Alpha Micro, an independent design-based distributor of M2M electronic components, has introduced the u-blox 7 next generation core positioning technology platform designed to support all Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) - US, Russian, Chinese, Japanese - and EU satellite positioning systems, as well as all Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS). Based on the UBX-G7020 multi-GNSS receiver IC, u-blox 7 has the lowest power consumption of any such device on the market today by a factor of three compared to other stand-alone solutions.
With only 7 mW power consumption during continuous navigation, the u-blox UBX-G7020 is perfect for small portable and power-sensitive devices requiring long battery life, high sensitivity, small size and fast positioning.
“As satellite systems expand beyond GPS, u-blox 7 is an important development for our customers keen to design systems that work with all available global navigation standards, particularly GLONASS which is now fully operational. The u-blox multi-GNSS UBX-G7020 integrated circuit does exactly that while fulfilling two of the most important features that our customers demand: minimum power consumption and small size”, said Maxine Hewitt, Director of Marketing, Alpha Micro Components.
The chip has been designed to support the lowest cost stand-alone solution via minimum eBOM; only 8 external components are required resulting in a receiver occupying only 30mm2 on a 2-layer PCB. Standard crystal and TCXO are supported. The chip also provides low-power, autonomous log data output of position, velocity, and time. Support for A-GPS and u-blox' unique CellLocateTM hybrid GNSS/cellular positioning technology is embedded to facilitate advanced telematics applications including indoor positioning. Standard and automotive grades are supported.
First samples of the multi-GNSS receiver chip UBX-G7020 are available for customer evaluation. Thereafter, the MAX, NEO, and LEA, u-blox' popular module series, will all be upgraded to the new u-blox 7 platform.
u-blox 7 maintains software compatibility with u-blox 5 and u-blox 6, and modules provide drop-in compatibility and both previous generation platforms remain fully supported. u-blox' capability of delivering GNSS technology in both integrated circuit and module form provides maximum design flexibility for a wide variety of applications. To evaluate the performance of the u-blox 7 multi-GNSS platform, evaluation kits supporting all u-blox 7 based chips and modules can be ordered.