Introduction
Use PointPerfect Flex with supported u-blox high precision GNSS modules to achieve scalable centimeter-level positioning for mass market and professional applications. PointPerfect Flex is a PPP-RTK GNSS augmentation service that provides high accuracy within seconds and is designed for reliable, easy integration across large device fleets. It can be used with u-blox F9, X20, and F20 high precision product families, with setup performed through u-center for F9 products and u-center 2 for X20 and F20 products.
Create a PointPerfect Flex Thing
Note: If you registered your Thingstream domain using one of our free trial links, a Thing has been automatically created for you. You can skip this step and proceed directly to the setup steps for your receiver.
Before your device can start using PointPerfect Flex, you’ll need to create a “Thing” to represent it in the system.
1- Log in to your Thingstream account, and go to 'Services' -> 'Thing List'
2- Click the 'Add Thing' button in the top right corner.
3- Click the 'Add Thing' button.
4- After choosing a Thing name and the correction format (SPARTN or RTCM), click the 'Create' button.
Note: Once a Thing is created, its correction format cannot be changed. To use a different correction format, you’ll need to create a new Thing.
SPARTN correction format is optimized for use with u-blox modules.
5- By clicking on the created Thing, you can view its Details, Credentials, Events, and more.
The NTRIP parameters and credentials are available under the 'Credentials' tab.
For more details, please check this guide: Creating a Thing – u-blox Services
Using u-blox products with PointPerfect Flex
PointPerfect Flex can be evaluated with supported u-blox high precision receivers from the F9, X20, and F20 families. The setup flow depends on the receiver generation:
- F9 receivers use the legacy u-center.
- X20 and F20 receivers use u-center 2.
Firmware considerations
To fully support PointPerfect Flex, your receiver must be running the latest recommended firmware version. Check the firmware version by querying the UBX-MON-VER message on the device, using legacy u-center for F9 receivers and u-center 2 for X20 and F20 receivers. If an update is needed, download the latest firmware from the relevant u-blox product page under Documentation and resources.
Set up PointPerfect Flex with X20 and F20 in u-center 2
1- Connect the X20/F20 to your system and ensure the antenna is installed in an open-sky environment for optimal performance.
2- Install our u-center 2 software.
3- Run u-center 2 and click the 'Data sources' icon, then the '+' button.
4- Choose a COM port and click 'Add device'.
5- Click the 'Tools and Services' icons, then choose 'NTRIP client'
6- Get the NTRIP parameters and credentials from your Thingstream account. Enter them into the NTRIP client in u-center 2, then click 'Save and Retrieve'. Select the appropriate mount point (NEAR-RTCM or NEAR-SPARTN) based on your chosen correction format, and click 'Connect'.
Note: For the mount points, please ignore the 'Source identifier (Hannover)', it is a mount point description only. NEAR-RTCM and NEAR-SPARTN are general mountpoints. Once your NTRIP client sends the GGA message with your position, the data is served from the nearest location to you.
7- You should now see the incoming data displayed in the 'Connection' box.
Evaluate PointPerfect Flex & X20/F20 performance
Explore and customize u-center 2 features and views using the 'Add View' feature.
To monitor the fix mode and accuracy, use the 'Data View'. Be sure to click 'Enable messages for view' at the top of each view window to activate data updates.
Visit this page to learn more about the features offered by u-center 2: Know how: u-center 2 tutorials | u-blox
Dynamic Model Considerations
u-blox receivers support dynamic platform models that optimize navigation performance for different operating conditions. Selecting the appropriate model can improve positioning accuracy, while using an unsuitable model may reduce performance. Refer to the Integration Manual for your specific module for more information. You can find all documentation on our main website, u-blox.com.
Set up PointPerfect Flex with F9 in legacy u-center
F9 receivers are configured using the legacy u-center software. Because the F9 setup flow is covered in detail in the dedicated legacy u-center guide, this section provides only a high-level overview.
Download and install the latest version of u-center, then connect your F9 receiver and verify that it is running the latest recommended firmware. In Thingstream, open the Credentials tab for your Thing and use those NTRIP credentials in u-center. Select the appropriate mount point based on your chosen correction format, then start the connection and confirm that correction data is being received.
For detailed setup and configuration steps for F9 receivers, please refer to the legacy PointPerfect Flex u-center guide
Still need help?
If you need more help or have any questions, please send an email to services-support@u-blox.com.