SAM-M10Q - Integration manual
3 Hardware integration
This section explains how the receiver can be integrated into an application design.
3.1 Power supply
The SAM-M10Q has three power supply pins:
,
, and
.
Power supply at VCC and V_IO must be present for normal operation. These two pins can either
be connected together or supplied independently by the application. Power supply at V_BCKP is
optional. If present, it enables the hardware backup mode when the V_IO supply or both V_IO and
VCC supplies are off.
Refer to the SAM-M10Q data sheet [
] for absolute maximum ratings, operating conditions, and
power requirements.
3.1.1 VCC
VCC provides power to the core and RF domains. Consequently, it always needs to be supplied to
start up the receiver or for operation in continuous mode. The VCC pin branches the power to an
internal DCDC converter for reduced power consumption and to the RF domain through a ferrite
bead.
It is recommended to connect the VCC and V_IO pins together. If independent supplies are used for
VCC and V_IO, turn off the V_IO supply first or simultaneously with the VCC supply.
Do not add series resistance greater than 0.2 Ω on the supply line to avoid voltage ripple due
to the dynamic current conditions.
3.1.2 V_IO
V_IO supplies all the digital IOs, clock, and the backup domain. The current drawn at V_IO depends
on the activity and loading of the PIOs and the main oscillator.
A power interruption at V_IO will erase the battery-backed RAM (BBR) unless there is an external
supply connected to V_BCKP.
It is recommended to connect the VCC and V_IO pins together. If independent supplies are used for
VCC and V_IO, turn off the V_IO supply first or simultaneously with the VCC supply.
V_IO supply voltage must not be higher than VCC + 0.3 V.
3.1.3 V_BCKP
Power supply at V_BCKP is optional. If the power supply at V_IO is interrupted, but the V_BCKP pin is
supplied, the receiver enters the hardware backup mode. In this mode, the RTC time and the GNSS
orbit data in the BBR are maintained. Valid time and GNSS orbit data at startup improves positioning
performance by enabling hot starts, warm starts, and AssistNow Autonomous. This ensures faster
TTFF when V_IO is supplied again. To make these features available, connect an independent power
supply to V_BCKP to ensure backup domain supply when V_IO is not supplied.
Designs using an external battery as a power source at the V_BCKP pin must consider the battery
capacity. The GNSS satellite ephemeris data is typically valid for up to 4 hours for hot starts, and up
to a few days for warm starts and AssistNow (Offline and Autonomous).
Avoid high resistance on the V_BCKP line. During the switch to V_BCKP supply, a short
current adjustment peak may cause a high voltage drop at the pin.
UBX-22020019 - R01
3 Hardware integration
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