If you need to perform surveys on roads, railways, or large areas and want to avoid stopping at every point, there’s a solution: the Base + Rover mobile configuration. It allows you to mount the entire GNSS system on a vehicle and collect data on the move, 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? Great, today we’ll show you the next level: the Base + Rover Mobile configuration, which allows you to perform a dynamic survey by mounting the entire system directly on a vehicle.
This mode allows you to collect data with centimeter-level GPS accuracy even while moving, without stopping at each point. It’s the ideal solution if you need to carry out 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 using the Analist Mobile app if you’re working with tools like ProTRACK.
Why talk about dynamic surveys
Until a few years ago, conducting topographic surveys meant stopping at every point, setting up the tripod, waiting for the fix, saving the data, then moving a few meters and starting again. Today, thanks to the evolution of GNSS technology, everything can be done on the move, continuously, directly from a vehicle.
This method is called dynamic surveying, and it’s increasingly used by technicians, agronomists, designers, and anyone needing to map large or linear areas (like roads, railways, or canals) quickly and precisely.
Technologies for mobile mapping: GNSS, INS, SLAM
When talking about surveys on the move, there are three main technologies to know:
- GNSS RTK: the most commonly used. It uses two satellite receivers (base + rover) to calculate position in real time with centimeter-level GPS accuracy. It’s the easiest system to use in the field, even without a network.
- INS (Inertial Navigation System): combines GPS and inertial sensors (gyroscopes, accelerometers). It’s useful when short signal losses occur, such as in tunnels or between tall buildings.
- SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping): a newer technology often used in indoor robots or drones. It’s useful for mapping closed spaces where GNSS doesn’t work.
For most outdoor technical surveys, the most efficient system remains the GNSS RTK configuration, especially in its Base + Rover mobile version: simple, reliable, and accessible to all.
What is a Base + Rover mobile 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 the rover are mounted on a vehicle and move together.
This approach allows you to:
- Work on the move without having to stop the vehicle at each point
- Maintain direct communication between base and rover even without internet network
- Collect data in real time with RTK corrections and high-precision GPS positioning
This is especially useful when operating in remote areas, doing road surveys with GPS, or when you want to increase productivity by reducing stops.
What is mobile surveying used for?
The Base + Rover GNSS mobile system is widely used in the following cases:
- Road surveys: you can cover kilometers of road while surveying continuously
- 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 areas, 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 Base + Rover mobile system
Let’s now look, step by step, at how to configure a Base + Rover mobile system for dynamic surveying. In this example, we’ll show you 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’s 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
Mount both devices on the vehicle roof using stable magnetic mounts. It’s important they don’t move during driving. - 5. Wait for FIX
In the main app screen, check that the system reaches FIX status. Only then will you achieve centimeter-level GPS accuracy during movement. - 6. Start surveying on the move
Now you’re ready to begin your dynamic survey. From the main app screen, tap the “+” button, then select the “Point” option.
Enter the “Tools” section and select “Tracking”, which allows you to automatically record points as the vehicle moves.
You’ll be asked to set the sampling distance, meaning how many meters between recorded points. For example, you might choose every 3 meters, or adjust it depending on your project detail level.
When ready, tap “Start”: the system will begin automatically recording points as the vehicle moves. You won’t have to touch anything – everything happens continuously and precisely.
Useful tips
- Ensure magnetic mounts are properly attached to clean, stable metal surfaces.
- Set a sampling distance that suits your project (more points = more detail).
- Keep an eye on FIX status during surveying to avoid errors.
- Save data frequently or use the automatic export option.
Conclusion
The Base + Rover mobile configuration is a powerful evolution for those working in dynamic surveying. It lets you survey quickly, accurately, and safely—even in complex or network-free areas.
Thanks to tools like ProTRACK, you can activate this mode in just minutes, with a mobile GNSS configuration that’s easy to set up via app, with no need for complex infrastructure.
If you want to try this setup right away, make sure you have two compatible devices, magnetic mounts, and the updated app. The results will surprise you!
