Specifications
Part NumberUM980
ManufacturerUnicorecomm
GNSS PlatformNebulasIV RTK engine
Frequency BandsL1 + L2 + L5 tri-band (GPS L1C/A L2C L5, GLONASS L1OF L2OF, Galileo E1 E5a E5b, BeiDou B1I B2I B3I, QZSS L1C/A L2C L5, SBAS L1C/A)
Concurrent GNSS4 systems + QZSS + SBAS, all three frequency bands simultaneously
Maximum Channels1408 channels — industry-leading tracking capacity
RTK Position Accuracy0.008 m + 1 ppm CEP (centimeter-level)
Maximum Update Rate20 Hz (RTK and PVT maintained at full rate)
Navigation Sensitivity-167 dBm
Tracking Current350 mA (continuous, L1+L2+L5, all GNSS active)
PackageLGA-54 (17.0 × 22.0 mm footprint)
Supply Voltage3.0 V – 3.6 V
Operating Temperature−40°C to +85°C
Supply Voltage (VCC)3.0 V – 3.6 V
Backup Voltage (V_BCKP)1.65 V – 3.6 V
Tracking Current (L1+L2+L5)350 mA typical @ 3.3V, all constellations active
Acquisition Current400 mA peak
Standby Current (V_BCKP)< 30 µA
Hot Start TTFF< 2 s typical
Cold Start TTFF< 30 s typical (open sky)
RTK Convergence Time< 10 s typical (with good conditions)
Max RTK BaselineUp to 30 km (ionosphere-corrected, tri-band)
ESD Protection±4 kV HBM (all pins)
Primary Interfaces3 × UART, 1 × SPI, 1 × I²C
ProtocolNMEA 0183 v4.11, RTCM v2.3 / v3.0 / v3.2 / v3.3
RTCM Input/OutputRTCM 3.x MSM4/MSM5/MSM7 (corrections in and out)
RTK ModesRover, Base Station, Moving Base
Time Pulse Output2 × configurable 0.25 Hz – 10 MHz, high precision
Event Marker Input2 × external event with precision timestamping
GeofencingBuilt-in configurable circular geofence
Data LoggingOn-chip raw observation and navigation data logging
BeiDou CompatibilityFull BDS-2/BDS-3 with B1I/B2I/B3I tri-frequency support
Pins54-pin LGA (3×UART, SPI, I²C, 2×TIMEPULSE, 2×EVENT, RESET_N, SAFEBOOT_N, V_BCKP, VCC, GND×6, RF_IN, Reserved)
Part NumberUM980
Orderable Qty1 pcs – 5,000+ pcs
Price (1–9 pcs)Contact for quote
Price (10–99 pcs)Contact for quote
Price (100–499 pcs)Contact for quote
Price (500+ pcs)Best pricing available
Lead Time (stock)3–7 business days
PackagingTape & Reel (T&R), 250 pcs/reel
RoHS CompliantYes (Pb-free)

Please confirm exact parameters with manufacturer datasheet.

Product Description

The UM980 is a flagship high-precision GNSS module from Unicorecomm, built on the advanced NebulasIV RTK engine. It delivers tri-band L1+L2+L5 reception across all four major GNSS constellations — GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou — with an unmatched 1408-channel tracking capacity. With RTK positioning accuracy of 0.008 m + 1 ppm CEP, the UM980 represents the pinnacle of GNSS precision for UAV applications where every millimeter matters: survey-grade mapping, precision agriculture, construction monitoring, and industrial inspection.

What truly distinguishes the UM980 is its comprehensive BeiDou tri-frequency support (B1I/B2I/B3I). This full BDS-2/BDS-3 capability provides exceptional performance across Asian, Russian, and Middle Eastern operational theaters where BeiDou constellation density is highest. The tri-band architecture delivers faster RTK convergence and superior ionospheric estimation compared to dual-band modules — the third frequency (L5/B2a) adds a critical additional measurement that resolves carrier phase ambiguities more reliably, particularly during challenging ionospheric conditions or when operating at extended baselines up to 30 km.

The module's 1408 channels provide overwhelming satellite tracking reserves — four times the typical capacity of u-blox F9 receivers. This means the UM980 can simultaneously track all visible satellites across all constellations on all three frequencies without resource constraints. At 20 Hz update rate with full RTK precision maintained, the module outputs smooth trajectory data suitable for fast-moving UAV platforms. The rich interface set — 3×UART, SPI, and I²C — provides maximum integration flexibility, while dual timepulse and event marker inputs enable precision geotagging and sensor synchronization for photogrammetry and LiDAR applications.

Key Features

  • 0.008 m + 1 ppm RTK accuracy — millimeter-level positioning for professional UAV applications
  • Tri-band L1+L2+L5 with full BeiDou B1I/B2I/B3I for optimal BDS-2/BDS-3 performance
  • 1408 channels — industry-leading capacity for simultaneous multi-constellation tri-band tracking
  • 20 Hz update rate with full RTK precision maintained on all outputs
  • Full RTCM 3.x support (MSM4/MSM5/MSM7) for worldwide correction network compatibility
  • 3×UART, SPI, I²C interfaces — maximum flexibility for complex autopilot architectures
  • Dual timepulse and dual event marker for precision geotagging and sensor synchronization
  • Professional tri-band GNSS antenna required (L1/L2/L5 active patch, sold separately)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does UM980 compare to u-blox ZED-F9P and when should I choose it?
The UM980 surpasses ZED-F9P in several key areas: tri-band L1+L2+L5 vs dual-band L1+L2, 1408 channels vs ~200 channels, full BDS B1I/B2I/B3I tri-frequency vs BDS B1I/B2I only, and slightly better RTK accuracy (0.008m vs 0.01m). The tri-band advantage is most noticeable during challenging ionospheric conditions and at longer baselines beyond 15 km, where the third frequency provides redundancy that improves ambiguity resolution success rate. Choose UM980 when your UAV operations demand maximum RTK reliability across all conditions, when you need BeiDou-optimized performance (Asia/Russia/Middle East operations), or when your payload integration requires the 3×UART interfaces for connecting to multiple companion computers simultaneously. The ZED-F9P remains a strong choice when u-blox ecosystem compatibility is the priority and dual-band performance is sufficient.
Does ArduPilot support UM980 and how do I configure it?
Yes, ArduPilot supports UM980. The module outputs standard NMEA 0183 and RTCM 3.x protocols, making it compatible with ArduPilot's GPS driver system. Connect one UART to the autopilot GPS port. Set GPS_TYPE = 1 (AUTO) — ArduPilot will detect and use NMEA protocol. For advanced configuration, you can also set GPS_TYPE = 17 to force u-blox F9 compatible mode (the UM980's NMEA implementation is compatible with ArduPilot's F9 driver). For RTK operation, connect the correction data source (NTRIP via companion computer, or base station telemetry radio) to a second UART on the UM980. Set GPS_RTK_AVAILABLE = 1 and configure GPS_RTK_SBAS_ALIGN = 0. The UM980 will report RTK float and RTK fixed status through standard GGA sentences. Note that unlike u-blox modules, the UM980 does not use UBX binary protocol — all communication is via NMEA and RTCM.
What are the practical benefits of tri-band L1+L2+L5 over dual-band, and how well does BeiDou work in Russia?
Tri-band adds the L5 (1176.45 MHz) frequency to the traditional L1+L2 combination, providing three independent measurements for ionospheric delay estimation. This creates an overdetermined system: the third frequency provides a consistency check that dramatically improves the success rate of carrier phase ambiguity resolution — particularly important when the satellite geometry changes rapidly during dynamic UAV flight. In practice, this means more frequent RTK Fixed solutions and fewer dropouts to RTK Float. For BeiDou performance in Russia: BDS is a fully global system with excellent high-latitude coverage thanks to its mix of GEO, IGSO, and MEO satellites. BDS-3 satellites broadcast on B1I (1561.098 MHz), B2I (1207.14 MHz), and B3I (1268.52 MHz) — all supported by UM980. Russian users benefit from BDS's strong signal power and the IGSO satellites' extended dwell time at higher latitudes. In Northern Russia, the BDS constellation may provide more visible satellites than GPS alone during certain hours, making the UM980's full BDS support particularly valuable for UAV operations in this region.

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UAV Applications
Survey-Grade UAV Photogrammetry
Millimeter-level RTK with tri-band correction for direct georeferencing. Event marker inputs enable precise camera shutter timestamping for PPK-capable workflows.
Precision Agriculture & Spraying
0.008m accuracy enables precise application pattern control at centimeter level. Tri-band reliability prevents RTK dropouts during long field missions spanning hours.
BeiDou-Optimized Navigation
Full BDS B1I/B2I/B3I support provides best-in-class BeiDou performance. Optimal for operations in Asia, Russia, and Middle East where BDS visibility is strongest.
High-Precision Construction UAV
1408 channels guarantee uninterrupted tracking in complex construction environments with partial sky obstruction. Dual event marker inputs for LiDAR scan synchronization.
Similar Products (High Precision GPS)
Alternative / Drop-in Parts
Related Components (Used Together)
Sourcing Notes

UAVCHIP sources genuine UM980 modules through Unicorecomm's authorized global distribution network. Unicorecomm (和芯星通) is a leading Chinese GNSS IC manufacturer with a strong track record in high-precision positioning technology. The UM980's NebulasIV platform has been validated across thousands of surveying, agricultural, and UAV deployments in Asia and increasingly worldwide. Each shipment includes lot traceability documentation and firmware verification to ensure the latest RTK engine updates are installed. The LGA-54 package ships in ESD-safe moisture-barrier packaging per MSL Level 3. For regional customers in Russia and CIS countries, we offer logistics routing optimized for customs clearance and delivery speed. Our technical team provides configuration support for ArduPilot integration, antenna matching guidance (the UM980 requires a professional tri-band L1/L2/L5 active patch antenna such as the Unicorecomm UA240 or equivalent with ≥ 30 dB LNA gain), and RTK base/rover setup assistance. Volume pricing programs and scheduled delivery contracts are available for professional UAV fleet operators.

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