u-blox Launches Firmware-Upgradeable M10 GNSS with 50 % Lower Power

u-blox has introduced two new additions to its M10 positioning platform: the UBX-M10150-KB chip and the MAX-M10N module. These are the first M10-series products to feature firmware upgradeability, enabling long-term performance improvements through future updates. Both devices run the new SPG 5.30 firmware, which adds Low Energy Accurate Positioning (LEAP), a mode that reduces power consumption by up to 50 percent while maintaining high-precision tracking.

Built for compact and battery-powered applications, the UBX-M10150-KB consumes as little as 8 mW in continuous tracking. The pair targets a broad range of use cases including vehicle and asset tracking, wearables, livestock monitoring, and portable IoT systems where energy efficiency is critical.

Firmware Flexibility and Sub-Meter Precision

Unlike previous ROM-based M10 devices, both products allow firmware upgrades that extend hardware lifecycles and make it possible to introduce new features over time. The SPG 5.30 firmware adds support for RTCM corrections, enabling sub-meter-level accuracy, along with data logging and geofencing functions for autonomous operation.

By combining these capabilities with upgradeable memory, u-blox offers engineers a platform that can evolve with future positioning standards without requiring new hardware designs.

Built-In Assistance and Development Tools

Every UBX-M10150-KB and MAX-M10N includes lifetime access to AssistNow Predictive and Live Orbits, improving start-up times and reliability when operating with small antennas or in weak-signal conditions. Developers can speed up design-in using the EVK-M102 evaluation kit and u-center 2 software, which simplify testing and configuration.

Engineering samples are available now, with full commercial availability expected later in October 2025.

Why It Matters

Firmware-upgradeable GNSS hardware represents a step toward sustainable design in IoT and tracking markets. By pairing low-power performance with ongoing firmware support, u-blox delivers a flexible foundation for the next generation of location-aware devices.

Learn more and read the original article on www.u-blox.com

Image credit: u-blox