Swiss firm U-Blox has announced an antenna module that it says provides best-in-class low-power positioning.

The Sam-M10Q has an integrated antenna and provides product developers with a pathway to integrate the firm’s M10 GNSS technology into their devices. Typical applications include industrial tracking, telematics, automation, monitoring and small UAVs.

The M10 GNSS positioning engine in the module provides concurrent reception of all four GNSS constellations – GPS, Glonass, Galileo and Beidou. As a result, users benefit from higher positioning accuracy and a faster position fix, even in weak signal environments such as urban canyons.

The module’s integrated wide-band antenna along with its SAW filter and low-noise amplifier (LNA) architecture deliver out-of-band jamming immunity, providing robust performance when located near a cellular modem, a common issue in asset tracking and telematics devices.

As a ready-to-use GNSS system requiring no external components or RF expertise, the module can enable easy design-in and quick time to market, helping those who need ready-to-use GNSS and depend on external RF expertise and resources to develop a robust antenna.

Pin-to-pin compatibility with the U-Blox’s previous antenna module, the Sam-M8Q, makes it easier for existing users to upgrade their products.

Designed as a surface-mount device, it allows for efficient product assembly by enabling automated manufacturing processes. The antenna module’s 15.5 by 15.5 by 6.3mm size and simple interface aid integration into small end devices.

“With its built-in antenna, low power technology and concurrent reception of all four GNSS constellations, the Sam-M10Q antenna module expands the existing U-Blox M10 GNSS product portfolio, offering excellent turnkey GNSS without need for expertise in RF and antenna design,” said JunJun Lu, senior product manager at U-Blox.

Engineering samples of the module will be available in August 2022.

With headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, U-Blox has offices in Europe, Asia and the USA.