u-blox is now offering a new explorer kit,Expected to launch in early 2023, the off-the-shelf XPLR-HPG-1 and XPLR-HPG-2 solutions will combine the company's unique offerings in delivering key technologies needed for high-precision positioning. Enables engineers to develop and evaluate products that require centimeter-level positioning capabilities more quickly and easily.
In addition to the open MCU, they combine HPG positioning with RTK, dead reckoning, cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communications, and the required antennas. Importantly, these suites were created for seamless integration with complementary u-blox services, such as PointPerfect GNSS Enhancement services and ubxlib software components. ubxlib simplifies the developer experience across products and services, especially throughout the component evaluation and prototyping process.
These kits will help engineers working in areas such as micromobility and low-speed robotics by helping them build, test, and demonstrate early proof-of-concept faster, thereby speeding up overall time-to-market.
These Explorer kits will include all the technology and software the company needs. The modular XPLR-HPG-1 suite will be based on the wireless MCU in NORA-W106 with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE capabilities. It will provide engineers with the flexibility to modify the solution to their precise needs, utilizing the MIKROE clickboard, which contains various u-blox modules. The suite will consist of three clickboards containing the ZE-F9R High Precision RTK GNSS module and LARA-R6001D LTE Class 1 module (global coverage and built-in MQTT client), as well as the NEO-D9S L-band corrected data receiver module. Engineers can purchase other products based on the needs of their applications. The source code for the toolkit will include sample software for ESP-IDF based on the ubxlib software component.
Meanwhile, the compact XPLR-HPG-2 will offer integrated solutions including ZED-F9R High-precision RTK GNSS, LARA- R6001D LTE Cat 1 (with global coverage and built-in MQTT client), and NEO-D9S L-band corrected data receiver modules, And the NINA-W106 with MCU, Bluetooth LE, and Wi-Fi.
The convergence of technologies provided in a single Explorer kit will enable designers to achieve centimeter-level positioning in a variety of scenarios. The GNSS receiver provides initial position readings, which are then optimized using calibration data from the PointPerfect service, which is provided using L-band satellite signals and cellular and/or Wi-Fi communications.
Pelle Svensson, Senior director of Product Strategy, short-range Radio, u-blox Product Strategy, said: "Centimeter-level positioning accuracy is becoming increasingly important for both consumer and industrial applications. It relies on GNSS technology working hand in hand with wireless communication capabilities to connect with enhanced data services such as PointPerfect. Our goal with these new suites is to provide key technologies and services by providing them all in one place. This will allow them to quickly create a proof of concept for their solution and ultimately get the finished product into the hands of their customers faster."
