Physical Specifications

• Physical properties overview
• Power supply
  • Power consumption specification
  • Alternative 3V3 power supply
• Mechanical and electrical interface specifications
  • Encased MTi connections overview
    • Cables
      • CA-USB-MTi
      • CA-MP2-MTi
      • CA-USB#-MTi
      • Cable specifications
    • GNSS Antenna
  • OEM connections overview
    • Power and data
    • GNSS receiver
    • Connecting with the OEM board
  • Additional interface specifications
• Housing mechanical specifications
  • Environmental protection of the housing
  • Dimensions of the MTi
  • Mounting the MTi-OEM
• Technical drawings
  • MTi 10-series technical drawing
  • MTi-100/200/300 technical drawing
  • MTi-G-710 technical drawing
  • MTi OEM technical drawing

Physical properties overview

All products of the MTi product range have the same mechanical and communication interfaces. Note that the RS422 version does not have an on-board USB interface.

Physical properties overview

Power supply

Power consumption specification

The power consumption depends on the interface used. The table below shows the power consumption with respect to the interface.

Power consumption depending on communication interface

Alternative 3V3 power supply

In case there is only a 3V3 power supply available or when there are significant constraints on the power consumption, there is the possibility for users of the OEM version to operate the MTi at 3V3.

Note that this is only possible on the OEM version and that the power circuit is not protected. Furthermore, there are constraints on the ripple and voltage level itself. See the previous section for power supply requirements. It is advised to use the standard power supply of 4.5-34V.

The hardware of the MTi is designed in such a way that power is automatically drawn from either the standard VCC (4.5-34V) or the alternative 3V3 power. When there is a voltage applied both to the standard VCC and the alternative 3V3, the MTi will not start up.

Refer to #OEM connections overview for the pin configuration, including 3V3.

Note: All the MTi-10 series and MTi-100 series devices have power short circuit and reverse polarity protection. 

Mechanical and electrical interface specifications

Encased MTi connections overview

The MTi is available as an OEM version and an encased version. The encased version has an external 9-pins connection for power and data and one SMA connector for the antenna (MTi-G-710 only). The colour of the hexagonal nut, together with the colour of the base plate, indicates whether the MTi is an MTi 10-series or MTi 100-series. A grey/silver base plate and nut indicates an MTi 10-series, a dark grey/black base plate and nut indicates an MTi 100-series.

For connection with the Fischer receptacle (Fischer part number: DBPU 102 A059-130), Xsens supplies three cables. The cable with product code CA-USB-MTi can be used to connect the MTi to any USB port (except for MTi’s with an RS422 interface).  The cable with product code CA-MP2-MTi allows access to all 9 pins of the Fischer connector on the MTi. The cables with product code CA-USB#-MTi can be used to connect the MTi to any USB port (including MTi's with an RS422 interface) using an external serial-to-USB converter. This cable will create a virtual COM-port.

Cables

CA-USB-MTi

Connect the cable to the MTi and the USB cable to any USB port. Under Windows, the Xsens USB driver will be automatically installed if not already installed. In order to lock the CA-USB-MTi to the casing (this will prevent vibration of the push-pull sleeve to be transferred to the casing and MEMS sensors), screw the round nut clockwise. Be sure not to tighten too fast. To unplug the CA-USB-MTi, screw the round locking counter clock wise and pull the connector out of the receptacle by sliding the sleeve of the connector backwards. 

Drawing of CA-USB-MTi

Pin configuration CA-USB-MTi

CA-MP2-MTi

Cable CA-MP2-MTi allows for full control of the MTi. Hardware synchronization options are available, as well as easy access to the serial interface. Although the USB connection wires of the CA-MP2-MTi are connected, it is not recommended to use the USB connection as the shielding of the CA-MP2-MTi cable is not attached to the Molex header. The part number of the Fischer connector is SS 102A059-130 Gunfire. The part number of the Molex PicoBlade connector is 51021-0900.

Drawing of CA-MP2-MTi

Pin Configuration table CA-MP2-MTi

CA-USB#-MTi

Xsens offers a cable to use the MTi with USB and SyncIn. This cable also offers an interface via a virtual COM-port instead of WinUSB. These cables can be ordered from Xsens’ webshop (https://shop.xsens.com).

The internals of a CA-USB#-MTI converter box are shown in the figure below. The pin connections that can be accessed inside the USB converter box are listed in the two tables below.

Internals of a CA-USB#-MTI converter box

Pin connections for JP101/JP102 in the USB converter box

Pin connections for JP103 in the USB converter box

Cable specifications

Cables CA-MP2-MTi and CA-USB#-MTi are custom made for Xsens. The outer diameter is 0.85 +/- 0.10 mm. The PUR jacket conforms to standard UL Style 20549.

The minimum bending radius is 4.75 mm (static) and 9.5 mm (flexible).

GNSS Antenna

The MTi-G-710 requires an active patch antenna that can be connected to an SMA connector in the front panel of the MTi-G-710. See also BASE: Which GNSS antenna to use with your GNSS/INS device

OEM connections overview

Power and data

All MTi’s are available as OEM-board as well. The connection from the OEM board to the push-pull connector of the encased version is a flexible PCB, which has been put to vibration test according to MIL-STD 202. The OEM board contains two headers, one 10-pins header and one 6-pins header. Details of the headers are:

Part numbers headers on MTi OEM

The two headers have several functions, some are reserved for future use. The 10-pins header offers various communication and synchronization lines, the 6-pins header provides access to UART communication. Note that MTi’s with an RS422 interface do not have a USB interface. Make sure to always apply a common ground (see BASE: Synchronization with the MTi).

Pin connections OEM headers

Pin 1 of the 10-pins header and pin 1 of the 6-pins header are labelled on the PCB. 

The pins of the headers on the MTi-OEM are clearly marked

Start-up procedure

The MTi starts up with communication over the serial (RS232/RS485/RS422) interface by default:

• If alternative UART is set, the MTi will switch to alternative UART.
• If USB is detected, the MTi will switch to USB communication.
• WakeUp message sent.
• If WakeUp is not interrupted, the MTi will be put in Measurement Mode.
• Plugging in USB at any time will let the MTi switch to USB immediately.

When, for some reason, the MTi becomes unresponsive in serial mode and unplugging/connecting the MTi does not solve the communication problem, simply connect the MTi to a USB port and check the settings of the device. If a direct USB connection is not possible, i.e. when using an RS422 device or a serial to USB converter cable, there is a Restore Communication tool available in MT Manager (see MT Manager User Manual, not available for alternative UART).

Alternative UART

With the MTi-OEM, the alternative UART is available. This UART interface is a direct serial interface with 3V3 CMOS levels. It can be used e.g. on embedded systems. The UART frame configuration is 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit (8N1). The baud rate of the MTi is 115200 by default, but can be adjusted in MT Manager or using low-level communication commands. To configure the MTi to communicate via this alternative UART, use the command SetExtOutputMode (see the MT Low Level Communication Protocol Documentation). This setting will be stored in the non-volatile memory, so the device will start up communicating over this alternative UART, unless a USB connection is detected.

GNSS receiver

The MTi-G-710 needs an active antenna. The connection on the OEM board of the MTi-G-710 is accessible through a u.FL miniature coax.

Connecting with the OEM board

Connecting to the OEM board is possible by using sockets with a pitch of 1.27 mm. Notable manufacturers are Samtec, Molex and Hirose. Two examples of such sockets are:

Part numbers for sockets that fit the headers on the MTi OEM

Note that there is no Samtec connector (cable part) for a 6-pins receptacle. This means that you can use an 8-pins or 10-pins header.

Standard ribbon cables can be used for connecting the MTi OEM to another board.

These connectors can be connected to ribbon cables without tools to make a cable like below. On the right is an application of such a cable.

Additional interface specifications

The MTi has three IO lines on the main 10 pins connector (and thus on the 9-pins external Fischer connector). These 3 lines can be configured individually for synchronization purposes. Make sure to always apply a common ground. For more information, refer to BASE: Synchronization with the MTi.

Interface specifications of the synchronization lines

Housing mechanical specifications

The top casing of the MTi is made of anodized Aluminum 6082. The bottom plate is made of anodized Aluminum 6082. The MTi connector socket and housing assembly feature rubber O-ring sealing. The MTi-100 series features a vent that allows for the inside pressure to be the same as the ambient pressure without compromising the ingress protection.  

Environmental protection of the housing

All encased MTi’s are designed to withstand usage in applications where dust and occasional water splashing can be expected. However, Xsens in house testing has confirmed that the casing and connector can withstand temporary environmental circumstances equivalent to Protection Classification IP67 (sealed against dust, 30 minutes immersion at depth of 1 m).

Dimensions of the MTi

The MTi 10-series and the MTi 100-series (including MTi-G-710) have an identical footprint and (position of the) connector. Differences in casings are limited to colour, barometer holes (MTi 100-series only) and SMA connector (MTi-G-710 only).

Mounting the MTi-OEM

The MTi-OEM has four mounting holes (holes for M1.6 screws). In order to lower and tighten the screws, it is convenient to use a piece of heat-shrinking tube placed over the holes.

Using a heat shrink tube to position the mounting screws

Make sure when mounting the MTi to maintain a clearance of at least 3.4 mm +/- 0.1 mm from the surface of the PCB.

Technical drawings

This section provides technical drawings for each of the MTi 10/100-series models. CAD drawings (STEP) are available on BASE, as well as a detailed indication of the origin of the MTi sensor reference frame (S).

MTi 10-series technical drawing

MTi 10-series technical drawing

MTi-100/200/300 technical drawing

 MTi 100-series technical drawing

MTi-G-710 technical drawing

MTi-G-710 technical drawing

MTi OEM technical drawing

MTi OEM technical drawing