u‑blox (SIX:UBXN), a global leader in wireless and positioning modules and chips, announced the launch of ZOE‑M8G, an ultra‑compact GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver module, especially designed for markets where small size, minimal weight and high location precision are essential.

ZOE‑M8G offers exceptionally high location accuracy by concurrently connecting to GPS, Galileo and either GLONASS or BeiDou. It also provides industry‑leading -167 dBm navigation sensitivity. This makes the ultra‑small ZOE‑M8G perfect for wearable devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and asset tracker applications.

The new u‑blox ZOE‑M8G helps simplify product designs, because it is a fully integrated, complete GNSS solution with built‑in SAW‑filter and Low Noise Amplifier (LNA). This means it can be used with passive antennas, without the need for additional components, and doesn’t compromise performance.

Revolutionary small form factor
The ZOE‑M8G GNSS module measures only 4.5 mm x 4.5 mm x 1.0 mm. Due to its very small size, a complete GNSS design using a ZOE‑M8G module takes approximately 30% less PCB area compared to a conventional discrete chip design with a CSP chip GNSS receiver.

Uffe Pless, Product Marketing, Positioning Product Center at u‑blox, said: “When you’re designing products such as smart watches, fitness trackers, asset trackers, UBI dongles and even drones, every square millimeter and every gram counts. The u‑blox ZOE‑M8G makes it significantly easier for product designers to achieve precise location tracking while keeping within their strict form factor and weight restrictions.”

Samples of the u‑blox ZOE‑M8G will be available in February 2017 and volume production will start in October 2017.