M.2 USB-C Adapter Boards: Frequently asked questions and answers
Adapter boards are hardware interfaces that allow embedded modules to be easily connected to standard systems.
The ANavS M.2 USB-C Adapter Board enables GNSS and IMU cards to be connected via USB, making it ideal for development, testing, and rapid integration into various platforms.
The ANavS adapter board is a compact interface solution for M.2 modules.
It allows GNSS and IMU M.2 cards to be used with standard USB 2.0 systems, simplifying evaluation and deployment without requiring custom hardware design.
Adapter boards significantly simplify integration and development workflows.
With the ANavS adapter board, developers can quickly connect M.2 GNSS or IMU modules to laptops, embedded PCs, or test setups via USB, avoiding complex hardware integration steps.
The adapter board supports a wide range of M.2 modules.
It is compatible with ANavS GNSS cards, IMU cards, and even third-party M.2 modules that support USB 2.0 and Key-E interfaces, enabling flexible system design.
Adapter boards are mainly used in development and integration scenarios.
Typical applications include:
- Rapid prototyping of GNSS/INS systems
- Hardware evaluation and testing
- Development with robotics and drones
- Integration into USB-based systems
The ANavS adapter board enables quick “plug-and-play” workflows across these use cases.
Adapter boards act as a bridge between embedded modules and standard interfaces.
The ANavS adapter board converts M.2-based GNSS/IMU modules into USB-compatible devices, allowing immediate use without custom carrier boards or complex wiring.
The adapter board exposes multiple hardware interfaces for development and debugging.
It provides access to:
- USB 2.0 connectivity
- UART (TX/RX)
- Reset and wake signals
- Time pulse input/output
This allows full control and integration into advanced systems.
The adapter board exposes timing signals from GNSS modules.
With access to time pulse (PPS) input/output, the ANavS adapter board enables synchronization with external systems, making it useful for timing-critical applications.
The adapter board supports common M.2 module sizes.
It is compatible with 30 mm and 40 mm M.2 cards, allowing flexibility across different GNSS and IMU module variants.
The adapter board is designed for embedded compatibility.
It supports:
- 3.3V / 5V power supply
- 1.8V logic levels (UART, reset, wake)
This ensures compatibility with modern embedded modules and systems.
The adapter board eliminates the need for custom hardware design.
Developers can directly connect GNSS or IMU cards via USB-C, quickly test positioning or motion tracking systems, and iterate faster during development cycles.
Adapter boards are not only for prototyping but also for deployment.
The ANavS adapter board supports stable integration into series applications, especially in systems where USB-based connectivity is preferred.
Adapter boards are essential tools for system bring-up and testing.
In robotics and autonomous systems, ANavS adapter boards enable fast integration of GNSS and IMU modules into development environments, accelerating testing and validation workflows.
Adapter boards enable easy access to raw sensor data.
They allow developers to connect GNSS and IMU modules to software stacks (e.g. ROS, AI-based fusion systems) and test sensor fusion algorithms in real time.
Adapter boards are widely used in R&D environments.
They simplify hardware setup in research projects, allowing teams to quickly evaluate GNSS and IMU technologies without custom electronics development.
Adapter boards offer simplicity, while custom boards offer full customization.
The ANavS adapter board is ideal for fast deployment and evaluation, whereas custom carrier boards are used for optimized, large-scale production systems.
- USB adapter → fast setup, flexible, ideal for development
- Native M.2 → compact, optimized for embedded deployment
ANavS adapter boards enable both workflows by bridging development and production environments.
Adapter boards are the right choice when you need:
- Rapid prototyping and testing
- Easy USB connectivity
- Flexible integration without hardware redesign
- Access to GNSS/IMU signals for development
They are especially useful in early-stage development and validation.
Adapter boards are essential tools for bridging embedded modules with standard system interfaces.
The ANavS M.2 USB-C Adapter Board enables GNSS and IMU modules to be easily connected via USB, supporting rapid prototyping, testing, and deployment. It provides access to key interfaces such as UART, reset, and timing signals, while supporting multiple M.2 formats.
This makes it an ideal solution for developers working on autonomous systems, robotics, and industrial applications who need fast, flexible integration of high-precision positioning and motion sensors.