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This document describes the hardware features and specifications of the cost effective EVA-M8M concurrent GNSS modules featuring the u-blox M8 positioning engine. The EVA-M8M series boasts the industry’s smallest form factor and is a fully tested standalone solution that requires no host integration.
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EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual Document Information Title EVA-M8M Subtitle u-blox M8 concurrent GNSS modules Document type Hardware Integration Manual Document number UBX-14006179 Revision and date 30-Sep-2014 Document status Advance Information Document status explanation Objective Specification Document contains target values. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
GPS system functionalities and technology. • Receiver Description including Protocol Specification: This document describes messages, configuration and functionalities of the EVA-M8M software releases and receivers. • Hardware Integration Manuals: These manuals provide hardware design instructions and information on how to set up production and final product tests.
EVA form factor. The EVA-M8M series is an ideal solution for cost and space-sensitive applications. It is easy to design-in, only requiring an external GNSS antenna in most applications. The layout of the EVA-M8M modules is especially designed to ease the customer’s design and limit near field interferences since RF and digital domains are kept...
The different supply voltages are explained in the following subsections. Figure 1 shows an example to supply the EVA-M8M modules when not using the USB interface. In this case, the V_USB pin is connected to ground.
2.1.1.1 Main supply voltage (VCC) During operation, the EVA-M8M modules are supplied through the VCC pin. It makes use of an internal DC/DC converter for improved power efficiency. In a following step, built-in LDOs generate stabilized voltages for the Core and RF domains of the chip respectively. The current at VCC depends heavily on the current state of the system and is in general very dynamic.
EVA-M8M Data Sheet [1]. To make use of DDC interface the D_SEL pin has to be left open. The EVA-M8M DDC interface provides serial communication with u-blox cellular modules. See the specification of the applicable cellular module to confirm compatibility.
To make use of the SPI interface, the D_SEL pin has to be connected to GND. 2.2.4 USB interface The USB interface of the EVA-M8M modules support the full-speed data rate of 12 Mbit/s. It is compatible to the USB 2.0 FS standard. The interface requires some external components in order to implement the physical characteristics required by the USB 2.0 specification.
The VCC_IO monitor threshold (iomonCfg) must be set according to the SQI supply voltage level (VCC_IO). When using a 3.0 V or a 3.3 V flash memory device send one of the following sequences to the EVA-M8M receiver in production: B5 62 06 41 0C 00 00 00 03 1F 20 EC 68 C6 FE 7F FE FF 29 3E (for a 3.0 V Flash memory)
EXTINT is an external interrupt pin with fixed input voltage thresholds with respect to VCC_IO (see the EVA-M8M Data Sheet [1] for more information). It can be used for wake-up functions in Power Save Mode on all u-blox M8 modules and for aiding. Leave open if unused; its function is disabled by default. By default the external interrupt is disabled.
AssistNow Autonomous, AssistNow Offline and in some Power Save Mode operations. The time information can either be generated by connecting an external RTC crystal to the EVA-M8M modules, by deriving the RTC from the internal crystal oscillator, by connecting an external 32.768 kHz signal to the RTC input, or by time aiding of the GNSS receiver at every startup.
2.4.4 Time aiding Time can also be sent by UBX message at every startup of the EVA-M8M modules. This can be done to enable warm starts, AssistNow Autonomous and AssistNow Offline. This can be done when no RTC is maintained.
2.5.1 Active Antenna In case an active antenna is used, just the active antenna supply circuit has to be added in front of the EVA-M8M modules RF-input, see Figure 16. In case the active antenna has to be supervised, either the 2-pin active antenna supervisor circuit (see Figure 19) or the 3-pin active antenna supervisor circuit (see Figure 20), has to be added to the active antenna circuit.
Safe Boot Mode (SAFEBOOT_N pin) If the SAFEBOOT_N pin is “low” at start up, the EVA-M8M series starts in Safe Boot Mode and doesn’t begin GNSS operation. In Safe Boot Mode the EVA-M8M series runs from an internal LC oscillator and starts regardless of any configuration provided by the configuration pins.
The total noise figure including external LNA (or the LNA in the active antenna) should be around 1 dB. With the EVA-M8M series, an external LNA is mandatory if no active antenna is used to achieve the performance values as written in the EVA-M8M Data Sheet [1].
VCC_IO I/O Supply See section 2.1. V_USB USB Interface power Connect to GND if not used. Table 5: EVA-M8M pin description For pin assignment see the EVA-M8M Data Sheet [1]. UBX-14006179 - R01 Advance Information Design-in Page 19 of 45...
Is the grounding concept optimal? Has the 50 Ohm line from antenna to EVA-M8M (micro strip / coplanar waveguide) been kept as short as possible? Assure low serial resistance in VCC power supply line (choose a line width > 400 um).
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.11.1 Footprint Pin36 Pin1 Figure 5: Recommended footprint (bottom view) Units are in mm. 2.11.2 Paste mask The paste mask shall be 50 µm smaller than the copper pads with a paste thickness of 100 µm.
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.12 Migration considerations EVA-M8M series is the successor of the EVA-7M. u-blox is committed to ensuring that products in the same form factor are backwards compatible over several technology generations. Utmost care has been taken to ensure there is no negative impact on function or performance and to make u-blox M8 modules as fully compatible as possible with u-blox 7 versions.
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RF_IN GPS signal input RF_IN GPS signal input to achieve the performance values shown in the EVA-M8M Data Sheet [1]. The Noise Figure of the C88-M8M is about 2 dB higher than NEO- No difference No difference MOSI/ SPI MOSI / Configuration Different functions.
To prevent overstress damage at the RF_IN of your receiver, never exceed the maximum input power as specified in the EVA-M8M Data Sheet [1]. 2.13.1 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden and momentary electric current that flows between two objects at different electrical potentials caused by direct contact or induced by an electrostatic field.
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.13.4 EOS protection measures EOS protection measures as shown in Figure 7 are recommended for any designs combining wireless communication transceivers (e.g. GSM, GPRS) and GNSS in the same design or in close proximity. Passive antennas...
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EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual Figure 9: In-band interference sources Measures against in-band interference include: • Maintaining a good grounding concept in the design • Shielding • Layout optimization • Filtering • Placement of the GNSS antenna • Adding a CDMA, GSM, WCDMA bandbass filter before handset antenna 2.13.5.4 Out-band interference...
Packaging, shipping, storage and moisture preconditioning For information pertaining to reels and tapes, Moisture Sensitivity levels (MSD), shipment and storage information, as well as drying for preconditioning see the EVA-M8M Data Sheet [1] . ESD handling precautions ESD prevention is based on establishing an Electrostatic Protective Area (EPA). The EPA can be a small working station or a large manufacturing area.
Casting will void the warranty. 3.3.9 Use of ultrasonic processes Some components on the EVA-M8M modules are 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 EVA-M8M modules caused by any Ultrasonic Processes.
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual 4 Product testing Test parameters for OEM manufacturer Because of the testing done by u-blox, it is obvious that an OEM manufacturer doesn’t need to repeat firmware tests or measurements of the GNSS parameters/characteristics (e.g. TTFF) in their production test.
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual A.2 Best performance circuit with passive antenna • External LNA • RTC crystal • Backup battery • UART and DDC for communication to host Figure 14: Best performance circuit UBX-14006179 - R01 Advance Information Appendix...
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual A.4 Circuit using active antenna • Active antenna • RTC crystal • Backup battery • UART and DDC for communication to host Figure 16: Standard circuit using active antenna UBX-14006179 - R01 Advance Information Appendix...
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual A.5 USB self-powered circuit with passive antenna • External LNA • RTC crystal • Backup battery • UART and DDC for communication to host • USB interface Figure 17: USB self-powered circuit UBX-14006179 - R01...
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual B Component selection This section provides information about components that are critical for the performance of the EVA-M8M GNSS receiver module. Recommended parts are selected on a data sheet basis only. Temperature range specifications need only be as wide as required by a particular application. For the purpose of this document, specifications for industrial temperature range (-40 C …...
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual B.3 External LNA protection filter (F2) Depending on the application circuit, consult manufacturer data sheet for DC, ESD and RF power ratings! Manufacturer Order No. System supported Comments TDK/ EPCOS B8401: B39162-B8401-P810 GPS+GLONASS High attenuation...
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual B.13 Feed-thru capacitors Manufacturer Order No. Comments MuRata NFL18SP157X1A3 For data signals, 34 pF load capacitance MuRata NFA18SL307V1A45 For data signals, 4 circuits in 1 package MuRata NFM18PC474R0J3 For power supply < 2 A, size 0603...
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual Appendix C Glossary Abbreviation Definition ANSI American National Standards Institute BeiDou Chinese satellite navigation system CDMA Code Division Multiple Access Electromagnetic interference Electrical Overstress Electrostatic Protective Area Electrostatic discharge GLONASS Russian satellite system Ground GNSS...
EVA-M8M - Hardware Integration Manual Contact For complete contact information, visit us at www.u-blox.com u-blox Offices North, Central and South America Headquarters Asia, Australia, Pacific Europe, Middle East, Africa u-blox America, Inc. u-blox Singapore Pte. Ltd. u-blox AG Phone: +1 703 483 3180...
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