Table of Contents
Advertisement
Quick Links
Download this manual
See also:
Manual
AMY-6M
u-blox 6 GPS Modules
Hardware Integration Manual
Abstract
This document describes the hardware features and specifications of
the cost effective AMY-6M GPS module featuring the u-blox 6
positioning engine.
The AMY-6M module boasts the industry's smallest form factor and
is a fully tested standalone solution that requires no host
integration.
This module combines exceptional GPS performance with highly
flexible power, design, and serial communication options.
www.u-blox.com
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Ublox AMY-6M
Summary of Contents for Ublox AMY-6M
- Page 1 Hardware Integration Manual Abstract This document describes the hardware features and specifications of the cost effective AMY-6M GPS module featuring the u-blox 6 positioning engine. The AMY-6M module boasts the industry’s smallest form factor and is a fully tested standalone solution that requires no host integration.
- Page 2 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Document Information Title AMY-6M Subtitle u-blox 6 GPS Modules Document type Hardware Integration Manual Document number UBX-17021971 Revision and Date UBX-17021971 – R07 06-Jun-2017 Document status This document contains data from product verification. Revised and supplementary data may be published later.
-
Page 3: Preface
GPS receivers. See Section Related documents for a list of Application Notes related to your GPS receiver. How to use this Manual The AMY-6M Hardware Integration Manual provides the necessary information to successfully design in and configure these u-blox 6-based GPS receiver modules. For navigating this document please note the following: This manual has a modular structure. -
Page 4: Table Of Contents
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Contents Preface ..........................3 Contents ..........................4 Hardware description ....................7 Overview .............................. 7 Architecture ............................7 Design-in ........................8 Power management ..........................8 2.1.1 Overview ............................8 2.1.2 Power management configuration ....................11 2.1.3 System power consumption ...................... - Page 5 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Active antenna supervisor ........................28 Use RESET input ..........................29 2.10 Design-in checklist .......................... 30 2.10.1 Schematic design-in checklist for AMY-6M .................. 30 2.10.2 AMY-6M design .......................... 30 2.10.3 Minimal schematic for AMY-6M ....................31 2.11 Layout design-in checklist .......................
- Page 6 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual A Migration to u-blox-6 receivers ................. 45 Migration from AMY-5M to AMY-6M ....................45 Component selection ....................47 RTC crystal (Y2) ..........................47 I2C Serial EEPROM memory ........................ 47 Serial FLASH Memory.......................... 47 USB line protection (D2) ........................47 USB LDO (U4) .............................
-
Page 7: Hardware Description
1.2 Architecture The AMY-6M module consists of two functional parts - the RF and the Baseband sections. See Figure 1 for a block diagram of the AMY-6M. The RF section includes the DC-block, the RF input matching, the SAW bandpass filter, the u-blox 6 RF-IC (with integrated LNA) and the Crystal. -
Page 8: Design-In
Antenna interface For optimal performance seek short routing, matched impedance and no stubs. With AMY-6M an additional external LNA is mandatory if no active antenna is used. 2.1 Power management 2.1.1 Overview The power supply circuitry can be adapted to various concepts, depending on the intended application. - Page 9 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual u-blox 6 supports use of an external DC/DC converter for improved power efficiency supplying V_DCDC and eventually the RF section. The DCDC_EN signal allows shutting down this external DC/DC converter when V_DCDC is not needed. If the DCDC_EN signal shall be used, VDD_IO must be supplied independently of the DC/DC converter, i.e.
- Page 10 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.1.1.6 Built-in supply voltage monitors Built-in supply voltage monitors ensure that the system always operates within safe limits. The following conditions need to be met in order for the system to run properly: 1. The core voltages VDD_C and VDD_B need to be within specification. These voltages are supervised by internal supply monitors.
-
Page 11: Power Management Configuration
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.1.2 Power management configuration Depending on the application, the power supply schematic will differ. Some examples are shown in the following sections: Supply voltage nominal 3.3 V (2.5–3.6V) see section 2.1.5 Supply voltage nominal 1.8 V (1.75–2.0V) see section 2.1.6... -
Page 12: How To Connect The Power Supply Pins
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Supply Voltage [V] LDO [mW] Single 1.8V DCDC Converter [mW] Table 3: Acquisition Power Consumption (ECO Mode) Some conclusions from Table 1 to Table 3: The most efficient solution is to have a direct 1.4 V / 1.8 V supply available from the system. The respective application circuit is shown in section 2.1.7... -
Page 13: Single 2.5
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.1.5 Single 2.5…3.6 V supply A single 3.0V power supply is very easy to design but is not the most efficient solution to run u-blox 6 receivers (see section 2.1.3 for details). Figure 4: Single 2.5…3.6 V supply. -
Page 14: Separate Supplies Of 1.8 V (1.75
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.1.7 Separate supplies of 1.8 V (1.75…2.0V) and 1.4 V (1.4…3.6V) The dual 1.8V and 1.4V power supply the most efficient configuration to run u-blox 6 receivers (see section 2.1.3 for details). It assures stability since the sensitive RF supply is well separated from the fluctuating base band power supply. -
Page 15: External 1.8V Dcdc Converter
In Eco Mode, the u-blox AMY-6M acquisition engine limits use of its searching resources to minimize power consumption. u-blox AMY-6M deactivates the acquisition engine as soon as a position is fixed and a sufficient number (at least 4) of satellites are being tracked. The tracking engine continues to search and track new satellites without orbit information. -
Page 16: Active Antenna Supply
2.1.11 Active antenna supply With AMY-6M active antennas are supplied via an external coil or circuit. AMY-6M does not provide the antenna bias voltage for active antennas on the RF_IN pin as other u-blox modules do. It is therefore necessary to provide this voltage outside the module via an inductor as indicated in Figure 9. -
Page 17: System Functions
RS232 standard levels (+/- 12 V) can be realized using external level shifters such as Maxim MAX3232. For the default settings on the messages on UART1 see the AMY-6M Data Sheet [1]. Hardware handshake signals and synchronous operation are not supported. - Page 18 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual The AMY-6M can be either bus-powered or self-powered. Bus-powered means the AMY-6M is supplied by the VBUS voltage from the USB. Self-powered means the AMY-6M is powered by another supply independent from VBUS supply and just the USB interface VDD_USB is supplied by VBUS (through an LDO (U4)).
-
Page 19: Display Data Channel (Ddc)
C EEPROM types listed in Table 14 Figure 12: Connecting external serial I C memory used by the AMY-6M to save configuration (see EEPROM data sheet for exact pin orientation) In limited cases u-blox 6 GPS receivers can fail to correctly write to external I C EEPROM. -
Page 20: Spi
(MASTER mode). The AMY-6M always interrogates external EEPROM at the start-up. The interrogation process is guaranteed to complete within 250ms upon start up. This is the time the external host has to give to the ROM based GPS receiver to complete the EEPROM interrogation. - Page 21 Detection of SPI serial FLASH The AMY-6M only detects the serial FLASH if all the SPI pins (CLK, SS_N, MOSI and MISO) are high. This is the case if only the serial FLASH is connected to the SPI interface pins.
- Page 22 Figure 16: Connecting to SPI Host/Master With AMY-6M the SPI MOSI, MISO and SCK pins share a configuration function at start up. Afterwards the SPI function will not affect the configuration pins. This might be difficult in case several slaves are connected to the host.
-
Page 23: I/O Pins
Most u-blox wireless modules configure and enable the TX ready functionality automatically at GPIO 05 (TXD1) of AMY-6M. See datasheet of the wireless module. For more information on configuration and remap of this pin see the AMY-6M Data Sheet [1] and see also the u-blox 6 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification [2]. -
Page 24: System Configuration
This information can be supplied in different ways. However, not all of them are available in every setup. The options are: ROM Defaults: Default settings of the integrated ROM Code. See AMY-6M Data Sheet [1]. CFG Pins: The settings of CFG_COM0/MOSI and CFG_COM1/MISO during boot sequence. - Page 25 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.5.1.2 Functional Configuration After the Low Level Configuration has been applied the Functional Configuration is executed. The Functional Configuration offers a wide range of information like the configuration of the ports and the messages, the navigation engine settings and the NMEA protocol configuration.
-
Page 26: Configuration At Runtime
MISO). During start-up, the module first reads the state of the configuration pins. Afterwards the other functions can be used. For more information about settings and messages see the AMY-6M Data Sheet [1]. 2.6 RTC The RTC crystal is optional as it is only required in stand-alone applications where hot or warm starts are enabled. -
Page 27: Rf Input
2.7 RF input The AMY-6M RF input is already matched to 50 Ohms and has an internal DC block, see Figure 1. To achieve the performance values as written in AMY-6M Data Sheet [1] an active antenna with a good LNA inside or the mandatory LNA in front of AMY-6M must have below 1dB noise figure. -
Page 28: Active Antenna Supervisor
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.8 Active antenna supervisor u-blox 6 firmware supports an active antenna supervisor circuit, which can be connected to AMY-6M via pins PIO08/EXTINT1, PIO17, and PIO18. The external components shown in Figure 25 detect whether an active antenna is connected, i.e. -
Page 29: Use Reset Input
2.9 Use RESET input AMY-6M doesn’t come with a RESET_N pin. However, a RESET_N input pin functionality can be implemented by adding a 3k3 resistor in the line to V_RESET, which usually supervises the RF part supply, see Figure 26. Then by driving this Reset input “low”... -
Page 30: Design-In Checklist
For a 3V single power supply connect V_TH to GND. 2.10.2 AMY-6M design For a minimal Design with AMY-6M the following functions and pins need to be considered: Connect the Power supply to V_DCDC, VDD_IO, VDD_3V, V_BCKP. ... -
Page 31: Minimal Schematic For Amy-6M
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.10.3 Minimal schematic for AMY-6M This is a minimal schematic for a PVT GPS receiver with an AMY-6M module. It is a 3V main supply design (2.5…3.6V) for an active antenna running with main supply voltage. Also Backup part is supplied and RTC connected. - Page 32 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.10.3.1 Pin description for AMY-6M design Standard Function Remarks Name Description RF_IN RF Input Add external LNA and SAW if no active antenna used. Ground Ground XTAL_OUT RTC Output Leave open if no RTC Crystal attached.
-
Page 33: Layout Design-In Checklist
Is the Grounding concept optimal? Has the 50 Ohm line from antenna to AMY-6M (micro strip/coplanar waveguide) been kept as short as possible? Assure low serial resistance in V_DCDC power supply line (choose a line width >400um) ... -
Page 34: Layout
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 2.12 Layout This section provides important information for designing a reliable and sensitive GPS system. GPS signals at the surface of the Earth are about 15dB below the thermal noise floor. Signal loss at the antenna and the RF connection must be minimized as much as possible. -
Page 35: Migration Considerations
2.13 Migration considerations The main difference between u-blox AMY-5M and u-blox AMY-6M from migration point of view is that the 3 pins EXTINT0 (PIO7), EXTINT1 (PIO8) and RXD1 (PIO4) have moved from the backup (VDD_B) domain to the IO (VDD_IO) domain and these 3 pins now have an internal pull-up to VDD_IO. -
Page 36: Eos/Esd/Emi Precautions
To avoid overstress damage during production or in the field it is essential to observe strict EOS/ESD/EMI handling and protection measures. To prevent overstress damage at the RF_IN of your receiver, never exceed the maximum input power as specified in AMY-6M Data Sheet [1]. 2.14.1 Abbreviations Abbreviation... -
Page 37: Electrical Overstress (Eos)
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Passive antennas Active Antennas L N A LNA with appropriate ESD rating (see Table 10) Figure 29: ESD Precautions 2.14.4 Electrical Overstress (EOS) Electrical Overstress (EOS) usually describes situations when the maximum input power exceeds the maximum specified ratings. -
Page 38: Gsm Applications
2.14.7 GSM applications GSM uses power levels up to 2W (+33dBm). Make sure that absolute maximum input power level of GPS receiver is not exceeded. See AMY-6M Data Sheet [1]. 2.14.7.1 Isolation between GPS and GSM antenna In a handheld type design an isolation of approximately 20dB can be reached with careful placement of the antennas. - Page 39 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual GPS C arrier Po wer [d B m] 1 5 7 5 .4 MH z In terferen ce sig n al sig n als Jammin g sig n al G P S in p u t filte r...
-
Page 40: Recommended Parts
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Measures against out-band interference include maintaining a good grounding concept in the design and adding a SAW or bandpass ceramic filter (as recommend in Section 2.14.5) into the antenna input line to the GPS receiver (see Figure 35). -
Page 41: Product Handling & Soldering
3.1 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 AMY-6M Data Sheet [1] . 3.2 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. -
Page 42: Reflow Soldering
The peak temperature must not exceed 250°C. The time above 245°C must not exceed 30 seconds. AMY-6M must not be soldered with a damp heat process. 3.3.3 Optical inspection After soldering the AMY-6M module, consider an optical inspection step to check whether: The module is properly aligned and centered over the pads 3.3.4 Repeated reflow soldering... -
Page 43: Safety Precautions
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 3.4 Safety precautions AMY-6M modules must be supplied by an external limited power source in compliance with the clause 2.5 of the standard IEC 60950-1. In addition to an external limited power source, only separated or Safety Extra-Low Voltage (SELV) circuits are to be connected to the module, including interfaces and antennas. -
Page 44: Product Testing
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual 4 Product testing 4.1 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 GPS parameters/characteristics (e.g. TTFF) in their production test. -
Page 45: Appendix
PIO8 / Pull-up resistor of PIO8 / EXTINT1 No need to populate resistor. Input voltage levels Leave open. EXTINT1 100k to VDD_IO. have changed. See AMY-6M Data Sheet [1]. Reserved Do not connect Reserved Do not connect. no change USB_DM... - Page 46 PIO4 / RxD1 Pull-up resistor of RxD1 Leave open if not No need to populate resistor. Input voltage levels 100k to VDD_IO. used. have changed. See AMY-6M Data Sheet [1]. V_BCKP 1.4-3.6V (optional). V_BCKP 1.4-3.6V. Connect Connect to GND if no change to GND if not used.
-
Page 47: B Component Selection
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual B Component selection This section provides information about components that are critical for the performance of the AMY-6M GPS receiver module. 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 ... -
Page 48: Operational Amplifier (U31)
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual B.6 Operational amplifier (U31) Manufacturer Order No. Linear Technology LT6000 Linear Technology LT6003 Table 18: Recommend parts list for operational amplifier B.7 Dual open-drain buffer (U32) Manufacturer Order No. Fairchild NC7WZ07P6X Table 19: Recommend parts list for dual open-drain buffer B.8 Antenna supervisor switch transistor (T31) -
Page 49: Standard Resistors
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual B.12 Standard resistors Name Type / Value Active antenna supply (VDD_3V) 10R 5% 0.1W USB data serial termination 22R 5% 0.1W USB data serial termination 22R 5% 0.1W Pull-up at RXD1 100k 5% 0.1W Pull-up at EXTINT0 100k 5% 0.1W... -
Page 50: C Interface Backgrounder
For most DDC systems the low and high input voltage level thresholds of SDA and SCL depend on V . See the AMY-6M Data Sheet [1] for the applicable voltage levels. D D C D e v i c e A... -
Page 51: Ddc Troubleshooting
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual The first byte sent is comprised of the address field and R/W bit. Hence the byte seen on the bus 0x42 is shifted by 1 to the left plus R/W bit thus being 0x84 or 0x85 if analyzed by scope or protocol analyzer. -
Page 52: Spi Interface
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Are there spikes or noise on SDA, SCL or even Vdd? They may result from interferences from other components or because the capacitances Cp and/or Cc are too high. The effects can often be reduced by using shorter interconnections. - Page 53 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual The data output MISO functions as the data return signal from the slave to the master. Figure 40 shows a typical block diagram for an SPI master with several slaves. Here, the SCK and MOSI data lines are shared by all of the slaves.
- Page 54 AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual When the SPI is configured as a slave, the SCK pin is an input, and the clock signal from the master synchronizes the data transfer between the master and slave devices. Slave devices ignore the SCK signal unless the slave select pin is active low.
-
Page 55: D Glossary
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual D Glossary Application Programming Interface Battery backup RAM ECEF Earth Centered Earth Fixed Electro Static Discharge Height Above WGS84-Ellipsoid Low Noise Amplifier Line of sight, NMEA 0183 ASCII based standard data communication protocol used by GPS receivers. -
Page 56: Related Documents
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Related documents AMY-6M Data Sheet, Doc No GPS.G6-HW-10039 u-blox 6 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification, Doc No GPS-SW-09018 GPS Antenna Application Note, Doc No GPS-X-08014 GPS Compendium, Doc No GPS-X-02007 u-blox 6 firmware version 7 Release Notes, Doc No GPS.G6-SW-11013 Information technology equipment –... -
Page 57: Contact
AMY-6M - Hardware Integration Manual Contact For complete contact information, visit us at www.u-blox.com Offices North, Central and South Headquarters Asia, Australia, Pacific America Europe, Middle East, Africa u-blox Singapore Pte. Ltd. Phone: +65 6734 3811 u-blox America, Inc. u-blox AG E-mail: info_ap@u-blox.com...