal dropouts: no worries if your connection fails mid-flight, PPK can still yield highly accurate results.
• Essential for survey-grade outputs: to achieve high-accuracy point clouds (often within centimeters), PPK is the standard.

RTK for flying ≠ RTK for mapping

Here's a common misunderstanding:

"We flew with RTK, so we don't need PPK, right?"

Not quite.

RTK might help the drone fly in the right place, but that doesn't mean your LiDAR timestamps and positions are accurately synchronized. In high-precision mapping, the integrity of the dataset relies on sub-second alignment between GNSS position, IMU data, and LiDAR pulses.

Without PPK, even small gaps or delays in signal correction can throw off the geolocation of millions of points. That's why experienced surveyors and mapping professionals still rely on PPK, even if RTK was active during flight.

But isn't PPK slower? Not with Aerial Precision

One of the reasons some operators resist PPK is the belief that it adds time and complexity. That may be true with traditional systems, but not with our LiDAR solutions.

Aerial Precision's workflow allows for fast, intuitive PPK processing, right in the field.

With our system:

• PPK is done directly on an iPad with the Aerial Precision app.
• Processing takes just minutes, even for full missions.
• You get reliable, survey-grade accuracy without leaving the site.

This means you don't have to choose between accuracy and efficiency. You can have both.

So, which one should you use?

Don't skip the PPK

If you’re flying drones for mapping, you may be tempted to rely on RTK alone, especially if your drone supports it. But regarding LiDAR data, PPK isn’t just a backup, it's a core part of the process.

Whether working in open skies, under forest canopy, urban areas, or rugged terrain, PPK ensures your data is precise, reliable, and ready to use. With tools like the Aerial Precision app, it no longer slows you down.

LiDAR mapping is only as good as the positioning behind it. And PPK is how you ensure every point lands exactly where it should be.