u-blox Launches Firmware-Upgradeable GNSS Products with 50% Power Reduction
u-blox has introduced the UBX-M10150-KB chip and MAX-M10N module, featuring firmware upgradeability and up to 50% lower power consumption, enabling longer battery life for tracking and monitoring applications.
u-blox has launched the UBX-M10150-KB chip and MAX-M10N module, marking the first M10-platform GNSS hardware designed with firmware upgradeability. Both products run the new SPG 5.30 firmware, which introduces Low Energy Accurate Positioning (LEAP) technology that reduces power consumption by up to 50 percent while maintaining superior positioning accuracy. This development represents a significant advancement for battery-powered IoT devices requiring extended operational life.
The new chip offers ultra-low power consumption of just 8 mW in continuous tracking mode, making it particularly suitable for vehicle, people, and pet tracking applications, as well as livestock monitoring and wearable devices. The firmware upgradeability feature provides customers with a future-proof solution, allowing them to benefit from ongoing performance enhancements and new functionality throughout the product lifecycle without requiring hardware replacements.
SPG 5.30 firmware introduces several technical improvements beyond power efficiency. LEAP replaces cyclic tracking mode to achieve significant energy savings, including external LNA power cycling, while RTCM corrections input supports positioning accuracy down to the sub-meter level. The firmware also adds data logging and geo-fencing functions, enabling more autonomous tracking and monitoring directly on the device without constant external communication.
Both products include lifetime access to AssistNow Predictive Orbits and Live Orbits, which accelerate start-up times and improve positioning performance when using small antennas or operating in weak-signal environments. For developers, the EVK-M102 evaluation kit and u-center 2 software are available to simplify the design-in phase and accelerate product development. The products are available as engineering samples now, with full availability scheduled for later in October 2025.
The combination of firmware upgradeability with enhanced power efficiency addresses key challenges in the growing IoT market, where device longevity and adaptability are critical factors. This technology enables more sustainable and cost-effective solutions for tracking applications across multiple industries, potentially reducing maintenance costs and improving user experience through extended battery life and improved positioning capabilities.