ZOE-M8G GNSS module. Photo source: u-blox.Thalwil, Switzerland-based u-blox has launched the ZOE-M8G, an ultra-compact GNSS receiver module, especially designed for markets where small size, minimal weight and high location precision are essential.
The device offers exceptionally high location accuracy by concurrently connecting to GPS, Galileo and either GLONASS or BeiDou. According to the company, it also provides industry-leading -167 dBm navigation sensitivity, which is said to make it ideal for wearable devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and asset tracker applications.
Thalwil, Switzerland-based u-blox has launched the ZOE-M8G, an ultra-compact GNSS receiver module, especially designed for markets where small size, minimal weight and high location precision are essential.
The device offers exceptionally high location accuracy by concurrently connecting to GPS, Galileo and either GLONASS or BeiDou. According to the company, it also provides industry-leading -167 dBm navigation sensitivity, which is said to make it ideal for wearable devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and asset tracker applications.
The new device helps simplify product designs because it is a fully integrated, complete GNSS solution with built-in SAW-filter and low-noise-amplifier (LNA). This means it can be used with passive antennas, without the need for additional components, and doesn’t compromise performance.
The module measures 4.5mm x 4.5mm x 1mm. Due to its very small size, a complete GNSS design using the module takes approximately 30 percent less printed circuit board (PCB) area compared to a conventional discrete chip design with a CSP chip GNSS receiver.
Uffe Pless, product marketing, positioning product center at u-blox, said: “When you’re designing products such as smart watches, fitness trackers, asset trackers, UBI dongles and even drones, every square millimeter and every gram counts. The u-blox ZOE-M8G makes it significantly easier for product designers to achieve precise location tracking while keeping within their strict form factor and weight restrictions.”
Samples of the u‑blox ZOE‑M8G will be available in February 2017 and volume production will start in October 2017.
Earlier the company said its M8 series of GNSS modules were used in the development of the drone technology for participation in the United Kingdom’s Direct Line Insurance Fleetlights Initiative. The modules provide accurate positioning to a formation of multiple drones that can travel up to 30 mph — while maintaining a distance of approximately two meters between the aircraft, the company said.
