SATEL-TR489
Integration Guide, Version 0.9
35
9.2
Electrostatic discharge
As the module is intended to be embedded in a host application, in a typical use case, the antenna
port is the only port of the module directly interface with a surface or contact area subjected to
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Thus, the antenna port is the only interface with high level
ESD protection. The DTE port also features ESD protection diodes, but is not designed to
withstand similar performance as expected from standalone units with enclosures.
Consequently, the module should be subject to ESD handling precautions that typically apply to
ESD sensitive components. Proper ESD handling and packaging procedures must be applied
throughout the processing, handling and operation of any application that incorporates this
module.
9.3
Using the device in unmanned high reliability applications
The module features software and hardware watchdogs which are incorporated inside the CPU.
While we believe that this is a reliable method of keeping the module in operational condition,
there are parts of the module that
can’t
be monitored for proper operation to 100%. For example
the module chip has a firmware that resides in the chips RAM. The firmware can’t be read back
or reloaded, without interrupting reception. Hence the module can’t reload this automatically
by itself without causing breaks in communication. To avoid the module from ending up in a
state where for example the module chip firmware is corrupted for example by ionizing
radiation, it is recommended that the controlling system implements some form of watchdog
function for the module. This can be done for example if the system knows that data should be
received every second, and no data has been received for a minute
–
then do a module restart
using the ENA_MOD pin or by issuing a restart command, or a cold boot by toggling VCC_IN low
and high again.
