A new integrated GNSS platform designed for ultra-low power high-performance positioning applications targets a wide range of applications requiring an extremely compact format and with very long battery life, such as sport watches or asset and livestock trackers. The new M10 from u-blox can track up to four GNSS constellations at once to deliver positioning data even in challenging environments such as deep urban canyons.
The receiver’s Super-S technology helps distinguish positioning signals from background noise to capture positioning data even when satellite signals are weak. Its high RF sensitivity also enables it to work well with small antennas, suiting it for compact product designs. In sport watches, for instance, u-blox says its M10 guarantees highly dynamic positioning accuracy during a run in cities, woods, or under an open sky, while preserving battery life.
The M10 is designed to consume 12mW in continuous tracking mode, five times less than the power consumed by previous u-blox meter-level GNSS technology. Its enhanced RF sensitivity also cuts the time it takes for the platform to achieve a first position fix when initialized, further reducing systemic power consumption. Switching to the improved Super-E mode can extend battery life even more, according to the company.
The new product will be supported by AssistNow, u-blox’s assisted GNSS service, to accelerate positioning and improve accuracy. Depending on the required level of assistance, the service is available free of charge or for a recurring fee.
“We have increased concurrent reception of satellite signals by a GNSS platform from three to four constellations and improved the power consumption level five-fold compared to previous generations while shrinking the chip size by 35 percent,” said Bernd Heidtmann, Product Manager, Product Center Positioning
The first products based on the u-blox M10 positioning platform are the MAX- M10S GNSS module and the UBX-M10050 GNSS chipset, both available now.
