Abstract

The Septentrio mosaic-X5 provides centimeter-level RTK positioning capability for agricultural spraying drones. Its GNSS+ technology suite (AIM+, APME+, LOCK+, IONO+) ensures signal reliability in complex field environments. Featuring a 448-channel, full-band design that supports all current and future navigation signals, a 100 Hz update rate, and <10 ms low latency, it is suitable for high-precision autonomous flight and accurate spraying operations. Its robust design and low power consumption make it ideal for long-duration, large-area agricultural protection tasks.

AI Q&A

What kind of GNSS receiver should be chosen for agricultural spraying drones?

The Septentrio mosaic-X5 is an ideal choice due to its centimeter-level RTK accuracy, powerful anti-interference capabilities, compact size, and low-power consumption design. It perfectly adapts to the UAV platform’s requirements for stable operation in high-precision tasks and complex electromagnetic environments.

Why is centimeter-level GNSS accuracy needed for agricultural spraying operations?

Centimeter-level accuracy is fundamental for ensuring drones precisely follow predetermined flight paths, achieve accurate inter-row obstacle avoidance, reduce over-spraying and missed spraying, and improve pesticide utilization efficiency. It directly impacts operational effectiveness, crop safety, and economic benefits.

What role does AIM+ technology play in agricultural spraying drones?

AIM+ effectively suppresses potential wireless signal interference and spoofing near farmlands, ensuring continuous GNSS signal stability in complex electromagnetic environments. This safeguards autonomous flight safety and the precise execution of operational paths.

How does the mosaic-X5 ensure uninterrupted GNSS signals and prevent positioning drift in complex environments like undulating fields, areas near high-voltage lines, or orchards with canopy blocking?

The mosaic‑X5 ensures continuous, reliable centimeter-level positioning in diverse agricultural scenarios through full-band, multi-system redundancy; APME+ suppression of reflections from the ground and crop canopies; AIM+ resistance to interference and spoofing; high-sensitivity rapid reacquisition; and LOCK+ resilience against vibrations. This guarantees continuous, precise spraying operations without overlap or gaps.

High-Precision GNSS Technology Empowers Modern Precision Agriculture

In modern precision agriculture, spraying drones have evolved from simple spraying tools into intelligent operational platforms integrating automatic route planning, variable-rate application, job supervision, and data analysis. Faced with the diversity of field environments, high demands for operational accuracy, and the challenge of long-duration continuous operation, traditional navigation solutions struggle to meet the requirements for efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly crop protection.

Why Centimeter-Level GNSS Accuracy is Crucial for Spraying Operations

During operations such as variable-rate application, precise row alignment, and automatic headland turns, centimeter-level positioning errors can lead to spraying overlap or missed spots, affecting pesticide efficacy, causing phytotoxicity or waste, and potentially damaging crops. High-precision spatiotemporal data is the cornerstone for achieving automated and refined agricultural operations.

Core Advantages of the Septentrio mosaic-X5 GNSS Receiver

The Septentrio mosaic-X5 is not just a navigation module; it is a high-precision positioning system engineered for high-reliability agricultural applications. Its design philosophy integrates a compact size, full-band support, and advanced anti-jamming technology, perfectly meeting the stringent requirements of spraying drones for accuracy, stability, and durability.

Full-System, Full-Band GNSS Performance

Despite its compact size of only 31×31×4 mm, the mosaic-X5 features:

-448 hardware channels for simultaneous tracking of all visible satellite signals

-Full constellation support: GPS, BeiDou, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, NavIC, SBAS

-Multi-frequency reception enhances signal reliability, adapting to environments with obstructions like orchards and hills or potential interference

-OSNMA support enhances signal security and trustworthiness

GNSS+ Technology Ensures Stable Positioning in Complex Field Environments

Septentrio’s unique GNSS+ technology suite maintains high accuracy even in farmland environments that may have interference and complex multipath:

-AIM+: Industry-leading anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology to counter unexpected interference signals.

-APME+: Multipath mitigation to reduce effects of signals reflected from crops, the ground, and structures.

-LOCK+: Maintains stable satellite tracking under UAV airframe vibrations and gusty wind conditions.

-IONO+: Mitigates ionospheric disturbances, ensuring all-weather, all-terrain operational reliability.

These technologies collectively deliver sustained centimeter-level RTK accuracy:

-Horizontal accuracy: 0.6 cm + 0.5 ppm

-Vertical accuracy: 1.0 cm + 1 ppm

Integration Advantages of mosaic-X5 in Agricultural Spraying Drone Platforms

High Update Rate and Low Latency Response

With support for a 100 Hz update rate and latency below 10 ms, the mosaic-X5 ensures the flight control system receives real-time precise position data during high-speed flight and precise turns. This enables smooth, accurate route tracking and operational maneuver control.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Accuracy

Centimeter-level positioning accuracy combined with fast RTK initialization (<7 seconds) enables drones to achieve precise take-off/landing, automatic route planning, and automatic headland turns. This significantly improves operational efficiency and ensures spraying accuracy, reducing waste.

High Efficiency and Long Endurance Support

With a typical power consumption of only 0.6 W, it helps extend the single-sortie operation time of drones, increasing the coverage area per flight and meeting the demands of large-area continuous operations.

Strong Environmental Adaptability

Compliant with MIL-STD-810G vibration standards and an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, it can withstand various field climate conditions from extreme heat to severe cold. Its dust and moisture resistance ensures long-term stable operation of the equipment in outdoor environments.

mosaic-X5: The Precise Operational Foundation for Agricultural Spraying Drones

Improving Operational Quality and Agricultural Benefits

Drones equipped with the mosaic-X5 can achieve extremely high operational repeatability accuracy, ensuring the precise execution of variable-rate prescriptions. This improves pesticide utilization, reduces costs, safeguards crop health, and enhances overall agricultural economic benefits.

Easy Integration and Complete Development Ecosystem

Comprehensive interface support (4×UART, Ethernet, USB, SDIO), full protocol compatibility (NMEA, RTCM, RINEX), and free SDK and API significantly reduce integration difficulty and development cycles with spraying drone flight control systems, spraying systems, and agricultural management platforms.

A Future-Proof GNSS Investment

Choosing the mosaic-X5 means providing agricultural equipment with long-term, stable, and technologically leading positioning capability. It supports current and future navigation signals and security standards, adapting to the ongoing development of precision agriculture technology.