AWAIRNET Mesh Surface Mount Module User Manual

AWAIRNET Mesh Surface Mount Module

Introduct ion
The AWAIRNET(AWAIR Mesh Module) is an RF module for the sub-1 GHz ISM bands, such as 780 MHz (China), 868 MHz (Europe) and 915 MHz (North America), optimized for low-power applications. This module combines the Texas Instruments CC1352P1 Sub-1Ghz MCU from the Simplex family. It also includes an NFC controller, PN7150 from NXP. The module has 48 MHz crystal oscillator for the CC1352P1 MCU and a 27.12MHz crystal for the PN7150 Controller. It also houses a 16Mb flash connected to the CC1352P1. All the RF balun network for the Sub-1GHz as well as the NFC RF frontend are houses inside the module and required RF shielding in a compact 25 mm x 57 mm design. The module also houses a uFL connector to connect an external Sub-1GHz antenna to the module. It also houses an onboard antenna connector for the NFC front end that can be used to connect to external NFC antennas. The module has all the necessary GPIOs as well as communication and RF interfaces that is needed to integrate it with an external carrier board. This data sheet provides only a brief overview of the necessary sections of the module. For a detailed description of each peripheral, refer to the datasheets for CC1352P1 and PN7150 MCUs provided by the manufactures.

Features

• Sub-1GHz MCU
  • CC1352P SimpleLink™ High-Performance Multi-Band Wireless MCU With Integrated Power Amplifier
  • For detailed information about the MCU. For more details visit the link CC1352P1
• External Flash
  •  NOR Flash spiFlash, 3V, 16M-bit, 4Kb Uniform Sector. For more details, visit the link W25Q16JVUXIQ
• NFC Controller
  • PN7150 High performance NFC controller with integrated firmware, supporting all NFC Forum modes. For more details visit the link PN7150
• Sub-1GHz Antenna Connector
  • Onboard uFL connector with onboard matching network to connect to external antennas
  • Antenna connection can be re-routed to castellated PCB pads for antenna connection to trace antennas onboard the carrier PCB
• NFC Antenna Connector
  • NFC antenna connector with onboard matching network that can be used to connect to external NFC antenna depending on the application
  • Antenna connection can be re-routed to castellated PCB pads for antenna connection to trace antennas onboard the carrier PCB
• Peripherals
  • 20 GPIOs
  • JTAG Interface
• Clock
  • Onboard 48MHz crystal connected to the CC1352P1, Sub-1GHz MCU
  • Onboard 27.12MHz crystal connected to the PN1750, NFC controller
• I/O and Package
  • 16 programmable I/O pins
  • 25-pin module package (12.7 mm x 11.0 mm) with castellated PCB pads
• Operating Voltage
  • 3.3V
  • 5V(optional use for increased NFC antenna range)
• Temperature Range
  • -20°C to 55°C
• Power Consumption
  •  RX_ON = TBD
  • BUSY_TX = TBD
  • Standby = TBD
  • Backup mode = TBD
• Operation Frequency
  • SUB 1G : 902.6 ~ 927.4 MHz
  • NFC : 13.56 MHz

Peripherals & Pinouts Information

Mechan ical Descriptions

• Mechanical Description

  • This section provides module outline drawings, footprint, application reference design and layout recommendation.

• Module Outline Drawings

  • The Mesh module package details are outlined in the following figure.
  • The module pins are arranged with a 2 mm pitch distance. The module is designed in a rectangular way.

• Footprint

  • The recommended land pattern is shown in the following figure.
    Design Considera tions

• Approved NFC Antennas

  • Part# 1462360121
  • Rectangular Near Field Communication (NFC) Antenna, with Ferrite, 34.39mm by 46.10mm by 0.27mm
  • More details about the antenna can be found from the link 1462360121

• Approved Sub-1GHz Antenna

  • Peak Gain: 3.5dBi
  • Antenna Type: Dipole
  • Operating Frequency: 863MHz~928MHz

• Module Placement Design Instructions

  • Place the module in the corners of the carrier PCB away from high-speed clock and noise sources
  • Green box is the carrier PCB and the blue box is the Module

Trace layout and dimensions including specific designs for each type:

1. Layout of trace design, parts, antenna, connectors, and isolation requirements;
2. Boundary limits of size, thickness, length, width, shape(s), dielectric constant, and impedance must be clearly described for each type of antenna;
3. Different antenna length and shapes affect radiated emissions, and each design shall be considered a different type; e.g., antenna length in multiple(s) of frequency wavelength and antenna shape (traces in phase) can affect antenna gain and must be considered;
4. The above data is to be provided by a Gerber file (or equivalent) for PC layout.

The module hosts all the RF related circuitry that includes the Blaun network, the antenna matching network leading to the Antenna connector. In case of the NFC controller, the Antenna connection pins are routed to the PCB castellated pads and that in turn is routed to the carrier PCB that houses the NFC antenna connector as shown in the image below. The related gerber file is also provided

The NFC antenna used is a third-party NFC antenna manufactured by Molex, Part No. 1462360021. The NFC antenna itself can be attached to any plastic surface and in this case is attached to the bottom of the front plastic housing.

Appropriate parts by manufacturer and specifications.

• The antenna connector used is a Spring Contact connector by Samtec, Part No. SIB-102-02-
  F- S. The datasheet of the connector is provided

• The NFC antenna is a third-party antenna by Molex and is attached to the device plastic housing. The antenna part no. is 1462360021 and the relevant datasheet is also provided

Test procedures for design verification. 996369 D02 Module Q and A v01 Page 5

TEST PROCEDURE FOR MODULAR DESIGN VERIFICATION
The Mesh Module is a design in a castellated PCB package so the connection to the module can be made through the castellated pads on the sides of the module. The module needs to be placed on a host PCB for design verification. The Sub1Ghz antenna connector is onboard the module hence no further RF trace design considerations are needed to be made. The NFC antenna connector is located outside the module PCB and thus care must be taken when NFC antenna PCB trace is routed to the antenna connector on the main PCB. The RF traces should be 0.5mm thick and separated by at least 2 times the trace width and properly via shielded to reduce emission and ensure proper operation. No high- speed circuitry should be placed, and traces routed near or beneath the NFC antenna connection traces.

A brief pictorial description of the NFC design verification is shown below. The module is placed on a carrier PCB according to the design layout guidelines. The NFC antenna connection trace guidelines should also be properly followed, and the approved antenna must be used.
carrier host PCB that is connected to the serial console on a PC. The NFC operation log can then be viewed on the PC via serial console. The NFC controller can be controlled by the onboard CC1352 MCU and different modes of NFC operations can be defined via I2C interface.

Production test procedures for ensuring compliance.

PRODUCTION TEST PROCEDURE
To test the device during procedure, the module placed on a carrier host PCB board as a single device can be placed inside an RF shield box to perform various RF tests to ensure compliance as shown in the image below.

In the image above, the module residing on a host PCB is placed inside an RF shield box. The connection to the host PCB and in turn to the module is made via a serial connection that is used to input commands from a serial console on PC.  In the picture below, the module NFC antenna is attached to the device housing front cover that when put together makes contact to the NFC antenna connector on the host PCB.

A standard NFC test procedure can then be followed to test the device RF specifications and make sure that it complies with the rules stated by FCC.

Information to User

CAUTION : Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
The AWAIRMOUNT module from BITFINDER, INC is certified for the FCC/ISED as a single-modular transmitter. The modules are FCC/ISED-certified radio modules that carries a modular grant. Users are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressively approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the authority of the user to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

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.

RF Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC/ISED radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment and meets the FCC radio frequency (RF) Exposure Guidelines and RSS-102 of the ISED radio frequency (RF) Exposure rules as this equipment has very low levels of RF energy.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

IMPORTANT NOTE
This device complies with FCC & ISED radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This device should be installed and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
This device is intended only for OEM integrators under the following conditions:

1. This module may not be co-located with any other transmitters or antennas.
2. The antenna must be installed such that 20cm is maintained between the antenna and users.

As long as 2 conditions above are met, further transmitter test will not be required. However, the OEM integrator is still responsible for testing their end-product for any additional compliance requirements with this module installed.
In the event that these conditions cannot be met, then the FCC & IC authorizations are no longer considered valid and the FCC ID cannot be used on the final product. In these circumstances, the OEM integrator will be responsible for re-evaluating the end product including this module and obtaining separate FCC & IC authorizations.

End Product Labeling
To satisfy FCC exterior labeling requirements, the following text must be placed on the exterior of the end product.
Contains Transmitter module FCC ID: 2AF65AWAIRNET

Traceability requirements information

• Model Name : AWAIRNET
• Product Marking Name : AWAIR MESH SURFACE MOUNT
• Hardware Version: Rev 2.0
• Firmware Version: 0.7.4.revc1
• Manufacturer : BITFINDER, INC
• Address : 315 Montgomery Street, 10th Floor, San Francisco, California, United States Manufacturer Logo :

References

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