ISO 17123-8-2015 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 17123-8:2015 — Optics and optical instruments — Field procedures for testing geodetic and surveying instruments — Part 8: GNSS field measurement systems in real-time kinematic (RTK). This part specifies standardized field procedures to determine and evaluate the precision (repeatability) of GNSS RTK measurement systems and their ancillary equipment when used for building, surveying and industrial measurements; the procedures are intended as in‑situ verifications of suitability for a given application rather than exhaustive laboratory acceptance tests.

Abstract

ISO 17123-8:2015 defines field test procedures to assess the repeatability (precision) of GNSS RTK systems (including GPS and GLONASS and anticipating other constellations) and related equipment in real‑time kinematic operation. The tests are targeted at field verification of an instrument’s suitability for a particular application and to meet requirements of other standards, not as full performance/acceptance calibrations.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed on review cycles).
• Publication date: June 2015 (2015-06).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 17.180.30 (surveying instruments / geodetic instruments).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2015).
• Number of pages: 20 pages.

Scope

Specifies field procedures for determining and evaluating the precision (statistical repeatability) of GNSS field measurement systems operating in RTK mode and their ancillary equipment in typical surveying, construction and industrial tasks. The scope covers test‑field arrangement, measurement sequences and the statistical treatment of results to express the achievable precision under field conditions. The procedures are intended as practical in‑situ verifications of suitability for the intended application and are not replacements for comprehensive laboratory calibration or formal acceptance testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of field test configurations and target/marker layout for GNSS RTK checks.
• Prescribed measurement sequences and repetition to enable Type A (statistical) evaluation of precision (repeatability).
• Guidance on ancillary equipment and how it affects measured precision (receivers, antennas, cabling, tribrachs, etc.).
• Statistical analysis and reporting of experimental standard deviations as the metric for precision in use.
• Emphasis on field (black‑box) evaluation of final measurement uncertainty rather than decomposition of all individual error sources.
• Consideration of centring/tribrach uncertainty as an input to test suitability (discussions in literature note practical centring uncertainty requirements when applying ISO 17123 procedures).

Typical use and users

Used by surveyors, geodetic instrument manufacturers, field calibration/verification teams, quality managers, construction survey engineers and inspection bodies to verify that a GNSS RTK system (with its antenna and ancillary equipment) achieves the repeatability required for a specific field task. The standard helps field teams demonstrate instrument suitability under operational conditions and produce comparable precision figures for procurement, quality control or routine verification.

Related standards

ISO 17123 is a multipart series covering field procedures for different surveying instruments (Part 1: theory; Parts 2–8: various instrument types including levelling, theodolites, EDMs, total stations, rotating lasers and GNSS RTK). Part 8 complements other parts such as ISO 17123-5 (total stations) and ISO 17123-3 (theodolites) by focusing on GNSS RTK field precision procedures. Users should consult the relevant parts of ISO 17123 for tests appropriate to other instrument types and the series overview for consistent methodology.

Keywords

GNSS; RTK; field procedures; surveying; geodetic instruments; precision; repeatability; measurement uncertainty; ISO 17123; field verification.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17123-8:2015 is the ISO standard that defines field procedures for testing the precision (repeatability) of GNSS field measurement systems operating in real‑time kinematic (RTK) mode. It is part of the ISO 17123 series on field testing of surveying instruments.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test‑field configuration, measurement sequences, data collection and statistical (Type A) analysis to express experimental standard deviations that characterise the precision achievable by a GNSS RTK system and its ancillary equipment when used in field conditions. The standard is aimed at practical in‑situ verification rather than full laboratory calibration or acceptance testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Surveyors, manufacturers, field calibration teams, construction survey engineers, inspectors and quality assurance personnel use this part to verify a GNSS RTK system’s repeatability for particular applications and to document field performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17123-8 was published in June 2015 (Edition 2). The ISO record shows the publication as published and confirmed through systematic review cycles (the document remained confirmed in recent reviews), so this 2015 edition is the current published version. Users should check ISO’s catalogue for any later amendments or a new edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 8 of the ISO 17123 series (Field procedures for testing geodetic and surveying instruments). The series includes Part 1 (theory) and Parts 2–7 addressing levelling, theodolites, EDMs, total stations, rotating lasers and plumbing instruments; other parts (e.g., for TLS) have been developed or drafted subsequently.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: GNSS, RTK, precision, repeatability, field procedures, surveying, measurement uncertainty, ISO 17123.