If you need to perform a survey on roads, railways, or large areas and want to avoid stopping at every point, there is a solution: the mobile Base + Rover configuration. It allows you to mount the entire GNSS system on a vehicle and collect data while in motion, maintaining centimeter-level accuracy. Let’s see how it works and how you can configure it easily even if you’re not an expert, using simple tools like ProTRACK.
Have you already read the article where we explained what a GNSS Base + Rover configuration is? Good, today we’ll show you the next level: the Mobile Base + Rover configuration, meaning the ability to perform a dynamic survey by mounting the entire system directly on a vehicle.
This mode allows you to collect GPS data with centimeter-level accuracy even while in motion, without stopping at every point. It’s the ideal solution if you need to perform a vehicle-based topographic survey for roads, railways, embankments, or large surfaces.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a mobile GNSS configuration is, what advantages it offers, and how you can activate it step by step, even thanks to the Analist Mobile app if you’re using tools like ProTRACK.
Why talk about dynamic surveys
Until a few years ago, conducting topographic surveys meant stopping at each point, setting up the tripod, waiting for the fix, saving the data, then moving a few meters and starting over. Today, thanks to the evolution of GNSS technology, everything can be done in motion, without interruptions and directly from a vehicle.
This method is called dynamic surveying and is increasingly used by technicians, agronomists, designers, and anyone who needs to map large or linear areas (such as roads, railways, or canals) quickly and accurately.
Technologies for mobile mapping: GNSS, INS, SLAM
When it comes to mobile surveys, there are three main technologies to know:
- GNSS RTK: the most used. It employs two satellite receivers (base + rover) to calculate real-time position with GPS centimeter accuracy. It’s the simplest system to use in the field, even without a network.
- INS (Inertial Navigation System): combines GPS and inertial sensors (gyroscopes, accelerometers). Useful when there are short signal losses, such as in tunnels or between tall buildings.
- SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping): a newer technology, often used in robots or indoor drones. It’s used to map enclosed spaces when GNSS doesn’t work.
For most outdoor technical surveys, the most efficient system remains the GNSS RTK configuration, especially in the mobile Base + Rover version: simple, reliable, and accessible to all.
What is a mobile Base + Rover configuration
In a classic GNSS RTK configuration, you have a fixed base (at a known point) and a rover that moves to collect data. In the mobile configuration, however, both the base and rover are mounted on a vehicle and move together.
This approach allows you to:
- Work on the go, without having to stop the vehicle at each point
- Maintain direct communication between base and rover even without internet
- Collect real-time data with RTK corrections and high-precision GPS positioning
It is especially useful when operating in remote areas, in road surveys with GPS, or when you want to increase productivity by reducing stops.
What is mobile surveying used for?
The mobile GNSS Base + Rover system is widely used in the following cases:
- Road surveys: you can cover kilometers of road while continuously surveying
- Railway surveys: useful for tracking along tracks or cable ducts
- Infrastructure inspections: bridges, viaducts, canals
- Surveys in hazardous environments: such as active construction sites, landslide-prone zones, etc.
Thanks to this configuration, you are no longer tied to the need for a fixed base and can also operate without network coverage, using direct communication between the two GNSS devices.
How to configure a mobile Base + Rover system
Now let’s see, step by step, how to configure a mobile Base + Rover for dynamic surveying. In this example, we’ll explain how to do it with two ProTRACK devices, using the Analist Mobile app.
- 1. Start mobile mode
In the app, open Analist Mobile and start the “Base + Rover Mobile” mode. You’ll see a configuration summary. Tap “Start.” - 2. Select the Base
In the app, select the first ProTRACK to configure as the Base. Make sure it is powered on and ready. - 3. Select the Rover
Now select the second ProTRACK device to use as the Rover. Ensure both are connected via Bluetooth. - 4. Mount them on the vehicle
Install both devices on the vehicle’s roof using stable magnetic mounts. It’s important they don’t move while driving. - 5. Wait for FIX
On the app’s main screen, check that the FIX status is reached. Only then will you achieve GPS centimeter-level precision while in motion. - 6. Start surveying on the move
Now you’re ready to start your dynamic survey. From the app’s main screen, tap the “+” button, then select “Point” to access available tools.
Enter the “Tools” section and choose the “Tracking” option, which allows you to record points automatically while the vehicle is moving.
You’ll be asked to set the sampling distance, meaning how many meters between each recorded point. You can, for example, choose to collect one point every 3 meters, or adjust the distance based on your needed level of detail.
When you’re ready, press “Start”: the system will begin tracking points automatically as the vehicle moves. You won’t need to touch anything else: everything will happen continuously and precisely.
Useful tips
- Ensure the magnetic mounts are securely fixed to stable metal surfaces.
- Set a sampling distance suitable for your project (more points = more detail).
- Monitor the FIX status during the survey to avoid errors.
- Save data frequently or use the auto-export option.
The mobile Base + Rover configuration represents a powerful evolution for those working in dynamic surveying. It allows you to survey quickly, precisely, and safely, even in complex conditions or areas without network coverage.
Thanks to devices like ProTRACK, you can activate this mode in just a few minutes with a simple app-based GNSS mobile configuration and no need for complex infrastructure.
If you want to start experimenting with this configuration right away, make sure you have two compatible devices, magnetic mounts, and the updated app. The results will surprise you.
