The Ellipse Series is a field proven line of industrial-grade inertial sensors known for their high level robustness.

It exists in multiple variants, from the an AHRS for Orientation and attitude to a full fledged dual-antenna INS with built-in RTK GNSS Receiver.

This page details the different variant of the products to help you select the best Ellipse, cables, and antennas for your application. Our sales and support team remain at your disposal to guide you further.

Common features across all Ellipse products

Sensors

All the Ellipse products embed:

  • A MEMS 3-axis accelerometer individually calibrated on the entire operating temperature range (-40°C to +85°C)
  • A MEMS 3-axis gyroscope individually calibrated on the entire operating temperature range (-40°C to +85°C)
  • A MEMS 3-axis magnetometer individually calibrated on the entire operating temperature range (-40°C to +85°C)
  • A barometer

Aidings

All the Ellipse products can accept multiple aidings:

  • GNSS aiding
    • All Ellipse INS (E/N/D) can accept an external GNSS aiding.
    • Some Ellipse INS have a built-in dual frequency, all constellations, built-in GNSS: Ellipse-N and Ellipse-D
  • External Odometer aiding
  • External DVL aiding
  • External magnetometer aiding
  • Airdata, either:
    • Internal barometer
    • External airdata from a pitot tube (or equivalent sensor). Note: this feature requires specific validation for external sensors. Please get in touch with us for more details.


GNSS aided AHRS

The Ellipse AHRS (Ellipse-A) cannot accept external GNSS aiding for the computation of the heading: the only source of heading it can use is the built-in magnetometer.

If you need a GNSS aided AHRS, you can use an INS, either with Built-in GNSS (Ellipse-N or Ellipse-D) or external GNSS (Ellipse-E).

Inputs/output

The data are available through multiple Input/Output ports.

However all Ellipse include a minimum of:

  • 1x serial Input / Output port
  • 2x Sync in ports
  • 1x Sync out port

The parameters to consider when selecting an Ellipse

Form factor

The Ellipse comes in 2 different packaging options:

  • The Ellipse Boxed: a rugged, IP68 rated enclosure, with easy-to-use serial connectors
  • The Ellipse OEM: a board mounted OEM variant, with LvTTL connectivity. While lighter, and offering more ports than the Boxed version, it requires a specific integration and is designed for OEM integrations.

GNSS and filtering

There are 4 different versions of the Ellipse with different levels of features linked to the GNSS:

  • Ellipse-A (AHRS): provides attitude (Roll/Pitch/Heading), but doesn't provide position
  • Ellipse-E (INS with External GNSS): requires an external GNSS receiver to provide position, velocity, time and attitude (Roll/Pitch/Heading).
  • Ellipse-N (INS with single antenna GNSS): includes a single antenna, dual frequency, full constellation, RTK compatible GNSS receiver to provide position, velocity, time and attitude (Roll/Pitch/Heading).
  • Ellipse-D (INS with dual antenna GNSS): includes a dual antenna, dual frequency, full constellation, RTK compatible GNSS receiver to provide position, velocity, time and attitude (Roll/Pitch/Heading).

Selecting a Dual or Single Antenna INS

The second antenna allows to obtain a heading even in static or low dynamic applications.

If your application is high dynamic (such as UAV) the Ellipse-N will work perfectly. For applications with low dynamic (such as marine, train etc...) the Ellipse-D will be needed.

If you are unsure if you need single or dual antenna for your application, please get in touch with our sales or support team.

Heave calculation and measurement range

All Ellipse are available in 3 variants, with different set of features linked to heave measurement, and a different operating range:

  • The version for Hydrography (called Marine version)
  • The High-dynamics version
  • The general purpose version (called Land/Air version)

The features and measurement range of the 3 versions are the following:


Accelerometer measurement rangeGyroscope measurement rangeSHIP_MOTION message availability
Ellipse Marine+/- 8g+/- 450°/sYes (heave available)
Ellipse Land/Air+/- 20g+/- 450°/sNo
Ellipse High Dynamics+/- 40g+/- 1000°/sNo

The Land/Air version can be used for Maritime applications that do not need the Heave measurement.

Also note that if you integrate with an existing system that needs the SHIP_MOTION message even in a Land/Air application, you will need to select the Marine version.

Connectivity

Depending on the form factor (Boxed or OEM) and the different Ellipse version (A/E/N/D), you select different ports and options may be available.

The special case of Ellipse-E

The Elllipse-E is an INS that doesn't include a built-in GNSS receiver. To be able to connect an external GNSS but keep sufficient Input/Outputs for other uses, it includes extra ports as can be seen in the table below.


Serial versionCAN version
Ellipse-A/N/D Boxed
  • 2x RS232 I/O or 1x RS 422 I/O
  • 1x RS 232 I/O
  • 1x CAN output
Ellipse-A/N/D OEM

There is no CAN or serial version for Elipse OEM, they all include both Serial and CAN

  • 2x RS232 I/O or 1x RS 422 I/O
  • 1x CAN output
Ellipse-E Boxed
  • 2x RS232 I/O or 1x RS 422 I/O
  • 1x additional RSR232/RS422 I/O
  • 1x RS232 input
  • 1x RS232 I/O
  • 1x CAN output
  • 1x additional RSR232/RS422 I/O
  • 1x RS232 input
Ellipse-E OEM

There is no CAN or serial version for Elipse OEM, they all include both Serial and CAN

  • 2x RS232 I/O or 1x RS 422 I/O
  • 1x CAN output
  • 1x additional RSR232/RS422 I/O
  • 1x RS232 input

Selecting the right Ellipse

Considering all the options mentioned below, there is a total of 36 different versions of Ellipse (24 Ellipse Boxed and 12 Ellipse OEM).

Our sales team will guide you to find the best Part Number for you, however to make it as fast as possible, please make sure you include in your request:

  • The form factor you target (Boxed/OEM)
  • The model you want (AHRS, External GNSS, Built-in single Antenna, or Built-in Dual antenna)
  • The type of connectivity you need: either 2xRS232/1x RS422 or CAN (except for Ellipse-E)
  • Whether you need heave measurement or not
  • The family of application you have (to distinguish whether we need Marine, Land/Air or High Dynamics variant)

With all these information we'll be able to easily tell you which version of the Ellipse you should select! You can also check the Hardware Code list for the complete list.

Accessories

Once you have selected the Ellipse model you want, we'll need to provide you with the needed accessories to get started.

To operate the sensor, you will need:

  • The right cables
  • The right GNSS antenna(s)
  • A development board for OEM units

Input / Output Cables

The following cables are available for Ellipse Boxed versions.

Cable nameImageDescription
[100-0776] CA-ELI-USB-3M

The purchase of this cable is mandatory for the first purchase of an Ellipse Boxed

This 3 meters long cable provides an easy connection of an Ellipse device to any PC.

It includes in the USB plug a RS-232 to USB converter, and provides power to the Ellipse sensor.

It will allow you to upgrade the Ellipse, configure it, etc.

[100-0777] CA-ELI-RS232-CAN-3M

This is an open-ended cable to be used for an integration in a system.

This cable provides access to the Ellipse Main and Aux connectors. It's designed to communicate in RS-232 with the Ellipse Serial versions, but can also be used with the Ellipse CAN versions and Aux connectors.

[100-0778] CA-ELI-RS422-3M

This is an open-ended cable to be used for an integration in a system.

This cable provides access to the Ellipse Main and Aux connectors. It's designed to communicate in RS-422 with the Ellipse serial versions, but can also be used with the Ellipse CAN versions and Aux connectors.

[100-1137] CA-ELI-SPLIT-RS232-DB-0.5M

This cable provides an easy access through standard DB-9 plugs, to the different functions accessible on the ELLIPSE Main port.

[100-1070] CA-ELI-SPLIT-CAN-DB-0.5M

This cable provides an easy access through standard DB-9 plugs, to the main serial port as well as the CAN bus output on the ELLIPSE.

[100-1241] CA-ELI-SPLIT-AUX-RS232-DB-0.5M

This cable provides an easy access through standard DB-9 plugs to the AUX serial port of ELLIPSE-E. It can be used for data output as well as connecting external GNSS receiver.

[100-1136] CA-PSU-12V-1.5M

The power supply unit is not needed for use with the USB cable, but is needed for use with a split cable.

This 1.5 meters long AC/DC international power supply can be used to provide power to an Ellipse sensor from an 110/220V AC power plug.

It supports US, UK and Europe standards and includes a standard DC 2.1mm jack plug. The output voltage is 12V.

Development board for Ellipse OEM

A development board has been specifically created to start the integration of an Ellipse OEM.

This development board lets you access all the interfaces of the Ellipse OEM sensor through either standard connectors (USB, DB-9) or TTL connectivity.

The full documentation is available freely on our site.

The purchase of a Development board is mandatory for the first purchase of an Ellipse OEM.

Antennas and antenna cables

The following antennas are recommended for use with an Ellipse.

Antenna NameImageDescription and recommended useAntenna built-in connectorCables and accessories sold by SBG

[100-2462] Dual Band Antenna – TW8889

These antennas have been especially chosen for their performance/size compromise.

The TW8889 provides a multi-constellation tracking, featuring GPS L1/L2, GLONASS G1/G2/G3, BEIDOU B1/B2, GALILEO E1/E5b, as well as SBAS (WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS) signals tracking.

They are recommended only for pure open-sky application where size, weight and cost is a key concern, and for applications that don't use RTK.

Built-in cable with SMA Male

No cable needed (cable built-in the antenna)


Strongly recommended:

  • [100-2467] Ground Plane for Patch antenna

[100-2485] Triple Band Antenna with L-band – TW7972


These high performance antennas have been especially chosen for their amazing performances in a compact size.

The TW7972 provides a multi-constellation tracking, featuring GPS L1/L2/L5, GLONASS G1/G2/G3, BEIDOU B1/B2/B2a, GALILEO E1/E5a/E5b, L-Band correction, as well as SBAS (WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS) signals tracking.

They are recommended applications without full open-sky, and where RTK coverage is crucial.

SMA female

Cable:

  • [100-2412] SMA Male/Male 3m

Strongly recommended:

  • [100-2467] Ground Plane for Patch antenna
[100-2531] Triple Band Antenna with L-band – TW3972

These antennas have the similar performances and features as the above TW7972 but the connector is below the antenna (for pole mounting) instead of the side connector of TW7972.

We sell this antenna with a ground plane included

They are recommended applications without full open-sky, and where RTK coverage is crucial.

TNC female

Both:

  • [100-1142] Adapter SMA Male / TNC Female
  • And a TNC Male / Male Cable
    • 3meters:  [100-1020] CA-TNC-MM-RG223-3M

    • 5meters: [100-1021] CA-TNC-MM-RG223-5M

    • 10meters: [100-0602] CA-TNC-MM-LMR240-10M

    • 15meters: [100-1803] CA-TNC-MM-LMR240-15M

Nota: additional ground plane is not needed with TW3972 as it is sold with the Antenna.

HC977XF | Triple band Helical Antenna

This GNSS L1/L2/L5 antenna is especially selected to be compliant with Ellipse-D requirements in both terms of signal tracking and small size / weight.

This antenna is an active multi-frequency, high-accuracy, GNSS antenna for the L1/L2/L5 GPS, Galileo, Beidou and GLONASS bands.

This antenna should be used with a ground plane for optimal performance, and is the perfect choice for UAV applications.

SMA maleCable:
  • [100-2448] Cable SMA Male/Female - 3m

Strongly recommended:

  • A Ground Plane (not sold by SBG Systems)

Dual Antennas

When using dual antenna setup, make sure you select the same antenna, and check our handbooks on the best setup for the dual antenna.