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  • SparkPNT GNSS Flex Module - DAN-F10N
    SKU: GPS-29061

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  • This SparkPNT GNSS Flex module features the u-blox DAN-F10N GNSS module with u-blox's dual-band GNSS technology for the L1/L5 frequency bands. Their proprietary dual-band multipath mitigation technology enables the u-blox F10 GNSS engine to isolate the best signals from the L1 and L5 bands; delivering a solid meter-level position accuracy in challenging urban environments. Additionally, the DAN-F10N module's robust SAW-LNA-SAW RF architecture with an additional notch filter (LTE B13) on the L1 RF path ensures the best possible out-of-band interference mitigation from nearby cellular modems.

    The DAN-F10N GNSS module on this board comes with a 20 x 20 x 8 mm, integrated, Right Hand Circular Polarized (RHCP), L1/L5 dual-band patch antenna that offers the best compromise between size and performance. The patch antenna's wide beamwidth provides flexibility in the device's orientation; while alternatively, the module also has an antenna switch function to give users the option to utilize an external dual-band antenna, further increasing its utility.

    The DAN-F10N module is supported by the u-blox u-center 2 GNSS software for real-time performance analysis, receiver configuration, and data logging. The AssistNow Online, Offline, and Autonomous A-GNSS services can also be used with the module for faster satellite acquisition. Users can also interface with the GNSS module using NMEA 4.11 and UBX binary protocols.

    GPS L5 Signals

    The GPS L5 signals are currently, considered as "pre-operational" and not utilized by default in navigation solutions. However, it is possible override the receiver's configuration to evaluate the GPS L5 signals. Please refer to the integration manual for more details.

    This is an operational limitation of the satellite/space segment and not an issue of the u-blox product.

Design Files

  • Design Files

  • Manipulate 3D Model
    Controls Mouse Touchscreen
    Zoom Scroll Wheel 2-Finger Pinch
    Rotate Left-Click & Drag 1-Finger Drag
    Move/Translate Right-Click & Drag 2-Finger Drag

    Board Dimensions
    Dimensions of the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

    Need more measurements?

    For more information about the board's dimensions, users can download the KiCad files for this board. These files can be opened in KiCad and additional measurements can be made with the measuring tool.

    KiCad - Free Download!

    KiCad is free, open-source CAD program for electronics. Click on the button below to download their software. (*Users can find out more information about KiCad from their website.)

    📏 Measuring Tool

    This video demonstrates how to utilize the dimensions tool in KiCad, to include additional measurements:

    QR code to play video

Board Layout

The GNSS Flex system is designed around two 2x10-pin, 2mm pitch headers used mate the two types of boards. A standardized pin layout, keeps the ecosystem pin-compatible for upgrades and allows board to be easily swapped for repairs. Depending on the capabilities of the GNSS receiver, these pins will breakout the USB, UART (x4), I2C, and SD card interfaces along with any PPS or event signals of the GNSS receiver.

The DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module has the following features:

Layout

Layout of the major components on the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

  1. DAN-F10N GNSS Receiver
    The u-blox DAN-F10N GNSS receiver
  2. GNSS Flex Headers
    Two sets of 2x10 pin, 2mm pitch female headers for connecting a GNSS Flex module to carrier boards
  3. External Antenna L1/L5 U.FL Connector
    An U.FL connector for attaching an external GNSS antenna
  4. EXT_ANT Jumper
    Controls the RF switch for GNSS signal source

DAN-F10N GNSS Receiver

The centerpiece of the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module, is the DAN-F10N GNSS receiver from u-blox. Their proprietary dual-band multipath mitigation technology enables the u-blox F10 GNSS engine to isolate the best signals from the L1 and L5 bands; delivering a solid meter-level position accuracy in challenging urban environments. Additionally, the DAN-F10N module's robust SAW-LNA-SAW RF architecture with an additional notch filter on the L1 RF path ensures the best possible out-of-band interference mitigation from nearby cellular modems.

The DAN-F10N GNSS module comes with a 20 x 20 x 8 mm, integrated, Right Hand Circular Polarized (RHCP), L1/L5 dual-band patch antenna that offers the best compromise between size and performance. The patch antenna's wide beamwidth provides flexibility in the device's orientation; while alternatively, the module also has an antenna switch function to give users the option to utilize an external dual-band antenna, further increasing its utility.

QR code

  • DAN-F10N module
    The DAN-F10N GNSS receiver on the GNSS Flex module.

Features:

  • Operating Voltage: 2.7 - 3.6V
  • Operating Temperature: -40 - 85°C
  • GNSS Support
    • GPS: L1 C/A, L5
    • QZSS: L1C/A, L1S, L1Sb, L5
    • GAL: E1B/C, E5a
    • BDS: B1C, B2a
    • NavIC: L5
    • SBAS: L1C/A
    • BDSBAS: B1C
  • Sensitivity
    • Tracking & Nav: –164dBm
    • Reacquisition: –156dBm
    • Cold start: –145dBm
    • Hot start: –156dBm


  • Update Rate: Up to 10Hz
  • Time to Fix
    • Cold Start: < 28s
    • Aided Start: < 2s
    • Hot Start: 2s
  • Position Accuracy
    • 1.0 m (with SBAS)
    • 1.5 m (without SBAS)
  • Interfaces
    • 1x Serial interface
      • Raw data output: Code phase data
      • Protocols: NMEA 4.11, UBX binary
    • 2x Digital I/O
      • Timepulse Configurable: 0.25 - 10MHz
      • EXTINT input for Wakeup

Power Modes

The DAN-F10N GNSS module supports three different operation modes:

  • Continuous Mode

In this mode, the module uses dedicated signal processing engines optimized for signal acquisition and tracking.

  • The acquisition engine actively searches and acquires signals, during cold starts or when insufficient signals are available during navigation.
  • The tracking engine continuously tracks signals, downloads all the almanac data, and acquires new signals as they become available during navigation.

The tracking engine consumes less power than the acquisition engine. Therefore, the module's current consumption is lower when a valid position is obtained quickly after startup, the entire almanac has been downloaded, and the ephemeris for available satellites are valid.

  • Backup Modes

The DAN-F10N module supports two backup modes. The backup modes are inactive states with reduced power consumption, where the receiver maintains time, information, and navigation data to speed up signal acquisitions upon restart.

  • Hardware backup mode
The hardware backup mode requires V_BCKP power to be supplied. It allows the module to enter a backup state and maintain the backup domain (BBR and RTC), after the main power has been switched off.
  • Software standby mode
Software standby mode is entered using the UBX-RXM-PMREQ message. This mode will clear the RAM memory; to maintain the receiver configuration, it should be stored on BBR or flash layers. The software standby mode can be set for a specific duration, or until the receiver is woken up by a signal from the UART RX and/or EXTINT pins, as defined in UBX-RXM-PMREQ message. A system reset with the RESET_N signal also terminates the software standby mode, clears the BBR content and restarts the receiver.

Power Consumption

The power consumption of the DAN-F10N module depends on the GNSS signals enabled and if the module is acquiring or tacking those signals. The table below, lists the average current consumption with a supply voltage of 3.3V.

GNSS Signals Acquisition Tracking
GPS+GAL+BDS 26mA 21mA
GPS+BDS 26mA 20mA
GPS+GAL 22mA 19mA
GPS+NavIC 21mA 18mA
GPS 20mA 18mA
BDS 24mA 19mA

Tip

At startup, the inrush current can reach up to 100 mA at startup. Make sure the primary power source can sustain the required current consumption.

Backup Modes

The current consumption for the backup modes:

  • Hardware backup Mode: 31µA
  • Software standby Mode: 49µA

Info

For more information, please refer to the DAN-F10N Datasheet.

Frequency Bands

The DAN-F10N GNSS module is a dual-band, multi-constellation GNSS receiver. Below, are the frequency bands provided by all the global navigation satellite systems and the ones supported by the DAN-F10N module.

Constellation Frequency Bands
GPS L1 C/A, L5
QZSS L1C/A, L1S, L1Sb, L5
GAL E1B/C, E5a
BDS B1C, B2a
NavIC L5
SBAS L1C/A
BDSBAS B1C

The frequency bands supported by the DAN-F10N GNSS receiver.

GNSS frequency bands

Frequency bands of the global navigation satellite systems. (Source: Tallysman)

What are Frequency Bands?

A frequency band is a section of the electromagnetic spectrum, usually denoted by the range of its upper and lower limits. In the radio spectrum, these frequency bands are usually regulated by region, often through a government entity. This regulation prevents the interference of RF communication; and often includes major penalties for any interference with critical infrastructure systems and emergency services.

GNSS frequency bands
Frequency bands of the global navigation satellite systems. (Source: ESA)

However, if the various GNSS constellations share similar frequency bands, then how do they avoid interfering with one another? Without going too far into detail, the image above illustrates the frequency bands of each system with a few characteristics specific to their signals. Wit these characteristics in mind, along with other factors, the chart can help users to visualize how multiple GNSS constellations might co-exist with each other.

For more information, users may find these articles of interest:

GNSS Flex Headers

The GNSS Flex system is designed around two 2x10-pin, 2mm pitch headers used mate the two types of boards. A standardized pin layout, keeps the ecosystem pin-compatible for upgrades and allows boards to be easily swapped for repairs. For the DAN-F10N GNSS receiver, these pins will breakout the UART interface along with three of the programmable I/O pins; the LNA enable pin is not broken out and the safe-boot pin is only exposed as a test point on this board.

Peripherals and I/O pins

The peripherals and I/O pins on the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

Below, are the features that are available from the DAN-F10N GNSS receiver.

Supported Interfaces:

  • 1x UART
  • 1x LNA enable pin (1)
  • 1x External interrupt
  • 1x PPS output signal
  • 1x Safe boot pin (2)
  • 1x Reset pin
  1. Not available on the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.
  2. Only exposed as a test point.

Note

All the input pins on the DAN-F10N GNSSS module have internal pull-up resistors; in normal operation, they can be left floating if unused.

UART I/O pins
The UART1 pins on the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

The DAN-F10N has a single UART interface that supports the following protocols:

  • Input messages: NMEA and UBX
  • Output messages: NMEA (GGA, GLL, GSA, GSV, RMC, VTG, and TXT)

Configuration Settings

The UART interface can be configured with the CFG-UART1-* messages, but will initially have the following settings:

  • Baudrate: 9600 to 921600bps (Default: 38400bps)
  • Data Bits: 8
  • Parity: No
  • Stop Bits: 1
  • Flow Control: None

PPS signal I/O pin
The PPS output signal on the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

The PPS1 pin is connected to the module's time pulse (TIMEPULSE) signal. The period, length, and polarity (rising or falling edge) of the TIMEPULSE signal can be configured with the CFG-TP-* messages.

Info

The module's SAFEBOOT_N pin is internally connected to its TIMEPULSE pin through a 1 kΩ series resistor. Make sure these pins have no load that could pull them low at startup; otherwise, the receiver will enter its safeboot mode.

The DAN-F10N supports external interrupts through its EXTINT pin. This is useful for waking the module up from its standby mode or for timing applications.

Event I/O pin
The interrupt pin on the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

The RESET_N pin resets the DAN-F10N module. Driving the pin LOW for at least 1ms triggers a cold-start reset, clearing the BBR content (receiver configuration, real-time clock (RTC), and GNSS orbit data). Capacitors should not be placed between RST and GND; otherwise, it could trigger a reset on startup.

Reset pin
The RESET pin on the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

Test point
The SAFEBOOT test point on the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

The SAFEBOOT_N pin (reserved for future use) is used for updates and reconfiguration. The DAN-F10N module will enter safeboot mode, if this pin is pulled LOW at starup.

Info

The module's SAFEBOOT_N pin is internally connected to its TIMEPULSE pin through a 1 kΩ series resistor. Make sure these pins have no load that could pull them low at startup; otherwise, the receiver will enter its safeboot mode.

U.FL Connector

The L1/L5 External Antenna U.FL connector provides the flexibility to use an external GNSS antenna instead of the integrated patch antenna. Users will need to modify the EXT_ANT jumper, to trigger the RF switch to change to the U.FL connector as the GNSS receiver's signal source.

GNSS antenna input

The U.FL connector to attach an external GNSS antenna to the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

Tip

For the best performance, we recommend users choose a compatible L1/L5 GNSS antenna and utilize a low-loss cable. Also, don't forget that GNSS signals are fairly weak and can't penetrate buildings or dense vegetation. The GNSS antenna should have an unobstructed view of the sky.

EXT_ANT Jumper

The EXT_ANT jumper can be modified to control the source of the GNSS signals between the DAN-F10N module's integrated L1/L5 dual-band patch antenna or an external antenna connected to the board's U.FL connector.

Jumpers

The jumper on the top of the DAN-F10N GNSS Flex module.

Never modified a jumper before?

Check out our Jumper Pads and PCB Traces tutorial for a quick introduction!

Info

By default, the module's integrated L1/L5 dual-band patch antenna is utilized.