NEO-M8T-0 - Concurrent GNSS Timing Module, -167dBm | u-blox
MPN: NEO-M8T-0 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $65.2 | $65.20 |
| 10 | $60.8 | $608.00 |
| 100 | $53.4 | $5,340.00 |
| 500 | $47.1 | $23,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $42.9 | $42,900.00 |
NEO-M8T-0 Overview
What is a GNSS timing module? A GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) timing module is a satellite-receiver subsystem that derives precise frequency, phase, and time-of-day information from atomic-clock references aboard navigation satellites. Within the broader power-and-clock hierarchy a timing module sits alongside oscillators, RTCs, and TCXOs as the highest-accuracy time reference, sitting above standalone oscillators in stability and below PTP/NTP grandmasters in protocol richness. The timing-module category is engineered for applications where nanosecond-level pulse alignment, deterministic 1 PPS output, or raw pseudorange observables are required.
The NEO-M8T-0 delivers two key timing features that distinguish it from navigation-grade modules: a configurable timepulse (1 PPS) output with sub-25 ns jitter and a survey-in mode that disciplines the internal oscillator against GNSS-derived timing, allowing the receiver to act as a stable, disciplined clock source even when fewer than four satellites are visible. The module also provides raw carrier-phase and pseudorange data over UART, USB, SPI, and I2C (DDC) for use in research, geodesy, and timing-instrumentation applications. Power consumption is optimized for low-duty-cycle timing deployments.
Typical applications include cellular base-station synchronization (e.g., 4G/LTE and 5G NR networks requiring holdover), broadcast audio and DVB-T transmitters, power-grid PMU phasor measurement units, financial timestamping servers for MiFID II compliance, and scientific instruments such as radio telescopes and particle-physics experiments. The wide operating temperature range of -40C to +85C and the standard NEO form factor (pin-compatible with NEO-M8N and other u-blox M8 modules) allow ready migration from earlier u-blox generations.
When designing with this part, provide a stable primary supply between 2.7V and 3.6V, an active antenna with at least 15 dB of gain, and route the timepulse and serial lines away from switching converters. Note that the -167 dBm tracking figure gives 6 dB of margin over navigation-only modules, which is critical for timing applications where partial satellite visibility is common.
This page synthesizes distributor stock, drop-in alternatives including the LEA-M8T and ZED-F9T, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for NEO-M8T-0 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
LEA-M8T-0
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NEO-M8M-0
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NEO-M8P-2
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NEO-M8T-0-10
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NEO-M8T-0 Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | GNSS Timing Module |
| Module Family | u-blox M8 |
| GNSS Systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS (concurrent) |
| Tracking Sensitivity | -167 dBm |
| Acquisition Sensitivity | -148 dBm (cold start) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.7 V to 3.6 V |
| Package / Form Factor | LCC, 12.0 mm x 16.0 mm |
| Number of Pins | 24 |
| I/O Interfaces | UART, USB, SPI, I2C (DDC) |
| Timepulse Output | 1 PPS, configurable, sub-25 ns jitter |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Reel, 500 pcs/reel |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Form Factor Standard | NEO (u-blox standard, pin-compatible with NEO-M8N/M8M/M8Q) |
NEO-M8T-0 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 2 | TXD — UART transmit (TX) |
| Pin 3 | RXD — UART receive (RX) |
| Pin 4 | TIMEPULSE — 1 PPS configurable output |
| Pin 5 | EXTINT0 — External interrupt 0 |
| Pin 6 | EXTINT1 — External interrupt 1 |
| Pin 7 | USB_DP — USB data plus |
| Pin 8 | USB_DM — USB data minus |
| Pin 9 | VCC — Main supply 2.7 V to 3.6 V |
| Pin 10 | V_BCKP — Backup supply for RTC and ephemeris retention |
| Pin 11 | RESET_N — Active-low reset |
| Pin 12 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 13 | RF_IN — Antenna input (50 ohm) |
| Pin 14 | GND — Ground (RF) |
| Pin 15 | SDA — I2C (DDC) data |
| Pin 16 | SCL — I2C (DDC) clock |
| Pin 17 | RTK_STAT — Status indicator (PPS/fault) |
| Pin 18 | SAFEBOOT_N — Safeboot pin |
| Pin 19 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 20 | VCC_RF — RF supply output (filtered) |
| Pin 21 | GND — Ground |
| Pin 22 | GND — Ground (Paddle) - thermal pad |
| Pin 23 | GND — Ground (Paddle) - thermal pad |
| Pin 24 | GND — Ground (Paddle) - thermal pad |
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Power Input | 2.7 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
Power input and thermal parameters for NEO-M8T-0 as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
NEO-M8T-0 is suitable for 6 applications: Cellular Base Station Synchronization (4G/5G), Broadcast Audio and DVB-T Transmitter Synchronization, Power Grid PMU (Phasor Measurement Unit), Financial MiFID II Timestamping Servers, Scientific and Geodetic Receivers, Industrial Sensor Network Time Sync (IEEE 1588 PTP Grandmaster).
Cellular Base Station Synchronization (4G/5G)
Provides 1 PPS reference for eNodeB and gNodeB synchronization per 3GPP TS 36.214.
Recommended
Broadcast Audio and DVB-T Transmitter Synchronization
Phase-locks DVB-T/DAB transmitters and FM/HD-Radio exciters across a network.
Recommended
Power Grid PMU (Phasor Measurement Unit)
Sub-microsecond time tags for synchrophasor data per IEEE C37.118.
Recommended
Financial MiFID II Timestamping Servers
Sub-100 microsecond RFC 3339 timestamp capture for trading transactions.
Recommended
Scientific and Geodetic Receivers
Raw carrier-phase and pseudrange observables for post-processed geodesy.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Network Time Sync (IEEE 1588 PTP Grandmaster)
Provides 1 PPS to PTP grandmaster or TSN source.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for NEO-M8T-0 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | LEA-M8T-0 | NEO-M8M-0 | NEO-M8P-2 | NEO-M8T-0-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | NEO LCC, 12 x 16 mm | LEA LCC, 17 x 22.4 mm | NEO LCC, 12 x 16 mm | NEO LCC, 12 x 16 mm | NEO LCC, 12 x 16 mm |
| Brand | u-blox | u-blox | u-blox | u-blox | u-blox |
| Concurrent GNSS | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou + QZSS | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou + QZSS | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou + QZSS |
| Tracking Sensitivity | -167 dBm | -167 dBm | -164 dBm | -160 dBm | -167 dBm |
| 1 PPS Jitter | sub-25 ns | sub-25 ns | ~30 ns | sub-25 ns | sub-25 ns |
| Survey-In Mode | Yes | Yes | No | No (RTK instead) | Yes |
| Raw GNSS Observables | Yes (UBX-RXM-RAWX) | Yes | No | Yes (RTK) | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Supply Voltage | 2.7 V to 3.6 V | 2.7 V to 3.6 V | 2.7 V to 3.6 V | 2.7 V to 3.6 V | 2.7 V to 3.6 V |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1) | USD 65.20 | USD ~78 | USD ~28 | USD ~99 | USD ~65 |
Key Differentiators
- Multi-system concurrent GNSS plus survey-in timing (vs NEO-M8M-0)
- Raw GNSS observables (UBX-RXM-RAWX) available on same footprint (vs NEO-M8P-2)
- Reference-grade sensitivity (-167 dBm) in 12 x 16 mm form factor (vs LEA-M8T-0)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 3.3 V main supply and 25 mA continuous tracking, the NEO-M8T-0 draws approximately 83 mW under nominal conditions. Provide a linear LDO (such as a low-noise TPS7A02) rated for at least 200 mA peak, with a 10 uF + 0.1 uF decoupling pair close to the VCC pin. The V_BCKP pin should be tied to a separate coin cell or supercapacitor (1.5-3.6 V) so ephemeris and clock data survive main-supply outages; using the same rail for VCC and V_BCKP is acceptable only in designs where main supply never drops below 2.7 V.
Estimated: route the antenna signal to the RF_IN pad with a 50-ohm microstrip or coplanar waveguide; keep the trace length under 5 mm to minimize loss. Use a 50-ohm LNA with at least 18 dB gain and under 2.0 dB noise figure in the active antenna, or a 15-dB passive antenna with external LNA when the antenna is remote. Keep the GNSS-RF traces away from switching DC-DC converters (such as those powering the host MCU); at least 5 mm of ground stitching is recommended on both sides of the RF feed.
Do not rely on the NEO-M8T-0 in surveyed timing mode with fewer than 60 seconds of full sky visibility; the survey-in algorithm needs that interval to converge to nanosecond-class accuracy. Do not connect USB_DP/USB_DM to a USB host without a USB-to-UART bridge, because the device presents a USB-2.0 peripheral interface that can confuse enumeration. Finally, verify that the host processor parses the UBX-RXM-RAWX messages correctly - many open-source GPS libraries ignore raw observables and only parse NMEA, which forces the user to implement a custom parser to benefit from this part's raw-data output.
Compliance Information
Industrial-grade, not automotive AEC-Q100 qualified. GNSS receivers are subject to EAR / Wassenaar export licensing in some jurisdictions; consult your distributor for permit information. RoHS and REACH compliance confirmed per u-blox NEO/LEA-M8T datasheet UBX-15025193.