Columbus P-7 Pro Submeter (0.5 meter accuracy) USB and Bluetooth GNSS Receiver

Columbus P-7 Pro is an easy to use GNSS receiver which achieves submeter (0.5 meter) level of positioning. It can be used either by connecting to an usb port of your computer or connecting to your mobile device by bluetooth. P-7 Pro streams high accuracy positioning data to your GIS/GPS applications on smartphones, tablets and computers in real time.

 

Features:

• 0.5 meter accuracy
• 5 Hz update rate
• Dual-Frequency(L1 + L5) 
• 6 constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDuo, QZSS and IRNSS)
• Quad output interfaces (1 Bluetooth SPP +  1 Bluetooth BLE + 2 USB Serial Devices / COM ports)
• Multi-platform compatible (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, IOS, iPadOS)

 

How accurate is the P-7 Pro?

The P-7 Pro can provide: horizontal direction 0.5m/CEP(50%); 1.5m/CEP(95%). It boasts lane-level positioning accuracy.

CEP refers to Circular Error Probable. 0.5m/CEP(50%)* means that the probability of the track points falling within a 0.5m radius is greater than 50%; 1.5m/CEP(95%)* means that the probability of the track points falling within a 1.5m radius is greater than 95% .

The P-7 Pro also has high absolute altitude accuracy with an error of only ±15 m*, comparable to the altitude measurement ability of a barometer.

*Data from testing in ideal open environments

 

Better performance than ever! Let's see how much improvement the P-7 Pro has compared to a Single-frequency GPS receiver!  

1. Low-speed driving track test

Test purpose: Record three consecutive times along the same route to evaluate the consistency of the low-speed driving track.

Test time: UTC 2022-05-28 18:54:32 ~ 19:01:53   |   Average speed: 6.9km/h (4.3mi/h)

Location: The external antenna is attached to the top of the vehicle.

Surroundings: Houses and trees are densely distributed nearby.

Click to download the original track file (NMEA format) >

2. Low-speed driving track test

Test purpose: Record three consecutive times along the same route to evaluate the consistency of the low-speed driving track.

Test time: UTC 2022-05-28 19:05:17 ~ 19:11:24   |   Average speed: 13.5km/h (8.4 mi/h)

Location: The external antenna is attached to the top of the vehicle.

Surroundings: Houses and trees are densely distributed nearby.

Click to download the original track file (NMEA format) >

3. Driving test  

Test purpose: Drive back and forth on a single-lane road to see if it can distinguish left and right lanes

Test time: UTC 2022-05-28 19:24:27 ~ 19:29:00   |   Average speed: 20.1km/h (12.5 mi/h)

Location: The external antenna is attached to the top of the vehicle.

Surroundings: Houses and trees are densely distributed nearby.

Click to download the original track file (NMEA format) >

 

Why can the P-7 Pro be so accurate?  

1. Dual-frequency

The P-7 Pro, which supports dual-frequency L1+L5, can simultaneously monitor signals on two different frequencies on the same satellite, compare and analyze the data, and correct ionospheric delay to eliminate errors and multipath interference caused by the atmosphere.

The positioning accuracy of the P-7 Pro can reach sub-meters.

2. Multi-constellation positioning capability 

The P-7 Pro supports multi-constellation in the world: GPS L1 and L5; GLONASS L1; Galileo E1 and E5a; BeiDou B1; QZSS L1 and L5; IRNSS L5.

Compared with the Single-constellation GPS positioning system, the GNSS multi-constellation positioning system can ensure rapid and effective positioning at any location in the world, while improving positioning accuracy and reliability.

 

How fast is the update rate? 

The answer is 5Hz. Compared with the 1Hz update rate, the 5Hz update rate can provide a smoother track, which is suitable for recording high-speed activities such as racing cars.

 

What needs a P-7 pro if the smartphone already has built-in GPS?

If using the built-in GPS of your mobile phone or tablet, usually you can have 5 meters accuracy and 1Hz refresh rate. By connecting the P-7 Pro to your smartphone or tablet,  you can achieve up to 0.5 meters accuracy and 5Hz refresh rate. 10 times better positioning accuracy.

 

Which OS P-7 Pro is compatible with?

The P-7 Pro has excellent multi-platform compatibility and is compatible with all most common operating systems. 

(Attention for those who use IOS or iPadOS devices. Please make sure your app is in our p-7 Pro compatible list. If not, please do NOT buy.  P-7 Pro is not going to work with your IOS device.)

How many devices can concurrently connect to P-7 pro?

P-7 Pro supports Quad output interfaces.  (1 Bluetooth SPP +  1 Bluetooth BLE + 2 USB Serial Devices / COM ports). If utilizing all 4 interfaces, 4 devices can concurrently connect to a P-7 pro.

For example: When connecting one device by Bluetooth SPP and connecting another device  by USB/ Com port, both devices can simultaneously receive GNSS data from the P-7 Pro.

It is so convenience when using a P-7 pro for multiple purposes. 

 

What Bluetooth does the P-7 pro support?

The P-7 Pro has built-in dual-mode Bluetooth, which supports BLE 5.1 and SPP 2.1.

The reliable range is more than 20 meters.

 

If connecting by USB port, how many com ports are available?

When plug-in to a computer, P-7 Pro can be recognized as 2 serial / com ports. Both ports are independent, which means two programs can share a single P-7 pro without using a GPS proxy program. You got two GNSS receivers for the price of one.

What is the dual-frequency active antenna and how to properly place it?

As a professional GNSS receiver, P-7 Pro comes with an external dual-frequency active antenna. The antenna can boost the reception of the satellite signal, resulting in more accuracy data output.

The antenna has a magnetic base that allows you to freely attach the antenna to the top of surveying poles, vehicle roofs and masts etc.

The external active antenna adopts a waterproof design, and the protection level is IP66, which can be used in all-weather conditions.

The track accuracy of the P-7 Pro is significantly affected by the placement. According to the scene, we recommend the following placement:

 

Technical Specs

Size and Weight:

Ingress Protection*:

External Active Antenna IP66

* The external active antenna can work normally in all-weather environments. The main unit of the P-7 Pro is not waterproof.

Operating Temperature:

-20°C to 50°C / -4°F to 122°F

GNSS Performance:

1575.42Mhz (L1, C/A code)

1176.45Mhz (L5)

GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS(L1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), BeiDou(B1), IRNSS (L5), SBAS

Positioning Ability*:

Cold start: <34 seconds

Reacquisition : <2 seconds

Horizontal position accuracy: 0.5m/CEP(50%), 1.5m/CEP(95%)

Vertical position accuracy: ±15m

* Support "EPS Pro" technology. 1Hz mode. Data from testing in ideal open environments.

Output Sentences:

Protocol: NMEA 0183

Baud Rate (Default): 57,600bps

Messages: GNRMC, GNGGA, GNGSV, GNGSA (Default); GNGLL, GNVTG (Optional)

Geodesics: WGS84

Update Rate:

1Hz (Default), 5Hz

Bluetooth:

SPP 2.1

BLE 5.1

Range: >20m (65 feet)

Connectors: 

USB device: USB 2.0 Type-A

External Active Antenna connectors: SMA

Antenna feeder: 300cm / 9.8feet

Power: 

P-7 Pro: DC 5V / 100mA

External active antenna: DC 3.3V / 20mA

OS support: 

Windows XP or greater

Mac OS X v10.9 or greater

Linux 2.6.12 or greater

iOS 9.3 or greater

Android 7.0 or greater

iPad OS 13 or greater