RTX Correction Service — No Cell Signal. No Problem.

In ideal conditions, most GNSS systems perform just fine. But in the field, conditions are rarely ideal.

Dense tree canopies, rugged terrain, deep canyons, and limited connectivity can make even the most well-planned survey grind to a halt. For teams working in these environments, losing signal isn’t just frustrating — it can derail entire workflows, blow timelines, and force costly returns to the job site.

That’s where Trimble CenterPoint® RTX comes in.

Unlike traditional RTK or VRS solutions that rely on base stations and cellular connectivity, RTX delivers high-accuracy GNSS corrections via satellite or internet — allowing you to work untethered, uninterrupted, and uncompromised.

In this post, we’ll explore how CenterPoint RTX performs in some of the most challenging survey conditions, including a 342-mile mapping project on the Colorado River. You’ll see why forward-thinking surveyors are turning to RTX not just as an alternative, but as a foundational part of their GNSS strategy.

Have questions before or after reading? We're always here to help. Get in touch to talk to an expert.

Where Traditional GNSS Fails

GNSS accuracy depends on more than just good equipment — it requires stable infrastructure, clear skies, and consistent signal paths. In many real-world environments, that’s a tall order.

There are many environments where RTK- and VRS-based positioning systems struggle. Here's a look at four specific areas where surveyors often lose valuable time to dropped signals, failed connections, or complex setups:

1. Urban Canyons

Skyscrapers and dense buildings reflect GNSS signals, causing multipath errors. RTK base stations may be difficult to place, and cellular connectivity is often inconsistent at street level.

2. Forested Terrain

Heavy canopy blocks satellite signals and creates signal attenuation. Establishing line-of-sight to a base station becomes a logistical headache — and often an impossibility.

3. Mountainous or Remote Regions

Surveying in rugged terrain or isolated areas introduces long distances between crews and base stations. RTK signal strength weakens rapidly, and repositioning the base slows productivity to a crawl.

4. Deserts and Wide-Open Landscapes

In environments with little to no infrastructure, base stations and repeaters can’t cover the full survey area. VRS systems may lack coverage altogether. Your options shrink fast.

In these situations, the problem isn’t the gear — it’s the dependence on infrastructure. That’s why more survey teams are rethinking their GNSS strategies with CenterPoint RTX at the core.

What Makes RTX Different?

In the world of GNSS, most positioning solutions fall into two camps: those that rely on local infrastructure (like RTK and VRS), and those that don’t. Trimble CenterPoint® RTX stands out by delivering high-accuracy corrections directly via satellite or internet, without the need for base stations, radios, or cellular connectivity.

That means survey teams get:

• Global coverage: With no local infrastructure required
• Consistent, repeatable accuracy: Up to <2 cm horizontally
• Minimal setup time: No base station configuration or network connections
• Automatic failover: When RTK or VRS drops, RTX keeps working

Unlike traditional methods that require constant line-of-sight to a base or depend on stable cellular signals, RTX is built for movement, mobility, and difficult environments — including deserts, forests, canyons, and remote regions.

At its core, RTX is about resilience:

Even if the job takes you far beyond the reach of traditional systems, RTX ensures you don’t have to compromise on precision.

RTX in the Field: A Case Study

When RiverRestoration, a Colorado-based river engineering firm, was awarded a contract to map 342 miles of the Lower Colorado River — one of the most environmentally and economically important waterways in the U.S. — they knew traditional GNSS methods wouldn’t cut it.

Dense canyons, remote terrain, and an unforgiving river corridor made RTK base stations impractical. Instead, the team turned to Trimble CenterPoint RTX for both real-time corrections and post-processed accuracy.

Equipping boats, land crews, and aerial survey teams with Trimble R10 and R12 receivers and RTX-compatible equipment, the team:

• Maintained centimeter-level accuracy over five months of surveying
• Avoided relocating base stations every few miles, saving countless field hours
• Used RTX as both a real-time correction and a backup system in challenging zones
• Delivered a seamless 3D topo-bathymetric map more accurate than required

From Hoover Dam to the Mexico border, Trimble RTX enabled survey resilience across land, air, and water — even in regions where other GNSS solutions would fail.

Want the full technical details? Check out the full case study.

 

RTX in Action

Discover the difference Trimble's RTX made on a project that took place in an incredibly harsh environment.

Real-Time Continuity: RTX as Your Positioning Insurance

Even the most reliable RTK or VRS setup isn’t immune to interruptions. A dropped cellular connection. A sudden loss of line-of-sight. A radio that cuts out just when you’re trying to close out a critical shot.

That’s where Trimble CenterPoint® RTX proves its value — not just as a primary correction source, but as a fail-safe fallback that keeps your crews moving when other systems fail.

When integrated into your GNSS workflow, RTX can serve as:

• A primary correction method in remote areas where base stations or VRS are unavailable
• A backup correction layer that activates automatically when RTK or VRS signals are lost
• A confidence booster that gives surveyors freedom to work without fear of downtime

Using Trimble Access or compatible field software, switching from RTK to RTX can happen seamlessly — often without interrupting data collection. That means no lost shots, no wasted time, and no need to reposition base stations or troubleshoot connections in the field.

Think of it as positioning insurance: You may not need it every day, but when you do, it pays for itself in a single afternoon.

Getting the Most Out of RTX in Harsh Conditions

Trimble CenterPoint® RTX is designed to thrive where traditional GNSS struggles — but like any high-performance tool, it performs best when you know how to use it well.

Here are a few best practices to help you maximize RTX performance in remote, rugged, or signal-challenged environments:

Give it Time to Initialize

RTX requires an initialization period to achieve full accuracy — typically around 15 minutes for most receivers. Start your day by powering up your receiver early and allowing it to converge before you begin data collection.

Start With a Clear Sky View

To speed up initialization and ensure signal stability, begin your session in an open area with minimal obstruction. Avoid starting under dense canopy or between tall buildings if possible.

Integrate With Existing Workflows

RTX can work as a standalone solution or alongside RTK/VRS. If you’re already using RTK, configure your system to fall back to RTX automatically when signal loss occurs — no manual switching required.

Validate Against Control

In challenging terrain, build confidence in your results by checking RTX-derived positions against known control points. Field teams in projects like the Colorado River survey used this method for QA and redundancy.

Use Compatible, Updated Equipment

Make sure you're running RTX-compatible hardware like the Trimble R12i or R10, and keep firmware and field software (like Trimble Access) up to date to take advantage of the latest enhancements.

“With RTX, once we converged to an accurate position, we maintained accuracy throughout the entire day.”

— Jason Carey, Principal River Engineer, RiverRestoration

 

Speaking of Compatibility...

Here's a look at the Trimble receivers that offer RTX compatibility: the R12i, the R980, the R780, and the R580.

The Bottom Line: Precision Without Limits

In survey environments where traditional GNSS positioning often falters — remote regions, rugged terrain, and dense canopy — Trimble CenterPoint® RTX delivers where others can’t.

With global coverage, centimeter-level accuracy, and the ability to function independently of base stations or cellular connectivity, RTX is more than just an alternative to RTK. It’s a way to build resilience into your workflow, ensuring that even when conditions are unpredictable, your positioning isn’t.

From real-time data collection in extreme conditions to seamless fallback when other systems fail, RTX gives your team the confidence to keep moving — no matter where the job takes you.

If your crews are losing time to repositioning base stations, battling poor signal quality, or hesitating to deploy in hard-to-reach areas, it may be time to rethink your approach to GNSS.

Need help getting started with RTX? Get in touch with us.