u-blox brings GNSS RTK precision to the mass market

u-blox has launched a receiver module that brings real-time kinematic accuracy to the mass market. The NEO-M8P GNSS receiver module delivers high performance down to centimeter-level accuracy.

RTK technologies have been used for some time in low-volume niche markets, such as surveying and construction. Because of high costs and complexity, this enhanced positioning technology has been inaccessible for most other uses.

Emerging high volume markets, such as unmanned vehicles, require high-precision performance that is low cost and energy efficient. Other application areas include agriculture and robotic guidance systems, such as tractors or robotic lawnmowers. The u-blox NEO-M8P answers these demands for a small-sized, highly cost-effective, and very precise RTK-based module solution.

The RTK algorithms are pre-integrated into the module. As a result, the size and weight are significantly reduced, and power consumption is five times lower than existing solutions, cutting costs and improving usability dramatically, u-blox said.

Measuring 12.2 x 16 x 2.4 millimeters, NEO-M8P is a small, high-precision GNSS RTK module based on GPS and GLONASS satellite-based navigation systems.

The module is available in two variants. The NEO-M8P-0 has rover functionality, and the NEO-M8P-2 has rover and base-station functionality. The rover with the u-blox NEO-M8P-0 receives corrections from the u-blox base receiver NEO-M8P-2 via a communication link that uses the RTCM (Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services) protocol, enabling centimeter-level positioning accuracy.

By using the NEO-M8P module, customers can reduce their research and development efforts, because they do not have to spend significant resources and time to develop an in-house RTK solution on a separate microprocessor system.

“NEO-M8P lowers the barriers for innovative companies looking to develop equipment that needs centimeter-level accuracy in many markets and applications, such as UAVs,” said Daniel Ammann, Executive Director Positioning and Co-Founder of u-blox. “Today, most solutions are based on board-level receiver products. NEO-M8P delivers performance that is simply a level above competitive offerings in terms of size and low-power consumption, thereby providing easy integration into customers’ existing product platforms, as well as a significant saving in their cost of goods.”

u-blox NEO-M8P is available for sampling now and will be shipping in volumes in the third quarter of 2016.