GPS World

Category: Receivers

  • SparkPNT launches RTK GNSS platform

    SparkPNT launches RTK GNSS platform

    SparkPNT has released the SparkPNT Facet FP, a high-precision GNSS receiver designed to deliver centimeter-level accuracy with a focus on long-term flexibility, ease of use, and open-source innovation.

    Built for a rapidly evolving positioning landscape, the Facet FP combines multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS support with fully open-source firmware — giving users a platform that can adapt as technologies continue to advance. Built to last, all models are contained in a robust waterproof cast-aluminum housing, with an internal structure designed for compatibility with the company’s Flex system of GNSS modules.

    This gives users the choice between three different modules, plus the choice of having tilt-compensation or not, offering six different options with a range of price-points, securities and accuracies for different needs and applications.  

    Other notable features include:

    • MFi Certification
    • LoRa radio with detachable antenna
    • Internal survey-grade L1/L2/L5/L6 GNSS antenna
    • IP-67 rated housing that blocks out dust, water and other environmental hazards
    • Internal fast-charging battery
    • WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
    • Custom carrying case
  • US Air Force seeks hardened anti-jam receiver for missle guidance

    US Air Force seeks hardened anti-jam receiver for missle guidance

    The U.S. Air Force has opened market research for a GPS Increment 2 GNSS M-code receiver for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program.

    The Air Force’s Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Eglin Air Force Base published a Request for Information on March 17 to identify qualified vendors capable of developing and producing the receiver.

    Key requirements include:

    • demonstrating a point-of-departure design at or above Technology Readiness Level/Manufacturing Readiness Level 5 applicable to U.S. Department of Defense tactical missiles
    • identifying existing programs leveraged
    • providing current TRL and MRL status
    • presenting a funded development plan to achieve required maturity.

    Respondents must also

    • describe their technical approach for the GPS receiver
    • identify the status of Increment 2 M-code Application Specific Integrated Circuit certification with the GPS Directorate Security Team
    • demonstrate an active production line delivering DoD M-code receivers where possible
    • provide a notional low-risk development and integration schedule from contract award.

    The government is using the market research phase to assess vendor capability before proceeding to formal solicitation. The opportunity is open to qualified commercial vendors without foreign participation. The government is seeking established manufacturers with demonstrated capability in DoD M-code receiver production.

    Respondents must submit white paper responses of 10 pages or less by May 29. Administrative information including company credentials, facility security clearance, and executed Non-Disclosure Agreements must be submitted separately and do not count toward the 10-page limit.

  • L3Harris M-code receiver deliveries surpass 100,000 units

    L3Harris M-code receiver deliveries surpass 100,000 units

    Modernized GPS is strengthening operational assurance and signaling a new era of assured positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) for U.S. and allied forces

    L3 Harris has reached a milestone with the delivery of the 100,000th next-generation military-code (M-code) GPS receiver to the United States and allied partners through the Modernized GPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 1 program.

    M-code receivers are designed to deliver secure, jam-resistant PNT capabilities that are essential as military operations grow more distributed, joint and technologically complex. Unlike legacy systems, M-code-enabled receivers provide enhanced security features and increased resistance to interference, allowing forces to maintain trusted GPS access when signals may otherwise be degraded or denied.

    “As the global threat environment continues to evolve, secure and resilient PNT has never been more critical to ensuring operational advantage,” said Quinlan Lyte, president, Advanced Effects, Missile Solutions, L3Harris. “Reaching this delivery milestone reflects our team’s sustained commitment to equipping the warfighter with reliable technology designed to perform in the most contested environments.”

    Beyond the milestone itself, the scale of fielded MGUE Increment 1 receivers underscores a broader shift toward modernized, mission-ready GPS capability across U.S. and allied platforms. From air and ground systems to maritime and joint operations, M-code technology is helping commanders operate with greater confidence in environments where GPS reliability can no longer be assumed.

    Onto the next phase

    L3Harris is building on the momentum from MGUE Increment 1 as the company advances the next phase of GPS modernization through MGUE Increment 2. Ongoing development includes a new M-code-enabled application-specific integrated circuit and the TruTrak-M Type II receiver, technologies designed to further improve size, weight, power and cost efficiencies while maintaining robust security and performance. These advancements will enable greater integration and flexibility, as well as broader adoption across future platforms.

  • Hemisphere GNSS and Calian produce new high-precision antenna

    Hemisphere GNSS and Calian produce new high-precision antenna

    Hemisphere GNSS, a brand of CNH, together with Calian Group Ltd, have released the A65 GNSS antenna, a jointly developed, next-generation solution engineered to deliver exceptional accuracy, superior interference protection, and robust GNSS tracking performance.

    The A65 is designed as a drop-in replacement for the widely deployed A45 antenna, offering users a seamless upgrade path to the latest precision technology.

    The collaboration reflects a shared focus on combining advanced RF design with real‑world application insight to address increasingly complex GNSS operating environments, with both teams working closely from the earliest stages of development to meet demanding original equipment manufacturer (OEM) performance requirements.

    The antenna architecture itself, including the stacked patch quad feed element and RF front end, was engineered by Calian, and provides Calian’s XF Filtering. Hemisphere GNSS contributed application expertise, system integration requirements, and performance validation within real-world machine control, agriculture, marine and survey environments.

    The result is a precision antenna that delivers:

    • outstanding multipath suppression
    • highly consistent phase center variation
    • accurate tracking across GPS (L1/L2/L5), Galileo (E1/E5/E6), BeiDou (B1/B2/B3), GLONASS (G1/G2/G3), NavIC L5, QZSS, and L-band correction services
    • lower power consumption and broad voltage compatibility

    Together, Hemisphere and Calian ensured the A65 meets demanding field requirements while exceeding the performance benchmarks of the A45.

    Calian XF Filtering for Interference Rejection

    A major advancement of the A65 is the integration of Calian’s XF Filtering. The interference mitigation system rejects out-of-band energy at the antenna level, significantly improving signal quality in RF-challenging environments.

    Calian XF Filtering provides protection against:

    • 4G / 5G cellular transmissions
    • Ligado and adjacent band interference sources
    • broadband marine and aviation systems
    • industrial and urban RF noise

    By combining Calian’s advanced filtering technology with Hemisphere GNSS’s application-level expertise, the A65 delivers cleaner signals, improved reliability, and more stable performance in harsh real-world environments.

    Engineered for rugged field use

    Validated through Hemisphere GNSS field testing and Calian engineering qualification, the A65 includes:

    • IP69K environmental protection
    • High-impact LEXAN radome and robust metallic base
    • Low noise amplifier (LNA) with high gain (2.5 dB NF, 28-30 dB gain)
    • 15 kV electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection
    • -40°C to +85°C operating range

    These specifications are designed to ensure the A65 provides long-term performance across agriculture, survey, machine control, marine and fixed-reference installations.

    The A65 GNSS antenna is available now through Hemisphere GNSS. OEM module versions based on the same Calian engineered design are also offered for integrators requiring embedded solutions.

  • Thales’ TopStar modules enable addition of Galileo OS and PRS to receivers

    Thales’ TopStar modules enable addition of Galileo OS and PRS to receivers

    Thales has developed TopStar Galileo core modules in two standardzed, easy-to-integrate versions.

    The small-form-factor Galileo OS (Open Service) or PRS (Public Regulated Service) sensors are designed to enhanced GNSS receivers and resilient multi-sensor navigation systems, ensuring safer and more reliable satellite-based navigation. 

    The Galileo PRS core module integrates a certified, single-chip, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) security module that incorporates all the necessary Galileo PRS security and navigation functions. It provides dual-frequency (E1/E6) iono-free Galileo PRS positioning, velocity and timing services. It also provides pseudorange and delta pseudorange raw data, along with GPS C/A (coarse acquisition).

    The low-SWaP (size, weight and power) digital solution has been designed to work with any European GNSS receiver manufacturer seeking a standardized, easy-to-integrate Galileo module with which to develop their own GNSS receivers.

    Credit: Thales
    Credit: Thales

    The modules can meet the requirements of a wide range of applications for manned or unmanned vehicles, combat aircraft, helicopters, high-dynamic missiles, and the navy. Their small form factor also makes them suitable for platforms with size constraints, such as ground vehicles, small drones and guided munitions.

    The modules feature standardized interfaces, enabling the Galileo PRS function to be easily integrated into the host system. Furthermore, the TopStar Galileo core module can be embedded with minimum impact by using the analog RF front end of the host receiver.

    The Galileo OS core module version enables the early integration of Galileo functionalities into the host system, as well as export to countries not authorized to use PRS. The PRS core module version provides an easy upgrade to Public Regulated Service capability, offering greater resilience against jamming and crucial protection against spoofing.

  • New u-blox F11 platform provides ultra-low power GNSS for all environments

    New u-blox F11 platform provides ultra-low power GNSS for all environments

    The new u-blox F11 platform provides L1/L5 dual-band standard-precision GNSS designed to significantly improve positioning accuracy while dramatically reducing power consumption to as low as 7 mW in typical configurations using low-energy accurate positioning (LEAP) mode for tracking and wearable applications.

    The F11 platform marks a major step forward in meter-level GNSS positioning, the company said. It combines ultra-low power operation with intelligent signal management to meet the evolving demands of tracking, wearables, telematics and mobility applications — including micromobility solutions and drones. The platform enables device manufacturers to achieve longer battery life, faster and more reliable position fixes, and greater design flexibility, u-blox said.

    Intelligent dual-band operation

    Expanding power saving capabilities, the F11 platform is a new situationally aware GNSS architecture (with integrated geofencing and indoor detections) that dynamically balances accuracy and power consumption. By selectively using dual-band L1/L5 operation only when it helps maintain the positioning performance, the F11 platform reduces energy use while providing resilience and maintaining confidence in location data.

    Compared to previous generations, the platform delivers up to 40% lower power consumption during signal acquisition and up to 30% lower power consumption in continuous tracking modes, while improving position accuracy by up to 30% in challenging environments such as dense urban areas. For long-life tracking applications (assets, livestock, pets and people), optimized first-fix performance further reduces GNSS on-time, enabling multi-year battery operation.

    For scalable, high-volume applications

    The u-blox F11 platform addresses the growing demand for GNSS solutions that are robust, power-efficient, and easy to integrate across a wide range of industries. The platform supports both single-band and dual-band operation within a single footprint, allowing device manufacturers to simplify designs and scale products across multiple market segments.

    Key application areas include:

    • asset and fleet tracking
    • consumer and fitness wearables
    • aftermarket telematics
    • livestock tracking
    • people/pet tracking
    • industrial sensing and IoT
    • micromobility and mobility services
    • consumer drones and action cameras

    By focusing on real-world performance rather than raw specifications, the F11 platform enables faster development cycles, improved user experience, and lower total system cost for OEMs — with form-factor compatibility and firmware upgradeability as a way to future proof designs.  

    Availability

    The platform is being showcased at Embedded World 2026. First products will be available by the end of June 2026. 

  • Telit Cinterion adds dual-band L1+L5 GNSS modules for trackers and high-precision IoT

    Telit Cinterion adds dual-band L1+L5 GNSS modules for trackers and high-precision IoT

    Telit Cinterion, an end-to-end IoT solutions enabler, has expaned its GNSS portfolio with two dual-band positioning modules: the ultracompact SE873K5-D and the high-end SE869eK5-DRK. 

    Built on the AG3335 chipset series from long-time partner Airoha, the new modules support space- and power-constrained internet of things (IoT) devices and use cases that require continuous, ultraprecise positioning. 

    The SE873K5-D and SE869eK5-DRK provide a scalable path to adopt dual-band L1 + L5 GNSS. Device manufacturers can add advanced correction technologies and resilient positioning architectures without redesigning hardware.  

    When combined with Telit Cinterion cellular connectivity solutions, the modules support the injection of RTCM corrections worldwide. This feature enables higher accuracy across connected IoT deployments.

    SE873K5-D
    The SE873K5-D expands the established SE873K5 family with a dual-band L1 + L5 variant. It is designed for size- and power-constrained applications.  

    This new module maintains the same 7 x 7 mm footprint and pin-to-pin compatibility as the single-frequency SE873K5. OEMs can scale performance without changing hardware designs.

    The SE873K5-D supports multiconstellation GNSS across the L1 and L5 bands. Compared to single-frequency solutions, it improves accuracy and robustness against interference and multipath effects.  

    With DGNSS support via RTCM corrections, the module enables submeter accuracy. It is ideal for myriad use cases, from wearables to fleet management.  

    Two power supply variants enable designers to optimize for either minimal size or ultralow power consumption in battery-operated devices. Multiple configurable usage profiles, such as tracking and drone modes, provide added flexibility across IoT verticals.  

    SE869eK5-DRK
    The SE869eK5-DRK is the next evolution of Telit Cinterion’s high-end GNSS offering. Based on the upper tier of the AG3335 chipset family, this module builds on the previously announced SE869eK5-DR. It adds support for RTK positioning with untethered dead reckoning. 

    This powerful combination enables uninterrupted, centimeter-level positioning. It maintains performance even when GNSS signals are degraded or unavailable due to interference or signal blockage.  

    The SE869eK5-DRK has an embedded inertial measurement unit. This feature helps maintain accurate position fixes in environments like tunnels and dense urban areas. The module supports DGNSS for submeter accuracy when RTK corrections are unavailable or when centimeter-level precision is not needed. 

    The SE869eK5-DRK is designed in an industry-standard 16 x 12.2 mm form factor. It introduces a proprietary extended pinout while remaining backward-compatible with existing designs. The added pins enable future-proof implementations and customization. OEMs can expand capabilities over time without redesigning their products.

    Engineering validation testing samples of the SE873K5-D are available now. Design validation testing samples are expected soon. Mass production is planned for Q2 2026.  

    Design validation testing samples for the SE869eK5-DRK are available now. Mass production is planned for Q2 2026.  

    For more information about the SE873K5-D and the SE869eK5-DRK, visit Telit Cinterion at Embedded World at Booth #3-620. The event runs March 10-12 at the Exhibition Centre Nüremberg. 

  • Honeywell introduces HGuide i700 IMU for unmanned air, land and sea

    Honeywell introduces HGuide i700 IMU for unmanned air, land and sea

    Honeywell has launched the HGuide i700, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that delivers high-accuracy performance for unmanned air, land and sea vehicles. By pairing near navigation-grade capability with a no-license-required (NLR) classification, the HGuide i700 provides integrators worldwide with a powerful new option for critical sensing and navigation.

    The HGuide i700 uses high reliability sensors and electronic architecture found in Honeywell’s HG3900 inertial measurement unit (IMU). Compact and low power, the HGuide i700 delivers near-navigation-grade accuracy and reliability while being optimized to support longer range navigation in GNSS-denied environments

    “As customers explore new autonomous, robotic and precision-guided solutions, they want the accuracy and reliability of inertial systems that can be tailored to their program requirements,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager, Navigation and Sensors, Honeywell Aerospace. “The HGuide i700 offers strong GNSS-denied performance for by limiting maximum acceleration and spin rates in a license-free package that simplifies the complexity of system development while preserving reliability.”

    The latest in Honeywell’s HGuide suite of no-license inertial solutions, the HGuide i700 allows customers to streamline development cycles, simplify system architecture and transition to field deployment more quickly than existing technology.

    The HGuide i700’s rugged design, compact size and low-power profile make it suitable for diverse commercial, industrial and defense applications, such as:

    • Unmanned aerial, land or sea vehicles  
    • Mobile mapping and surveying systems
    • Long duration unmanned ground or surface platforms
    • Robotics and industrial automation
    • Stabilized payloads and pointing systems

    Honeywell has been a top innovator in IMU technology for more than three decades and pioneered the use of MEMS technologies in navigation. For more information about the Honeywell HGuide i700 and Honeywell’s navigation solutions, visit Honeywell Aerospace.

  • Qualinx launches reconfigurable GNSS chip and developer kit

    Qualinx launches reconfigurable GNSS chip and developer kit

    Qualinx will showcase its market-ready 1 mW QLX3Gx Series GNSS chip with its dynamic reconfigurable architecture, along with a developer evaluation kit (EVK), at Embedded World 2026 taking place March 10-12 in Nuremberg.

    The QLX3Gx EVK enables OEMs to directly validate Qualinx’s power-to-performance leadership and integration readiness in real-world device environments across IoT, UAVs, wearables, asset tracking, mobility and infrastructure applications. Additional demos include ultra-low-power GNSS powered by Dragonfly Digital RF, on-chip Galileo authentication with EUSPA’s OSNMA, QLX3AX AFE flexibility, beacon-to-beacon communication and sustainable smartwatch integration.

    1 mW GNSS Powered by Dragonfly

    Qualinx’s patented Dragonfly Digital Radio Frequency (DRF) architecture is at the core of the QLX3GX chip and shifts traditionally analog RF functions into the digital domain, an approach that brings RF back in line with Moore’s Law and, as such, significantly reduces power consumption without compromising performance.

    Market-ready and built for scale, the highly integrated chip combines an ultra-low-power digital RF front end with an advanced GNSS digital baseband engine, ready for high-volume production and OEM deployment.

    Additionally, the Dragonfly architecture enables dynamic, over-the-air (OTA) reconfiguration of the device throughout its lifecycle, eliminating substantial cost and complexity from customers’ supply chains and sparking new cycles of downstream product innovation, all from a single chip.

    Supported by a European-designed GNSS architecture engineered for industry-leading power-to-performance versatility, hardware-level security and resilience, tracking is performed natively on-chip rather than in the cloud, further improving resilience to spoofing, jamming and interference.

    Live demonstrations planned

    Live demos at Embedded World 2026 highlight Qualinx’s performance and agility, and reinforce the company’s strategy to redefine connectivity by ensuring ultra-low-power, secure, and reconfigurable GNSS is accessible at scale:

    • QLX3Gx developer evaluation kit (EVK). Hands-on validation of real-world power consumption, reconfigurability and integration readiness.
    • Ultra-low-power GNSS powered by Dragonfly Digital RF. The 1 mW operating mode reduces one of the largest energy drains in connected systems, enabling longer battery life, smaller form factors and lower carbon footprint.
    • Qualinx Transmit. Qualinx will demonstrate that the same chip used for beacon-to-beacon collaboration can enable a range of new applications in which devices work together as an intelligent swarm, accelerating the deployment of ambient IoT.
    • Galileo OSNMA authentication with EUSPA. With more than 4 billion devices connected to Galileo, Qualinx on-chip navigation message authentication strengthens protection against spoofing among connected devices while reinforcing alignment with Europe’s sovereign Galileo infrastructure.
    • QLX3AX analog front end (AFE). A dynamic OTA reconfigurable AFE supporting multiple radio technologies for specialized receivers and custom systems.
    • Wearable integration display. Smartwatch-class form-factor readiness, validating compact footprint and suitability for IoT and wearable devices.

    The availability of the QLX3Gx GNSS chip and EVK follows the recent announcement of a €20M investment round to support and accelerate Qualinx’s growth and international expansion. As governments and enterprises reassess their exposure to fragile, globally concentrated semiconductor supply chains, Qualinx stands out as a European deep-tech company that combines European IP and manufacturing, with hardware-level security that delivers resilient, ultra-low-power connectivity and does not rely on cloud-based processing.

    All Qualinx chips, including the QLX3Gx GNSS chip, are designed and manufactured in Europe, anchoring production within the EU and reducing supply chain risk.

    OEMs are invited to register their interest in the Qualinx developer EVK at Embedded World, from 10-12 March at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, Hall 3, Booth 2211, to secure hands-on evaluation of the QLX3Gx GNSS chip for upcoming consumer, industrial, and mobility applications ahead of mass production this year. Contact [email protected] to schedule a media interview.

  • Qualcomm offers Snapdragon Wear Elite platform for personal AI

    Qualcomm offers Snapdragon Wear Elite platform for personal AI

    Qualcomm Technologies has launched the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform at Mobile World Congress, taking place this week in Barcelo.

    Wear Elite is a personal AI platform designed to unlock the next generation of truly personal, always-on, intelligent wearable computing devices. It works across WearOS by Google, Android and Linux with a neural processing unit (NPU) for on-device AI and advanced suite of ultra-low power connectivity solutions.

    The Snapdragon Wear platform introduces a multi‑mode connectivity architecture integrating six advanced technologies: GNSS, 5G RedCap, Micro‑Power Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 6.0, UWB and NB‑NTN. The company’s GNSS solution enables advanced processing for precise location context that helps AI better understand where users are and adapt interactions accordingly.

    Snapdragon Wear Elite delivers key on‑device capabilities that support rich, real‑time agentic experiences. By integrating the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU to support up to billion‑parameter models at the edge, and pairing it with advanced sensor fusion, high-performance, low-power connectivity and computing, Snapdragon Wear Elite enables a new class of Personal AI experiences, including context‑aware recommendations, natural voice interactions, life logging and AI agents that can take actions and orchestrate tasks on users’ behalf.

    Snapdragon Wear Elite delivers a massive leap in power efficiency backed by 5x improvement on single-core CPU performance and up to 7x faster GPU, for app launching, multitasking and smoother rendering.

    The platform supports multi-day battery life, reducing charging sessions, while advanced power management enables 30% longer day of use compared to the previous generation. When recharging is needed, rapid charging powers a device up to 50% in approximately 10 minutes.

  • Cavli CQM220 5G RedCap Module designed for next-gen IoT applications

    Cavli CQM220 5G RedCap Module designed for next-gen IoT applications

    Cavli Wireless offers the CQM220 5G RedCap module as a key part of its C-Series portfolio. Built on 3GPP Release 17 standards, the CQM220 brings the benefits of 5G reduced capability (RedCap) technology to internet of things (IoT) applications that require higher data rates, lower latency, and improved efficiency compared to traditional LTE solutions, while maintaining a cost- and power-optimized design.

    Cavli Wireless is an end-to-end IoT solutions provider specializing in cellular IoT hardware, connectivity, and software.

    For location-centric and mobility-driven use cases, the CQM220 integrates multi-constellation, dual-band GNSS with L1 and L5 support, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC, QZSS and SBAS. Dual-band positioning improves accuracy, reduces multipath interference, and enhances reliability in dense urban environments, industrial corridors, ports, mining zones, and other signal-challenged areas. This advanced GNSS architecture enables consistent, high-precision location awareness for mobile and geographically distributed IoT assets operating in dynamic conditions.

    The CQM220 supports data rates of up to 220 Mbps downlink and 120 Mbps uplink under 5G RedCap, with LTE Cat 4 fallback for backward compatibility with 4G networks. This combination enables reliable operation across diverse network environments and ensures seamless migration toward 5G for OEMs and solution providers.

    Designed in a compact LGA form factor and additionally offered in an M.2 form factor, the CQM220 provides flexibility for both embedded designs and standardized expansion-slot implementations. The LGA variant measures approximately 28.0 mm x 25.5 mm x 2.7 mm, making it well-suited for compact device architectures while still offering rich peripheral and interface support.

    At the core of the CQM220 is an Arm Cortex-A7 processor clocking up to 1.9 GHz, paired with flexible memory configurations and the OpenWrt operating system. This architecture provides a robust platform for developers to build and deploy applications, while Cavli’s SDK enables custom application development directly on the module. By supporting on-module processing, the CQM220 reduces reliance on external microcontrollers, lowers the bill of materials, and simplifies overall system architecture.

    The combination of precise GNSS and high-throughput 5G RedCap connectivity enables a new class of performance-driven and monitoring-intensive IoT applications. The CQM220 is well-suited for real-time fleet and asset tracking with continuous telemetry, smart logistics platforms with route optimization and cargo condition monitoring, industrial automation systems that rely on uninterrupted sensor data streams, HD and multi-camera smart surveillance deployments requiring sustained uplink bandwidth, and Industry 4.0 environments where low-latency data exchange and edge intelligence are critical to operational efficiency and predictive maintenance. These capabilities make the module an ideal foundation for solutions that demand both accurate location intelligence and sustained high data performance at scale.

    In addition, the availability of the CQM220 in an M.2 form factor makes it an ideal choice for routers, industrial gateways, and customer premises equipment. The standardized M.2 interface enables seamless integration into existing networking hardware platforms, reducing development complexity and accelerating time to market. For industrial gateways, it provides a high-performance 5G RedCap backhaul option to aggregate field device data and securely transmit it to cloud platforms. In enterprise and retail routers, it enables reliable primary or failover WAN connectivity with enhanced throughput. For customer premises equipment in residential, enterprise, or remote deployment scenarios, the M.2 variant supports scalable 5G broadband access with simplified installation, efficient thermal design, and compatibility with modular network architectures.

    The module also offers a wide range of interfaces, including USB 2.0, PCIe Gen2, I2C, UART, SPI, SDIO, I2S, ADC, and multiple antenna interfaces for main, diversity, and GNSS. With support for global and regional 5G and LTE bands, the CQM220 is designed for worldwide deployments, enabling OEMs to build a single hardware platform for multiple markets.

  • Iridium launches next-generation IoT platform

    Iridium launches next-generation IoT platform

    Iridium Communications has unveiled the Iridium 9604, a compact, three-in-one internet of things (IoT) module that integrates Iridium short burst data satellite service, LTE-M cellular connectivity, and GNSS positioning into a single platform.

    By combining these features in one device, the Iridium 9604 reduces solution complexity, lowers costs, and accelerates time to market, making dual-mode IoT connectivity viable for price-sensitive, high-volume deployments.

    The Iridium 9604, built on the u-blox SARA-R5 platform, delivers a compact 16 x 26 x 2.4 mm form factor, best for dual-mode IoT deployments previously cost-prohibitive across industrial, infrastructure, and mobility applications.

    “By integrating cellular, GNSS and Iridium satellite into a single, power-efficient module, we’re giving customers the flexibility to design and deploy lower cost, smaller, power-efficient, and location-aware solutions without the burden of integrating multiple components,” said Tim Last, executive vice president, Iridium.

    The Iridium 9604 beta program, which launched earlier this year and was oversubscribed by a select group of companies, has generated positive industry feedback highlighting:

    • Lower costs, simplified design, and enabling of location-aware network selection
    • Savings of 60 percent or more in board space with the 3-in-1 module, Iridium’s smallest form factor
    • Easy-to-use developer resources.

    “Our customers require essential data and real-time intelligence to operate with confidence anywhere in the world,” said Dean Welten, CEO, Everlink. “By integrating the Iridium 9604 with our secure cloud platform, we can now enable global connectivity, greater operational efficiency, and measurable impact at scale.”

    A unified connectivity architecture

    Representing the next phase of Iridium’s IoT strategy, the Iridium 9604 is moving the company beyond traditional satellite-only modules to a unified, multi-mode connectivity architecture. The Iridium network now offers customers three IoT service paths:

    • Iridium SBD packaged with cellular and GNSS in the Iridium 9604 or SBD/Iridium Burst dedicated modules.
    • Iridium NTN Direct for standards-based direct-to-device using third-party chips.
    • Iridium Messaging Transport-based (IMT) for industrial-scale, larger payload capabilities with the Iridium Certus 9704.

    Commercial availability begins in June, with the Iridium 9604 Development Kit made available for testing satellite and cellular services.