SparkFun Triband GNSS RTK Breakout - mosaic-X5

We see new iterations with GNSS with each passing year, and with the SparkFun mosaic-X5 Triband GNSS RTK Breakout, you'll be provided with the easiest way to start using L1, L2, and L5 bands simultaneously! At the heart of the Triband GNSS RTK Breakout is Septentrio's most compact high-precision GNSS receiver, the mosaic-X5. The mosaic-X5 module is an ultra-low power, multi-band, multi-constellation GNSS receiver capable of delivering centimeter-level precision at high update rates. The receiver supports the GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Beidou (China), Galileo (Europe), and NavIC (India) constellations, including regional systems (i.e. SBAS and QZSS). It also features Septentrio's unique AIM+ technology for interference mitigation and anti-spoofing, ensuring best-in-class reliability and scalable position accuracy.

With its Real Time Kinematics (RTK) capabilities, the mosaic-X5 module can operate as a base station to broadcast RTK correction data or as a rover utilizing RTK correction data to record positions with extreme precision. The module can achieve a horizontal accuracy of 6mm (~0.25in), vertical accuracy of 1cm (~0.4in) using RTK, and timing precision of 5ns (5 billionths of a second). The mosaic-X5 is compatible with RTK correction data from various 3rd-party services. The mosaic-X5 can also deliver position updates at 100Hz (100 times per second) for automotive and industrial applications.

The mosaic-X5 is a sophisticated chip running an internal web server that can be accessed through the USB interface with a standard browser using a Linux/Windows computer. Septentrio also provides dozens of video tutorials to guide users through the configuration settings of their GNSS receivers utilizing the web interface. In addition to the module's web interface, Septentrio provides software packages where users can post-process recorded data, configure the mosaic-X5 module, and analyze the receiver's performance or the GNSS signals for interference/spoofing. If these interface options weren't enough, Septentrio's GNSS modules are compatible with other 3rd-party software packages.

Beyond the capabilities of the mosaic-X5 module, this board is seamless to operate with no programming skills required. Gone are the times when a microcontroller was required to interface with the GNSS receiver and log data to an SD card and when users had to carry around an SD card reader to extract the data from the SD card. The mosaic-X5 Triband GNSS RTK Breakout can start/stop logging data at the push of a button. The same button can also mount and unmount the SD card to your computer through the USB interface. Users can control/configure the module, log data, etc., all without a single line of code. For the users who prefer a command-line interface, Septentrio has you covered. Users can still control and configure the mosaic-X5 module through a CLI, which is useful for scenarios such as production line testing (in fact, that is how we tested this board).

This breakout board is a perfect middle ground for users who would like to integrate the mosaic-X5 module into a project/enclosure with access to a majority of the module's available pins, similar to Septentrio's developer kit, but in the smaller form factor of the evaluation kit. Or maybe... you just needed a PPS output at a 3.3V logic level. Please, check out the features tab and our hookup guide for more details on the capabilities of this board (that we couldn't fit in this product description).

Note: With the multi-band capabilites of the mosaic-X5 module, we highly recommend that users pair the module with a suitable GNSS antenna that can support all the GNSS frequency bands the module is compatible with.

We recommend the GNSS Multi-Band L1/L2/L5 Surveying Antenna - TNC (SPK6618H) from our catalog.

Triband GNSS RTK Breakout:

  • mosaic-X5 GNSS Receiver
  • USB-C Connector
  • µSD Card Slot (up to 32GB w/ FAT32 file system)
  • SMA Connectors:
    • GPS Antenna (Active, Multi-band)
    • PPS Output (3.3V)
  • Status LEDs
    • Power (Red)
    • Pulse-Per-Second (Yellow)
    • Data Logging (Green)
    • Position/Velocity/Time Solution (Blue)
    • RTK Mode (White)
  • Buttons
    • Log
    • Reset
  • I/O Logic-Level: 3.3V
  • 6-pin JST GH connector (GHR-06V-S)
    • Polarized
    • Locking
  • ESD Protection Diodes

mosaic-X5 Module:

  • Voltage Range: 3.135 to 3.465V
    • Max current: 500mA
  • RTK Accuracy
    • Horizontal: 0.6cm (±0.5ppm)
    • Vertical: 1cm (±1ppm)
  • GNSS Support
    • GPS: L1C/A, L1PY, L2C, L2P, L5
    • GLONASS: L1CA, L2CA, L2P, L3 CDMA
    • Beidou: B1I, B1C, B2a, B2b, B2I, B3
    • Galileo: E1, E5a, E5b, E5 AltBoc, E6
    • QZSS: L1C/A, L1 C/B, L2C, L5
    • NavIC: L5
    • SBAS: Egnos, WA
  • Time to Fix
    • Cold Start: < 45s
    • Warm: < 20s
    • Reacquisition: 1s
  • Timing Precision: 5ns
  • Update Rate: 100Hz
  • Latency: < 10ms
  • VANT Voltage Range: 3.0 to 5.0V
    • Max current: 150mA
  • Interfaces:
    • UART (x4)
    • Ethernet (Not available for this product)
    • USB 2.0
    • SD Card
    • GPIO/LEDs

SparkFun Triband GNSS RTK Breakout - mosaic-X5 Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: DIY

Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.

1 DIY

Skill Level: Noob - Basic assembly is required. You may need to provide your own basic tools like a screwdriver, hammer or scissors. Power tools or custom parts are not required. Instructions will be included and easy to follow. Sewing may be required, but only with included patterns.
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Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

4 Programming

Skill Level: Experienced - You will require a firm understanding of programming, the programming toolchain, and may have to make decisions on programming software or language. You may need to decipher a proprietary or specialized communication protocol. A logic analyzer might be necessary.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

3 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • Member #848203 / about 2 months ago / 1

    It doesn't appear that Bluetooth is supported on this breakout. If I'm trying to make a rover, what is the recommended way to add Bluetooth? Any portable enclosure with battery recommendations?

    • I recommend the BlueSMiRF v2 for moving RTCM from a phone to the mosaic. While there isn't a direct plug-in connection, only 4 wires are needed (3.3V/GND/TX/RX). Any UART on the mosaic will work. If it were me, I would use COM4 simply because it doesn't have, nor do you need, flow control.

  • Member #1539588 / about 6 months ago / 1

    I was trying to read L5 signals from SBAS, but it doesn't seem to track them. should I need to set up something else?

    • Septentrio turns off L5 by default because it's still considered an "unhealthy". We just updated our docs to include the steps to turn it on. You can check the new docs out here.

  • viliamklein / about 7 months ago / 1

    I can't tell from the datasheet if this unit has an altitude or velocity limit. It's a European company so I don't know what restrictions they have for the receivers. Is this documented somewhere?

    • What's up Viliam!?

      The units have 600m/s limit but no altitude limit. If velocity goes above 600m/s PVT output stops. I don't have links to docs; this is from our FAE.

  • abcookie / about 7 months ago / 1

    Are there plans to rerelease their -T for the time nuts?

    • We had not planned on stocking all the variants (-H, -T, etc), but it helps to hear that there is interest. We'll see if we can get there sooner rather than later.

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