Telit announced the introduction of a new, ultra-slim family of smart antenna GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver modules. These fully integrated modules include a comprehensive feature set that eliminates the need for additional components, ideal for IoT projects with size, cost and time constraints.

Easing the burden for developers with little or no RF design experience, the SL876Q5-A is compliant with regulatory and industry standards specifications. The module combines an omni-directional low profile embedded antenna and an internal RF switch. This combination is well suited for applications needing two antennas, such as personal trackers and alarms, which must be equipped with a main and a backup antenna when the signal becomes compromised. A true turnkey solution, the SL876Q5-A includes best-in-class features such as an additional Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filter and efficient power management technology in an ultra-slim Leadless Chip Carrier (LCC) package. The inclusion of several low power modes reduces total power consumption while maintaining position accuracy, which extends battery life—a critical requirement for wearables, personal trackers and other battery-dependent applications.

“The SL876Q5-A delivers on everything our customers and partners have come to expect from the industry’s leading IoT solutions provider,” said Ronen Ben-Hamou, Telit’s EVP of products and solutions. “IoT developers continuously search for solutions that simplify the design process. We’ve developed a compact solution with features that deliver industry-leading performance without compromising performance. Not only does the SL876Q5-A eliminate the need for additional components in most use cases, but also cuts development time and costs considerably.”

SL876Q5-A Features

Full GNSS for exceptional coverage

  • Quad-GNSS: GPS/ QZSS and GLONASS or BeiDou and it is Galileo ready.

  • A-GNSS: Onboard generation and server-generated file injection that can be stored into the embedded flash memory.

Superior performance

  • Omni-directional antenna design delivers industry-leading performance in sensitivity, tracking performance and accuracy.

  • MEMS wakeup feature offers lowest power consumption.

  • Built-in LNA for improved sensitivity.

Simplify integration

  • Primary UART port. A secondary port can be configured as UART, I2C or SPI at boot/reset.

    • If I2C, the secondary port supports either commands and messages or MEMS wakeup.

  • Embedded RF switch allows easy integration with external antennas.

Industry-leading features

  • Ultra-slim design.

  • 11 mm x 11.9 mm x 2.3 mm LCC package for space constrained devices.

  • Flash memory enables firmware upgrades, customization and AGPS file storage, which is ideal for battery-dependent devices.

Availability begins in the second quarter of 2017.