Overview of the connectors

The Ekinox Micro connectors are all placed on the front panel. The connectors are referenced and identified by laser marking on the enclosure.

SBG Systems has selected high quality connectors designed for harsh environments. They offer an IP-68 protection when the plug is properly mounted.

To enable robust communication in harshest conditions, the different connectors feature a galvanic isolation.

Ekinox Micro - Connectors overview

MAIN Connector

The main connector provides access to most Ekinox Micro features in a modular way:

  • The Ethernet connector
  • The main serial port (PORT A) that supports full-duplex communication. It operates in RS-232.
  • Two multi-function input pins that can be used for:
    • Clock synchronization or event marker input pins
    • Single or dual channel Odometer input
  • A Synchronization output signal for time stamping and to trigger some equipment.

Connector specification

ConnectorManufacturerManufacturer P/NDescription
Main connector receptacleODU

GC0WDC-PD1QM00-000L

ODU AMC High-Density size 0 receptacle style C, series: W with 12-pos. socket-insert high-speed, print termination, green
Main connector mating plugODUC10WDC-PD1MMM0-0000ODU AMC High-Density size 0 straight plug, screw-lock, series: W with 12-pos. pin-insert high-speed, solder termination, green

Plug pin numbering

Ekinox Micro - Main connector - Pin numbers

Pin out table

#

Signal

Type

Description

1

SYNC_OUT_A

Output

Synchronization Output A (RS-232)

2

SYNC_IN_A/ODO_A

Input

Synchronization Input A / Odometer Input A

3

ETHERNET_TX+

Output

Ethernet TX+

4

ETHERNET_TX-

Output

Ethernet TX-

5

VIN+

Power Input

Power Input

6

VIN-

Power Ground

Power Ground

7

ETHERNET_RX-

Input

Ethernet RX-

8

ETHERNET_RX+

Input

Ethernet RX+

9

SYNC_IN_B/ODO_B

Input

Synchronization Input B / Odometer Input B

10

SGND_MAIN

Signal Ground

MAIN Connector Signal Ground

11

PORTA_TX

Output

PORT A RS-232 TX

12

PORTA_RX

Input

PORT A RS-232 RX

AUX Connector

The aux connector provides access to additional Ekinox Micro features:

  • Multiple serial ports (that come in addition to the RS232 serial on the main connector). Which can be configured in multiple combinations:
    • 3x RS232 ports
    • 2x RS232 ports + 1x RS422 port
    • 2x RS422 ports
  • One CAN 2.0A/B connection that supports up to 1 Mbit/s data rate used to output data
  • Two synchronization input signals used for internal clock synchronization, data time stamping and/or event markers
  • A Synchronization output signal for time stamping and to trigger some equipment.

Connector specification

ConnectorManufacturerManufacturer P/NDescription
Aux connector receptacleODUGC0WBC-P16QB00-000LODU AMC High-Density size 0 receptacle style C, series: W with 16-pos. socket-insert, print termination, red
Aux connector mating plugODU

C10WBC-P16MBC0-0000

ODU AMC High-Density size 0 straight plug, screw-lock, series: W with 16-pos. pin-insert, solder termination, red

Plug pin numbering

Ekinox Micro - Aux connector - Pin numbers

Pin Out table

#

Signal

Type

Description

1

PORTB_TX+

Output

PORT B RS-422 TX+

2

PORTB_TX-/TX

Output

PORT B RS-422 TX- or RS-232 TX

3

PORTB_RX-

Input

PORT B RS-422 RX-

4

PORTB_RX+/RX

Input

PORT B RS-422 RX+ or RS-232 RX

5

RESERVED

Reserved

Reserved for future use - Do not connnect

6

PORTC_TX+/PORTD_TX

Output

PORT C RS-422 TX+ or PORTD RS-232 TX

7

PORTC_TX-/TX

Output

PORT C RS-422 TX- or RS-232 TX

8

PORTC_RX-/PORTD_RX

Input

PORT C RS-422 RX- or PORTD RS-232 RX

9

PORTC_RX+/RX

Input

PORT C RS-422 RX+ or RS-232 RX

10

CAN_H

Bidirectional

CAN H

11

CAN_L

Bidirectional

CAN L

12

SGND_AUX

Signal Ground

AUX Connector Signal Ground

13

SYNC_OUT_B

Output

Synchronization Output B (LVTTL)

14

SGND_AUX

Signal Ground

AUX Connector Signal Ground

15

SYNC_IN_C

Input

Synchronization Input C

16

SYNC_IN_D

Input

Synchronization Input D

GNSS Antennas Connectors

To connect an external GNSS antenna the Ekinox Micro includes two IP-68 rated SMA female connectors. The internal GNSS receiver only supports active GNSS antennas.

Please be advised that the Ekinox Micro doesn't implement any lightning protection. The GNSS antenna and cable are very sensitive to strikes and a proper installation with lightning protection devices may be required.

Interfaces functional specifications

Serial and TCP/UDP interfaces

Ekinox Micro integrates up to 4x serial UART interfaces as well as 5x TCP or UDP interfaces that can be used in a similar way. These interfaces can be used for configuration, data output and interfacing with third party equipment.

The following table summarizes the capabilities of each serial interface.


PORT APORT B-C-DETH 0ETH 1-4CAN
Configuration API


Data output
RTCM input
External GNSS / DVL input
Odometer input*



*Please contact SBG Systems support@sbg-systems.com team for assistance on the integration.

Supported protocols

Ekinox Micro has been designed to be connected to a large range of aiding equipment. In addition to the native sbgECom binary protocol, other third party or standard protocols are also supported such as:

  • NMEA
  • RTCM
  • TSS1
  • Septentrio SBF
  • Novatel Binary protocol
  • Trimble GNSS protocol
  • Third party ASCII outputs

For more information about protocols descriptions, please refer to the Firmware documentation.

Ethernet interface

The Ethernet interface brings various key functionalities to the Quanta Micro.

  • Web page for configuration and real time visualization purpose
  • 5x UDP / TCP/IP interfaces that can be used as additional bidirectional communication interfaces
  • FTP server for datalogger access
  • NTRIP client for easy RTK corrections input
  • PTP / NTP time servers

Odometer integration

Odometers should be connected on ODO_A and ODO_B input signals.

Synchronization input and output

Sync In pins can be used to trigger external events and input external PPS information.

Sync Out A and B pins can be configured in the following modes :

  • Main loop divider: This event is activated at the sensor sample time, but its frequency is divided by the output divider. If the divider is set to 4, pulse output frequency will be 200Hz / 4 = 50Hz.
  • PPS: This simple output is synchronized with each top of UTC seconds. Validity should be checked by parsing the UTC messages status.
  • Virtual odometer: This output generates a pulse each X meters of travel, depending on user configuration