Implementation of integrated multi-band RTK technology enables high-precision location tracking

u-blox has launched the ZED-F9P GNSS module, featuring integrated multi-band RTK technology for machine control, unmanned ground vehicles, and high-precision unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Based on the recently released u-blox F9 platform technology and a small size of 22 x 17 x 2.4 mm, the ZED-F9P provides powerful high-precision positioning capabilities.

The u-blox ZED-F9P is the first mass-produced multi-band high-precision receiver to simultaneously utilize signals from four types of positioning satellites: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou. By combining GNSS signals received across multiple frequency bands (L1/L2/L5) with RTK technology, the ZED-F9P achieves centimeter-level accuracy within seconds. By receiving more satellite signals over a specific period, it provides more accurate centimeter-level positioning information even in challenging radio environments, such as urban areas.

The ZED-F9P is an ideal solution for high-speed applications, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), due to its high position data update rate. Furthermore, since the ZED-F9P has an advanced multi-band RTK algorithm embedded within the chip, it eliminates the need for additional hardware or third-party RTK libraries. The product is ready for immediate use and easy to integrate, allowing developers' ideas to be implemented quickly.

ZED-F9P has completely resolved the three major challenges hindering the mass production of centimeter-level high-precision positioning technology: price, size, and power consumption. Compared to existing solutions, it is significantly smaller in size but offers higher energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, making ZED-F9P a new application for high-precision positioning technology capable of meeting the demands of the mass production market.

“The ZED-F9P GNSS receiver is built upon the success of u-blox’s NEO-M8P high-precision GNSS module, but its performance has been advanced to the next level by being designed to utilize all other available GNSS signals,” said Mårten Ström, Senior Product Manager at the u-blox Positioning Product Development Center. “We expect it to contribute to driving innovation in high-precision GNSS navigation applications and ushering in a new generation by making high-precision positioning technology, which offers powerful performance and a reasonable price, more accessible.”