Data Sheet

NEO-M8P - Data Sheet
UBX-15016656 - R06 Early Production Information Functional description
Page 5 of 30
1 Functional description
1.1 Overview
The NEO-M8P modules combine the high performance u-blox M8 positioning engine with u-blox’s Real Time
Kinematic (RTK) technology. The NEO-M8P provides cm-level GNSS performance designed to meet the needs of
unmanned vehicles and other machine control applications requiring accurate guidance.
u-blox’s RTK technology introduces the concept of a “rover” (NEO-M8P-0) and a “base” (NEO-M8P-2) on the
M8 platform for stunning cm-level accuracy in clear sky environments. The base module sends corrections via the
RTCM protocol to the rover module via a communication link enabling the rover to output its position relative to
the base at cm level accuracies. The NEO-M8P is ideal for applications requiring vehicles to move faster and
more accurately, operate more efficiently, and automatically return to base platforms. Such applications include
UAV, unmanned vehicles (e.g. robotic lawn mowers), and Precision Agriculture guidance.
The NEO-M8P modules enable the system integrator to access u-blox’s complete end-to-end RTK solution
including the stationary “survey-in” functionality that is designed to reduce the setup time and increase the
flexibility of the application. The NEO‑M8P includes Moving Baseline (MB) support, allowing both Base and
Rover to move while computing a centimeter-level accurate position between them. Moving Baseline is ideal for
UAV applications where the UAV is programmed to follow its owner or to land on a moving platform. It is also
well suited to attitude sensing applications where both Base and Rover modules are mounted on the same
moving platform and the relative position is used to derive attitude information for the vehicle or tool.
NEO-M8P modules are compatible with a wide range of communication technologies (Cellular, WiFi, BlueTooth,
UHF) enabling the user to select the communication link best suited to their application. With u‑blox’s RTK
technology, integration and software development efforts can be reduced, ensuring a minimal cost of
ownership.
u-blox M8 modules use GNSS chips qualified according to AEC‑Q100, are manufactured in ISO/TS 16949
certified sites, and fully tested on a system level. Qualification tests are performed as stipulated in the ISO16750
standard: “Road vehicles – Environmental conditions and testing for electrical and electronic equipment”.
u-blox’s AssistNow services supply aiding information, such as ephemeris, almanac and time, reducing the time
to first fix significantly. The NEO-M8P operates with the AssistNow Online service which provides current GNSS
constellation orbit data to allow a Time To First Fix in seconds.
1.2 Product features