Ublox annouced new RTK chip X20 based on the F9, very good news, means we can see FACET 2 GNSS receiver by 2025 maybe.
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Yep! We’re working with u-blox to implement the X20 in our upcoming products. Late 2025 or early 2026 is the currently timeline.
That will be more expensive I assume.
So late. 
Well, I don’t know when X20 itself will be available.
Yeah, that’s why I think they were giving out Lego rather than actual parts and documentation… really just a paper release for the expo.
At the end of the day should just drop into existing designs with a BoM change. And software fiddling to accommodate new features and settings.
As to cost, by the time of arrival I’d expect it to hit the ~$100 high volume price point of the ZED’s, unless there’s a lot of completive pressure for it to be lower.
I’d expect it to hit the ~$100 high volume price point of the ZED’s, unless there’s a lot of completive pressure for it to be lower.
TBH, I feel for u-blox right now. The GNSS world is moving so quickly in a race to features, and in lowering costs. This is great for the end consumer, I just hope they can keep up.
Yes, well I think they are well positioned and staffed. Certainly a better position than cellular and broadband modem chipsets, which has broken much larger companies. uBlox has the distinct advantage of not being incompetent and directionless. Intel, for example, has been a dumpster fire.
They have volume and margins working for them, which high-end receiver/equipment companies don’t, and the market space for affordable GNSS is very large, with the Ag and Construction users being gouged for years.
The agreements with TOPCON and Nordian being quite interesting.
I have no doubt that the X20 prototype is working and demonstrable in the labs, but it’s a heavier lift to get built and coded to the level of polish they are known for.
Also there’s a lot of push to get Chinese ICs and gear out of things, certainly for US and India.