NEO-8Q / NEO-M8 - Hardware integration manual
UBX-15029985 - Production information
Product handling
Page 22 of 23
C1-Public
Grounding metal covers
Attempts to improve grounding by soldering ground cables, wick or other forms of metal strips
directly onto the EMI covers is done at the customer’s own risk. The numerous ground pins should be
sufficient to provide optimum immunity to interferences and noise.
☞
u-blox offers no warranty for damages to the modules caused by soldering metal cables or any
other forms of metal strips directly onto the EMI covers.
Use of ultrasonic processes
Some components on the modules are sensitive to ultrasonic waves. Use of any ultrasonic processes
(cleaning, welding, and so on) may cause damage to the GNSS receiver.
☞
u-blox offers no warranty against damages to the modules caused by any ultrasonic processes.
4.3
EOS/ESD/EMI precautions
When integrating GNSS positioning modules into wireless systems, consider electromagnetic and
voltage susceptibility issues carefully. Wireless systems include components that can produce
electrical overstress (EOS) and electro-magnetic interference (EMI). CMOS devices are more sensitive
to such influences because their failure mechanism is defined by the applied voltage, whereas bipolar
semiconductors are more susceptible to thermal overstress. The following design guidelines help in
designing robust yet cost-effective solutions.
⚠
To avoid overstress damage during production or in the field, observe strict EOS/ESD/EMI
handling and protection measures.
⚠
To prevent overstress damage at the RF_IN of your receiver, never exceed the maximum input
power (see the corresponding product data sheet).
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden and momentary electric current that flows
between two objects at different electrical potentials caused by direct contact or
induced by an electrostatic field. The term is usually used in the electronics and other
industries to describe momentary unwanted currents that may cause damage to
electronic equipment.
ESD handling precautions
ESD prevention is based on establishing an electrostatic protective area (EPA). The EPA can be a
small working station or a large manufacturing area. The main principle of the EPA is that there are
no highly charging materials near ESD-sensitive electronics, all conductive materials are grounded,
workers are grounded, and charge build-up on ESD sensitive electronics is prevented. International
standards are used to define typical EPA and can be obtained, for example, from International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
GNSS positioning modules are sensitive to ESD and require special precautions when handling. Due
to the risk of electrostatic charges, take particular care when handling patch antennas. In addition to
standard ESD safety practices, take the following measures into account whenever handling the
receiver.
•
Unless there is a galvanic coupling between the local GND
(i.e. the work table) and the PCB GND, the first point of
contact when handling the PCB must always be between
the local GND and PCB GND.
