SparkFun

GNSS Timing Breakout - ZED-F9T-20B (Qwiic)

Name: GNSS Timing Breakout - ZED-F9T-20B (Qwiic)
Brand: SparkFun
SKU: SF-GPS-30975
Price: 658.2 AUD
Availability: InStock

· MPN: GPS-30975

Breakouts GPS & Location Sensors Arduino Sensors SparkFun Qwiic Ecosystem

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Built around the u-blox ZED-F9T-20B receiver, this breakout is made for projects where precise time matters as much as location. Under clear skies it can pro...

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Built around the u-blox ZED-F9T-20B receiver, this breakout is made for projects where precise time matters as much as location. Under clear skies it can provide five nanoseconds of timing accuracy without requiring external GNSS correction data, making it suitable for 5G IoT networks, distributed sensor grids and high-precision NTP servers.

The module supports multi-band reception across major constellations, helping maintain timing stability even if one or more constellations drop out. It also includes native Galileo OSNMA support to help verify the authenticity of GNSS data and protect against spoofing.

For connectivity, the board includes USB-C for primary power and communication, two Qwiic connectors for solder-free I2C integration, three SMA connectors and PTH breakouts for advanced access to the ZED-F9T-20B pinout. An onboard rechargeable backup battery powers the internal RTC to reduce Time-To-First-Fix from a cold start to a hot start.

Documentation and resources provided by SparkFun include the schematic, Eagle files, board dimensions, hookup guide, ZED-F9T-20B documents, u-center software resources, Qwiic information, Arduino Library - v3 and the GitHub hardware repo.

Features:

Concurrent reception: GPS / QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC constellations
Multi-band reception: Receives L1/L2/L5, E1/E5, and B1/B2 bands
GPS / QZSS bands: L1C/A, L2C, L5
Galileo bands: E1B/C, E5b, E5a
BeiDou bands: B1I, B1C, B2a, B2I
Security: Built-in security, including Galileo OSNMA
SMA Connectors: Includes three SMA connectors (one for the antenna and two dedicated for timing pulse signals), allowing for secure, low-loss connections to external equipment.
USB-C & Qwiic: Features a modern USB-C connector for primary power and communication, plus two Qwiic connectors for easy, solder-free I2C integration with the rest of your system.
Full Access: For advanced users, a host of PTH pins are broken out, enabling direct access to most of the ZED-F9T-20B's pinout.
Fast acquisition: Onboard rechargeable backup battery powers the module's internal Real Time Clock (RTC), reducing Time-To-First-Fix from a cold start (~24 seconds) to a hot start (~2 seconds).

Specifications:

Voltage: 5V or 3.3V (all logic is 3.3V)
Current: 68mA - 130mA (varies depending on operating conditions and constellations)
Fix Acquisition: ~24s (Cold) / 2s (Hot)
Time Pulse Signal Accuracy - Absolute Timing Mode: 5ns
Time Pulse Signal Accuracy - Differential Timing Mode (with correction data): 2.5ns
Time Pulse Signal Frequency: 0.25Hz to 25MHz
Time Pulse Signal Jitter: ±4ns
Horizontal Position Accuracy: 2.0m
Max Altitude: 80km (49.7 miles)
Max Velocity: 500m.s (118mph)
I2C Address: 0x42
Qwiic Connectors: 2x Qwiic Connectors

A strong choice for timing labs, network synchronisation, GNSS development and embedded systems that need accurate time pulse outputs with Qwiic-friendly integration.

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

5G: 5G is the fifth-generation mobile network standard, offering higher-speed, lower-latency wireless data than earlier 4G/LTE networks. 5G modems can move large amounts of data over cellular networks but may draw significant current and need a suitable aerial and reliable power.
B1I: A BeiDou satellite signal used for standard positioning. It matters because the receiver must support the signal bands used by a constellation to take advantage of those satellites.
B2a: A BeiDou satellite signal used by newer dual-band GNSS receivers. Support for B2a can improve accuracy and reliability when combined with other GNSS bands.
breakout: A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.
E1: A Galileo satellite signal band used for standard positioning. Knowing which signal bands are supported helps you judge compatibility and expected performance of a GNSS receiver.
E5a: A Galileo satellite signal band used for higher-performance positioning services. Support for E5a can help dual-band GNSS receivers improve accuracy and reduce errors from atmospheric delay.
Galileo: Europe’s satellite navigation system. Galileo support can improve satellite availability and accuracy, especially when combined with GPS and other constellations.
GNSS: GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, an umbrella term for satellite positioning networks such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. Receivers use these satellites to determine position, and high-precision units can output a steady stream of serial position data.
GPS: The US satellite navigation system used by GNSS receivers to calculate position and time. Support for GPS is important because it is widely available and often used together with other constellations for more reliable positioning.
I2C: I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
I2C address: An I2C address is the number a device uses so a microcontroller can tell it apart from other devices on the same I2C bus. It matters because two devices with the same fixed address may conflict if used together.
IoT: Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.
L1C/A: A GPS signal band used by many GNSS receivers for standard positioning. Support for this band helps determine which satellite signals the receiver can use and how well it can maintain a location fix.
L2C: A second GPS signal band used by dual-band GNSS receivers to improve precision and reduce errors caused by the atmosphere. It matters for RTK and high-accuracy applications because using two bands can produce faster and more reliable centimetre-level fixes.
L5: A modern GNSS signal band used by several satellite systems for more accurate and robust positioning. Dual-band receivers that include L5 can often perform better than single-band receivers, especially for RTK and areas with reflected signals.
PTH: Plated through-hole means the pin holes are metal-lined so solder connects the pad on both sides of the board. It is useful for connectors and headers that need a strong mechanical and electrical connection.
Qwiic: Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
QZSS: Japan’s regional satellite navigation system designed to improve coverage around Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. QZSS support can improve satellite availability in supported regions when used alongside GPS.
RTC: A Real-Time Clock keeps track of time even when the main processor is asleep or powered down, usually with a small backup battery. It matters for data logging and tracking projects that need accurate timestamps.
SMA: SMA is a small threaded coaxial (RF) connector widely used to attach antennas and other radio-frequency cables. A device with SMA antenna ports needs antennas or pigtails with matching SMA connectors, or a suitable adapter, to connect to them.
USB-C: USB-C is a small, reversible USB connector that can carry power, data and, on some devices, video over a single cable. The same connector can range from charging only to high-speed data, so the functions a given port actually supports vary.