QUECTEL LC79H Series GNSS Module User Guide

LC79H (AL)
EVB User Guide
GNSS Module Series
Version: 1.1
Date: 2023-05-10
Status: Released

LC79H Series GNSS Module

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a) We acknowledge no liability for any injury or damage arising from the reliance upon the information.
b) We shall bear no liability resulting from any inaccuracies or omissions, or from the use of the information contained herein.
c) While we have made every effort to ensure that the functions and features under development are free from errors, it is possible that they could contain errors, inaccuracies, and omissions. Unless otherwise provided by valid agreement, we make no warranties of any kind, either implied or express, and exclude all liability for any loss or damage suffered in connection with the use of features and functions under development, to the maximum extent permitted by law, regardless of whether such loss or damage may have been foreseeable.
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Copyright © Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd. 2023. All rights reserved.

Safety Information

The following safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation, such as usage, service or repair of any terminal incorporating Quectel LC79H (AL) module. Manufacturers of the terminal should distribute the following safety precautions to users and operating personnel, and incorporate them into all manuals supplied with the product. Otherwise, Quectel assumes no liability for customers’ failure to comply with these precautions.

| Ensure that the product may be used in the country and the required environment, as well as that it conforms to the local safety and environmental regulations.
---|---
| Keep away from explosive and flammable materials. The use of electronic products in extreme power supply conditions and locations with potentially explosive atmospheres may cause fire and explosion accidents.
| The product must be powered by a stable voltage source, while the wiring must conform to security precautions and fire prevention regulations.
| Proper ESD handling procedures must be followed throughout the mounting, handling and operation of any devices and equipment incorporating the module to avoid ESD damages.

About the Document

Document Information

Title| LC79H (AL) EVB User Guide
Subtitle| GNSS Module Series
Document Type| EVB User Guide
Document Status| Released

Revision History

description of USB flash drive and instruction sheet (Chapter 2.1).
2. Added the description of SAM connector for 1PPS (Figure 3 and Table 2).
3. Added the information of test points (U410) (Figure 3 and Table 4).
4. Deleted the communication via QCOM tool.
5. Updated the firmware upgrade tool as QGNSS (Chapter 4).
6. Added the installation of EVB and antenna (Chapter 5).
7. Added power consumption measurement for the module (Chapter 6).
8. Added the EVB framework (Chapter 7).
9. Added the common problems and troubleshooting (Chapter 8).
10. Added the cautions (Chapter 9).

Introduction

This document provides information on the steps needed to evaluate the Quectel LC79H (AL) module using the Evaluation Board (EVB). The EVB is a convenient tool that allows you to become familiar with the LC79H (AL) module.
Specifically, the document is divided into several sections:

• Chapter 2 provides the general overview of EVB kit.
• Chapter 3 describes the EVB user interfaces.
•  Chapter 4 describes how to test the module and upgrade the firmware via QGNSS tool.
• Chapter 5 describes the installation of EVB and antenna.
• Chapter 6 describes how to measure power consumption for the module.
•  Chapter 7 provides the EVB framework.
• Chapter 8 describes the common problems and troubleshooting.
•  Chapter 9 describes the cautions.
•  Chapter 10 is an appendix, which summarizes the relevant documents and terms and abbreviations appearing herein.

NOTE
Request QGNSS software tool from Quectel Technical Support (support@quectel.com).

General Overview

2.1. EVB Kit
The EVB kit includes: Evaluation Board (EVB), active GNSS antenna, Type-B USB cables, bolts and coupling nuts.
The EVB kit components are shown in the figure below. Check Table 1: List of Kit Components for details.

Table 1: List of Kit Components

Antenna Size: 61.5 mm × 56.5 × 23 mm
Cable Length: 3000 mm
The antenna in the kit supports:
• GPS L1 C/A and L5
• GLONASS L1
• Galileo E1 and E5a
• BDS B1I and B2a
• QZSS L1 C/A and L5
• SBAS L1| 1
Others| Bolts and Coupling Nuts| 4 pairs

NOTE
Request Quectel Technical Support (support@quectel.com) for details about Quectel Active GNSS Antenna.

2.2. Connect Cable and Antenna to EVB
The connection between the EVB and its components is shown in the figure below.

NOTE

1. It is optional to connect PC and the “POWER” (J204) on the EVB via a Type-B USB cable. For more information, see Chapter 3.2 EVB Interfaces.
2.  Make sure that the active GNSS antenna is placed with a clear line of sight to the sky.

EVB Interfaces

3.1. EVB Top View
EVB top view is shown in the figure below.

3.2. EVB Interfaces
The EVB interfaces are detailed in the table below.
Table 2: Detailed EVB Interfaces

of J509.
Power Supply
Communication Interface
SAM Connector
D514
Indication LEDs| J509
USB| J509: Used to communicate and supply
power.
Power supply input:
•DC power supply: 4.5-5.5 V, typ. 5.0 V
•Current capability should be > 100 mA
.1509
USB
J103 Antenna
connector
U512
1PPS connector POWER
(Green)
VCC (Red)| Supports RTCM and standard NMEA
message, PAIR/PQTM message, binary data and firmware upgrade.
Used for connecting the GNSS antenna.
Used for testing 1PPS signal.
Bright: The EVB is powered well. Extinct: The EVB is not powered. Bright: The module is powered well. Extinct: The module is not powered.
Signal Indication
D520
Indication LEDs
Switch and Buttons| TXD (Red)
1PPS (Green)
S201
Power switch S503
RESET
S502 WAKEUP| Flashing: Data are being output from UART TXD pin.
Extinct or Bright: No data are output from UART TXD pin.
Flashing: Successful position fix.
Frequency: 1 Hz.
Extinct: No position fix.
Powers the EVB on/off.
Short press on the button to reset the module.
Short press on the button to wake up the module from Backup mode.

The U409 and U410 test points of LC79H (AL) are shown below:
Table 3: U409 Pin Description

Test Point No.| Test Point Label| Test Point Function| I/O| Description
---|---|---|---|---
1| PIN1| U103: Pin 1| –| Ground
2| PIN2| U103: Pin 2| DO| TXD: Transmits data
3| No label| U103: Pin 3| DI| RXD: Receives data
4| No label| U103: Pin 4| DO| 1PPS: 1 pulse per second
5| No label| –| –| Reserved
6| No label| U103: Pin 6| PI| V_BCKP: Backup  power supply

for backup domain of module

7| No label| –| –| Reserved
8| No label| U103: Pin 8| PI| VCC: Main power supply
9| No label| U103: Pin 9| DI| RESET_N: Reset the module
10| No label| –| –| Ground
11| No label| –| –| NC (Not Connected)
12| No label| U103: Pin 12| –| Ground
| | | | ANT_ON:    Power    control    for
13| No label| U103: Pin 13| DI| external LNA or active antenna in
| | | | power saving mode
14| No label| VDD_RF| PO| VDD_RF:    Power    supply    for

external RF components

15| PIN15| U103: Pin 15| –| Reserved
16| PIN16| U103: Pin 16| DIO| I2C_SDA: I2C serial data

Table 4: U410 Pin Description

Test Point No.| Test Point Label| Test Point Function| I/O| Description
---|---|---|---|---
1| PIN17| U103: Pin 17| DI| I2C_SCL: I2C serial clock
2| PIN18| U103: Pin 18 DI                                    WAKEUP: Wake up the module from the Backup mode.
3| No label| – –                                                    Reserved
4| No label| – –                                                    Reserved
5| No label| U103: Pin 21| DO| GEOFENCE: Indicates geofence status
6| No label| U103: Pin 22| DO| JAM_IND: Jamming indication
7| No label| U103: Pin 23| DO| 3D_FIX: 3D position fix indication
8| No label| –| –| Reserved
9| No label| –| –| Reserved
10| No label| –| –| Reserved
11| PIN27| U103: Pin 27| –| Reserved
12| PIN28| U103: Pin 28| –| Ground
13| No label| –| –| NC
14| No label| –| –| NC
15| No label| –| –| NC
16| No label| –| –| NC

NOTE

1. The serial numbers of U409 and U410 test points are shown in red text in Figure 3: EVB Top View.
2.  The U409 and U410 test points refer to the module’s corresponding function. For detailed descriptions, see document [1] hardware design.

Testing and Firmware Upgrading via QGNSS Tool

This chapter explains how to use the QGNSS software tool for verifying the status of GNSS module and for firmware upgrade. For more information about QGNSS use, see document [2] QGNSS user guide.

4.1. Testing via QGNSS

Step 1 : Assemble the EVB components.
Step 2 : Connect the EVB and the PC with two Type-B USB cables via “POWER” and “USB” interfaces or connect the EVB to the PC with a Type-B USB cable via “USB” interface. Then flip the power switch (S201) to ON position to power on the EVB.
Step 3 : Start the QGNSS and click “Device” and “Serial Device Information” (default baud rate: 115200 bps 1 ).

Step 4: Click the  Connect or disconnect” button. The interface shown in the figure below appears once the module is connected.

1 UART interface default settings may vary depending on software versions.

NOTE
Ensure the CP210x driver has been installed when you use the QGNSS tool for the first time. For more information about the driver, please contact the Quectel Technical Support (support@quectel.com).
4.2. QGNSS Interface Explanation
You can view GNSS information, such as C/N0 message, time, position, speed, and precision in the QGNSS interface. See the following table to find out more about these parameters.
Table 5: QGNSS Interface Explanation

1. The left column icons show the satellites in use and their numbers.
   •  BDS: 15
   • GLO (GLONASS): 6
   • GPS: 13
   • GAL (Galileo): 5
   •  QZSS: 0
   | •  NavIC: 0
   • SBAS: 0
2. The sky view on the right shows the position of the satellites in use.
   | GPS satellite
   BDS satellite
   GLONASS satellite
   Galileo satellite
   QZSS satellite
   NavIC satellite
   | • PRN 30 C/N0 is 39 dB-Hz.
   • Column in bright red means that the navigation data of the satellites are in use.
   • PRN 1 C/N0 is 21 dB-Hz.
   • Column in light red means that the navigation data of the satellites are not in use.
   | • Longitude (unit: °)
   • Latitude (unit: °)
   •  Altitude (MSL) (unit: m)
   • Receiver speed (unit: km/h)
   • Horizontal dilution of precision
   • Position dilution of precision
   • Fix Mode: 2D, 3D
   •  Quality Indicator: DGNSS, DGPS, GPS SPS, Float RTK and Fixed RTK modes
   • Date: UTC date
   • Time: UTC time
   • Total Times
   • Fixed Points
   •  RTK Fixed
   • RTK Float
   • Age of differential GPS data
   • TTFF (unit: s)
   • 2D accuracy (unit: m)
   • 3D accuracy (unit: m)

4.3. Firmware Upgrading
Power on the EVB before upgrading the firmware, see Chapter 4.1 Testing via QGNSS for details.
Firmware upgrading steps:
Step 1: Open QGNSS tool, and click “Tools” and select “Firmware Download” in the drop-down box.

Step 2 : Select the “Download Baudrate” (921600 bps or 115200 bps) in the drop-down box of “Setting”.

Step 3: Click the Open Config File” button to select Config file, e.g., “flash_download.cfg”.

Step 4: Click the Run” button and the short press the RESET button after the progress bar prompts you to reset the module.

Step 5 : Upon successful firmware upgrading, the QGNSS tool’s progress bar on the screen will indicate “100 %”.

EVB and Antenna Installation

5.1. GNSS Antenna Installation
The installation environment affects antenna reception performance and satellite visibility, which in turn affect the position quality of a GNSS receiver. In addition, antenna’s orientation can also impact its reception performance. Therefore, it is important to avoid obstacles and interference when installing antenna. Place the ceramic patch antenna horizontally and make sure it faces toward the sky.
If dynamic testing is required, make sure that the GNSS antenna is firmly fixed to the device under test so as to avoid any movement or vibration with respect to the device.
5.2. EVB Installation
If dynamic testing is required, make sure the EVB is fixed to the device under test so as to avoid any movement or vibration with respect to the device.

Measuring Power Consumption

6.1. Power Consumption at Different Stages
Module power consumption is measured in three stages: acquisition and tracking (including almanac update), tracking (almanac update is over) and upon entering Backup mode.

• Acquisition and Tracking (including almanac update): 0 s to 12.5 min
• Tracking (almanac update is over): > 12.5 min
• Entering Backup mode

6.2. VCC Power Consumption Measurement
Before measuring the VCC power consumption, you must connect the components to the EVB to ensure that the module can communicate and fix normally. See Chapter 4.1 Testing via QGNSS for details.
Detailed steps for measuring VCC power consumption with an ammeter:
Step 1 : Switch off the power supply (S201) and pull out the VCC_MODULE jumper cap (J102). Connect the ammeter in series to the head pins of J102 as shown below.
Step 2 : Switch on the power supply (S201) and read the ammeter.

Detailed steps for measuring VCC power consumption with a power consumption meter:
Step 1: Switch off the power supply (S201) and pull out the VCC_MODULE jumper cap (J102). Make sure the positive pole of the power consumption meter is to be connected to pin 2 (without arrow silkscreen) of J102, and the negative pole is connected to GND.
Step 2: Switch on the power supply (S201) and read the power consumption meter.

6.3. V_BCKP Power Consumption Measurement
Before measuring the V_BCKP power consumption, you must connect the components to EVB to ensure that the module can communicate and fix normally. See Chapter 4.1 Testing via QGNSS for details.
Detailed steps for measuring V_BCKP power consumption with an ammeter:
Step 1: Switch off the power supply (S201). Pull out the V_BCKP jumper cap (J205). Connect the ammeter in series to the head pins of J205, as shown below.
Step 2: Switch on the power supply (S201) and read the ammeter.

Detailed steps for measuring V_BCKP power consumption with a power consumption meter:
Step 1 : Switch off the power supply (S201). Pull out the VCC_MODULE jumper cap (J102) and the
V_BCKP jumper cap (J205). Then, ensure the positive pole of the power consumption meter is connected to pin 1 (with arrow silkscreen) of J205, and the negative pole is connected to GND.
Step 2: Switch on the module power supply (S201) and read the power consumption meter.

NOTE

1. Adjust the current resolution when using the power consumption meter.
2.  The power value can be calculated according to the following formula: P = VSupply × ITest.
3. When measuring the V_BCKP power consumption in Backup mode, ensure that the module has entered Backup mode, and then remove the jumper cap of VCC_MODULE (J102) to cut off the power supply of VCC. For more information about the way to enter/exit Backup mode, see document [1] hardware design.

EVB Framework

The power is supplied to EVB via Type-B, and then to GNSS module via a low dropout regulator (LDO). GNSS module outputs the signals from communication interface on EVB via USB to UART Bridge Chip (CP2102N). There are an antenna interface and a control button on EVB. All functions of the module are available, including debugging.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

1. Unable to find COM port in the Device Manager when EVB is connected to PC with a USB cable.
   • Check that the EVB communication interface is properly connected to the PC.
   • Verify that CP210x Driver has been installed successfully.

2. Communication interface not outputting any messages or commands.
   • Check that the power supply indication LED on the EVB is illuminated.
   • Verify that the jumper cap(s) is(/are) connected correctly, as shown in Figure 1: EVB and Components.
   • Ensure that the module’s power supply is normal.

3. Module unable to search for satellite signals.
   • If there is no transponder indoors, test the module in an open-sky environment.

4.  Module unable to upgrade.
   • Verify whether the module is in normal operating mode.
   • Check that the downloaded firmware is correct.
   • Confirm that the correct COM port has been selected.

NOTE
For the problem(s) that cannot be solved, please contact Quectel Technical Support (support@quectel.com).

Cautions

• Make sure to conduct tests under the same environment when comparing different parameters of GNSS modules.
•  Note that parameters, such as cold start, acquisition and tracking, may be defined differently by chip suppliers.
•  Ensure that the measurement method is correct. If there are significant differences between parameters tested via EVB and those provided by Quectel, please contact Quectel Technical Support.
•  Note that momentary data obtained from measurement cannot always be regarded as reference data, because it may be affected by various factors, such as satellite positions at different times, environmental conditions, temperature, humidity and altitude.
•  Keep in mind that the QGNSS Tool may updated periodically to fix bugs or improve performance. Please make sure that you are using the latest version of the tool.

Appendix References

Table 6: Related Documents
Document Name
[1] Quectel_LC79H(AL)_Hardware_Design
[2] Quectel_QGNSS_User_Guide
Table 7: Terms and Abbreviations

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