Real-time kinematic (RTK)

1993

Early in the year, Trimble releases its first commercial RTK product, the Site Surveyor system, which was sold to the U.S. Forest Service. A few months later, Trimble adds on-the-fly (OTF) capabilities and testing to its RTK product.

1994

In March, Trimble releases its first commercial RTK receiver with on-the-fly (OTF) capabilities at the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) conference in Melbourne, Australia. Later in the year, Trimble lays out its “Centimeters everywhere for everyone” vision, which serves as its guiding principle for innovating positioning technology.

1995

Trimble partners with Caterpillar to create blade-mounted GNSS equipment for bulldozers, allowing for the highest levels of accuracy.

2000

In May, Trimble acquires Spectra Precision, which comes with geodesy/mathematics expertise and a software development team from its subsidiary, Terrasat. Terrasat pioneered Virtual Reference Station (VRS) networks, which corrects most satellite orbit and clock errors, plus atmospheric errors across the network.

2011

The Trimble RTX correction service begins to take shape. RTX is delivered via satellite and internet and is available in rural and urban environments.

2016

Trimble Catalyst becomes one of the first commercially available software-defined GNSS systems with RTK. Catalyst requires only a 300-gram (less than one pound) antenna and a smartphone.