LEA-6 / NEO-6 / MAX-6 - Hardware Integration Manual
UBX-14054794
Production Information
Product handling
Page 59 of 85
3.3.4
ESD protection measures
GPS receivers are sensitive to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Special precautions are required
when handling.
For more robust designs, employ additional ESD protection measures. Using an LNA with appropriate ESD
rating can provide enhanced GPS performance with passive antennas and increases ESD protection.
Most defects caused by ESD can be prevented by following strict ESD protection rules for production and
handling. When implementing passive antenna patches or external antenna connection points, then additional
ESD measures as shown in Figure 56 can also avoid failures in the field.
Small passive antennas
(<2 dBic and
performance critical)
Passive antennas
(>2 dBic or performance
sufficient)
Active Antennas
A
RF
_
IN
G
P
S
R
e
c
e
iv
e
r
LNA
B
L
RF
_
IN
G
P
S
R
e
c
e
iv
e
r
C
D
RF
_
IN
G
P
S
R
e
c
e
iv
e
r
LNA with appropriate ESD rating
Figure 56: ESD Precautions
Protection measure A is preferred because it offers the best GPS performance and best level of ESD
protection.
3.3.5
Electrical Overstress (EOS)
Electrical Overstress (EOS) usually describes situations when the maximum input power exceeds the maximum
specified ratings. EOS failure can happen if RF emitters are close to a GPS receiver or its antenna. EOS causes
damage to the chip structures.
If the RF_IN is damaged by EOS, it’s hard to determine whether the chip structures have been damaged by ESD
or EOS.
3.3.6
EOS protection measures
For designs with GPS receivers and wireless (e.g. GSM/GPRS) transceivers in close proximity, ensure
sufficient isolation between the wireless and GPS antennas. If wireless power output causes the specified
maximum power input at the GPS RF_IN to be exceeded, employ EOS protection measures to prevent
overstress damage.
For robustness, EOS protection measures as shown in Figure 57 are recommended for designs combining
wireless communication transceivers (e.g. GSM, GPRS) and GPS in the same design or in close proximity.
See
C26 telematics reference design
