Telit has announced commercial availability of the SE873Q5, an ultra-low-power, high-sensitivity GNSS module with very small physical dimensions. The new module leverages miniaturization technology to improve power saving and sensitivity, delivering longer battery life and expanding design possibilities for tracking and navigation application areas particularly in wearable devices. The multi-constellation receiver module can be set to a number of different power saving modes depending on application requirements and includes an ultra-low noise amplifier for boosting sensitivity. This allows developers to explore a much wider variety of device designs, enclosures, and relative placement inside personal devices, garments, or other space constrained electronics.
The SE873Q5 (according to Telit) is the smallest flash-memory based GNSS module capable of tracking three constellations simultaneously at its power level. It integrates innovation in components and design reducing power consumption by 20%, while boosting satellite signal reception sensitivity compared to the SE873. With complete pin-to-pin compatibility, the SE873Q5 can also be applied in existing designs based on the SE873, instantly boosting device performance as well as creating opportunities for new and upgraded products with very short time-to-market.
When it comes to application areas like wearables and others in the commercial and consumer spaces, there is no such thing as ‘too small’ or ‘too power-efficient. And when you add to this type of efficiency, a stellar front-end RF performance in a miniature global satellite positioning receiver module, you immediately open up new product and business opportunities because now your antenna requirements are easier to meet; and you can explore more ‘buried’ designs where the module, used with an integrated antenna, can be encased deeper into the physical environment of the consumer, commercial, or industrial application - said Felix Marchal, Executive Vice President of GNSS and Short Range Wireless.
The Jupiter SE873Q5 is packaged in a 7 x 7 x 1.85 mm QFN-like package, equipped SQI Flash memory, switching power supply and integrated high-performance LNA. It is designed to support GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and is Galileo ready, delivering simultaneous tracking in two modes: GPS+Galileo and Glonass or GPS+Galileo and Beidou. To extend battery life, the module includes a low-power tracking mode as well as advanced low-power modes: SmartGNSS 1 & 2, duty cycle, push-to-fix. Because it is flash-memory-based, it enables easy firmware updates, customization of operating parameters and supports ephemeris file injection (A-GPS) for up to 14 days, resulting in faster TTFF. Navigation data is delivered using OSP binary protocol or NMEA through standard UART, SPI or I2C ports. The module supports A-GPS as well as Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) to increase position accuracy. Server generated and Client generated extended ephemeris are supported and stored in internal Flash memory. The enhanced sensitivity of the SE873Q5 is rated at -147 dBm for acquisition, -161 dBm for navigation and -167 dBm for tracking.
