Columbus P-70 Ultra Precise GNSS Receiver (USB / UART and Bluetooth Interfaces, 1 cm accuracy with RTK, 30 cm accuracy standalone)

The Columbus P-70 Ultra is Columbus’ 2025 flagship GNSS receiver, tailored for professionals who require dependable and precise positioning. It provides 1.0 cm horizontal and 1.5 cm vertical accuracy in RTK mode, along with 30 cm accuracy in standalone mode, making it suitable for a diverse range of applications.

Its compact, lightweight design ensures easy portability, while versatile connectivity options—USB / UART and Bluetooth —enable seamless integration with various devices. Featuring a high-gain waterproof dual-band antenna (L1 and L5), the P-70 Ultra excels in surveying, mapping, RTK infrastructure development, and other professional tasks. Packed with advanced capabilities at an affordable price, it’s the perfect solution for high-precision needs.

Key Features:

Centimeter-Level Accuracy: Achieves 1.0 cm horizontal and 1.5 cm vertical accuracy in RTK mode, and 30 cm accuracy in standalone mode, ideal for precision surveying, mapping and other professional applications.

Dual-Frequency GNSS Capability: Supports L1 and L5 bands for improved signal reception, faster positioning, and better accuracy in challenging environments.

High-Gain External Antenna: Includes an external antenna (29dB for L1, 27dB for L5) with IP67 waterproofing, suitable for outdoor use.

Flexible Antenna Design: Comes with a magnetic high-gain antenna for vehicles and supports optional helical antennas for UAVs and other specific applications.

Compact, Lightweight and Low Power Consumption: Measures 65 x 18 x 10 mm and weighs only 23g, making it easy to carry or integrate into portable systems. Operates on 5V/80mA, providing energy-efficient performance for long-term use.

Multiple Connection Options: Supports USB, Bluetooth 5.1 (dual-mode SPP and BLE), and an optional UART 3.3V TTL adapter cable for seamless integration with various devices.

RTK Rover and Base Operating Modes: Functions as a rover connected to a CORS network or as a base station connected to NTRIP software for RTCM correction data streaming.

Fast Initialization and Reduced Multipath Effects: Dual-frequency reduces interference and speeds up signal acquisition compared to single-frequency receivers. Works with GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and IRNSS for global coverage and reliable performance.

Test and Demo:

1. RTK Mode — Static Positioning Test

• Objective: Evaluate the static positioning accuracy.

• Duration: 1 hour

• Refresh Rate: 1 Hz

• Time: UTC 2024-12-31 14:24:01 to 15:24:00

• Method: The receiver’s antenna was kept stationary while collecting 3600 consecutive trajectory points. The average position was calculated as the center point, and the CEP (Circular Error Probable) value was determined.

• Conditions: Under clear skies, with a baseline distance of approximately 500 meters between the reference station and the P-70 Ultra, continuously receiving RTK correction data.

• Download the raw data recorded by P-70 Ultra

Results:

• CEP(50%) Accuracy: 0.3034 cm, surpassing the specified 1.0 cm accuracy. This means 50% of the positioning points fall within a circle with a radius of 0.3034 cm centered on the average position.

• CEP(100%) Accuracy: 1.0618 cm, also demonstrating excellent performance.

2. RTK Mode — Dynamic Stability Test

• Objective: Assess the positioning and tracking accuracy of the P-70 Ultra during motion.

• Duration: 785 seconds

• Refresh Rate: 1 Hz

• Time: UTC 2025-01-03 14:05:55 to 14:18:59

• Rotations: 20 cycles

• Method: The antenna’s phase center was positioned on the edge of a circular disc with a 20 cm radius. The disc was rotated at a speed of approximately 40 seconds per cycle, corresponding to a linear velocity of about 3.1 cm/s.

• Conditions: Under clear skies, with a baseline distance of approximately 500 meters between the reference station and the P-70 Ultra, continuously receiving RTK correction data.

• Download the raw data recorded by P-70 Ultra

The images on the top left and right are synchronized visual records from the test.

Results:

Tracking ultra-slow motion trajectories is a challenge for RTK devices. During this test:

• The P-70 Ultra’s recorded trajectory coincided with the target path of a circular disc with a 19.5 cm radius (measured from the antenna’s phase center).

• Across multiple rotations, the trajectory width consistently remained within 1 cm, demonstrating exceptional tracking consistency.

3. SBAS Mode — Independent Static Positioning Test

• Objective: Evaluate the P-70 Ultra’s positioning accuracy as a standalone receiver without RTK correction data.

• Duration: 1 hour

• Refresh Rate: 1 Hz

• Time: UTC 2024-12-30 12:40:00 to 2024-12-30 13:39:59

• Method: The receiver’s antenna was kept stationary while collecting 3600 consecutive trajectory points. The average position was calculated as the center point, and the CEP value was determined.

• Conditions: Under clear skies, using differential satellite positioning (DGPS) throughout the test.

• Download the raw trajectory data recorded by P-70 Ultra

Results:

• CEP(50%) Accuracy: 21.7055 cm, surpassing the specified 30 cm accuracy, demonstrating excellent standalone accuracy.

Technical Specifications

Protection Rating

• External GNSS Antenna: IP67

(Note: The P-70 Ultra device itself is not waterproof.)

Operating Temperature

• Range: -40°C to 85°C

GNSS Chipset

• High Precision RTK GNSS Chipset with EPS Ultra Technology

• Channels: 120

GNSS Performance

• High-Frequency Band (L1):

• GPS (L1C/A, 1575.42 MHz)

• BeiDou (B1I, B1C, 1561.098 MHz)

• Galileo (E1B/C, 1575.42 MHz)

• GLONASS (L10F, 1602 MHz)

• QZSS (L1C/A, 1575.42 MHz)

• SBAS (L1C/A)

• Low-Frequency Band (L5):

• GPS (L5, 1176.45 MHz)

• BeiDou (B2a, 1176.45 MHz)

• Galileo (E5a, 1176.45 MHz)

• QZSS (L5, 1176.45 MHz)

• IRNSS (L5, 1176.45 MHz)

Positioning Accuracy

• RTK Mode:

• Horizontal Accuracy: 1.0 cm + 1 ppm (CEP 50%)

• Vertical Accuracy: 1.5 cm + 1 ppm (Median)

• Speed Accuracy: 0.05 m/s

• Dynamic Orientation Accuracy: 0.3°

• SBAS Mode:

• Horizontal Accuracy: 30 cm (CEP 50%)

Maximum Operating Range

• Maximum Altitude: 80,000 m

• Maximum Horizontal Velocity: 1,800 km/h

• Maximum Acceleration: 72,000 km/h

Positioning Capabilities

• Acquisition Time:

• Cold Start: < 28 seconds

• Hot Start: < 3 seconds

• Reacquisition: < 2 seconds

• Sensitivity:

• Tracking: -165 dBm

• Cold Start: -148 dBm

• Hot Start: -159 dBm

• RTK Initialization Time: < 5 seconds

Position Update Rate

• RTK Mode: Up to 10 Hz

• SBAS Mode: Up to 20 Hz

Output Protocols

• NMEA 0183

• Version: V4.10

• Reference System: WGS84

• RTCM

• Versions: MSM4, MSM7

Bluetooth

• Channel 1: P-70 Ultra NTRIP

• Mode: SPP 2.1, BLE 5.1

• Channel 2: P-70 Ultra

• Mode: SPP 2.1, BLE 5.1

• Connection Range: > 10 m

USB:

• Type: USB 2.0 Type-A (default)

• Chipset: Silicon Labs CP2105

• UART TTL (optional):

• Voltage: 3.3V

Power

• USB Version: DC 5V / 80mA

• UART TTL Version: DC 3.3–5V / 80mA

GNSS Antenna

• Magnetic Antenna (default):

• Type: External GNSS Antenna

• Amplification Method: Active Amplification

• Impedance: 50Ω

• Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR): < 2.0

• LNA Gain: +29±2dB (L1), +27±2dB (L5)

• Noise Figure: < 1.5 dB

• Connector: SMA (male)

• Cable: RG174, 300 cm

• Operating Voltage: 3.3V

• Current: 16mA

• Mounting: Magnetic, Adhesive

System Requirements

• Windows: Windows 7 or later

• Mac OS: Mac OS X 10.10 or later

• Linux: Kernel 2.6.12 or later

• iOS: iOS 15 or later

• Android: Android 10 or later

• iPad OS: iPad OS 15 or later

Size and Weight

Weight: 23g (USB Version)

Weight: 27g (UART Version)

Weight: 106g

Part description

Package Contents

• P-70 Ultra GNSS Receiver Main Unit

• External Active Antenna

• Warranty Card