Centimetre accurate GNSS now within every farm’s reach

RTK GNSS is rapidly moving from premium agricultural systems into mainstream Ag-Tech applications.For most farms, centimetre-level positioning accuracy enabled by global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology was out of reach, making applications from automated crop planting to cattle tracking unavailable to all but the largest organisations. Now, thanks to innovative approaches to GNSS, the vast majority ofAg-Tech organisations can access the benefits, regardless of scale.

Vendor innovations have been a critical enabler of democratised access to high-precision GNSSin recent years. By mass-producing GNSS receivers that feature real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning and offering affordable global RTK correction services, vendors, such as Quectel, are making precision positioning available to everyone.

RTK GNSS brings centimetre-level guidance to seeders, sprayers, and harvesters, cutting waste and lifting yields. Not every application needs that level of precision. Livestock tracking prioritises battery life over centimetre accuracy, which is where ultra-low-power modules like the Quectel LC76G (<27 milliwattdraw) feature, enabling virtual fencing and herd management that can run for months on a single charge. Where centimetre accuracy does matter, autonomous machinery can rely on features like the Quectel LG290P's 20 HertzRTK updates to keep equipment running smoothly across large fields.

For vineyard robotics, heading is sometimes more important than position and here the LG580P (RTK + Heading) two receivers in one module are ideal.

Precision at scale

Quectel’s comprehensive range of modules has been designed to support precision agriculture applications. The Quectel LC29H series offers compact, low-power dual-band modules with RTK and dead reckoning (DR). The series supports constellations including GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, GLONASS, QZSS, and NavIC using modern L1 and L5 frequency bands to deliver centimetre-level accuracy even in tough conditions.

The Quectel LG290P, which recently won IoThink Tank’s 2025 IoT Smart City Solution Award, is a quad-band, high-speed receiver with excellent urban and orchard performance. The award recognises innovations that deliver accuracy and reliability and Quectel’s success was for the LG290P’s adoption in projects that bring high-precision positioning into mainstream applications.

The Quectel LG580P offers an advanced RTK and heading capability for reliable machine control. The LG290P and LG580P support all constellations on L1, L2 and, L5 bands, providing better accuracy and resiliency in difficult forested areas with extended baseline distances.

Global reach

Unlike old continuously operating reference station (CORS) networks, Quectel’s RTK Correction Solution uses the most advanced base stations, providing triple-band coverage with open RTCM protocols and simple cloud delivery. Developers can design their solutions in one country and scale globally with confidence.

Key Quectel GNSS features include:

•       Accuracy: < 1 centimetre with RTK
•       Bands: Dual Band L1 + L5 or Quad Band L1 + L2 + L5 + E6
•       Coverage: USA, EU, APAC, LATAM and ANZ
•       Click here to view the RTK Network coverage map.

Quectel simplifies precision agriculture by being a single partner, providing RTK GNSS modules, correction services, SIM connectivity, cellular modules, and antenna support under one roof.

Quectel have recently introduced the QLM29H series of smart antenna featuring RTK capable antenna and LC29HXX modules in a zero time to market solution.

Available as PCBA, dash mount or IP68 rated enclosures these smart antenna can be shipped with either RS232 or USB interfaces making them ideal for fast integration into new systems or for upgrades to existing systems.

The QLM580P is a Quad Band smart antenna solution featuring IP68/IP69K housing, RS232 or USB interface. It features RTK and Heading by using a second Antenna and has an option for the addition of an integrated LTE Cat 1 bis modem with DTC(Direct to Cell) Starlink support.

Full control of the modem and GNSS is achieved from the customer’s host processor making the product an ideal zero time to market building block with no limitations on operation. Customers can focus on their unique application development rather than spending time developing complex RF and antenna interfaces shaving months off development timelines.

Company website: www.quectel.com/library/precision-agriculture-smart-farming-gnss-guide/

Email address: sales@quectel.com

Company info:

Switching from dual-band to quad-band GNSS can improve RTK fix rates by up to 50% in the toughest conditions — think gardens ringed by trees, or orchards with dense canopy cover. It also cuts the time to achieve a reliable RTK fix from 10-15 seconds down to under 5. For farmers, that's the difference between machinery that hesitates at the edge of a field and one that keeps moving precisely, and without a second thought.