U-blox announces the launch of NEO-M8T and LEA-M8T precision timing modules

     Swiss company u‑blox, a global leader in cellular and positioning modules and integrated chips for the automotive, industrial and consumer markets, has announced the launch of NEO-M8T and LEA-M8T Timing modules. These two compact surface-mount modules produce precision reference clocks with an accuracy of less than 20 nanoseconds (20 ns). The receiver has a high sensitivity (with auxiliary GNSS to provide signal acquisition of -157 dBm) and can be quickly started even in buildings with limited field of view. The precision reference clock was obtained from multi-GNSS(Global Navigation Satellite Systems) such as GPS, GLONASS and Beidou.

     The LEA-M8T module is compatible with existing LEA-5T/6T designs and therefore can be easily upgraded. The NEO-M8T has been optimized for timing applications that require low power consumption and long battery life, such as seismometers for measuring seismic fields. Both modules meet stringent requirements for reliability, accuracy and low power consumption.

     Thomas Nigg, vice president of product marketing at u-blox, said: "These two new modules are the highest performing GNSS timing modules in the industry in terms of accuracy, reliability and power consumption. They provide the perfect solution for mission-critical infrastructure systems such as mobile communication networks, power generation and distribution systems, and seismic measurement systems."

     The NEO and LEA-M8T modules, with multi-GNSS, are follow-on products to u-blox's existing PPS timing module, compatible with the PPS timing module pin, and complement the previously released GNSS frequency reference module LEA‑M8F.

     The NEO-M8T measures only 12.2 x 16.0 mm, while the LEA-M8T measures 17.0 x 22.4mm. With RAIM(Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring) and alarm functions, both modules provide a high degree of integrity and reliability, which is important for applications that require extremely high reliability. The module offers two time pulse outputs in configurations ranging from once a minute to 10 MHz. They can also output multi-GNSS RAW data, including carrier phase, code phase, and pseudo-range.

     Both modules can provide time according to any international standard, including the correction of inter-galactic offset. Due to the characteristics of Survey-in and single satellite timing, timing accuracy and availability can be increased even when only one satellite provides the signal. In addition, support for low duty cycle operations reduces power consumption in battery-operated applications, enabling smaller batteries to be used, thereby saving costs.

     The M8T timing module is the same size as u-blox's existing LEA and NEO models and features standard pin outputs, making it easy to upgrade from previous generations. u-blox AssistNow or industry standard auxiliary data can be used for u-blox timing products as required. This reduces first position time and provides excellent acquisition sensitivity, even in first installations where the exact location or time is not yet known.