APEKS FAQ | GPS? BeiDou? RTK? What's the Right Name for This Device?

                      GPS? BeiDou? RTK? What's the Right Name for This Device?

When people see a surveyor's pole in the field, they often ask:

“Is that GPS?”
Or sometimes, “Is it BeiDou?”

Well — both answers are partially right. But if we want to be accurate, there's a better name for it. Let's break it down.

Where the Name 'GPS' Comes From

Before around 2009, these devices could only receive signals from the U.S. GPS satellites — GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and it was the only operational satellite navigation system at the time. So naturally, people called the device a GPS receiver, or simply “GPS.”

But things have changed.

More Satellites, More Accuracy

Since then, several other countries have launched their own satellite navigation systems:

• GLONASS from Russia

• Galileo from the European Union

• BeiDou from China

Modern receivers can now use signals from all of these systems at once, which greatly improves positioning accuracy, reliability, and availability — especially in complex environments.

So today, the correct term is GNSS receiver, which stands for Global Navigation Satellite System.

It's Not Just About Satellites — It's About Positioning Methods

GNSS receivers can use a variety of positioning methods, such as:

• Single point positioning

• Pseudorange differential

• Carrier phase differential

For applications like surveying, mapping, and construction staking, we rely on the most precise method:
Narrow-band carrier phase differential, also known as RTK — Real-Time Kinematic.

RTK enables centimeter-level accuracy in real-time, making it the gold standard for professional-grade work.

So What Should You Call It?

The most correct term for the device is:

👉 GNSS receiver — if you're referring to the hardware in general
👉 RTK receiver — if you're highlighting its use in high-precision positioning

While “GPS” and “BeiDou” are still commonly used in casual conversation, now you know the real story — and the right name.

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