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U-blox, a manufacturer of positioning and short-range communication technologies for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets, recently announced the SAM-M11N, a new GNSS module designed for platforms and devices that put a premium on weight and size, such as UAVs (drones), tracking tags, and other battery-powered device. Adding GNSS often means finding room for a separate antenna and tackling complex RF design. By integrating the receiver and omnidirectional antenna into one single module, the company says, the SAM-M11N makes positioning easier to incorporate into smaller, lighter, battery-powered devices.
Built on u-blox’s latest F11 GNSS platform, the 4.4 g module combines a GNSS receiver and omnidirectional antenna to simplify integration, with power consumption as low as 10 mW. Measuring just 15.5 × 15.5 × 5.3 mm and weighing 4.4 g, the SAM-M11N is 1 mm thinner and 0.9 g lighter than its predecessor, the SAM-M10Q. It is the thinnest and smallest by volume of any GNSS modules with an integrated antenna.
In small devices, GNSS integration does not end with choosing a receiver. Antenna selection, RF circuitry, and product orientation can all complicate development. The SAM-M11N includes a high-gain 15.5 × 15.5 mm RHCP patch antenna, removing the need to design in a separate GNSS antenna and the associated RF components. Developers can add positioning without additional specialist RF expertise, reducing an important source of integration effort.
That matters for a tracker worn on an animal, carried by a person, or installed on a device that keeps changing direction. The integrated omnidirectional antenna offers greater installation flexibility when the product cannot rely on a fixed orientation, u-blox points out. Pin compatibility with the previous u-blox SAM product line also creates a straightforward upgrade path for existing designs, helping customers reuse development work.
The SAM-M11N is the first module in the u-blox SAM antenna-integrated family to support Low Energy Accurate Positioning (LEAP) mode. Operating in the L1 band, it consumes as little as 10 mW at 1.8 V in LEAP mode, helping manufacturers reduce power demands in devices that need regular location updates. It delivers 1.5 m CEP horizontal positioning accuracy, with navigation update rates of up to 10 Hz using three concurrent GNSS constellations or up to 25 Hz with one. The 1.8 V to 3.6 V supply range gives engineers flexibility in battery-powered designs.
Applications where compact, antenna-integrated GNSS can make a difference include:
- Asset tracking tags with tight enclosure and battery constraints
- Livestock and pet trackers that change orientation during use
- Personal tracking devices where size and weight matter
- Lightweight drones and other continuously moving devices
- Aftermarket telematics devices requiring straightforward GNSS integration
Beyond size and power consumption, the SAM-M11N introduces embedded flash memory for firmware upgrades, unlike the ROM-based SAM-M10Q. This gives manufacturers the flexibility to update positioning firmware as requirements evolve without redesigning their GNSS hardware. Geofencing and indoor detection support more intelligent tracking strategies by helping devices respond to changes in location and environment, while u-blox AssistNow services support faster position acquisition. Integrated RF interference, jamming and spoofing detection and reporting further support robust field operation.
Developers can already use the EVK-F112 evaluation kit to explore the underlying u-blox F11 positioning technology and assess power consumption before testing the SAM-M11N hardware itself.
