Modern land surveying demands unparalleled precision and reliability, even in the most challenging environments. From dense tree canopies to obstructed urban settings, surveyors often face obstacles that test the limits of traditional positioning systems. Traditionally, RTK systems have struggled in high-multipath environments, limiting their usage.
The Hemisphere S631 offers a transformative solution, powered by the advanced Athena RTK technology. Learn about how Hemisphere’s innovative features are redefining land surveying, providing surveyors with robust and dependable tools to achieve accuracy in even the toughest conditions. Check out our video on the topic:
Why Hemisphere? Balancing Performance and Cost
The Evolution of RTK: A Brief History of Hemisphere
The Athena RTK Engine: A Statistical Marvel
SureFix Technology: Confidence in Every Measurement
Leveraging Modern GNSS Constellations
S631 Receiver: Built for Challenging Environments
Practical Benefits for Land Surveyors
The Future of GNSS with Hemisphere
The GNSS market is filled with manufacturers offering solutions at a wide range of price points. High-end options often come with exorbitant costs, making them inaccessible for many professionals, while budget alternatives frequently lack the critical features necessary for reliable surveying. Hemisphere GNSS strikes an ideal balance by providing affordable yet high-performance solutions. These tools are specifically designed to meet the needs of surveyors who require both reliability and precision without overspending. This approach ensures that surveyors can access top-tier technology without compromising on quality or their budget.
The Athena RTK Engine: A Statistical Marvel
At the core of Hemisphere’s GNSS solutions is the Athena RTK engine, a technological marvel designed to deliver exceptional performance. About six years ago, Hemisphere began developing this engine with future constellations and signal structures in mind. The result is an advanced least-squares adjustment algorithm that processes cleaner, faster, and stronger signals, ensuring accuracy even in challenging environments. By filtering out poor-quality data, Athena enables reliable fixes under dense tree canopies or other obstructed conditions. It is also tailored to modern GNSS constellations, making it a future-proof choice for surveyors worldwide.It is the Athena RTK engine that ensures that the Hemisphere receiver is able to outperform all of the top-of-the-line receivers from other manufacturers. See how it stacks up against the other receivers like the Trimble R12i, Leica GS18and Topcon Hiper VR below.
On top of the Athena RTK engine which is what allows for advanced signal processing, the latest Hemisphere receivers also employ SureFix technology. Hemisphere’s SureFix technology takes accuracy and reliability to the next level. This innovative system employs two independent and unique RTK engines that cross-verify data to ensure maximum precision. SureFix calculates a position on the two engines independent of one another, and until they are in agreement they will not report a fixed solution. This dramatically reduces the chances of a bad solution while in open sky conditions.
By minimizing errors and reducing the risk of faulty measurements, SureFix significantly decreases liability for surveyors. Statistically, with SureFix enabled, the chance of getting a bad fix is astronomically low—as rare as being struck by lightning. This level of confidence transforms how professionals’ approach high-stakes projects, allowing them to deliver consistent and dependable results in dynamic environments. You can get an idea of the repeatability of the S631 in this video:
In order to stand out from the other manufacturers, Hemisphere maximizes the potential of all major GNSS constellations, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. BeiDou, in particular, offers an advanced signal structure that provides superior performance in demanding conditions. It is the best civilian signal currently available.
What has made Hemisphere different from the other North American manufacturers is their heavy investment into BeiDou and the other modern constellations. This investments ensures faster fixes, improved fix reliability, and enhanced accuracy in difficult environments. Many competitors rely on outdated satellites and signals, but Hemisphere’s commitment to cutting-edge technology ensures their systems remain reliable and efficient in dynamic conditions.
The S631 receiver stands as a flagship product in Hemisphere’s lineup, showcasing its commitment to durability and innovation. Equipped with the advanced Phantom 40 board, the S631 can track up to five frequencies across multiple constellations, including the latest Block III satellites. These satellites transmit stronger and faster signals, making the S631 particularly adept in challenging environments such as dense forests or rugged terrain. This future-ready design ensures it will continue to perform effectively as GNSS technology evolves, making it an invaluable tool for professionals working in tough conditions.
Hemisphere’s RTK solutions address the real-world challenges faced by land surveyors. These benefits include:
Improved Productivity: Faster fixes mean surveyors can complete projects more quickly, enhancing overall efficiency and reducing costs. With integrated IMU tilt sensors, the Hemisphere S631 can finish topo or as-built surveys in half the time.
Accuracy and Repeatability: Hemisphere’s solutions deliver reliable fixes, even in difficult conditions, ensuring consistent results.
Reduced Liability: By minimizing errors, SureFix reduces the risks associated with faulty measurements, protecting surveyors from potential liabilities. The dual engine fix technology ensures that you reduce the odds of a bad fix.
These practical advantages make Hemisphere’s GNSS tools indispensable for professionals tackling complex projects.
Hemisphere is committed to staying at the cutting edge of GNSS technology. The company continuously invests in emerging constellations and advanced signal structures to ensure its products remain relevant and effective. For instance, Hemisphere’s focus on the BeiDou constellation—renowned for its modern signal design—positions it as a leader in global GNSS innovation. Ongoing refinements to RTK engines and hardware reflect Hemisphere’s dedication to meeting the evolving demands of the surveying industry. By staying ahead of technological trends, Hemisphere is poised to shape the future of land surveying and maintain its leadership in the field.
Here at Bench-Mark we have dealt with Hemisphere for the last 15+ years. This has allowed us to build a library of customer support and training resources. This includes:
We have been a trusted distributor of Hemisphere products for years and have lots of experience taking new users or veteran RTK users to the solutions they need. From addressing liability concerns in boundary work to overcoming outdated technology issues, we have the answers you need. Our focus on hands-on support and customer-focused solutions ensure that you can confidently tackle even the most challenging projects.
Hemisphere GNSS offers a perfect balance between affordability and high performance, making it a standout choice for land surveyors. With its Athena RTK engine and SureFix technology, the company has set new benchmarks for precision and reliability. The S631 receiver further solidifies Hemisphere’s reputation as a trusted partner for professionals working in tough environments. For surveyors seeking dependable, cost-effective solutions, Hemisphere GNSS is a top-tier choice that meets the demands of modern land surveying.
The Athena RTK engine processes signals that are cleaner, faster, and stronger, thanks to advanced least-squares adjustment algorithms. This ensures reliable fixes even in difficult conditions like dense tree canopies or obstructed urban settings. Its design is future-proof, compatible with modern GNSS constellations, making it ideal for professional surveyors.
Hemisphere leverages GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou constellations, with a particular focus on BeiDou’s advanced signal structure\u2014the best civilian signal available. This investment enables Hemisphere to deliver faster fixes, improved reliability, and superior performance in demanding conditions compared to competitors relying on outdated satellites.
For the initial tests, the S631 was evaluated in an open-sky environment to establish a stable baseline. Data was collected throughout the day, with factory resets forcing fresh calculations to ensure consistent performance under changing satellite geometry.
The S631 receiver is equipped with the Phantom 40 board, capable of tracking up to five frequencies across multiple constellations, including the latest Block III satellites. Its robust design excels in dense forests and rugged terrains, making it a reliable tool for surveyors working in challenging environments.
Bench Mark Equipment & Supplies is your team to trust with all your surveying equipment. We have been providing high-quality surveying equipment to land surveyors, engineers, construction, airborne and resource professionals since 2002. This helps establish ourselves as the go-to team in Calgary, Canada, and the USA. Plus, we provide a wide selection of equipment, including global navigation satellite systems, RTK GPS equipment, GNSS receivers, and more. We strive to provide the highest level of customer care and service for everyone. To speak to one of our team today, call us at +1 (888) 286-3204 or email us at [email protected]
North America’s #1 supplier of land surveying equipment and instruments.
