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PAM-7Q 

u-blox 7 GPS Antenna Module 

Hardware Integration Manual

 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Abstract

 

This  document  provides  the  necessary  information  to  successfully 
design in and configure the PAM-7Q u-blox 7 GPS antenna module 
featuring  the  u-blox  7  positioning  engine.  This  module  has  the 
exceptional performance of the u-blox 7 receiver and  delivers high 
sensitivity and minimal acquisition times. 
  
Incorporating  the  PAM

7Q  into  customer  designs  is  simple  and 

straightforward,  thanks  to  the  embedded  antenna,  low  power 
consumption,  simple  interface,  and  sophisticated  interference 
suppression that ensures maximum performance even in GPS-hostile 
environments.

 

www.u-blox.com

 

 

 

UBX-13003143 - R06 

 

 

Summary of Contents for PAM-7Q

Page 1: ...ioning engine This module has the exceptional performance of the u blox 7 receiver and delivers high sensitivity and minimal acquisition times Incorporating the PAM 7Q into customer designs is simple and straightforward thanks to the embedded antenna low power consumption simple interface and sophisticated interference suppression that ensures maximum performance even in GPS hostile environments w...

Page 2: ...oC is available at www u blox com within Support Product resources Conformity Declaration This document applies to the following products Product name Type number ROM FLASH version PCN reference PAM 7Q PAM 7Q 0 000 ROM1 00 N A u blox reserves all rights to this document and the information contained herein Products names logos and designs described herein may in whole or in part be subject to inte...

Page 3: ... highlight important information within the manual An index finger points out key information pertaining to module integration and performance A warning symbol indicates actions that could negatively influence or damage the module Questions If you have any questions about PAM 7Q Hardware Integration please Read this manual carefully Contact our information service on the homepage http www u blox c...

Page 4: ...n Supply Voltage 7 2 5 2 V_BCKP Backup Supply Voltage 8 2 6 Interfaces 8 2 6 1 UART 8 2 6 2 Display Data Channel DDC 8 2 7 I O pins 9 2 7 1 TIMEPULSE 9 3 Design 10 3 1 Design checklist 10 3 1 1 Schematic checklist 10 3 1 2 Layout checklist 11 3 1 3 Antenna checklist 11 3 2 Design considerations for minimal designs 11 3 2 1 Minimal design 11 3 3 Layout 12 3 3 1 PCB mounting 12 3 3 2 Placement 14 4 ...

Page 5: ... ESD 17 5 3 2 ESD handling precautions 17 5 3 3 ESD protection measures 18 5 3 4 Electromagnetic interference EMI 18 5 3 5 Applications with cellular modules 19 6 Product testing 21 6 1 u blox in series production test 21 6 2 Test parameters for OEM manufacturer 21 6 3 System sensitivity test 22 6 3 1 Guidelines for sensitivity tests 22 6 3 2 Go No go tests for integrated devices 22 Appendix 23 A ...

Page 6: ...ional parts the RF block and the digital block see Figure 1 The RF block includes the input matching elements the SAW band pass filter the integrated LNA and the oscillator while the digital block contains the u blox 7 GNSS engine the RTC crystal and additional elements such as the optional FLASH Memory for enhanced programmability and flexibility Figure 1 PAM 7Q block diagram 2 3 Operating modes ...

Page 7: ...le Fuse eFuse PAM 7Q includes an integrated eFuse memory for permanently saving configuration settings The eFuse memory can also be used to store the configuration The customer can program the eFuse eFuse is One Time Programmable it cannot be changed if it has been programmed once String to change the default Baud rate Baud Rate String UART Baud Rate 1200 B5 62 06 41 09 00 01 01 30 81 00 00 00 00 ...

Page 8: ...tation see data sheet 2 6 Interfaces 2 6 1 UART PAM 7Q positioning module includes a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter UART serial interface RxD TxD supporting configurable baud rates The baud rates supported are specified in the u blox 7 Receiver Description Including Protocol Specification 2 The signal output and input levels are 0 V to VCC An interface based on RS232 standard levels 1...

Page 9: ...address counter is incremented by one saturating at 0xFF Therefore subsequent reads can be performed continuously 2 7 I O pins 2 7 1 TIMEPULSE A configurable time pulse signal is available with the PAM 7Q module By default the time pulse signal is configured to 1 pulse per second For more information see the u blox 7 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification 2 ...

Page 10: ...er lines or even power planes are preferred o Avoid resistive components in the power line e g narrow power lines coils resistors etc o Placing a filter or other source of resistance at VCC can create significantly longer acquisition times Is the power supply VCC within the specified range see the PAM 7Q Data Sheet 1 Compare the peak supply current consumption of your PAM 7Q module with the specif...

Page 11: ...ular modules 3 1 3 Antenna checklist Make sure the antenna is not placed close to noisy parts of the circuitry E g micro controller display etc 3 2 Design considerations for minimal designs For a minimal design with a PAM 7Q GPS module the following functions and pins need consideration Connect the Power supply to VCC Assure an optimal ground connection to all ground pins of the module Choose the ...

Page 12: ...SE 6 O Time pulse Signal Configurable Time pulse signal one pulse per second by default Leave open if not used SDA 7 I O DDC Data DDC Data SCL 8 I DDC Clock DDC Clock Table 2 Pinout PAM 7Q 3 3 Layout This section provides important information for designing a robust GNSS system GNSS signals at the surface of the Earth are about 15 dB below the thermal noise floor When defining a GNSS receiver layo...

Page 13: ...ace any active circuitry processors memory busses switching regulators etc on the motherboard as far away as possible from the PAM 7Q module Design a solid VDD source for the PAM 7Q module VDD supply voltage ripple should be 50 mVp p If there is no need for the PPS and DDC signal a 4 pin header for example Samtec TLW 104 06 G S can be used to contact pins 1 through 4 However the 8 pin header is re...

Page 14: ...rated from any other digital circuits on the system board To achieve this position the module s digital part towards the digital section on the system PCB Exercise care if placing the receiver in proximity to heat emitting circuitry The RF part of the receiver is very sensitive to temperature and sudden changes can have an adverse impact on performance The RF part of the receiver is a temperature ...

Page 15: ...C 2 7 to 3 6 V 5 VDD_B 2 0 to 4 2 V V_BCKP 1 4 to 3 6 V 6 PPS TIMEPULSE 7 SDA 8 SCL Table 3 Pins for UP501 to PAM 7Q migration 4 2 Software migration Fastrax UP501 is based on MTK chipset while PAM 7Q has u blox 7 GNSS engine For functionality aspects protocol porting and software interface considerations when migrating from the Fastrax UP501 to the u blox PAM 7Q see the NMEA manual for Fastrax IT...

Page 16: ... for post wash inspections The solvent will also damage the sticker and the ink jet printed text Ultrasonic cleaning will permanently damage the module in particular the quartz oscillators The best approach is to use a no clean soldering paste and eliminate the cleaning step after the soldering 5 2 4 Rework The PAM 7Q module can be unsoldered from the baseboard using a hot air gun or a soldering i...

Page 17: ...by the applied voltage whereas bipolar semiconductors are more susceptible to thermal overstress The following design guidelines are provided to help in designing robust yet cost effective solutions To avoid overstress damage during production or in the field it is essential to observe strict EOS ESD EMI handling and protection measures To prevent overstress damage at the RF_IN of your receiver ne...

Page 18: ...c Discharge ESD Special precautions are required when handling 5 3 4 Electromagnetic interference EMI Electromagnetic interference EMI is the addition or coupling of energy originating from any RF emitting device This can cause a spontaneous reset of the GNSS receiver or result in unstable performance Any unshielded line or segment 3mm connected to the GNSS receiver can effectively act as antenna ...

Page 19: ...ata Sheet for the absolute maximum power input at the GNSS receiver 5 3 5 1 Isolation between GPS and GSM antenna In a handheld type design an isolation of approximately 20 dB can be reached with careful placement of the antennas relative to the GPS receiver 5 3 5 2 Increasing jamming immunity Jamming signals come from in band and out band frequency sources 5 3 5 3 In band jamming With in band jam...

Page 20: ...3 5 4 Out band jamming Out band jamming is caused by signal frequencies that are different from the GPS carrier see Figure 10 The main sources are wireless communication systems such as GSM CDMA WCDMA Wi Fi BT etc Figure 10 Out band jamming signals Measures against out band jamming include maintaining a good grounding concept in the design For design in recommendations in combination to Cellular o...

Page 21: ...ements are done Digital self test Software Download verification of FLASH firmware etc Measurement of voltages and currents Measurement of RF characteristics e g C No Traceability down to component level X Ray and Automated Optical Inspection AOI Ongoing Reliability Tests Figure 11 Automatic Test Equipment for Module Tests Figure 12 X Ray Inspection 6 2 Test parameters for OEM manufacturer Because...

Page 22: ...EM product via an antenna 2 Choose the power level in a way that the Golden Device would report a C No ratio of 38 40 dBHz 3 Power up the DUT Device Under Test and allow enough time for the acquisition 4 Read the C No value from the NMEA GSV or the UBX NAV SVINFO message e g with u center 5 Compare the results to a Golden Device or a PAM 7Q Evaluation Kit 6 3 2 Go No go tests for integrated device...

Page 23: ...I Electromagnetic interference EOS Electrical Overstress EPA Electrostatic Protective Area ESD Electrostatic discharge GLONASS Russian satellite system GND Ground GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System general term for any system GPS GLONASS etc GPS Global Positioning System GSM Global System for Mobile Communications IEC International Electrotechnical Commission PCB Printed circuit board QZSS Qu...

Page 24: ...taneous operation Family Variant Antenna SAW LNA On chip LNA SAW Passive GNSS Antenna Active GNSS Antenna SAW 2G cellular 3G 4G cellular 2G 3G 4G cellular MAX 6 Any NEO 6 Any LEA 6 Any EVA 7 M MAX 7 C W Q NEO 7 N M P PAM 7 Q integrated optimal performance Table 5 Combinations of u blox GNSS modules with different cellular technologies 2G 3G 4G See the GPS Implementation and Aiding Features in u bl...

Page 25: ...nd to receive product change notifications please register on our homepage http www u blox com Revision history Revision Date Name Status Comments R01 07 Nov 2013 jfur Objective Specification R02 23 Jan 2014 jfur Advance Information Updated product picture patch antenna side in cover page Updated section 5 2 Soldering R03 05 Mar 2014 jfur Early Production Information R04 12 May 2014 jfur Added int...

Page 26: ...u blox com Support support_ap u blox com Regional Office China Beijing Phone 86 10 68 133 545 E mail info_cn u blox com Support support_cn u blox com Regional Office China Chongqing Phone 86 23 6815 1588 E mail info_cn u blox com Support support_cn u blox com Regional Office China Shanghai Phone 86 21 6090 4832 E mail info_cn u blox com Support support_cn u blox com Regional Office China Shenzhen ...

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