Drone aerial surveying and mapping require exceptional positioning accuracy to ensure data validity—post-processing errors can significantly delay project timelines. A Russian UAV manufacturer specializing in surveying and power line inspection drones sought a high-precision antenna solution, turning to Tengxiang Electronics for its expertise in custom RF antenna design and manufacturing.

Client Background

The client designs and produces industrial-grade UAVs for aerial surveying, topographic mapping, and power line inspection, serving government departments and engineering firms across Russia. Their drones needed an RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) GNSS antenna that could withstand harsh outdoor conditions while delivering error-free positioning data.

Core Pain Points

1. Positioning Errors: Traditional antennas failed to achieve sufficient precision, leading to time-consuming post-processing of survey data and increased project costs.

2. Environmental Durability: Drones operate in diverse outdoor environments, including coastal salt fog, low temperatures (-30℃), and high humidity, which damaged standard antennas.

3. Weight & Size Constraints: The antenna needed to be lightweight and compact to avoid affecting the UAVs flight time and aerodynamics.

4. Signal Stability: Reliable signal reception during long-duration flights (4+ hours) to ensure continuous data collection.

Tengxiangs Custom Solution

Leveraging our expertise in high-precision antenna R&D and extreme environment adaptation, Tengxiang delivered a targeted RTK antenna solution:

1. High-Precision RTK Design: Developed a multi-satellite compatible RTK GNSS antenna with centimeter-level positioning accuracy, eliminating the need for post-processing of survey data.

2. Extreme Environment Protection: Equipped with IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, and passed salt spray testing (500 hours) and low-temperature resistance testing (-30℃), ensuring durability in harsh outdoor conditions.

3. Compact & Lightweight Structure: Adopted a sub-millimeter design with a weight of only 14g and dimensions of 35x35x8mm, minimizing impact on UAV flight performance.

4. Stable Signal Reception: Optimized the antennas gain and radiation pattern to enhance signal capture capability, supporting continuous operation for up to 6 hours.

Implementation & Testing

Tengxiangs R&D team completed the prototype design in 10 days and collaborated with the client to conduct field tests in Siberian low-temperature environments and coastal salt fog areas. The antenna underwent rigorous testing, including positioning accuracy verification, environmental durability tests, and flight performance validation.

All tests confirmed that the antenna met the clients requirements: centimeter-level positioning accuracy, stable signal reception in weak signal areas, and no damage after 500 hours of salt spray exposure.

Project Outcomes

Precision & Efficiency: The RTK antenna achieved cm-level positioning accuracy, eliminating post-processing errors and reducing project timelines by 40%.

Durability & Reliability: Zero antenna failures were reported during 6 months of field use, even in extreme temperatures and salt fog environments.

Market Expansion: The clients surveying drones, equipped with Tengxiangs antenna, were adopted for national power line inspection projects and topographic mapping initiatives across Russia.

Tengxiangs custom UAV RTK antennas combine precision, durability, and compact design. If youre developing surveying or industrial UAVs, contact us to discuss your high-precision antenna needs.