Robust ultra-low-power positioning accuracy for wearables and asset tracking

U-blox has released the U-blox M10, its latest highly integrated GNSS platform developed fully in-house for ultra-low-power high-performance positioning applications. The solution sets a new level of positioning performance in an expansive range of applications including sport watches or asset and livestock trackers, all in an incredibly compact format and with especially long battery life.

The new positioning platform can track up to four GNSS constellations at once to provide positioning data even in tough environments such as deep urban canyons. The receiver’s Super-S technology aids to distinguish positioning signals from background noise to capture positioning data even when satellite signals are weak. Its high RF sensitivity also allows it to perform well with small antennas, making it excellent for compact product designs. In sports watches, for instance, the device ensures highly dynamic positioning accuracy through a run in cities, woods, or under an open sky, while preserving battery life.

This new GNSS platform will be supported by AssistNow, the company’s well established assisted GNSS service, to accelerate positioning and improve accuracy. Depending on the demanded level of assistance, the service is offered free of charge or for a recurring fee.

The platform benefits from the company’s experience in building robust GNSS receivers, including proven techniques for detecting spoofed signals via the analysis of raw GNSS data, jamming-detection strategies, and embedded filters to mitigate the effects of in-band RF interference.

“U-blox can be proud of over 20 years' of experience with GNSS technology, and with U-blox M10 we are setting a new benchmark in ultra-low power high-performance positioning applications,” says Bernd Heidtmann, product manager, Product Center Positioning, U-blox. “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%.”