The u-blox high-precision positioning module provides superior performance benefits for VTOL UAVs

     U-blox, the world's leading provider of positioning and wireless communications technology, successfully assisted Quantum-Systems unmanned aerial vehicles in their rescue efforts with its high-precision GNSS positioning module. u-blox ZED-F9P's high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning module provides centimeter-level accuracy in seconds. Quantum-Systems, which specializes in the development and production of civilian electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL), has integrated the u-blox positioning module into its latest electric Tron F90+ fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which boasts a 3.5-meter wingspan, flight speed of up to 160 km/h, and flight range of 100 km. It is used for air logistics support, such as delivering emergency blood stocks to remote areas, mining, and related tasks such as agriculture.

     The Tron F90+ is the latest in the Quantum-Systems vertical takeoff and landing UAVs family and is primarily used for cargo transportation, safety inspection, surveying and mapping, and reconnaissance missions in harsh conditions. The key challenge for the Tron F90+ during the development phase was to obtain position data accurate enough to ensure a smooth vertical takeoff and landing of the drone, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the payload it was carrying.

     Each Tron F90+ drone is integrated with a u-blox ZED-F9P module, whose multi-band real-time dynamic carrier phase difference technology (RTK) and its pseudo-range and carrier phase raw observation data provide accurate positioning information to the drone, ensuring that the operator can successfully complete the difficult attitude adjustment of the drone. Through RTK or post-processing positioning correction, the absolute position accuracy of the UAV can also reach 3-5 cm, which means that the u-blox ZED-F9P positioning module is 100 times more accurate than the standard positioning technology, and can effectively reduce product development costs.

     As explained by Dr. Michael Kriegel, Chief Technology Officer at Quantum Systems, "The Tron F90+ UAV program required a cost-effective and reliable precision positioning solution that would provide us with superior PPK and RTK performance; Not only does the ZED-F9P module provide these high precision positioning requirements, but at the same time, its lightweight and robust construction, ease of integration and superior quality are all factors we considered in choosing u-blox."

     "Initially, our u-blox F9 series precision positioning module has received very good market feedback and has been rapidly applied in a wide range of industries, which has also been well demonstrated in the Quantum-Systems UAV program." Adds Peter Fairhurst, director of positioning products at u-blox. "In the future, u-blox will continue to improve product technology innovation and reduce production costs to introduce more reliable positioning solutions.