SparkFun RTK EVK

Designed and manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the SparkFun RTK EVK (Evaluation Kit) is an all-encompassing development platform for high-precision positioning and navigation, whether fixed or mobile. It boasts comprehensive connectivity options, including WiFi, Bluetooth®, Ethernet, and LTE cellular. Featuring L1 + L2 RTK GNSS with L-Band correction, this kit runs on a powerful processor with ample memory.

Under the hood, the RTK EVK utilizes the Espressif ESP32-WROVER processor with 16MB flash and 8MB PSRAM. The GNSS functionality is powered by the dual-band (L1 + L2) ZED-F9P from u-blox. The integrated u-blox NEO-D9S provides L-Band reception for correction services like PointPerfect, while the u-blox LARA-R6001D ensures global cellular connectivity. A built-in USB hub offers direct access to all three u-blox modules, facilitating easy firmware updates. The WIZnet W5500 provides 10/100 megabit Ethernet connectivity with PoE support. Data storage is managed via a microSD card, and the OLED display features 1.3 inches of 128x64 crisp white pixels.

The RTK EVK comes pre-loaded with RTK Everywhere firmware, allowing you to configure the device as an RTK Base to push corrections to an NTRIP Caster over WiFi or Ethernet, or as an RTK Rover to use corrections delivered over WiFi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet. While the firmware does not yet support LARA-R6 cellular, additional code examples are available to stream MQTT correction data via the LARA-R6 cellular chip, demonstrating how to minimize cellular data costs by subscribing to PointPerfect and receiving only necessary IP correction data.

Featuring Zero-Touch RTK, the device can be registered, connected to Ethernet or a WiFi network, and enabled for PointPerfect to begin receiving corrections with no further setup required. These corrections are available in the US, EU, and various parts of Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Korea. The RTK EVK includes a one-month free subscription to PointPerfect L-Band+IP, covering both L-Band corrections from the built-in NEO-D9S and localized corrections delivered by IP. Additional subscriptions are available for purchase. If PointPerfect coverage is unavailable in your area, corrections from a local base station or service can be provided over NTRIP via Ethernet, Bluetooth, or WiFi.

Built to be robust and lab-friendly, the RTK EVK features a single circuit board for all electronics, excluding the Qwiic OLED display. The GNSS antenna, ESP32 WiFi/Bluetooth antenna, and dual LTE cellular antennas connect via durable SMA connectors. I/O connections are facilitated through a removable 3.5mm header with cage screw connections. The microSD card is easy to eject and re-insert, while the Nano SIM is fully recessed to prevent accidental removal. The custom extruded aluminum case with machined end panels and slotted flanges makes installation in a weatherproof enclosure or server rack straightforward.

The RTK EVK offers multiple power options, including the u-blox USB-C connection, ESP32 USB-C connection, Power-over-Ethernet (36V to 57V), or an external DC power source (9V to 36V). The GNSS SMA antenna connection provides 5V for the included active L1/L2/L5/L-Band antenna.

The kit includes everything needed to get started:

• 1x Cased GNSS Receiver
• 1x L1/L2/L5 GNSS Surveying Antenna
• 1x Reinforced RG58 TNC-SMA Cable (10m)
• 1x RPSMA WiFi/Bluetooth Antenna
• 2x SMA LTE Cellular Antennas
• 1x 32GB microSD Card (Class 10)
• 1x USB-C Power Supply (5V 1A)
• 1x USB-C Cable (A to C, 2m)
• 1x Ethernet Cable (CAT-6, 1m)
• 1x Hologram eUICC nano-SIM card

Features:

• Designed and manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, USA
• GNSS Receiver: ZED-F9P
  • Concurrent reception of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou
  • Receives both L1C/A and L2C bands
  • 184-channel u-blox F9 engine
  • Time to First Fix: 25s (cold), 2s (hot)
  • Max Navigation Rate: 20Hz / 25Hz depending on mode
  • Horizontal Position Accuracy: 2.5m without RTK; 0.010m with RTK
  • Max Altitude: 50km
  • Max Velocity: 500m/s
• Correction Data Receiver: NEO-D9S
  • L-Band data receiver compliance: SESTB28A
  • Frequency range: 1525 to 1559MHz
  • Sensitivity: -133dBm
  • Time to First Frame: <10s
  • Receives PMP messages from Inmarsat Geosynchronous Satellites
• LTE Cat 1 Cellular Module: LARA-R6001D
  • Region: Global
  • LTE FDD Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, & 28
  • Certifications and approvals: PTCRB, GCF, FCC, ISED, RED, UKCA, NCC, RCM, Giteki, Anatel, KC, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, NTT DoCoMo, SBM, KDDI, Telstra
  • Note: Although the LARA supports GSM/GPRS, the RTK EVK does not due to the high current required.
• ESP32-WROVER processor
  • 16MB Flash, 8MB PSRAM
  • Reverse Polarity (RP) SMA WiFi / BT antenna connection
  • Provides WiFi connectivity for the RTK EVK
  • USB-C interface (UART via CH340)
• microSD socket
• Nano SIM Card Slot
• OLED 1.3” display
  • 128x64 pixels
• GNSS antenna connection
  • SMA with antenna short and disconnect detection
  • 5V power for an active antenna
• I/O Connections
  • Robust 3.5mm screw terminals
  • Fully isolated external DC power input (9V - 36V)
  • ZED-F9P UART2: TX, RX (3.3V)
  • ZED-F9P EXT-INT input (3.3V)
  • ZED-F9P timing pulse output (3.3V)
  • I²C (3.3V)
• Custom extruded aluminum case with machined end panels
  • Ingress protection: designed to IP42
  • A weatherproof enclosure is required for outdoor use
• Matte-effect front and rear stickers
• Power options:
  • u-blox USB-C connector
  • ESP32 USB-C connector
  • Power-over-Ethernet (36V - 57V)
  • External DC power (9VDC - 36VDC via screw terminals) (Fully isolated)
• Enclosure Dimensions: 180.60mm x 101.8mm x 41.00mm
• Weight (without antennas attached): 405.0g

Documents:

• Schematic
• Eagle Files
• Board Dimensions
• Case Dimensions
• RTK EVK Hookup Guide
• RTK Everywhere Product Manual
• RTK Everywhere Firmware
• RTK Everywhere Firmware Binaries
• Additional ESP32 Code Examples
• GitHub Hardware Repo
• Datasheets
  • ESP32-WROOM
  • ZED-F9P
  • NEO-D9S
  • LARA-R6
• Integration Manuals
  • ZED-F9P
  • NEO-D9S
  • LARA-R6
  • LARA-R6 AT Commands Manual
  • LARA-R6 firmware update package links and instructions
  • LARA-R6 documentation, resources and firmware

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