Ublox XPLR-M9 User manual

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XPLR-M9
Explorer kit for u-blox M9 standard precision GNSS
User guide
Abstract
This document leads you through the fast and efficient use of the M9
Explorer Kit with the dedicated u-start GNSS evaluation tool.
www.u-blox.com
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Document information
Title XPLR-M9
Subtitle Explorer kit for u-blox M9 standard precision GNSS
Document type User guide
Document number UBX-19041842
Revision and date R03 17-Sep-2020
Document status
Disclosure restriction C1-Public
This document applies to the following products:
Product name Type number Firmware version PCN reference
XPLR-M9 XPLR-M9-00-00 SPG 4.04 N/A
u-blox reserves all rights to this document and the information contained herein. Products, names, logos and designs
described herein may in whole or in part be subject to intellectual property rights. Reproduction, use, modification or
disclosure to third parties of this document or any part thereof without the express permission of u-blox is strictly prohibited.
The information contained herein is provided "as is" and u-blox assumes no liability for the use of the information. No warranty,
either express or implied, is given with respect to, including but not limited to, the accuracy, correctness, reliability and fitness
for a particular purpose of the information. This document may be revised by u-blox at any time. For most recent documents,
please visit www.u blox.com.
Copyright © 2020, u-blox AG.
u-blox is a registered trademark of u-blox Holding AG in the EU and other countries.
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Contents
1 Overview................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Product description................................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Kit contents..............................................................................................................................................4
1.3 System requirements.............................................................................................................................4
1.4 Safety precautions..................................................................................................................................4
2 Getting started...................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 XPLR-M9 evaluation with u-start (default)....................................................................................... 5
2.1.1 u-start supported features.......................................................................................................... 5
2.2 XPLR-M9 evaluation with u-center..................................................................................................... 6
3 Approvals..................................................................................................................................7
4 u-start known limitations...................................................................................................8
5 Firmware update.................................................................................................................... 9
6 Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................11
Related documents................................................................................................................ 12
Revision history.......................................................................................................................13
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1 Overview
1.1 Product description
Thanks to the compact design, user-friendly interfaces, simplified and intuitive u-start evaluation
software, XPLR-M9 is the perfect early evaluation tool for experiencing the best GNSS performance
of the u-blox M9 standard precision GNSS technology.
The built-in USB interface provides both power supply and high-speed data transfer. In addition to
the default simplified u-start evaluation software, XPLR-M9 can be used with u-blox u-center for
extensive configuration, further testing and data analysis.
Figure 1: Explorer kit (60 x 32 x 15 mm)
1.2 Kit contents
The delivered package contains:
• XPLR-M9 unit
• USB cable (type C)
• Active GNSS antenna
• Quick start card
1.3 System requirements
• PC with USB interface
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 onwards (x86 and x64 versions)
1.4 Safety precautions
XPLR-M9 must be supplied by a PS1 class limited power source. See section 6.2.2.4 of IEC
62368-1:2018 [11] for more information on the PS1 class.
In addition to a limited power source, only ES1 class circuits are to be connected to the XPLR-
M9, including interfaces and antennas. See section 5.2.1.1 of IEC 62368-1:2018 [11] for more
information on the ES1 class.
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2 Getting started
2.1 XPLR-M9 evaluation with u-start (default)
You can explore u-blox M9 performance with u-start evaluation tool in four simple steps:
1. Connect the XPLR-M9 kit to a PC with a USB cable. The USB driver will be automatically
installed when connecting the kit to the PC for the first time (requires internet connection).
A removable flash device called XPLR-M9 will be visible in the PC after automatic driver
installation.
2. Run u-start installer located in the XPLR-M9 device folder (administration rights for the PC
are needed to install the u-start).
3. Connect to active GNSS antenna or connect to simulator.
4. Start u-start evaluation tool.
When u-start is launched, the XPLR-M9 performs a cold start if was already in use with
another evaluation tool, i.e., u-center to make sure that the receiver is in a known state and
all the changes that have been made to it previously are discarded.
2.1.1 u-start supported features
After a successful installation, u-start is available in the Start menu. Select u-start evaluation tool
to open the user interface.
u-start v.19.08.02 supports the features below:
•GNSS selection tab
• You can choose between 4 concurrent GNSS constellations and see the amount of satellites
visible in sky view.
• SBAS and QZSS Augmentation systems enabled, you can select either or use both of them.
• You can see your own position on Google map view.
• Satellite signal view is enabled.
• Prompts the user for the software update if newer version of the application is found.
Figure 2: GNSS selection view
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•Time to first fix (TTFF) tab
• This view enables you to see and compare the performance of M9 receiver while evaluating
cold start and hot start with or without the AssistNow Online or AssistNow Offline service.
• AssistNow Online service requires an internet connection. You can get a valid temporary
token needed for the AssistNow services simply by clicking Go to registration button as
indicated in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Time to first fix view
•Other information tabs
•u-blox M9 factsheet: Provides highlights of the u-blox M9 GNSS positioning technology.
•About u-start: Provides information about u-start version and license details as well as
AssistNow registration code.
•Contact: Takes you to the u-blox contact page.
2.2 XPLR-M9 evaluation with u-center
u-center evaluation software can be used as an optional interactive tool for additional configuration,
testing, visualization, data analysis and changing the firmware. Download u-center from u-blox
webpage.
For more information about u-center, refer to the u-center User guide [1].
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3 Approvals
The XPLR-M9 is designed to in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant
provisions of Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU.
The XPLR-M9 complies with the Directive 2011/65/EU (EU RoHS 2) and its amendment Directive
(EU) 2015/863 (EU RoHS 3).
The Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is available at u-blox website within Support > Product
Resources > Conformity Declaration.
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4 u-start known limitations
• At application startup, the GNSS screen may be shown for a couple of seconds before
displaying the "Antenna is not connected" warning dialog.
• Only the u-start application can be updated automatically, XPLR-M9 receiver firmware update
is not yet supported in the current u-start v.19.08.02. Use u-center for GNSS firmware update,
refer to the u-center User guide [1] for more information.
• If an error occurs when using the AssistNow Online, an invalid time is displayed (usually the last
known valid time).
• Reset and Safeboot functionality are not implemented in u-start v.19.08.02. If incorrect
configuration has been loaded accidentally while using u-center, there is no way of resetting the
XPLR-M9.
XPLR-M9 has no physical reset buttons and is not able to recover in case of issues.
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5 Firmware update
The XPLR-M9 has the latest version of GNSS firmware at time of delivery. However, as newer
firmware versions may become available during the lifetime of the product, you might need to update
the firmware. This section shows how to update the firmware on XPLR-M9 if required. As firmware
update is not supported by u-start v.19.08.02 yet, you need to use u-center for necessary firmware
update. See u-center User guide [1].
To update the firmware with u-center, connect via USB to u-center and poll UBX-MON-VER to view
the installed firmware, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Checking XPLR-M9 firmware version from u-center
To upload a new firmware follow the instructions below:
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1. Select Tools > Firmware Update…. The firmware update window will appear as shown in
Figure 5.
Figure 5: Firmware update tool
2. Select the firmware image by clicking the ellipsis button next to Firmware image.
3. Select Use this baud rate for update option and choose a higher baud rate 460800 to make
the firmware update faster.
4. Click GO.
5. Poll UBX-MON-VER again to verify the updated firmware.
When updating the SPG firmware on the XPLR-M9, the default baud rate must be set to
460800 baud manually with u-center. Otherwise, the default baud rate of the SPG firmware
(38400 baud) applies and u-start cannot communicate with the device.
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6 Troubleshooting
Explorer Kit is not connected
When trying to run multiple instances of the u-start application or when u-center is already
connected to the Explorer kit, the second instance remains in the "Explorer Kit not connected" error
state.
Figure 6: Multiple instance of u-start shows this not connected state
Close duplicate instance/instances of u-start or disconnect the Explorer kit from u-center and try
again.
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Related documents
[1] u-center User guide, UBX-13005250
[2] UBX-M9140-KB Integration manual, UBX-18020542 (NDA required)
[3] UBX-M9140-KB Interface description, UBX-19039383 (NDA required)
[4] UBX-M9140-KB Data sheet, UBX-18020412 (NDA required)
[5] UBX-M9140-KA Integration manual, UBX-19041089 (NDA required)
[6] UBX-M9140-KA Interface description, UBX-19042181 (NDA required)
[7] UBX-M9140-KA Data sheet, UBX-18021372 (NDA required)
[8] NEO-M9N Integration manual, UBX-19014286
[9] NEO-M9N Interface description, UBX-19035940
[10] NEO-M9N Data sheet, UBX-19014285
[11] Information technology equipment – Safety Standard IEC 62368-1:2018
For regular updates to u-blox documentation and to receive product change notifications
please register on our homepage.
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Revision history
Revision Date Name Status / Comments
R01 1-Nov-2019 msul Initial release
R02 13-Feb-2020 msul Added sections 3 approvals and 1.4 safety precautions,
updated firmware version to SPG 4.03, added M9140-
KA documentation as reference and removed one
firmware limitation.
R03 17-Sep-2020 msul Added section 5 firmware update, updated firmware
version to SPG 4.04, updated section 4 u-start known
limitation.
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Contact
For complete contact information visit us at www.u-blox.com.
u-blox Offices
North, Central and South America Headquarters Asia, Australia, Pacific
Europe, Middle East, Africa
u-blox America, Inc. u-blox AG u-blox Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Phone: [phone] Phone: [phone] Phone: [phone]
E-mail: info_[email protected] E-mail: [e-mail] E-mail: info_[email protected]
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