MosaicAlto

What is the MosaicAlto project?

MosaicAlto is an open-source hardware project by Septentrio, which harnesses the power of the Mosaic GNSS receiver. This project is specifically designed to be compatible with the Arduino Pro Portenta boards, aiming to facilitate reliable industrial use and development. The board serves as a carrier for the Portenta boards, enabling the Mosaic receiver to be fully integrated.

Furthermore, MosaicAlto offers the flexibility to be used as a standalone device. This is achieved through the USB-C connector, which allows for easy connectivity. The MosaicBus architecture has been specifically designed to support either the Septentrio Mosaic-x5 or the Mosaic-H receivers, ensuring compatibility and versatility.

mosaicAlto is a carrier board that integrates the mosaic-X5 or mosaic-H GNSS receivers, effectively transforming the Arduino Pro "Portenta" into a single-board computer equipped with a GPS/GNSS receiver. While Arduino is widely recognized in the DIY community, Arduino Pro represents the professional iteration of this popular electronics platform, catering to industrial and other cutting-edge professional applications such as agriculture and construction.

The mosaicAlto carrier boards offer seamless compatibility with Arduino Pro, simplifying the process and allowing for flexibility in using multiple Portenta boards with the same carrier board. This enables high accuracy for various industrial applications.

What is Arduino Pro and Portenta boards?

Arduino Pro:

Arduino Pro is a series of microcontroller boards tailored for advanced users and projects. They are typically more compact and cost-effective than standard Arduino boards, making them ideal for embedding in projects and applications where space and budget are paramount. These boards commonly utilize ATmega microcontrollers and feature a minimalistic design with fewer built-in features compared to their standard counterparts.

Arduino Portenta:

Arduino Portenta boards represent a relatively newer line of boards specifically designed for more professional and industrial IoT (Internet of Things) applications. These boards are significantly more powerful and versatile compared to the standard Arduino boards. The Arduino Portenta series commonly features microcontrollers with multicore processors and integrated connectivity options, rendering them suitable for a wide range of IoT and edge computing projects.

Key features of Arduino Portenta boards may include:

· Dual-core processors (e.g., one core for high-level tasks and one for real-time tasks).

· Secure communication features for IoT applications.

· Enhanced connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

· Compatibility with a wide range of industrial-grade hardware and software interfaces.

· These boards are often used in applications that require more processing power, reliability, and security, such as industrial automation, remote monitoring, and edge computing applications.

What is the Mosaic module?

mosaicAlto is a carrier board that incorporates the mosaic-X5 or mosaic-H GNSS receivers, seamlessly integrating them into the Arduino Pro "Portenta" to create a single-board computer with a GPS/GNSS receiver. While Arduino enjoys widespread recognition in the DIY community, Arduino Pro stands as the professional version of this popular electronics platform, tailored for industrial and other cutting-edge professional applications, including agriculture and construction.

The mosaicAlto carrier boards offer impeccable compatibility with Arduino Pro, streamlining the integration process and permitting flexibility in the utilization of multiple Portenta boards with the same carrier board. This enables precise, high-accuracy performance for a diverse range of industrial applications.

Who is Septentrio?

Septentrio specializes in the design, production, and sale of high-precision, multi-frequency, multi-constellation GPS/GNSS equipment for demanding applications across various industries. Their products are utilized extensively in sectors such as marine, construction, precision agriculture, logistics, machine control, rail, automotive, survey and mapping, geographic information systems (GIS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and scientific research. Septentrio receivers offer consistently accurate and precise GNSS positioning capabilities, scalable down to centimeter-level accuracy, and are engineered to perform robustly in the most challenging environments.

The technology behind these receivers guarantees high accuracy and reliability, attributed to the use of GNSS+ algorithms and Septentrio's Advanced Interference Monitoring and Mitigation (AIM+) technology. This cutting-edge solution effectively protects against RF interference (jamming) and spoofing, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the positioning data. Septentrio receivers are available in various forms, including OEM boards, housed receivers, and smart antennas.

For more information about Septentrio products go to https://www.septentrio.com/.

How to set up MosaicAlto?

Hardware

To commence using the MosaicAlto, certain antennas must be connected to the board. When utilizing the Mosaic-x5, only a single antenna needs to be affixed to the ANT 1 SMA connector. However, when deploying the Mosaic-H, a single or dual antenna configuration can be established. To attach an Arduino Pro Portenta board, simply click it into the designated slot, ensuring proper orientation as indicated on the MosaicAlto board.

Interfaces on the board

Power

To power the board there are 2 options. Either power it through the USB-C connector. Or by using the 5V DC power connector.

USB-C

Through the USB-C connector it is possible to communicate to the Mosaic and/or to the Arduino board attached.

USB-A

The 2 USB-A connectors are connected to the Arduino board to attach any peripherals.

Ethernet

The board supports Gigabit ethernet. This connects to the Mosaic and/or Arduino board.

Headers

The headers expose some pins of the Mosaic and Arduino.

How to produce

All the files needed are each in their own folder, such as the BOM (Bill Of Materials), the Gerber and Pick-place files.

Disclamer All the files are provided as is. These have not been fully validaded by the author or Septentrio. The use of any of these files are at your own risk and responsibility.