u-blox introduces automotive grade qualified positioning and connectivity modules

u-blox, a global leader in wireless and positioning modules and chips, announced the expansion of its product offering with automotive qualified product variants added to their range of positioning and cellular wireless connectivity modules. The additions comprise the NEO-M8Q-01A and NEO-M8L-01A, and respectively the SARA-G350-02A and LISA-U201-03A.  Manufactured according to the ISO/TS 16949 automotive supply chain quality management standard, the modules are thoroughly tested with an extended qualification process aimed at achieving the lowest level of failure rates. Leveraging the early production experience of tens of millions of professional grade modules, u-blox automotive grade modules consistently reach excellent quality levels. With long product life cycle characteristics, u-blox manufacturing management includes industry recognized processes such as automotive PCN, PPAP, and 8D failure reporting.

The NEO-M8Q-01A and the NEO-M8L-01A positioning modules provide concurrent reception of GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo. The NEO-M8L-01A is ideally suited to providing 100% dead reckoning positioning coverage even in areas of weak signal such as in tunnels or multi-story car parks or those experiencing poor signal quality such as caused by multi-path reflections.  This module is qualified to operate in the -40 to +85 degrees temperature range and the NEO-M8Q-01 GNSS module is the first GNSS module able to operate across the extended automotive temperature range from -40 to + 105 degrees Celsius.

The SARA-G350-02A is a quad-band GSM/GPRS data and voice connectivity module that is certified for provisioning global connectivity. The LISA-U201-03A also provides global connectivity with 5 HSPA bands, with data rates up to 7.2 Mbps. Both these modules accommodate the automotive operating temperature range of – 40 to + 85 degrees Celsius, have a compact footprint and consume very little power.

With these product additions, u-blox is able to supply a complete range of automotive grade connectivity and positioning modules for use in navigation systems, telematics, e-Call, road tolling, and ADAS applications. The recently announced V2X and Wi-Fi modules THEO, EMMY, and ELLA complete this portfolio.

Samples are available in August and full production will commence in September 2016.