10-2019

Highprecision Positioning Modules
RF & Wireless
u-blox has gained another highprofile
endorsement for ZED-
F9P, its high precision GNSS
(Global Navigation Satellite
System) module that delivers
centimeter-level accuracy within
seconds. Quantum-Systems, a
German company specialized
in the development and production
of electric VTOL (Vertical
Take-off and Landing) aircrafts
for civilian use, has incorporated
the module in its latest electric
Tron F90+ fixed-wing unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs). These
state-of-the-art 3.5 m wingspan
drone units, which can travel at
speeds of up to 160 km/hour
and have a 100 km flight range,
are employed in mission-critical
logistical activities – such as the
transporting of emergency blood
reserves to remote locations, as
well as mining and agriculture
related tasks.
The Tron F90+ is the latest addition
to the Quantum-Systems
eVTOL UAV platform designed
for cargo, inspection, survey and
mapping, and reconnaissance in
adverse conditions, and consisting
also of the Trinity F9, Scorpion,
and Vector UAVs. They all
feature u-blox F9 high precision
GNSS technology.
The key challenge that the
engineering team at Quantum-
Systems faced when developing
the Tron F90+ UAV concerned
vertical take-off and landing
(VTOL), and having access to
accurate enough position data
to ensure that these operations
would always go smoothly. The
valuable payloads being carried
could thus be protected from risk
of damage. Through the multiband
real-time kinematic (RTK)
Bluetooth LE Beacons Optimize Asset Tracking
u-blox has announced that its
Bluetooth low energy module
NINA-B1 has been chosen by
AddMobile, Swedish provider
of devices and services for
construction site management,
as the basis of its short range
equipment-tracking beacons,
AddTrackers. This service is
among the latest enhancements
to the company’s AddMobile
Toolbox platform and involves
adding radio beacons to any
tools or equipment that need
tracking.
The AddMobile Toolbox helps
site managers control mobile
work orders, log fleet vehicle
mileages, secure entry to
work sites, register staff as
they come and go, as well as
and raw code and carrier phase
data available to the ZED-F9P,
the necessary positioning correction
is assured and the pilot can
complete even the most difficult
of maneuvers. Each of the Tron
F90+ UAVs features a ZED-F9P
module. Through either RTK or
post-processing positioning correction
absolute position accuracy
can also be brought down to
3-5 cm. This degree of accuracy
means that the u-blox module is
about 100 times more accurate
than standard meter-level GNSS
solutions, but is still able to present
customers with very attractive
pricing.
■ ublox
www.u-blox.com
handling fleet management
and equipment safety. It uses
a variety of hardware to enable
these Connected Construction
Site’s services, including stationary
hubs and entrance control
units with Bluetooth low
energy and cellular connectivity,
as well as an RFID reader,
and mobile hubs with Global
Navigation Satellite Systems
(GNSS), Bluetooth low energy
and cellular connectivity.
In addition to NINA-B1, the
AddMobile Toolbox features
the u-blox GSM/GPRS cellular
module SARA-G3 and
the u-blox MAX-M8 GNSS
module series.
■ ublox
www.ublox.com
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