unicore UM220-IV NV Automotive Grade Multi-GNSS Positioning Module User Manual

June 9, 2024
unicore

unicore UM220-IV NV Automotive Grade Multi-GNSS Positioning Module

Product Information

The UM220-IV NV is an automotive-grade Multi-GNSS positioning model manufactured by Unicore Communication, Inc. It is designed to provide accurate, reliable and fast positioning information for navigation and other location-based applications. The module uses multiple satellite constellations, including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo, to ensure high- precision positioning in various environments.

Installation Preparation
UM220-IV NV-GN Modules are Electrostatic Sensitive Devices and require special precautions when handling.

  • Follow the steps in section 2.2 in the correct order
  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD) may cause damage to the device. All operations mentioned in this chapter should be carried out on an antistatic workbench, wear an antistatic wrist strap and use a conductive foam pad. If an antistatic workbench is not available, wear an antistatic wrist strap and connect the other end to a metal frame to prevent the damage of ESD
  • Hold the edge of the module, not in direct contact with the components
  • Please check carefully whether the module has obviously loose or damaged components. If you have questions, please contact us or your local dealer.

Figure 2-1 shows the typical installation of UM220-IV NV-GN EVK suites

Please check the contents of the package carefully after receiving the package of UM220-IV NV-GN.

  • UM220-IV NV-GN EVK suite (with AC Adapter)
  • UM220-IV NV-GN User manual
  • uSTAR application package
  • Qualified antenna
  • Antenna connection cable
  • Direct serial cable
  • PC or Laptop with serial ports (Win7 or above)

Please keep the box and anti-static plastic bags for storage and handling

Hardware Installation
After the above preparations, follow the steps below to install:

  • Step 1:Make sure to take full anti-static measures, such as wearing an anti-static wrist strap, grounding the workbench;
  • Step 2:Open the UM220-IV NV-GN evaluation kit;
  • Step 3:Select the GNSS antenna with appropriate gain, fix it in a non-block area, using the appropriate cable to connect the antenna with UM220 EVK;
  • Step 4:Connect the PC to the EVK serial port through direct serial cable;
  • Step 5:Power the evaluation board and initialize the UM220-IV NV-GN;
  • Step 6:Run the uSTAR
  • Step 7:Control the receiver through uSTAR to display constellations view, log messages, and receiver status.

Key Features

  • Automotive grade positioning module
  • Supports multiple satellite constellations (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo)
  • High-precision positioning and timing performance
  • Low power consumption
  • Compact size with easy integration
  • Designed for use in harsh environments
  1. Continuous positioning,typical value
  2. Timely input of assist data
  3. CEP, 50%

Interface

unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-
fig-2

UART
UM220-IV NV-GN module COM1 is the primary serial port, which supports data transfer and firmware upgrade function. The signal input/output level is LVTTL. The default baud rate is 115200bps, which is adjustable, and can be configured up to 460800bps. During design in, please ensure that COM1 is connected to a PC or an external processor for firmware upgrades. COM2 only supports data transmission, and cannot be used for firmware upgrade purpose. It is reserved for future use.

1PPS
UM220-IV NV-GN outputs 1PPS with adjustable pulse width and polarity.

Technical Specifications

The UM220-IV NV module has the following technical specifications:

  • Electrical Specifications: Supply voltage range of 3.0V to 3.6V; Power consumption of 30mA (typical) and 45mA (maximum)
  • Operation Condition: Operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C; Storage temperature range of -55°C to +125°C
  • Dimensions: 16mm x 12.2mm x 2.5mm
  • Pin Definition: The module has a total of 24 pins with different functionalities.
  • PCB Packaging: The module is packed in tape and reel format with a shelf-life of 12 months.

Electrical Specifications
Absolute Maximum Ratings

Operation Condition

Dimensions

unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-
fig-4

Pin Definition (Top View)

PCB Packaging

unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-
fig-6

In the design of PCB solder, make sure the area of the UM220-IV NV-GN modules are fully covered with solder layer

Hardware Design
The hardware design of the UM220-IV NV module provides a low power consumption, compact size, and easy integration. The module’s pin definition and PCB packaging provide flexibility for various applications. The design is suitable for harsh environments, making it an ideal choice for automotive, industrial, and other location-based applications.

Design in Considerations
To make UM220-IV NV-GN work normally, please properly connect the following:

  • Connect all the GND pins to ground.
  • Connect the RF_IN signal to the antenna, and the line will keep 50Ω impedance matching
  • Ensure COM1 is connected to a PC or an external processor, users can use this serial port to receive position data. COM1 is also necessary for firmware upgrades. In order to obtain good performance, special concern should be paid during the design:
  • Power supply: Stable and low ripple power is necessary for good performance. Make sure the peak to peak voltage ripple does not exceed 50mV.
    • Use LDO to ensure the purity of power supply
    • Try to place LDO close to the module in layout
    • Widen the power circuit or use copper pour surface to transmit current
    • Avoid walking through any high-power or high inductance devices such as a magnetic coil
  • UART interfaces: Ensure that the signals and baud rate of main equipment match that of UM220-IV NV module
  • Antenna interface: Make sure the antenna impedance matches, and the cable is short and smooth, try to avoid acute angles
  • Antenna position: In order to ensure a good signal-to-noise ratio, the antenna should be well isolated from any electromagnetic radiation source, especially the electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range of 1559 ~ 1607MHz
  • Try to avoid designing in any circuits underneath UM220-IV NV-GN
  • This module is a temperature sensitive device, dramatic changes in temperature will result in reduced performance. Keep it away as far as possible from any high-power high-temperature air and heating devices.

Avoid Power Leakage
Module input ports of UM220-IV NV-GN include: RXD and GPIO. When the module is not powered on, if there is data input in the above ports, it will form a series of power on the module VCC. When the series voltage is higher than 1.6V, it may cause a failure of starting up when the module is powered on.

Solution:
When the module is not powered on, make sure that the IO port connected by the module is in a high-resistance state or a low level to avoid power leakage.

Reset
If the reset pin nRESET of UM220-IV NV-GN module needs to be used, the following timing requirements must be met between the nRESET and the power supply VCC. During normal operation of the module, pulling down the nRESET pin over the 5ms can also reset the UM220-IV NV-GN.unicore-UM220-IV-NV-
Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-fig-7

Antenna
If UM220-IV NV-GN uses s +3V active antenna, it is suggested to use the VCC_RF pin output to power the antenna through a feed inductor.unicore-UM220-IV-NV-
Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-fig-8

Note: If the user has a high requirement for ESD (> ± 2000 V), the user should consider other method to feed the antenna rather than using the VCC_RF pin. In this case, it is recommended to choose a power supply chip with high ESD protection level. Gas discharge tube, varistor, TVS tube and other high- power protective devices may also be used in the power supply circuit to further protect the module from ESD damage or other Electrical Over-Stress (EOS). If the UM220-IV NV-GN uses an active antenna other than +3V, the bias voltage V_BIAS required by the antenna is supplied to the antenna through a feed inductor.unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-
Module-fig-9

If UM220-IV NV-GN uses a passive antenna, the antenna should be directly connected to RF_IN pin, while VCC_RF can be suspended. It should be noted that the use of passive antennas may cause a decrease in GNSS performance compared to active antennas.

Serial Port
UM220-IV NV-GN has two LVTTL serial ports, for PC connection, please use a RS232 voltage level converter.unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-
GNSS-Positioning-Module-fig-11

Product Usage Instructions

To use the UM220-IV NV module, follow the instructions provided below:

  1. Install the module into the target device as per the installation guide provided.
  2. Power on the device and wait for the module to acquire satellite signals.
  3. Verify the module’s status and signal strength using the device’s software interface.
  4. Utilize the module’s positioning and timing data for navigation or other location-based applications.

Note: It is recommended to follow the guidelines provided in the product manual for optimum performance and to avoid any damage to the module or target device.

Revision History

Version Revision History Date

Ver. 1.0.0

| Primary. Unicorecomm UM220-IV NV-GN user manual

Version 1.0

|

Dec.2017

Ver. 1.0.1

| Alpha release. Update definition name and performance parameter of pins|

Oct.2018

Ver. 1.0.2

| Alpha release. Update reflow soldering information; Update product label description;

Update product Mechanical Layout;

|

May.2019

R1.1

| Chapter 4.1: revise the frequency range in the description of antenna position

Chapter 6.2 Package description: add the shelf life

|

Sep. 2019

R2

| Chapter 6.2: revise the MSL instructions

Revise the following parameters: power consumption, Iccp, IACQ and Input VSWR

1.1 Overview:add the product PN and HW version

|

Feb. 2020

R3| Update parameters| Feb. 2020
R3.1| Add description on reset and stencil| Jun. 2021
R3.2| Update power supply VCC and V_BCKP| Aug. 2021

R3.3

| Perfect the product information in the Table in section 1.1

Add the Note in Section 4.4

|

Nov.2021

R3.4| If hot start is not used, connect V_BCKP to VCC.| Nov. 2022

Legal right notice

This manual provides information and details on the products of Unicore Communication, Inc. (“Unicore”) referred to herein.   All rights, title and interest to this document and the information such as data, designs, layouts contained in this manual are fully reserved, including but not limited to the copyrights, patents, trademarks and other proprietary rights as relevant governing laws  may grant, and such rights may evolve and be approved, registered or granted from the whole information aforesaid or any part(s) of it or any combination of those parts. Unicore holds the trademarks of “UNICORECOMM” and other trade name, trademark, icon, logo, brand name and/or service mark of Unicore products or their product serial referred to in this manual (collectively “Unicore Trademarks”). This manual or any part of it, shall not be deemed as, either expressly, implied, by estoppel or any other form, the granting or transferring of Unicore rights and/or interests (including but not limited to the aforementioned trademark rights), in whole or in part.

Disclaimer
The information contained in this manual is provided “as is” and is believed to be true and correct at the time of its publication or revision. This manual does not represent, and in any case, shall not be construed as a commitments or warranty on the part of Unicore with respect to the fitness for a particular purpose/use, the accuracy, reliability and correctness of the information contained herein. Information, such as product specifications, descriptions, features and user guide in this manual, are subject to change by Unicore at any time without prior notice, which may not be completely consistent with such information of the specific product you purchase. Should you purchase our product and encounter any inconsistency, please contact us or our local authorized distributor for the most up-to-date version of this manual along with any addenda or corrigenda.

Foreword

This document offers you information in the features of the hardware, the installation, specification and use of UNICORECOMM UM220-IV NV-GN product.
Readers it applies to
This document is applied to the technicians who know GNSS Receiver to some extent but not to the general readers.

Structure of the file
This document includes the following:

  • Introduction: Briefly explaining the functions, performances and installation of the product
  • Installation: Containing the list of the product package and the details of product installation
  • Technical Specification: Offering technical specifications of the product
  • Hardware Specification: Offering all the information of hardware interface of the product Mechanical Features: Offering UM220-IV NV-GN dimensions, layout, and top views.unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-fig-1

Notice: Module order number (GN) is displayed in the lower left corner of the module (see chapter 6.1). Automotive grade product is certified by AEC-Q100 and TS16949. The operating temperature range of automotive grade and industrial grade product is -40℃ ~ +85℃.

Disassembly

When it is necessary to remove the module, it is recommended to melt the soldering tin of the pins on both sides of the module with an electric soldering iron and remove the module with tweezers. Do not use other means to remove the module (such as using a hot air gun to blow module), or it may lead to module damage.

Package

Product Label Description

unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-
fig-12

Package Description
The UM220-IV NV-GN module is packaged in vacuum sealed aluminum foil anti- static bag with desiccant and moisture-proof agent. When using reflow welding process to weld modules, please strictly comply with IPC standard to conduct humidity control on modules. As packaging materials such as carrier belt can only withstand the temperature of 65 degrees Celsius, modules should be removed from the packaging during baking.unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-
Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-fig-13

Check the humidity indicator card before soldering. The 30% indication is blue for normal conditions, as shown in figure 6-2. Bake modules firstly before soldering if the 30% indication turns pink, as shown in figure 6-3. The UM220-IV NV-GN modules are rated at MSL level 3. For more MSL information, please visit www.jedec.org.

unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-Module-
fig-14

Clean

Do not use alcohol or other organic solvents to clean, or it may lead to flux residues seeping into the shielding shell, causing mildew and other problems.

Reflow Soldering

In order to avoid device falling off, the module should be placed on the top of the main board during welding. Reflow soldering temperature curve is recommended as shown in figure 8-1 below (M705-GRN360 is recommended for solder paste). unicore-UM220-IV-NV-Automotive-Grade-Multi-GNSS-Positioning-
Module-fig-15

Note: The apertures in the stencil need to meet the customer’s own design requirements and inspection specifications, and the thickness of the stencil should be above 0.15mm, and 0.18mm is recommended.

Unicore Communications, Inc.

References

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