SparkFun GPS-RTK Dead Reckoning Kit

The SparkFun GPS-RTK Dead Reckoning Kit is a comprehensive package designed to provide high precision, sensor fusion GPS capabilities. The kit includes a SparkFun ZED-F9R GPS Breakout, a high-performance GPS board that utilizes u-blox's Automotive Dead Reckoning (ADR) technology. This technology combines a 3D IMU sensor, wheel ticks, a vehicle dynamics model, correction data, and GNSS measurements to deliver highly accurate and continuous positioning.

The ZED-F9R module at the heart of the kit is a 184-channel u-blox F9 engine GNSS receiver. It is capable of receiving signals from the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou constellations with a remarkable accuracy of ~0.2 meters when used with a correction source. Note that the ZED-F9R operates as a rover and requires connection to a base station. The module supports concurrent reception of four GNSS systems and can provide accurate, real-time positioning rates of up to 30Hz.

What sets this GPS module apart from others is its ability to maximize position accuracy in dense cities or covered areas. Even under poor signal conditions, the ZED-F9R ensures continuous positioning in urban environments and during complete signal loss, such as in short tunnels and parking garages. This makes it an ideal solution for autonomous robotic applications that require accurate positioning under challenging conditions.

The u-blox receiver included in the kit supports I²C, making it perfect for Qwiic compatibility without using up valuable UART ports. With the Qwiic system, there's no need for soldering to connect it to the rest of your system. But if you prefer using a breadboard, 2.54mm-spaced pins are also available.

The ZED-F9R module can be configured using the popular u-center program. This includes setting baud rates, update rates, geofencing, spoofing detection, external interrupts, SBAS/D-GPS, and more, all within the SparkFun Arduino Library.

Another feature of the SparkFun ZED-F9R GPS Breakout is the on-board rechargeable battery that powers the RTC on the ZED-F9R. This reduces the time-to-first fix from a cold start (~26s) to a hot start (~2s). The battery can maintain RTC and GNSS orbit data for an extended period without being connected to power.

The kit also includes a GNSS multiband antenna, reversible USB-A to C cable, and SMA to U.FL cable. The antenna features a magnetic base and is designed to receive both the classic L1 and L2 GPS bands. The included cables ensure easy connection of each part in the kit.

The SparkFun Qwiic Connect System is an ecosystem of I²C sensors, actuators, shields, and cables that make prototyping faster and less prone to error. All Qwiic-enabled boards use a common 1mm pitch, 4-pin JST connector, reducing the amount of required PCB space and eliminating the risk of incorrect connections.