u-blox launches the ZOE-M8G, an ultra-compact GNSS receiver module
u-blox, a global provider of wireless and positioning modules and chips, has launched the ZOE-M8G, an ultra-compact GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver module, especially designed for markets where small size, minimal weight and high location precision are essential.
ZOE-M8G is said to offer “exceptionally high location accuracy” by concurrently connecting to GPS, Galileo and either GLONASS or BeiDou. It also provides industry-leading -167 dBm navigation sensitivity. This makes the ultra-small ZOE-M8G suitable for wearable devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and asset tracker applications.
The new u-blox ZOE-M8G helps simplify product designs, because it is a fully integrated, complete GNSS solution with built-in SAW-filter and Low Noise Amplifier (LNA). This means it can be used with passive antennas, without the need for additional components, and doesn’t compromise performance.
The ZOE-M8G GNSS module measures only 4.5 mm x 4.5 mm x 1.0 mm. Due to its very small size, a complete GNSS design using a ZOE-M8G module takes approximately 30% less PCB area compared to a conventional discrete chip design with a CSP chip GNSS receiver.
Uffe Pless, product marketing, Positioning Product Center at u-blox, said: “When you’re designing products such as smart watches, fitness trackers, asset trackers, UBI dongles and even drones, every square millimeter and every gram counts. The u-blox ZOE-M8G makes it significantly easier for product designers to achieve precise location tracking while keeping within their strict form factor and weight restrictions.”
Samples of the u-blox ZOE-M8G will be available in February 2017 and volume production will start in October 2017.
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