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Using uBlox PointPerfect L-band Corrections

The IMX-5 can receive corrections from the uBlox D9S device, which provides L-band corrections through the uBlox PointPerfect solution. PointPerfect IP-based corrections are currently not supported (L-band only)

Firmware update

L-band corrections requires a later version of F9P firmware. Use FW version HPG 1.32 from the F9P downloads page on the uBlox site.

To check your firmware version, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Inertial Sense EvalTool
  2. Navigate to the Data Sets tab.
  3. Select DID_GPSx_VERSION
  4. The firmware version is displayed in extension[1]. For Example, FWVER=HPG 1.12

To update the firmware on the F9P, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Inertial Sense EvalTool
  2. Navigate to the Data Sets tab. Select DID_SYS_CMD from the sidebar (see the image below)
  3. Set command to 11 and invCommand to -12 to enable passthrough to GNSS1 (set 12 and -13 for GNSS2)
  4. Close the serial port (Settings tab)
  5. Open the device in uBlox u-center (we currently use u-center 22.07)
  6. Update the firmware in u-center per u-blox instructions. Baudrate should be set to 921600.

Configuration of the F9P

By default, the IMX-5 module updates settings on the F9P at bootup. Currently the IMX:

  • Configures frequencies and constellations to use in the solution
  • Changes the CFG-SPARTN setting to use L-band corrections. IP corrections are not currently supported through the IMX-5 due to a difference in the protocol.

The IMX acts as a transparent pipe for some UBX messages. In the mode shown below, the IMX passes the following messages:

  • RXM-SPARTN (from F9P)
  • RXM-SPARTNKEY (to/from F9P)
  • RXM-PMP (to F9P)
  • CFG-* (bidirectional)

For L-band, the messages are sent as UBX-RXM-PMP messages. No additional configuration on the IMX is needed to switch between these messages and RTCM3, either will work. We have not tested using them together, contact uBlox if you are considering this.

To set the SPARTNKEY message, use the u-center tool or send the proper message as specified in the HPG 1.32 manual to the IMX. SPARTNKEY messages are passed through the IMX.

If you need to access additional settings on the F9P, you can use the serial passthrough mode used for firmware update, or there are settings under the RTK Base tab that allow passthrough of all uBlox messages.

Corrections can be forwarded through the EvalTool using the Correction Input section of the tool. See the above screenshot for an example configuration.