Types of CORS Stations

CORS stands for “Continuously Operating Reference Station.” So when we talk about CORS, we mean a stationary GNSS base station with an antenna installed on a roof. When we say GNSS base station without context, we usually refer to a portable surveying GNSS base—a receiver with an antenna.

The software is the same between these two types. However, portable base stations usually include a radio or cellular modem, while stationary CORS stations typically connect via Ethernet and WiFi.

Professional CORS Stations

These cost between €10,000 and €20,000. A typical example is the Trimble Alloy GNSS CORS receiver. Features can include a built-in UPS, hot-swappable batteries for power outages, multiple I/O options, advanced software capabilities, and top-tier measurement quality.

Linux-Based CORS Stations

These are primarily ELT_RTKBase units but also include simpler DIY systems based on RtkBase. With Linux offering a wide range of software, these stations provide great functionality, including built-in VPN. They typically use portable Linux computers like Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, Banana Pi, etc.

We offer 6 models: ELT0231, ELT0233, ELT0631, ELT0633, ELT0731, ELT0733, built on three different receiver types.

CORS Based on Septentrio Mosaic

The Septentrio Mosaic X5 provides a minimal but complete set of base station features—calculating base coordinates (via RTK or 24-hour RINEX processing), manually entering geodetic coordinates, sending data to an external NTRIP caster, and using an internal NTRIP caster to stream corrections to rovers.

ArduSimple and SparkFun produce such stations. From this category of stations, we offer the ELT0728 and ELT0718 with Ethernet and PoE, as well as the ELT0722 USB dongle, which can also be used as a station of this type.

Basic Miners

These aren’t full base stations or CORS units. They lack coordinate determination/input and don't have their own NTRIP caster. Instead, they operate solely as NTRIP servers sending data to an external caster that handles coordinate computation—e.g., GeodNet and Onocoy.

Most use ArduSimple WiFi NTRIP Master clones based on ESP32-XBEE (e.g., NTRIP-X from GNS Electronics, Onolink, LOCOSYS Technology), but many DIY versions exist. We offer a USB dongle (ELT0222) that works with WinRtkHost, and soon WinRtkHost will also support the ELT0622 USB dongle.