Next generation performance for road vehicle systems is
now a reality with the launch of the u-blox NEO-M8L all-in-one Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module featuring continuous 3D
positioning and 100 % coverage, from M2M and IOT communications
expert Alpha Micro Components.
Perfect for all road vehicle and high-accuracy navigation
applications, the NEO-M8L - the world's smallest standalone
GNSS module - incorporates motion, direction and elevation sensors
with a gyro and an accelerometer integrated into its leading GNSS
platform u-blox M8 to create the highest- performance
indoor/outdoor positioning solution available.
In addition to accessing the integrated module's gyro and
accelerometer data, accident reconstruction systems can provide the
location of an accident to facilitate insurance claims, even if a
collision occurs in a tunnel or park house. High-end navigation
devices are able to guide drivers through tunnels several
kilometres long thanks to the unsurpassed accuracy of u-blox' ADR
system. Stolen vehicles can be located instantly due to continuous
monitoring of sensor data and storage of location in non-volatile
memory.
"Devices for usage-based insurance, stolen vehicle
recovery, road pricing, fleet management, emergency services, and
vehicle navigation depend on reliable, uninterrupted positioning
including tunnels, park houses and stacked highways," said Thomas
Nigg, VP Product Strategy at u-blox. "The NEO-M8L is the ideal
solution for all road vehicle- based applications, able to
calculate a position in all circumstances based on its own internal
sensors, regardless of satellite visibility and end-device
orientation."
The extremely compact module, only 12.2 x 16.0 x 2.5 mm,
requires minimum host integration, resulting in no risk, low cost,
and fast time-to-market design. With uncritical orientation of the
installed module, odometer function and autonomous data logging, it
is the first all-in-one solution for all road vehicle applications
requiring reliable and uninterrupted position in challenging
environments such as urban canyons, tunnels and underground
parking.
The NEO-M8L embeds u-blox' breakthrough "3D Automotive
Dead Reckoning" (3D ADR) chip technology. Using the vehicle's speed
information and the module's onboard sensors enables accurate
positioning in three dimensions, even when satellite signals are
completely lost and the end-device installation is not horizontal.
An odometer function, based on the ADR technology, also provides
accurate and continuous distance travelled.
The module is able to track all visible GNSS satellites
including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS and all SBAS (European's
Galileo in future firmware version). Concurrent reception of two
GNSS systems is supported. The module can output a position up to
20 times per second.
Commenting on the NEO-M8L, Tim Bonnett,
Director and Chief Sales Officer, Alpha Micro Components, said,
"This new module is well worth a look. It provides high
sensitivity, fast GNSS signal acquisition and tracking with low
system integration effort and its on-board 3D accelerometer, 3D
gyroscope sensors and self-calibrating speed-pulse input (hardware
or message-bus) deliver a complete solution for road vehicle ADR
applications. First-fit navigation and after-market telematics
installations are supported by straightforward one-time
configuration for module orientation."
