Geolocation System
Lost? Not anymore, precision guidance at your fingertips!
Last updated
Lost? Not anymore, precision guidance at your fingertips!
Last updated
In terms of GNSS modules, u-blox is the market leader, so I naturally turned to their products.
Once again, there are plenty of solutions to choose from. I hesitated for a long time over the CAM-M8 or SAM-M8 modules, which offer a ready-to-use solution by integrating the module and its antenna. Nevertheless, I opted for the new u-blox family, the MAX-M10 module.
This new model is the most competitive of its family in every aspect. It can listen to all four types of GNSS (whereas the others are limited to 3 simultaneously), has a compact size (9.7x10.1x2.5mm) and is ultra low-power (less than 31mW in operation). On the downside, this module is not equipped with a GNSS antenna. This means I'll need to add one in my hardware design.
Then there's the choice between two types of MAX-M10 module: the M or the S. Basically, the S module incorporates an LNA followed by a SAW filter in GNSS signal processing. This results in greater sensitivity and robustness for the detection and acquisition of GNSS signals. We'll be able to collect better and faster. On the downside, the MAX-M10S consumes a little more power and is a little more expensive. Nevertheless, the addition of a processing chain is a considerable advantage and a more sustainable solution over time. The MAX-M10S module is therefore featured on the board.
Package
18pin LCC - 9.7x10.1x2.5mm for 0.6g
Number of concurrent GNSS
Up to 4
Nav. update rate
Up to 25Hz (single GNSS).
Up to 10Hz (4 concurrent GNSS)
Horizontal position accuracy
1.5m
Time to First Fix (TTFF)
Cold start
Aided start Hot start
In second :
28
1
1
Power consumption at 3V
2 GNSS : up to 24mW 3 GNSS : up to 15mW 4 GNSS : up to 31mW
u-blox Super S
Improved accuracy with small antennas
u-blox services
u-center 2 Assist Now & CloudLocate
Operating temperature
-40°C to +85°C
The board is equipped with a small GNSS antenna, minimizing the tracker's size while offering a functional GPS system.
The chosen one is a surface-mount ceramic GNSS antenna: Pulse's W3011. It is highly efficient for its size (3.2x1.6x1.1 mm - 1 to 1.8dBi). It features linear polarization and omnidirectional radiation, providing optimal performance in all possible positions.
If specific usage conditions require enhanced performance, a uFl connector is available to attach a passive GPS antenna. For instance, one can connect Molex's GPS flex antenna using this connector.
In the current version of the project (v1), the GNSS module is only wired to work with passive antennas. This is an important point to take into account when developing a project. In a future version, a circuit will be added to enable the use of active GNSS antennas.
