NEO-M9N - Integration manual
Appendix
A Migration
u-blox is committed to ensuring that products in the same form factor are backwards compatible
over several technology generations. This section describes important differences to consider when
migrating from NEO-M8 modules to the NEO-M9N module. A design review with a u-blox support
team is recommended to verify proper use of the product features.
hardware-related changes
between NEO-M9N and NEO-8Q/M8 modules.
Feature
Change
Action needed / Remarks
VCC and V_IO
supply range
NEO-M9N: 2.7 V - 3.6 V
NEO-M8M: 1.65 V - 3.6 V
HW change is required when migrating from a NEO-M8M
design that uses less than 2.7 V VCC and V_IO supply.
V_BCKP supply
range
NEO-M9N: 1.65 V - 3.6 V
NEO-8Q/M8N/Q/J/M: 1.4 V - 3.6 V
HW change is required when migrating from a NEO-8Q or
NEO-M8 design that uses less than 1.65 V V_BCKP supply.
Backup current
NEO-M9N:
I_BCKP = 36 µA, I_SWBCKP = 0.36 mA
NEO-8Q/M8N/Q/J/M:
I_BCKP = 15 µA, I_SWBCKP = 30 µA
The hardware and software backup current in NEO-M9N is
higher than in NEO-8Q and NEO-M8 modules.
Check that the backup battery capacity is still suitable for the
target design/application requirements.
Power
consumption
NEO-M9N peak current: 100 mA
NEO-8Q/M8 peak current: 67 mA
I_VCC is slightly higher in u-blox M9 than in u-blox 8/M8 which
applies also to acquisition and tracking currents.
Ensure that the power supply is still able to provide clean and
stable voltage with the higher current demand in NEO-M9N.
Pin-out
1:1 pin-out mapping with NEO-8Q/
M8N/Q/J/M modules.
NEO-M8M (pin 14) is reserved and NEO-M9N (pin 14) is
LNA_EN. NEO-M8M designs can be updated to use pin 14 on
NEO-M9N for external LNA and antenna control.
VDD_USB (pin 7) name changed to V_USB in NEO-M9N to agree
with a common naming convention across u-blox modules.
USB interface
Due to the hardware implementation,
it may not be possible to certify the
USB interface on NEO-M9N.
Consider using other available interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI) if
possible.
SAW-LNA
RF front-end
NEO-M9N includes a Band 13 notch
filter, a SAW filter, and LNA on the RF
path, which allows the use of a passive
antenna.
The Band 13 notch filter and the SAW filter used in NEO-
M9N provides improved out-of-band immunity compared to
NEO-8Q and NEO-M8 modules.
RF path
NEO-M9N supports simultaneous use
of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and
various SBAS constellations.
NEO-M9N noise figure: 3.5 dB
NEO-8Q/M8 noise figure: 2 dB
Check that the RF path (antenna and filtering) is suitable for
all of the GNSS signals in use.
Check if there is need to increase the external gain due to the
slight increase in the noise figure.
RESET_N
NEO-M9N: clears RTC time and BBR
contents (GNSS orbit data).
NEO-8Q/M8: clears only RTC time.
TTFF after resetting NEO-M9N with the RESET_N pin is similar
to performing a cold start.
TTFF after resetting NEO-8Q/M8 modules is typically around
6 s in open-sky conditions.
UBX-19014286 - R07
Appendix
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