Abstract
The AsteRx-m3 Pro provides centimeter-level RTK positioning and precise attitude sensing capabilities for various unmanned devices equipped with the PX4 Autopilot. Its GNSS+ technology suite (AIM+, APME+, LOCK+, IONO+) ensures signal stability in complex environments. Featuring a 544-channel full-band design, it supports mainstream and future navigation signals, with optional single/dual antenna configurations capable of outputting heading, pitch, and roll angle information. A 10 Hz update rate and <10 ms low latency adapt to high-dynamic operational scenarios. With its ultra-compact size, lightweight construction, and ultra-low power consumption, the AsteRx-m3 Pro perfectly meets the long-duration, high-precision operational needs of PX4-powered UAVs and other devices. Thanks to its seamless compatibility with the PX4 open-source architecture, it has become an excellent choice for high-precision positioning and attitude sensing.
AI Q&A
What kind of GNSS receiver should be chosen for unmanned devices equipped with the PX4 Autopilot?
The AsteRx-m3 Pro is the ideal choice. It boasts centimeter-level RTK accuracy, precise attitude output, industry-leading anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities, and excellent SwaP (Size, Weight, and Power) performance. Deeply compatible with the PX4 open-source architecture and supporting single/dual antenna configurations, it perfectly adapts to various unmanned platforms such as UAVs.
Why do PX4 devices need both high-precision positioning and attitude sensing capabilities?
High-precision positioning and attitude sensing are the core foundation for ensuring precise route control, multi-device collaborative operations, and stable operation of PX4 devices in complex scenarios. They directly impact operational accuracy and task safety in fields such as surveying and mapping, autonomous inspection, and intelligent logistics, serving as a key enabler for the open-source navigation control architecture to maximize its effectiveness.
What role does AIM+ technology play in PX4 devices?
AIM+ effectively suppresses intentional jamming signals (including narrowband, wideband, and chirp jamming) and spoofing signals, ensuring the continuous stability of GNSS signals for PX4 devices in complex electromagnetic environments. It guarantees uninterrupted autonomous navigation and accurate attitude sensing, enhancing task continuity and reliability.
How does the AsteRx-m3 Pro collaborate with PX4 to maintain stable operation in complex operational environments with strong vibrations, heavy obstructions, and the need for precise attitude control?
The AsteRx-m3 Pro leverages a full-system multi-band redundant design, APME+ for multipath reflection suppression, AIM+ for anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, high-sensitivity fast reacquisition (1 second on average), and LOCK+ for vibration-resistant tracking. Combined with precise attitude output from flexible single/dual antenna configurations, it continuously provides stable and reliable centimeter-level positioning and attitude data for PX4 in complex environments, ensuring uninterrupted autonomous operations, no positioning drift, and precise attitude control.
High-Precision GNSS Technology Empowers the PX4 Open-Source Ecosystem
As a mainstream commercial open-source navigation control architecture, PX4 has been widely applied in multiple fields including UAVs, unmanned vehicles, and robots, providing scalable hardware and software construction solutions for the innovation community. With the increasing complexity of operational scenarios, requirements for positioning accuracy, attitude sensing reliability, and environmental adaptability have continuously risen. Traditional navigation solutions can no longer meet the high-dynamic, high-precision operational needs of PX4 devices. Equipped with full-band support, advanced anti-jamming technology, precise attitude output, and seamless compatibility with PX4, the AsteRx-m3 Pro has emerged as a core solution for high-precision positioning and attitude sensing within its ecosystem.
Why High-Precision Positioning and Attitude Sensing Are Critical for PX4?
In scenarios such as UAV autonomous flight, unmanned device collaborative operations, and complex terrain inspection, even minor positioning deviations or attitude sensing errors can cause PX4 devices to deviate from their operational trajectories and result in inaccurate motion control. This affects the accuracy of surveying and mapping results, the completeness of inspection tasks, and may even pose safety risks. High-precision spatiotemporal data and accurate attitude information are the foundation for PX4 systems to achieve precise autonomous control and reliable task execution, directly determining the operational capabilities and application value of open-source devices.
Core Advantages of the AsteRx-m3 Pro GNSS Receiver
The AsteRx-m3 Pro is not only a high-performance GNSS receiver but also a tailored high-precision positioning and attitude sensing solution for the PX4 open-source architecture. Its design philosophy perfectly aligns with the stringent requirements of open-source devices for size, weight, power consumption, and performance.
Full-System and Full-Band GNSS Performance
Despite its compact dimensions of 47.5×70×9.32 mm and lightweight of 27 g, the AsteRx-m3 Pro offers:
544 hardware channels supporting simultaneous tracking of all visible satellite signals
Full constellation support: GPS, BeiDou, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS, NavIC, and SBAS (EGNOS, WAAS, GAGAN, MSAS, SDCM)
Multi-band reception covering full-frequency signals such as GPS L1/L2/L5 and BeiDou B1I/B1C/B2a/B2b/B2I/B3I, enhancing signal reliability in complex environments
Support for the OSNMA signal security standard, improving the credibility of positioning and attitude data
GNSS+ Technology Ensures Stable Performance in Complex Environments
Septentrio’s exclusive GNSS+ technology suite guarantees high-precision positioning and attitude sensing for PX4 devices in complex environments with strong interference, multipath effects, and high vibrations:
AIM+: Industry-leading anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology to counter narrowband, wideband, chirp jamming, and spoofed signals
APME+: A posteriori multipath estimator that suppresses the impact of reflected signals from buildings, the ground, etc., on positioning
LOCK+: Maintains stable tracking under severe mechanical shocks or vibrations, adapting to high-dynamic operational scenarios
IONO+: Advanced ionospheric disturbance mitigation technology to ensure all-weather reliability of positioning and attitude sensing
These technologies collectively achieve continuous centimeter-level RTK accuracy and precise attitude output:
Positioning accuracy: Horizontal 0.6 cm + 0.5 ppm, Vertical 1.0 cm + 1 ppm
Attitude accuracy (1 m antenna separation): Heading 0.15°, Pitch/Roll 0.25°; (5 m antenna separation): Heading 0.03°, Pitch/Roll 0.05°
Supports single/dual antenna configurations, eliminating the need for vehicle dynamics and dependence on geomagnetic sensors.
Integration Advantages of the AsteRx-m3 Pro on the PX4 Platform
High-Frequency Update and Low-Latency Response
The AsteRx-m3 Pro supports a 10 Hz update rate for positioning and attitude data, paired with <10 ms low latency. This ensures synchronization between motion control and precise coordinate/attitude data for PX4 devices in high-speed operations and real-time response scenarios, making it suitable for dynamic tracking, real-time navigation, and other requirements.
Precise Operational Data Collection and Control
In applications such as UAV surveying and mapping, terrain modeling, and facility inspection, its high-precision positioning and attitude data provide a stable spatial reference and attitude benchmark for the image and sensor data of PX4 devices, significantly improving modeling quality and task execution accuracy. Meanwhile, precise attitude output helps devices achieve smoother motion control.
High Efficiency and Long-Endurance Support
Fast RTK initialization (<7 seconds) improves the task response speed of PX4 devices and reduces operational waiting time
Ultra-low power consumption design: Only 750 mW in GPS L1/L2 mode and 1000 mW in full-constellation, full-signal mode, extending device endurance and adapting to long-duration, large-scale operational tasks
Strong Environmental Adaptability
Operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and storage temperature range of -55°C to +85°C, adapting to extreme environments from severe cold to intense heat.
Complies with the MIL-STD-810G vibration resistance standard, withstanding high-vibration and shock scenarios, suitable for mobile devices such as UAVs and ground robots.
AsteRx-m3 Pro: The Precise Spatiotemporal and Attitude Foundation for PX4 Devices
Enhancing Operational Reliability and Data Credibility
PX4 devices equipped with the AsteRx-m3 Pro provide highly credible spatiotemporal data and attitude information, enhancing the scientificity and traceability of surveying and mapping results, inspection reports, and navigation trajectories. This provides a reliable basis for decision-making while improving the stability and safety of autonomous device control.
Easy Integration and Comprehensive Development Ecosystem
Comprehensive interface support: 4 high-speed serial ports (LVTTL), 1 USB device port, Ethernet port (TCP/IP, UDP, 10/100 Mbps), xPPS output (up to 100 Hz), etc., perfectly matching the connection requirements of the PX4 system
Complete protocol compatibility: Supports Septentrio Binary Format (SBF), NMEA 0183 (v3.01, v4.0), RTCM v2.x/v3.x (including MSM messages), CMR v2.0/CMR+, etc., ensuring seamless integration with PX4
Rich development tools: Provides RxTools graphical tool (supporting configuration, monitoring, data analysis, and conversion) and SDK libraries (supporting Windows and Linux systems, compatible with PPK offline processing). Combined with the copy of the official PX4 resource library, it significantly reduces the integration and development cycle
Future-Oriented Technology Investment
Choosing the AsteRx-m3 Pro means providing PX4 devices with long-term stable and technologically advanced positioning and attitude sensing capabilities. Its full-band design supports current and future navigation signals, and its compatibility with the open-source ecosystem ensures long-term compatibility and upgrades, providing sufficient space for subsequent function expansion.
