Based on Ublox’ ZED-F9R professional-grade GNSS positioning module, it can receive signals from GPS, Glonass, Galileo and BeiDou “plus SBAS and QZSS satellites can be received concurrently”, according to Mikroe. “Built-in algorithms fuse the IMU data, GNSS measurements, wheel ticks, correction data and a vehicle dynamics model to provide optimal positioning accuracy where GNSS alone would fail” – wooded countryside, multi-path environments and cities, for example, it added.
An unpopulated UART header is available to support RTCM or SPARTN-formatted navigation corrections using internet or satellite data.
Host MCU communication is over a 115,200bit/s UART interface, although SPI and I2C are jumper-selectable if users “want to configure the module and write the library by themselves”, said Mikroe.
Another jumper allows the receiver to start in safe-boot mode, with GNSS disabled.
The 12 Mbit/s USB interface is another alternative to the UART, and can be used as a power supply in stand-alone applications – the board requires 5V.
In case of supply failure, a battery in the on-board holder can back-up the real-time clock and some of the boerd’s ram for a later hot or warm start.
Pins re-purposed from the usual mikroBUS format provide indication when bytes are ready to be transmitted, remote reset and offer a 1Hz reference – plus on-board LEDs indicate various status conditions.
Antenna connection is through an SMA connector.
