PointPerfect getting started
Introduction
Reach the mass market with your precise positioning solutions using PointPerfect. Precise, reliable, and easy to use, PointPerfect is a PPP-RTK GNSS augmentation data service that delivers centimeter-level accuracy in seconds. With 99.9% uptime availability via both internet and L-band satellite, you can rely on PointPerfect for mission-critical applications.
Benefits
Simple to integrate with the standard NTRIP messaging protocol.
Optimize your bandwidth usage with Localized Corrections, delivering precise data tailored to your device's exact location.
Zero Touch Provisioning makes it easy to deploy huge device fleets, eliminating the headaches of managing digital certificates.
Flexible price plans tailored to suit your needs.
To use PointPerfect you will need a high-precision GNSS receiver, a multi-band antenna, and to be within our PointPerfect service coverage area. PointPerfect L-band has additional receiver and antenna requirements as described in the PointPerfect L-band Distribution guide.
Supported u-blox GNSS products
PointPerfect is pre-integrated and ready to use with u-blox X20, F9, and D9S high precision GNSS modules. Non-native SPARTN receivers can be supported by PointPerfect RTCM over NTRIP. You can find u-blox high-precision GNSS products supporting PointPerfect on our product selector page.
Note: The NEO-F9P does not use PointPerfect GPS L5 corrections by default, so it will generally stay in RTK-Float mode with degraded accuracy. A special configuration needs to be sent to the receiver before it will accept/force the GPS L5 corrections. The following application note, explains both the changes required to enable GPS L5 corrections plus highlights the warnings for some applications, UBX-21038688
Antenna requirements
PointPerfect requires a multi-band antenna. For optimal performance see antenna requirements under the 'Service Description and Price’ section in this page PointPerfect.
For PointPerfect L-band, the NEO-D9S receiver requires an antenna that supports frequencies between 1540 MHz - 1559 MHz. Please refer to section 4.2 of the NEO-D9S Integration manual to learn more about antenna requirements. [8]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do's & Don'ts: Best Practices and Common Pitfalls
Do's
Use a compatible antenna: Ensure you're using an antenna that supports L1 & L2/L5 frequencies for optimal performance.
Keep firmware up to date: Always update your device's firmware to the latest version to benefit from the newest features, fixes, and improvements.
Create a PointPerfect Thing: Set up your account and device via the PointPerfect portal to begin using the service.
Leverage Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP): Use ZTP to save time when scaling up deployments.
Access software and scripts: Visit the PointPerfect downloads section for essential software and sample scripts to streamline your setup.
Be aware of reference frame differences: PointPerfect uses the ITRF2020 reference frame (current epoch). This may differ from the reference frame used by your maps (e.g., Google Maps), which could impact positional precision.
Don'ts
Don't use an L1-only antenna: This will limit signal reception and reduce accuracy.
Don't disable required signals: Ensure all necessary GNSS constellations and signals for PointPerfect operation are enabled. Disabling them will impair performance.
Don't test indoors: Indoor environments introduce interference and degrade accuracy. For optimal results, test in open, outdoor spaces.
Don't set a low baud rate on COMs: Avoid using a low baud rate, as it can slow down communication speed, reduce device responsiveness, and hinder correction performance.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sign-up for our u-blox service platform
u-blox Thingstream is a service delivery platform providing a management console that you can use to enable and manage the entire suite of u-blox services. PointPerfect is a service under our IoT Location Services and your Location Things (the logical representation of your location device in the Thingstream platform.)
Sign-up is quick & easy plus also free. Just go to the Thingstream portal and register with your company information.
Note: If you already have a Thingstream domain for one or more of our other services (for example, AssistNow, CloudLocate, MQTT Anywhere etc.) you do not need to register again.
Create a PointPerfect Thing
For an overview of how to create a new Thing that represents the device in the system see the Creating a Thing page.
Still need help?
If you need more help or have any questions, please send an email to services-support@u-blox.com.
Device Provisioning
Once you have created and activated a PointPerfect Thing in the platform, you are able to connect your device and receive corrections. This is also known as "Provisioning".
Note: Dynamic Keys apply to both L-band and IP plans when you use Continental corrections.
NTRIP - Collect Delivery Credentials
To provision a device using NTRIP, simply expand the NTRIP Credentials section and collect the information for your client. Have these credentials available when you connect with your NTRIP client.
Note: If you do not see the NTRIP Credentials section we recommend deactivating & re-activating your Thing. The NTRIP Credentials section is included for both SPARTN/RTCM over NTRIP Things, though the actual credentials required for each will differ.
Using u-blox Products: u-center and F9 receivers
Firmware Version:
Our F9 receivers require a firmware version of at least 1.3x to support our PointPerfect service. Check your firmware version with a query of the UBX-MON-VER message on your F9 device using u-center. If necessary, obtain the latest firmware from the u-blox product page of your F9x under Documentation & resources section and update it using u-center. [2]
Dynamic Models:
u-blox receivers offer dynamic platform models to optimize navigation for various application environments. These settings are adjustable without a reset, enhancing measurement interpretation for improved accuracy. Using an unsuitable model may degrade performance and position accuracy. See the relative Integration Manual links below for more information.
F9P - 3.1.8.1 Platform settings: F9P Integration Manual
F9R - 3.2.2 HPS dynamic platform models: F9R Integration Manual
F9K 3.1.9.1 Platform settings: F9K Integration Manual
Download u-center to Evaluate your PointPerfect Solution
u-center is the software provided by u-blox for easy installation and configuration of high precision GNSS modules such as the F9. You can download the latest version of u-center from the u-center page. Please also check the PointPerfect u-center guide for more details.
Customize Your PointPerfect Correction Delivery
Choose how you receive PointPerfect corrections on your GNSS receiver, based on preferred delivery protocol, correction format, and distribution method.
Delivery Protocols: Choose between IP (NTRIP) or L-Band Satellite.
Correction Formats: Select SPARTN (u-blox) or RTCM.
Distribution Methods:
Localized
Optimizes bandwidth by delivering only necessary corrections.
Provides improved performance.
Continental
Continental-wide for L-Band delivery.
Available over IP for “backwards compatibility for legacy applications".
Setup and Configuration
For details and requirements, see:
PointPerfect SPARTN Distribution - Localized SPARTN corrections delivered via NTRIP protocol for GNSS modules that natively supports SPARTN .
PointPerfect RTCM Distribution - Localized RTCM corrections delivered via NTRIP protocol.
PointPerfect L-band Distribution - Continental SPARTN corrections delivered via L-band satellite.
For more details about the service please see the PointPerfect Service Description.
Zero Touch Provisioning
If you have a large fleet of devices, we offer Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) to simplify the provisioning process of many devices with pre-defined settings. This will reduce your time and other related costs of per-device provisioning. Learn more about the PointPerfect ZTP solution here.
Python sample script: PointPerfect NTRIP Client
If you are interested in evaluating PointPerfect with an NTRIP Client built-in your host application, we have a PointPerfect NTRIP Client sample python script available in the Thingstream Downloads PointPerfect page to help you get started.
Reference Documentation
[1] ZED-F9P Integration manual, UBX-18010802
[2] u-center User guide, UBX-13005250
[3] u-blox F9P HPG 1.32 Interface description, UBX-22008968
[4] C099-F9P application board User guide, UBX- 18063024
[5] EVK-F9P-01 evaluation kit User guide, UBX-22038408
[6] Thingstream Knowledge Base – Services Support
[7] u-blox information on positioning and location technologies - What is NTRIP
[8] NEO-D9S Integration manual, UBX-19026111