u-blox M10 GNSS platform with reduced power consumption
Simultaneous tracking of four GNSS satellite signals even in urban areas


On the 6th, u-blox announced the 'M10' Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) platform for low-power, high-performance positioning applications.

The M10 platform enhances location tracking performance by enabling miniaturization and extended battery life for a wide range of applications, including sports smartwatches and asset and livestock trackers.

Even in challenging environments like dense urban jungles, the device can simultaneously track up to four GNSS satellites to deliver accurate location data. "Super-S" technology distinguishes location signals from background noise, even when satellite signals are weak, thereby capturing accurate location data.

The M10 platform is designed to consume only 12 mW of power in continuous tracking mode, five times less than u-blox's existing meter-level GNSS technology. Furthermore, increased RF sensitivity reduces the time it takes to acquire a position upon platform initialization, reducing system power consumption. Switching to the enhanced 'Super-E' mode can further extend battery life.

It also integrates technologies such as spoofing signal detection through raw GNSS data analysis, jamming detection and response, and embedded filters to mitigate the effects of in-band RF interference.

The new GNSS platform is supported by u-blox's AssistNow (A-GNSS) service, which accelerates positioning and improves accuracy. The service is available free of charge or on a monthly basis, depending on the level of support required by the application.

“The new platform increases the number of satellite signals that can be received simultaneously in a GNSS platform from three to four, while reducing the chip size by 35 percent and improving power consumption by a factor of five compared to the previous generation,” said Bernd Heidtmann, Product Manager, Product Center Positioning at u-blox.

The first products based on the M10 platform are the MAX-M10S GNSS module and the UBX-M10050 GNSS chipset, both of which are currently sampling. Users can streamline the design process for products based on the M10 platform with the newly designed u-center GNSS evaluation software.