Septentrio mosaic-X5

The mosaic-X5 from Septentrio of Belgium is a multi-band GNSS receiver module for several satellite systems in a 31 x 31 mm format with interference suppression. It is classed for heavy multicopters and intended as a building block that a developer places on a carrier board of their own.

The receiver uses the L1, L2 and L5 bands and handles GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC and SBAS. For RTK Septentrio states 0.6 cm + 0.5 ppm horizontally and 1 cm + 1 ppm vertically; 0.5 ppm means 0.5 mm of added error per kilometre of distance from the base. The output rate is 100 Hz and the latency under 10 ms. Latency is the delay between measurement and output; it counts in fast control loops. Connection is through four UARTs (up to 4 Mbit/s), Ethernet, USB 2.0 and SDIO. Output formats are SBF, NMEA, RINEX, RTCM and CMR. RINEX is the exchange format for raw data and the basis of post-processing (PPK). The module weighs about 7 g.

Heavy multicopters quickly exceed the 25 kg limit of the open category; above it the specific category applies, with an operational authorisation. A building block like this is not an aircraft itself: geo-awareness and remote identification (from class C1) arise at the aircraft and rest on the GNSS position. For mapping and surveying, 100 Hz and raw data output provide the basis for reducing ground control points; check points remain useful for verification.

For selection, the integration effort counts: the module needs a carrier board with an antenna connector, power supply and decoupling, which the developer provides. Interference suppression helps against jamming but does not replace careful antenna placement away from transmitters. Upkeep includes firmware and checking the antenna lead.