GPS World

Tag: u-center

  • U-blox releases u-center 2 GNSS evaluation software

    U-blox releases u-center 2 GNSS evaluation software

    Screenshot: U-blox
    Screenshot: U-blox

    U‑blox has launched its new GNSS evaluation software, u-center 2. The software, which runs on Microsoft Windows, offers anyone working with 10th-generation (M10) u‑blox GNSS technology a highly intuitive interface to configure GNSS products, evaluate their performance, improve the quality of their software, and experience the performance boost achieved using GNSS-related services.

    U-center 2 is the successor to the u-center GNSS evaluation software, which has been used by design engineers for almost two decades to develop GNSS receiver applications. Compatible with u‑blox M10 GNSS technology, u-center 2 is designed to offer improved performance over its predecessor, as well as new features that simplify configuration, evaluation and software development of GNSS-based solutions.

    Screenshot: U-blox
    Screenshot: U-blox

    U-center 2 provides personalized workspaces with adaptive window elements offering a choice of views to observe static and dynamic behavior of the connected GNSS receiver. The built-in log player, which accepts log files from the previous version of the software, features easy message- and time-based navigation and lets users set the playback speed, making development of end products more efficient. Automatic updates ensure that the software includes the latest features with minimal user effort.

    U-center 2 simplifies the evaluation of GNSS-related location services such as AssistNow, through which GNSS receivers gain access to GNSS aiding data, enhancing startup performance, and saving power.

    Predecessor u‑center will continue to be the go-to solution for GNSS solutions based on earlier technology platforms.

    “We are confident that users will immediately recognize how easy u-center 2 makes it to set up and evaluate the latest generations of our GNSS chips and modules,” said Bernd Heidtmann, product manager, Product Strategy for Standard Precision GNSS, u‑blox. “With its fresh and minimalist user interface, the upcoming quick product configuration designed for key use cases, and optimized data logging, u-center 2 will raise the benchmark for GNSS evaluation tools in terms of performance and user experience.”

    U-center 2 is free for download.

  • U‑blox low-power M10 receiver designed for wearables, asset tracking

    U‑blox low-power M10 receiver designed for wearables, asset tracking

    M10 receiver platform can track four GNSS constellations, even in challenging environments

    Photo: u-blox
    Photo: u-blox

    U-blox’s new M10 GNSS platform is designed for ultra-low-power high-performance positioning applications such as sport watches and asset trackers.

    The M10 positioning platform can track up to four GNSS constellations at once to deliver positioning data even in challenging environments such as deep urban canyons. The receiver’s Super-S technology helps distinguish positioning signals from background noise to capture positioning data even when satellite signals are weak.

    Its high RF sensitivity also enables it to work well with small antennas, making it suitable for compact product designs. In sport watches, for instance, u-blox M10 guarantees highly dynamic positioning accuracy during a run in cities, woods or under an open sky, while preserving battery life.

    Low power consumption. The u-blox M10 is designed to consume 12mW in continuous tracking mode, five times less than the power consumed by previous u-blox meter-level GNSS technology, making it beneficial for battery-powered applications.

    U-blox M10’s enhanced RF sensitivity also cuts the time it takes for the platform to achieve a first position fix when initialized, further reducing systemic power consumption. And switching to the improved Super-E mode can extend battery life even more.

    This new GNSS platform will be supported by AssistNow, u-blox’s assisted GNSS service, to accelerate positioning and improve accuracy. Depending on the required level of assistance, the service is available free of charge or for a recurring fee.

    Jamming detection. The u-blox M10 platform benefits from u-blox’s experience in building robust GNSS receivers, incorporating proven techniques for detecting spoofed signals through the analysis of raw GNSS data, jamming-detection strategies, and embedded filters to mitigate the effects of in-band RF interference.

    “U-blox can be proud of over 20 years of experience with GNSS technology, and with u-blox M10 we are setting a new benchmark in ultra-low power high performance positioning applications,” said Bernd Heidtmann, product manager, Product Center Positioning, u-blox. “We have increased concurrent reception of satellite signals by a GNSS platform from three to four constellations and improved the power consumption level five-fold compared to previous generations while shrinking the chip size by 35 percent.”

    The first products based on the u-blox M10 positioning platform are the MAX- M10S GNSS module and the UBX-M10050 GNSS chipset, which are both available now. Design-in of the new u-blox M10 platform is enhanced and simplified with u-center GNSS evaluation software.