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MSX – Hardware Documentation

The MSX is a multi-constellation precision GNSS receiver made in Italy by SoluTOP sas, based on the Septentrio mosaic-X5 module. It is intended for high-precision land positioning: topographic surveys, GIS, precision agriculture, structural monitoring, robotics and autonomous navigation, as well as high-dynamics sports applications such as monitoring athletes on the track (e.g. 400 m) with data at 100 Hz — an approach scientifically validated (peer-reviewed study).

The system is made up of two or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) that mate via a mini-PCIe slot:

  • the Main board, onto which the mosaic-X5 GNSS module is soldered;
  • a Carrier board, which hosts the Main and brings its signals to the outside. The first one is the mini carrier, with only a USB-C connector.

Thanks to the mini-PCIe slot the same Main can be used on different carriers: an Ethernet carrier will be introduced later, designed for fixed installations — for example inside electrical cabinets.

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Note

The 3D model is reconstructed from the CAD: material colours are assigned by category (PCB, ICs, connectors, passives) and do not reproduce the real silkscreen.

General features

  • Made in Italy product (SoluTOP sas)
  • affordable cost compared with professional competitors
  • based on a geodetic GNSS module (mosaic-X5, 31 × 31 mm)
  • RTK with centimetre precision and update rate up to 100 Hz
  • modular architecture with two or more boards (Main + Carrier)
  • mini carrier with only the USB-C interface

Modular architecture

The MSX system splits the functions across a Main board and one (or more) Carrier board, mated via the mini-PCIe slot:

Board Function
Main The mini-PCIe-format card with the soldered mosaic-X5 module; it plugs into the carrier through the board-edge connector.
Carrier mini Hosts the Main in the mini-PCIe slot and brings the I/O to the outside (USB-C connector).

Benefits of the separation:

  • reuse of the same GNSS module on different carriers;
  • evolution of the external interfaces by changing only the carrier;
  • simplified maintenance and replacement.

Block diagram

GNSS antenna
(active)
     │ RF
     ▼
┌───────────── MAIN board ──────────────┐
│  mosaic-X5 module (soldered)          │
│  board-edge mini-PCIe connector       │
└──────────────────┬────────────────────┘
     mini-PCIe slot │  (USB + power)
┌──────────────────┴────────────────────┐
│  CARRIER mini board                    │
│  USB-C · microSD · LEDs · buttons      │
└──────────────────┬────────────────────┘
                    │ USB-C
                    ▼
            Host / Device (PC, smartphone…)

Contents

For information and/or clarifications write to solutop@gmail.com.

Licence

This documentation's licence allows you to study it and copy it for your personal use.

The following are not permitted: distributing it to third parties; reusing it to produce other documentation on the same topics; removing this licence and the attribution (author) from any copies you may make.

This licence does not affect moral rights or copyright.