NORTH POLE ENGINEERING GEM3NFC WiFi Module User Manual

: June 5, 2024
: NORTH POLE ENGINEERING

Table of Contents

Revision History
Overview and Key Features
Features
GEM3NFC Overview
- Overview
Specifications
GEM3NFC Considerations
Mechanical Information
NFC Reader T4T card mode operation
Regulatory & Standards Information
FCC Labeling Requirements
Bluetooth Qualification
Ordering Details
Further Assistance
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

GEM3NFC
Hardware Manual Version 1.0
August 31, 2020

NORTH POLE ENGINEERING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED FOR USE BY APPLICATION DEVELOPERS TO CREATE APPLICATIONS COMPATIBLE WITH THE NORTH POLE ENGINEERING GEM MODULE. USE OF THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT TO CREATE COMPETING HARDWARE TO THE NORTH POLE ENGINEERING GEM MODULE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

North Pole Engineering
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
612.305.0440
© North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020

Revision History

Version	Revision Date	Change History
0.1	October 2, 2019	Initial draft
0.2	October 30, 2019	Added mechanical drawing
0.3	April 13, 2020	Added UART connection note, added power consumption data

for different modes
1.0| August 31, 2020| Added current consumption information and 12C interface details

GEM3NFC Hardware Manual

Overview and Key Features

The GEM3NFC module is been designed to allow OEMs to easily add Bluetooth, ANT+, Apple GymKit, Samsung Galaxy Active/Active 2, and NFC reader connectivity to their product offering.

The GEM3NFC module is based on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52840 multi-protocol Bluetooth and ANT+ chipset and integrates NXP’s PN7150X NFC reader controller. There is also space on the board for the Apple authentication 3.0 coprocessor to be mounted for applications where Apple GymKit support is needed. The GEM3NFC module offers a serial host interface and has a maximum transmit power of +8dBm, and sensitivity of -95dBm. This manual is intended to assist with the hardware integration of the GEM3NFC module into a given design. Details on North Pole Engineering’s GEMHCI protocol software can be found at http://npe- inc.zendesk.com.

Features

-95 dBm sensitivity
TX Power-20 to +8dBm in 4dB steps
240m line of sight range @ +8dBm
15 mA peak TX @ 8dB, 6.2mA @ OdBm
6 mA peak RX
1dB RSSI resolution
ARM® Cortex™M4F 32 bit processor running at 64MHz
1MB embedded flash memory and 256 kB RAM
Serial Host Interface
I2C Interface
AES HW encryption
FCC, CE, IC certified
Integrated Bluetooth, ANT, and NFC antennas
RoHS compliant
Bluetooth End Product Listed
Integrated GEMHCI software
Integrated support for ANT+ FE and Bluetooth FTMS
ANT+ and BLE HRM scanning and connection
Integrated NFC tap to pair support for wearables including Apple Watch through GymKit and Samsung Galaxy Active/Active2 Watches.

Specification Specification Summary

Category	Feature	Implementation
RF	Bluetooth

ANT+
Frequency
Maximum Transmit Power
Minimum Transmit Power
Receive Sensitivity
Range| 5.0 Single Mode Peripheral and Central
Broadcaster and receiver
2.402-2.480 GHz
+2dBm
-20dBm
-95dBm
up to 360m line of sight
NFC| Reader
Frequency
Read/Write mode
Peer to Peer mode
Card emulation mode| Tag Type 1,2,3,4,5
13.56MHz
MIFARE, FeIiCA, ISO/IEC 14443 A/B, ISO/IEC 15893
ISO/IEC 18092 target and initiator
NFC Forum T4T
Peripherals| Serial Host Interface I2C Interface| TX, RX 115.2kbps n,8,1 I2C Master – 400Kbps
FW Upgrade| North Pole Engineering Firmware| Over the air

SWD interface UART Interface

GEM3NFC Overview

Overview

The following picture provides an overview of the various hardware elements of the GEM3NFC board.

Data, power, & I/O connector
The data, power, and I/O connector provides a means to connect a supply voltage of 3.3V to the GEM3NFC module as well as UART TX and RX lines for serial communications between the GEM3NFC module and the fitness equipment console MCU. The GEM3NFC UART lines are TTL level and operate at 115.2Kbps.

NOTE: External connection to the UART TX and UART RX lines should be connected as shown below. Connect host MCU TX to pin 10 (TX) on the GEM3NFC module and host MCU RX to pin 12 (RX) on the GEM3NFC module.

The connector is JST BM14B-ZPDSS-TF(LF)(SN). The mating JST connector housing is JST ZPDR-14V-S and is available through Digi-Key and other distributors.

Data, power, and I/O connections:

NFC Tag Board Connection
The GEM3NFC module includes an additional connector to support the connection of an NFC tagboard using I2C communications. Pinout of the I2C interface is shown below:

NFC Reader
The GEM3NFC module incorporates an NFC reader chip allowing for decoding of compatible NFC tags for user identification for example. In addition, the NFC reader also supports NFC type 4 tag emulation for tap to pair support with compatible Android and iOS applications.

NFC Antenna
The GEM3NFC module includes an integrated NFC antenna.

GEM3 module
The GEM3NFC includes North Pole Engineering’s GEM3 Bluetooth 5.0 and ANT wireless OEM module and includes North Pole Engineering’s embedded software specifically designed for fitness equipment mobile app, group fitness, and wearable connectivity applications.

Specifications

Operating Parameters

Parameter	Min	Typical	Max
Supply Voltage	3.0V	3.3V	+3.6V
Operating Temperature @ 3.3V	-40C		+85C
Serial Interface	3.0	3.3V	3.6V

Power Consumption

Power Mode	Average (mA)	Peak (mA)
Standby	0.89	1
NFC Polling	7	135
NFC Read & Connection	37	228
Watch Connected	2	14
BLE Only	1.5	7
ANT+ Only	1	4

GEM3NFC Considerations

Mechanical items (especially metal) should be kept as far as possible from the module antenna in all directions, including above and below the board surface. If possible, move
mechanical items out and away from a keep-out area of 53mm x 20mm from the GEM3NFC module edge.

Antenna Characteristics
The GEM3NFC module includes an integrated monopole chip antenna. Antenna performance will depend on the host PCB layout. The following plots show antenna radiation
the pattern of the GEM3NFC antenna.

Antenna Performance

| Efficiency| Peak Gain| S11
---|---|---|---
2400MHz| 65.72%| 4.08 dBi| -16.0 dB
2442MHz| 62.72%| 3.95 dBi| -14.8 dB
2484MHz| 59.73%| 4.17dBi| -13.3 dB

Mechanical Information

Dimensions (in mm)

Connecting GEM3NFC to Console MCU
The GEM3NFC is designed for connection to fitness equipment console MCUs through its Serial interface.

The GEM3NFC serial interface has a TX line and RX line that are 3.3V tolerant and operate at 115.2Kpbs.

GEM3NFC Host Protocol
The GEM3NFC supports North Pole Engineering’s GEMHCI protocol for communication between the GEM3NFC board and the console MCU using the GEM3NFC module’s serial host connection. The GEMHCI protocol supports a port speed of 115.2Kbps.

The GEMHCI protocol is a binary protocol and is used to configure the GEM3NFC operation as well as pass fitness equipment-related data to the GEM3NFC for broadcasting to connect applications using its Bluetooth/ANT+ radio. The GEMHCI protocol can also be used to send data such as heart rate and calories from a connected fitness application or device to the console through the GEM3NFC module.

Details of the GEMHCI protocol are provided in the GEMHCI reference manual. Please visit our knowledge base at http://npe-inc.zendesk.com for the latest version of the GEMHCI reference manual.

NFC Reader T4T card mode operation

ISO/IEC 1444A card mode

Communication| | ISO/IEC 14443A| ISO/IEC 14443A higher transfer speeds
---|---|---|---
direction| Transfer speed| 106 kbit/s| 212 kbit/s| 424 kbit/s
Bit length| (128/13.56) ps| (64/13.56) ps| (32/13.56) ps
PCD → PN7150
(data received by PN7150 from a card)| modulation on the PCD side| 100 % ASK|

25 % ASK| >25 %ASK
bit coding| Modified Miller| Modified Miller| Modified Miller
PN7150 PCD|
(data sent by PN7150 to a card)| modulation on the PN7150 side| subcarrier load modulation| subcarrier load modulation| subcarrier load modulation
subcarrier frequency| 13.56 MHz/16| 13.56 MHz/16| 13.56 MHz/16
bit coding| Manchester| BPSK| BPSK

ISO/IEC 14443B card mode

Communication direction|

| ISO/IEC 14443B| ISO/ IEC 14443B higher transfer speeds
---|---|---|---
Transfer speed| 106 kbit| 212 kbit/s| 424 kbit/s

Regulatory & Standards Information

FCC & Industry Canada
The GEM3NFC module has modular approval for the United States and Canada. To ensure compliance when using the GEM3NFC module in a design, the OEM is required to adhere to the implementation considerations supplied in this hardware integration guide.

Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radiation Exposure Statement:

This device is in compliance with SAR for general population/uncontrolled exposure limits in ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1999 and had been tested in accordance with the measurement methods and procedures specified in OET Bulletin 65 Supplement C.

This transceiver must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna, transmitter, or external amplifiers. Further testing/evaluation of the end product will be required if the OEM’s device violates any of these requirements.

The GEM3NFC Module is fully approved for mobile and portable applications.

FCC Labeling Requirements

WARNING: The OEM must ensure that FCC labeling requirements are met. This includes a clearly visible label on the outside of the OEM enclosure specifying the appropriate FCC identifier is visible.

Contains
FCC ID: XRH-NPE109
IC: 11922A-NPE109

If the OEM device is larger than 8x10cm, the following FCC part 15.19 statement has to be visible on the outside of the device:

The enclosed device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Label and text information type should be large enough to be legible and consistent with the dimensions of the equipment and the label. The type size is not required to be larger than eight points.

Comments
The OEM should have their device tested by a qualified test house to verify compliance with FCC Part 15 Subpart B limits for unintentional radiators.

Any modifications to the GEM3NFC module could void the OEM’s authority to operate the equipment.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does not cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit that is different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC Warning:
“THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES AND INDUSTRY CANADA LICENSE-EXEMPT RSS STANDARD(S). OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO

CONDITIONS: (1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.

Industry Canada (IC) Warning:
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

IC Radiation Exposure Statement
This device is in compliance with SAR for general population/uncontrolled exposure limits in IC RSS-102 and had been tested in accordance with the measurement methods and procedures specified in IEEE 1528.

CE
The GEM3NFC Module has been tested against the appropriate regulatory standards for the European market. OEMs should consult a qualified test house to ensure their product meets all regulatory requirements.

The GEM3NFC Module Declaration of Conformities is below. Test reports are available upon request.

Health and Safety – EN60950-1: 2006+A11:2009+A1:2010+A12:2011

Electromagnetic compatibility – EN301489-17 V2.2.1 in accordance with EN 301 489-1

V1.9.2

Radio Frequency Radiated Emissions: EN300 328 V1.9.1

North Pole Engineering declares under our sole responsibility that the essential radio tests have been carried out and that the GEM Module to which this declaration relates is in
conformity with all applicable essential requirements of Article 3 of the EU Directive 1999/5/EC when used for its intended purpose.

Place of Issue:
North Pole Engineering
221 North First Street, Suite 310
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Bluetooth Qualification

The Bluetooth SIG requires every product implementing Bluetooth technology to have a Declaration ID even though the end product references a Bluetooth design with its own Declaration ID.

An over of the Bluetooth SIG Qualification Process is as follows:

Register as a member of the Bluetooth SIG – www.bluetooth.org
Go to the product listing page https://www.bluetooth.org/en-us/testqualification/qualification-overview
Go to Create a Listing: https://www.bluetooth.org/tpg/QLI_SDoc.cfm
In the area “Reference a Qualified Design, Enter End Product ID: 77930
Select your Declaration ID or Purchase a Declaration ID. Fees for Declaration IDs vary based on Bluetooth SIG membership level.
Once you have completed your listing and paid your declaration fee, your design will be listed on the Bluetooth SIG website.

You can find more details on the Bluetooth SIG listing process at the following webpage: https://www.bluetooth.org/en-us/test-qualification /qualification-overview

Ordering Details

Part Number	Trays	Shipping Weight	MOQ	Multiple
GEMNFC0301	100 pieces		100	100

Further Assistance

Please contact North Pole Engineering at 1-612-305-0440 or via email at sales@npe inc.com if additional help is needed.

NORTH POLE ENGINEERING
221 North 1st Street, Suite 310
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Telephone: 1-612-305-0440
Email: [email protected]
www.npe-inc.com