u-blox now offers new explorer kits to make it quicker and simpler for engineers to develop and evaluate products needing centimetre-level positioning capabilities.
Due in early 2023, the ready-to-use XPLR-HPG-1 and XPLR-HPG-2 solutions will combine the company's unique offering across the key technologies needed to deliver highly precise positioning. As well as an open MCU, they'll incorporate HPG positioning with RTK, dead reckoning, cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communications, and the required antennas. Importantly, the kits are created to integrate seamlessly with complementary u-blox services, such as PointPerfect GNSS augmentation service and the ubxlib software component. ubxlib simplifies the developer experience across its products and services, particularly throughout component evaluation and prototyping.
The kits will help engineers working in areas such as micromobility and low-speed robotics, assisting to them build, test and demonstrate early-stage proofs of concept quicker, thereby supporting faster overall time-to-market.
These explorer kits will include the full gamut of the company's technology and software needed. The modular XPLR-HPG-1 kit will be based around the wireless MCU in the NORA-W106, with its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE capabilities. It will provide engineers the flexibility to modify their solutions to their precise needs, utilising MIKROE Click boards featuring various u-blox modules. The kit will comprise three Click boards, which contain the ZED-F9R high-precision RTK GNSS module and the LARA-R6001D LTE Cat 1 module (global coverage and built-in MQTT client), and the NEO-D9S L-band correction data receiver module. Engineers may purchase others, based on their application's needs. The kit's source code will comprise example software for the ESP-IDF, based on ubxlib software components.
The compact XPLR-HPG-2, meanwhile, will provide an integrated solution, including the ZED-F9R high-precision RTK GNSS, LARA-R6001D LTE Cat 1 (with global coverage and built-in MQTT client) and NEO-D9S L-band correction data receiver modules, and the NINA-W106 with its MCU, Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi capabilities.
The blend of technologies offered in a single explorer kit will enable designers to achieve cm-level positioning in various scenarios. The GNSS receiver offers an initial position reading, which is then refined utilising correction data from the PointPerfect service, supplied using L-band satellite signals and cellular and/or Wi-Fi communication.
Pelle Svensson, senior principal product strategy, Product Strategy Short Range Radio at u-blox, said: "Centimetre-level positioning accuracy is becoming increasingly important for both consumer and industrial applications. It relies on getting GNSS technology working hand-in-hand with wireless communication capabilities to link in with augmentation data services such as PointPerfect. Our aim with these new kits is to make the process as simple as possible for design engineers by providing all the key technologies and services in one place. This will enable them to create rapid proofs of concept of their solutions, and ultimately get the finished product into customers' hands more quickly."
