SAM-M8Q - Hardware Integration Manual
UBX-16018358 - R05
Production Information
Product handling
Page 16 of 23
Repeated reflow soldering
Only single reflow soldering process is recommended for boards populated with SAM
‑
M8Q GNSS patch antenna
module. The SAM
‑
M8Q antenna module should not be submitted to two reflow cycles on a board populated
with components on both sides in order to avoid upside down orientation during the second reflow cycle. In this
case, the modules should always be placed on the side of the board that is submitted into the last reflow cycle.
The reason for this (besides others) is the risk of the module falling off due to the significantly higher weight in
relation to other components.
Repeated reflow soldering processes and soldering the module upside down are not recommended.
Wave soldering
Baseboards with combined through-hole technology (THT) components and surface-mount technology (SMT)
devices require wave soldering to solder the THT components. Only a single wave soldering process is
encouraged for boards populated with SAM
‑
M8Q antenna module.
Rework
The SAM-M8Q module can be unsoldered from the baseboard using a hot air gun. When using a hot air gun for
unsoldering the module, a maximum of one reflow cycle is allowed. In general, we do not recommend using a
hot air gun because this is an uncontrolled process and might damage the module.
Attention: use of a hot air gun can lead to overheating and severely damage the module.
Always avoid overheating the module.
After the module is removed, clean the pads before placing and hand soldering a new module.
Never attempt a rework on the module itself, e.g. replacing individual components. Such
actions immediately terminate the warranty.
Conformal coating
Certain applications employ a conformal coating of the PCB using HumiSeal
®
or other related coating products.
These materials affect the HF properties of the GNSS patch antenna module.
Conformal Coating of the module will void the warranty.
Casting
These materials affect the HF properties of the GNSS patch antenna including resonant frequency shifts and are
not suggested with SAM-M8Q.
Casting will void the warranty.
Use of ultrasonic processes
Some components on the SAM-M8Q module is sensitive to ultrasonic waves. Use of any ultrasonic processes
(cleaning, welding etc.) may cause damage to the GNSS Receiver.
u-blox offers no warranty against damages to the SAM
‑
M8Q antenna module caused by any ultrasonic
processes.
Oxidation of patch antenna
The patch antenna is metalized by silver paste and thus tends to oxidize and will change the color. This is normal
and is not a case for warranty.
