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Hookup Guide - Thumbnail

Introduction

  • GNSS Timing Breakout - mosaic-T
    SKU: GPS-28731

    Product Thumbnail

  • At the heart of our Timing GNSS Breakout is Septentrio's mosaic-T, a compact, ultra-low power, multi-band, multi-constellation, high-precision GNSS timing receiver. It can acheive a timing precision of 5ns (5 billionths of a second), or better than 1ns with an optional subscription to the Fugro AtomiChron® L-band timing service. Event accuracy is better than 20ns. It also features Septentrio's unique AIM+ technology for interference mitigation and anti-spoofing, ensuring best-in-class reliability and accuracy.

    This board provides easy access to the mosaic-T's reference clock to create your own GNSS disciplined oscillator. You can use the computed RxClkBias from the PVTCartesian or PVTGeodetic SBF blocks of the mosaic-T to discipline your own 10MHz oscillator. The EXT REF SMA connector accepts 50Ω, 10MHz signals within a range of -14dBm (min) to +14dBm (max). The INT/EXT slide switch selects the internal or external oscillator.

    The mosaic-T is a sophisticated timing receiver running an internal web server that can be accessed through the USB interface with a standard browser using a Linux/Windows computer. Septentrio also provides dozens of video tutorials to guide users through the configuration settings of their GNSS receivers utilizing the web interface.

    Beyond the capabilities of the mosaic-T module, this board is seamless to operate with no programming skills required. Gone are the times when a microcontroller was required to interface with the GNSS receiver and log data to an SD card and when users had to carry around an SD card reader to extract the data from the SD card. The Timing GNSS Breakout - mosaic-T can start/stop logging data or mount/unmount the SD card, without a single line of code, just utilizing a simple button. For the users who prefer a command-line interface, Septentrio has you covered. Users can still control and configure the mosaic-T module through a CLI, which is useful for scenarios such as production line testing (in fact, that is how we tested this board).

    This breakout board is a perfect middle ground for users who would like to integrate the mosaic-T module into a project/enclosure with access to a majority of the module's available pins, similar to Septentrio's developer kit, but in the smaller form factor of their evaluation kit. Or maybe... you just needed a very accurate PPS output at a 3.3V logic level. Please, check out the rest of our hookup guide for more details on the capabilities of this board (that we couldn't fit in this product description).

    RTK Not Supported

    The mosaic-T is a superb GNSS module designed for highly accurate timing applications. But it does not support RTK. It can not be configured as a RTK Rover or Base. RTCM output is not supported.

Important: Read Before Use!

ESD Sensitivity

The mosaic-T module is sensitive to ESD. Use a proper grounding system to make sure that the working surface and the components are at the same electric potential.

ESD Precautions

As recommended by the manufacturer, we highly recommend that users take the necessary ESD precautions to avoid damaging their module.

QR code to play video

Active Antenna

Never inject an external DC voltage into the SMA connector for the GNSS antenna, as it may damage the mosaic-T module. For instance, when using a splitter to distribute the antenna signal to several GNSS receivers, make sure that no more than one output of the splitter passes DC. Use DC-blocks otherwise.

Product Comparison

Below is a simple comparison table between our breakout board and Septentrio's development and evaluation kits:

mosaic-T Development Kit
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mosaic-T GNSS Breakout
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GNSS Disciplined Oscillator
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GNSS Antenna Dual Single Single
USB Connector micro-B Type-C Type-C
Ethernet Yes
10/100 Base-T 		No Yes
10/100 Base-T
WiFi No No Yes - Network Bridge
10 Base-T
COM Ports 4 4 1 - mosaic-T
1 - ESP32
µSD Card Slot Yes Yes Yes
Reset/Log Buttons Yes Yes Yes
Logic-Level 1.8V
3.3V 		3.3V 3.3V
5V
PPS Signal Header Pin PTH Pad SMA Connector
External Ref. Signal SMA Connector SMA Connector SMA Connector
Enclosure Material N/A N/A Aluminum
Dimensions N/A 63.5 x 50.8 x 0.8cm 180.6 x 101.8 x 4.1cm
Enclosure Only
Weight N/A 23g 415g
Enclosure Only

In this guide we'll cover how to setup the mosaic-T Timing GNSS breakout board. Additionally, we also provide some guidelines for creating a GNSS disciplined oscillator, based upon our work with the SparkPNT GNSSDO. To follow along with this tutorial, at a minimum, users will need the following items:

  1. A list of the compatible GNSS receiver software, is provided on the Septentrio website.
  2. If your computer doesn't have a USB-A slot, then choose an appropriate cable or adapter.
  3. For the best performance, use a compatible L1/L2/L5/L-Band GNSS antenna.

Section Topics

This guide is divided into three sections:

  • The Hardware section has two sub-sections that provide:
    • An overview of the board's design, major components, and interfaces. Refer to this page for information on the connectors, breakout pins, and jumpers.
    • Assembly instructions for this product's interfaces.
  • The Software section has several sub-sections. The mosaic-T module has numerous capabilities and a multitude of ways to configure and interface with them. Without regurgitating all the information that is documented in Septentrio's user manuals and videos, we have tried to highlight a good majority of the module's aspects.
  • In the Resources and Support sections, users can find the design files (KiCad files & schematic), relevant documentation (datasheets, white papers, etc.) and other helpful links on the Resources page. Lastly, the Troubleshooting Tips page includes helpful tips and instructions for how to receive technical support from SparkFun.