Best GNSS without RTK

GPS/GNSS Development Boards
1

Hello,

I have been using the “SparkFun RTK Facet” for over a year without RTK and I am very satisfied.

Positive:

  • stable, precise values

  • desired NMEA data sets can be selected

  • long runtime with one battery charge

Negative:

  • very large

  • no USB interface for data

  • data output connector not suitable for robust wiring

  • no Bluetooth LE

For a new project, I need a GNSS module with an external small antenna (e.g. 40x50mm) that offers the highest accuracy without RTK.

Probably a multiband receiver (L1/L2/L5).

Which board with which chip (ublox F9P / NEO M9M/ UM980 / MOSAIK X5) can you recommend?

The system will be used in Germany/Europa.

The interface and price are secondary.

Best regards

Rainer

2

This https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/gn … okup-guide does 1.5m accuracy without RTK, is probably the best option for non-corrected setups

The mosaic x5 is probably the most accurate option, https://www.sparkfun.com/products/23088, especially when paired with https://www.sparkfun.com/products/23847 …but it is designed to use RTK; it’ll be less accurate than advertised without correction data (but you could use as a standalone unit, here are figures https://docs.sparkfun.com/SparkFun_GNSS … n-accuracy)

Just as an FYI the facet does support BLE https://docs.sparkfun.com/SparkFun_RTK_ … h-protocol if that helps :slight_smile:

Most of the other modules mentioned are RTK-native or less accurate so I just listed the relevant ones above

3

[GPS-16481 is the same GPS module found in the Facet. That along with an [appropriate antenna might be an option for you.](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/18293)](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/16481)

4

Hey Rainer,

I think YellowDog and Russell are spot on with their reasoning. The Mosaic X5 is definitely a higher tier receiver, given that it has L1/L2/L5, while the ZED is probably going to be more development and wallet friendly. UM980 is fully of awesome features, but developing for it is not trivial; it is a complex chip.

A few notes:

  • If you are looking for a small form-factor, high quality antenna, without a hard budget constraint, I’d actually suggest looking at a company like [Taoglas. Our antenna offerings are good general-grade, competitively priced units; with the constraints you mention, I think something more specialized would be a better fit.

  • When you say it doesn’t need to be RTK, would you be interested in other augmented systems? You mention high accuracy as a constraint, so I’m going to assume that you would like the highest accuracy possible without the hassle/cost of RTK. There are other augmentations, such as Differential GPS, SBAS, Galileo E6 HAS, etc…

  • NEO M9N would be a decent low budget option, but has some accuracy/reception limitations that less of a fit for your constraints, such as L1 only, can only track 4 concurrent GNSS. However, it does have support for the [EGNOS SBAS, which will give significant accuracy improvements and is available for free.

  • The UM980 is tri-band, and has access to [Galileo E6 (HAS), which we have had a great experience with. This can yield accuracies of under 10cm (I believe I’ve witnessed 5.5cm, but don’t quote me on that).

So to summarize, I think you’ve homed in on some good options for the receiver, and some of those options are going to be better than others, but all in different ways. I highly recommend looking through the Integration Guide / API for whatever receiver you are considering, as some are poorly documented or very complex.](Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) | European GNSS Service Centre (GSC))](About EGNOS | EGNOS User Support Website)](GNSS External Antennas, GPS Antennas, External Antennas)

5

I would also suggest using a chip that can support Galileo HAS.

@swells, I think this is the first report of using Galileo HAS with a consumer grade chip. :smiley:

6

Hi,

I’m working on a new project where I need to log temperature sensor data alongside GNSS parameters to track vehicle travel routes and GPS speed on to an SD card. The system will be used in India. Could you please recommend a GNSS module that provides the highest accuracy and refresh rate without RTK?

I’ve looked into several products, such as the ublox F10N, Z F9P, NEO M9M, and MOSAIK X5, but I’m finding it difficult to decide.
Please recommend a suitable GNSS module and antenna for my application

Thanks and regards,
Pancham Bhatt

7

Same has previous: use a solution that is supporting Galileo HAS. So, if mostly driving on rural roads, UM980. If in challenging conditions (urban canyon or so on), use UM981 (with integrated IMU).

8

Could you please share link for the GNSS module and antenna ?

9

SparkFun Triband GNSS RTK Breakout - UM980

11

Thanks.
This board is a little overbudget for my build, can you please recommend some other boards. Also handling RTK correction will be little tricky at this stage for me.