Skylark Quick Start Guide
Welcome to the Skylark Quick Start Guide! This guide is intended for first-time Skylark users and provides a step-by-step overview for setting up your account, connecting your device, and answering common questions along the way.
Check your device’s compatibility with Skylark
Skylark Precise Positioning Service is compatible with a wide array of receivers, modules and chipsets to allow for seamless integration into any application. Skylark needs an NTRIP client and uses standard MSM data formats:
Skylark Nx RTK: MSM5
Skylark Cx: MSM4, MSM5
Skylark Dx: MSM1
The Skylark service works with any device that supports NTRIP, such as most mapping equipment, RTK GNSS receivers, autonomous robots, drones, and other location-based sensors.
Use our tool to check if your device is compatible with Skylark.
If your device (e.g. a specific drone model) isn’t listed in the tool, you might need to identify which GNSS chip is used in the device and then look it up in the compatibility checker.
Purchase a Skylark compatible device
Our Skylark Evaluation Store ranges a sample of Skylark compatible devices, or visit one of our partners ArduSimple and Mikroe. All listed evaluation kits are compatible with Skylark and come with a 6 month free trial.
Select the best Skylark variant for your use case
Skylark is available in three variants, each optimized for different use cases, balancing accuracy, power consumption, coverage, and data requirements:
- Skylark Nx RTK: A Network RTK service leveraging advanced atmospheric modeling to deliver 1–2 cm accuracy. Best suited for high-precision applications such as autonomous navigation, robotics, and survey-grade mapping.
- Skylark Cx: A PPP-RTK corrections service delivering 3–7 cm accuracy across entire continents. Ideal for applications that need wide-area consistency without regional infrastructure.
- Skylark Dx: A DGNSS corrections service providing sub-meter accuracy for low-power devices and bandwidth-constrained environments.
Each variant enables developers to match correction performance with their application’s constraints and geographic requirements.
For more information, read our detailed blog on the topic: Which Skylark Variant Fits Your Use Case?
Check Skylark coverage
Refer to the coverage map for the Skylark variant you intend to use:
Creating a Skylark User Account
1. Create an account
To create a new account complete and submit the registration form at account.swiftnav.com/sign-up.
2. Choose a subscription
In the Subscriptions page, click New to create a subscription.
Select the Skylark variant that suits your application and choose either monthly or annual billing.
3. Add your device
Once you’ve subscribed to a plan, you need to add it to a device. Head to the Devices tab and click ADD DEVICE to create a new device.
Each new device must be assigned an active subscription, an NTRIP username prefix, and a description. The final NTRIP Username will consist of the aforementioned username prefix appended with your account’s subdomain, which was chosen when signing up (we recommend using company or person name). Use the Enabled toggle to turn the device’s access to Skylark on or off.
Once the device is created, click the VIEW button to view your NTRIP credentials and set up the password.
Click the NEW button to generate a new password for the device.
Once the new password is generated, it will be displayed on the screen. Click the copy button to copy your password to the clipboard, or have it sent to your inbox via email.
For detailed instructions on subscription and device management read our support article: Skylark Portal User’s Guide
Connecting your device to Skylark
Skylark GNSS corrections are distributed over the Internet in RTCM v3.x format using NTRIP v1.0 or v2.0 protocols. A reliable Internet access is required for good navigation performance.
To configure the NTRIP client, use the credentials (endpoint URL, port, mountpoint, username, and password) from your Skylark User Portal account.
Skylark Endpoint URL
You will need to enter an endpoint URL into your NTRIP client, here’s how it is formed:
Skylark Mountpoints
The Mountpoint selects the correction stream from the NTRIP caster.
Skylark Nx RTK:
- NXRTK-MSM5
- NXRTK-RTCM31
- NXRTK-NAD83-MSM5
- NXRTK-DREF91-MSM
- NXRTK-ETRF2000-MSM5
Skylark Cx:
- MSM4
- MSM5
- OSR
- SSR
- SSR-integrity
- SSR-integrity-AES-CMAC
Skylark Dx:
- DX-MSM1
For example if you are in the United States, wanting to operate on the L1/L5 dual-band frequency, using a standard port on the Skylark Nx RTK global mountpoint, your endpoint URL address would be as follows:
na.l1l5.skylark.swiftnav.com:2101/NXRTK-MSM5
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a GNSS receiver needs to be connected to the Internet to receive correction data from Skylark.
All GNSS receivers require a reliable internet connection to receive Skylark data. The recommended methods are:
- Cellular Modem: For mobile or remote setups, use a cellular modem (with a SIM card and data plan) to provide internet access. Many GNSS receivers support USB or built-in cellular modems.
- Ethernet Connection: Connect your device directly to a network router or switch using an Ethernet cable. This is the most stable option for fixed installations.
- Wi-Fi: If your device supports Wi-Fi, connect it to a local wireless network with internet access.
Once connected, your device can use the NTRIP client to receive Skylark corrections over the internet. A stable connection is essential for best positioning performance.
No, Skylark utilizes a network of ultra high quality Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) around the world to model corrections in the cloud so that you do not need to install your own.
I’m not getting the accuracy I was expecting, why?
There are several factors that can impact the accuracy you experience with Skylark:
- Distance from corrections source: The farther your receiver is from the nearest reference station or outside the optimal coverage area, the more likely you are to see reduced accuracy. In all RTK services (including Skylark Nx RTK) the distance from the base station is a very important factor, every receiver has a maximum baseline. This does not apply to Skylark Cx or Dx which offer uniform performance across the coverage area
- Internet connection quality: A stable and reliable internet connection is required for your device to receive real-time corrections. Interruptions or high latency can degrade performance.
- Sky view: Your receiver needs a clear view of the sky to track enough satellites. Obstructions like buildings, trees, or being indoors can cause multipath errors and reduce accuracy.
- Receiver quality: The overall quality and configuration of your GNSS receiver and antenna play a significant role in achievable accuracy.
- Ionospheric disturbances: Solar activity and atmospheric conditions can temporarily affect GNSS signal quality.
- Device configuration: Ensure your device is properly configured for the Skylark variant you are using (Nx RTK, Cx, or Dx). Refer to the relevant receiver configuration guides for best results.
If you continue to experience issues please reach out to support for further assistance.
Yes, volume discounts are available for Skylark subscriptions. If you are planning to deploy Skylark across multiple devices or require a large number of licenses, please contact the Swift Navigation sales team to discuss your specific needs and receive a custom quote. Enterprise and high-volume customers can benefit from significant discounts based on the number of devices and the length of the subscription commitment. For more information or to request a volume pricing proposal, visit the contact page.
