Continental FE5NA0D31 5G DSDA NAD Module User Guide
- June 3, 2024
- Continental
Table of Contents
FE5NA0D31
5G DSDA NAD Module
OEM Manual and User Guide v1
(For Use during Certification)
FE5NA0D31 5G DSDA NAD Module
Terms and Acronyms
• BB | Baseband |
---|---|
• DCM | Data Connectivity Module (also, “TCU”) |
• DRX | Discontinuous Reception |
• EN-DC | E-UTRAN New Radio – Dual Connectivity (LTE and NR simultaneously) |
• ES | Engineering Sample |
• FDD | Frequency Division Duplex |
• GLONASS | GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema |
• GNSS | Global Navigation Satellite System |
• GPIO | General Purpose Input Output |
• GSM | Global System for Mobile |
• HSIC | High Speed Inter-Chip |
• HU | Head Unit |
• LTE | Long Term Evolution |
• MP | Mass Production |
• NAD | Network Access Device |
• OEM | Original Equipment Manufacturer |
• PCB | Printed Circuit Board |
• PCIe | Peripheral Component Interconnect Express |
• PHY | Physical Layer |
• PMIC | Power Management IC |
• SIM | Subscriber Identity Module |
• SoC | System-On-a-Chip (refers to the Qualcomm SA515M IC) |
• TCU | Telematics Control Unit (also, “DCM”) |
• TDD | Time Division Duplex |
• TSP | Telematics Service Provider |
• UMTS | Universal Mobile Telecommunication System |
• WCDMA | Wideband Code Division Multiple Access |
FE5NA0D31 Module
The FE5NA0D31 Module incorporates 5G New Radio technology with Dual Sim Dual Access technology. The NAD is part of a family of proprietary embedded 5G wireless modules designed by Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. The modules are intended to be integrated into Data Connectivity Modules (DCMs) or Head Units (HUs) designed and produced by Continental or by a 3 party for use by automotive OEMs. DCMs will be installed into vehicles during the OEM’s factory assembly process and will not be accessible without use of special tools. Primary use-cases are data-centric with data and voice connections to Telematics Service Providers (TSP).
Note: The FE5NA0D31 Module support the DSDA (Dual Sim Dual Access)
feature in HW, but DSDA is disabled from SW config, so the FE5NA0D31 will
behavior like a single SIM Module.
1.1 Key Features
1.1.1 Air Interface Support
-
5G NR: 3GPP Release 15
-
Sub-6 Ghz 5G NR bands n77, n78
-
LTE FDD/TDD: 3GPP Rel. 15 Category 15
-
UMTS: HSUPA CAT6 (SIM1 only)
-
GSM: EGPRS Rel-12
-
VoLTE – HD Voice
-
Embedded Qualcomm GNSS Sub-system
-
High Precision GNSS
-
SBAS supported: EGNOS/MSAS/QZSS/WAAS/GAGAN
1.2 Package -
764-pin LGA module of size 52 x 60 x 3.1 mm
1.3 Band Configurations Supported
Table 1-1: FE5NA0D31 Band Configuration Support
Model
| ****
Region
| 5G NR Band (SIM1)| LTE (SIM1 and SIM2))| C-V2X
Bands
| UMTS Bands (SIM1)| GSM (SIM1
& 2)
| ****
GNSS
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
FE5NA0D31
| ****
NA
| n2, n5, n25, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78| 1,2,3,4,5,7,12,13,14,17,25,26, 28a,28b,29RX,30RX,41, 66, 71| ****
—
| ****
2, 4, 5
| ****
2,5
| B1I, E1, G1, L1
Notes:
- The module supports n77 U.S. band from 3700 to 3980 MHz
- The module disables n78 via software
Regulatory Compliance Notes
2.1 Regulatory Compliance Notes
2.1.1 FCC:
This device complies with Part 15, Part 22(H), Part 24(E) and Part 27 of the
FCC Rules. The FCC ID for this device is LHJ-FE5NA0D31. Part 15 operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
2.2 Device Installation and User Manual
The FE5NA0D31 module is a proprietary product designed and manufactured by
Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. for integration into Telematics control
units manufactured by Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. for automotive
OEMs.
i. The module is limited to installation ONLY in an integrated device
manufactured by Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
ii. During manufacturing process of the integrated device, the module is
soldered onto the PCB of the integrated device.
iii. The integrated device must provide RF connectors to external antennas or
RF traces to connect the FE5NA0D31 modules to antennas inside the integrated
device. The typical reference design for the RF trace layout, including PCB
stack-up and trace length is described in Section 6 of this document.
iv. Automotive OEM is responsible for ensuring that the end-user has no manual
instructions to remove or install module.
v. The module is limited to installation in mobile applications, according to
Part 2.1091(b).
vi. No other operation configurations are allowed.
vii. Changes or modifications to this system by other than a facility
authorized by Continental could void authorization to use this equipment.
viii. The module must be installed to provide a separation distance of at
least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operate in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
ix. The integrator is responsible for fulfilling FCC and IC requirements for
the integrated device.
If Continental chooses to re-use modular approval, then the TCU shall be
clearly labeled with an external label containing the integrated modem’s FCC
ID. For example, the label can include text “Contains device with FCC ID: LHJ-
FE5NA0D31 and IC: 2807E-FE5NA0D31”.
2.3 Antenna requirements for use with module:
The module must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20cm
from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with
any other antenna or transmitter. Additional testing and certification for SAR
will be required if the distance limitation cannot be met.
The FE5NA0D31 module does not contain internal antennas and external antenna
must be provided by the integrator or OEM. Based on FCC OET Bulletin 65
Supplement C and 47 CRF §2.1091 and on RSS-102 Issue 5, for all standalone
NR/LTE/WCDMA/GSM operations the maximum antenna gain including cable loss
shall not exceed the following values:
• GSM850:
• GSM1900:
• WCDMA Band II:
• WCDMA Band IV
• WCDMA Band V:
• LTE B2:
• LTE B4:
• LTE B5:
• LTE B7:
• LTE B12:
• LTE B13:
• LTE B14:
• LTE B17:
• LTE B25:
• LTE B26:
• LTE B41:
• LTE B66:
• LTE B71:
• NR Band n2:
• NR Band n5:
• NR Band n25:
• NR Band n41:
• NR Band n66:
• NR Band n71:
• NR Band n77:| 4.5 dBi
2.5 dBi
2.5 dBi
5.5 dBi
4.5 dBi
2.5 dBi
5.5 dBi
4.5 dBi
6 dBi
6 dBi
6 dBi
6 dBi
6 dBi
2.5 dBi
4.5 dBi
6 dBi
5.5 dBi
6 dBi
2.5 dBi
4.5 dBi
2.5 dBi
6 dBi
5.5 dBi
6 dBi
3 dBi
---|---
This radio transmitter (FCC ID: LHJ-FE5NA0D31) has been approved by FCC to operate with the antenna types listed above with the maximum permissible gain indicated. Antenna types not included in this list, having a gain greater than the maximum gain indicated for that type, are strictly prohibited for use with this device.
2.4 Instructions to OEMs:
Continental must instruct the automotive OEM and provide them to include the
following information into the car user’s manual (i.e. for the DCM):
- End-users must be provided with transmitter/antenna installation requirements and operating conditions for satisfying RF exposure compliance:
- A separate section should clearly state “FCC RF Exposure requirements:”
- Required operating conditions for end users.
- The antenna used with this device must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20cm from all persons, and must not transmit simultaneously with any other transmitter, except in accordance with FCC multi-transmitter product procedures.
- The Maximum ERP/EIRP and maximum antenna gain required for compliance with Parts 15, 22H, 24E, and 27.
- Clear instructions describing the other party’s responsibility to obtain station licensing.
Recommended NAD Interfaces
Integrators are strongly recommended to provide access to the following NAD communication ports to be used for debugging, certification, or other developmental activity.
- HS-USB 2.0
- 2-wire UART
- JTAG
- RF Ports: If any on-board antennas are used by the product, provisions should be made to support conducted RF measurements on all antenna interfaces
- SIM Interface: Electrical performance of the SIM interface is always evaluated during certification testing of the final product. Product teams should insure that the SIM interface can be accessed for testing without degrading its integrity.
Example of NAD Module Label
NAD Module RF Characteristics
5.1 NAD Module RF Transmitter Output Power
The Transmitter Power at the NAD antenna terminal (not the RF port of the
evaluation board or the Telematics/parent module) at Room Temperature:
- GSM 850/900:
- GSM 1900/1800:
- EDGE 850/900:
- EDGE 1800/1900:
- WCDMA:
- LTE:
- LTE B41 HPUE:
- 5G NR FDD bands and TDD n41 :
- 5G TDD HPUE n77:
| +32.5 dBm +1.0/-2.0 dB
+29.5 dBm +1.0/-2.0 dB
+26.5 dBm +1.0/-2.0 dB
+25.5 dBm +1.0/-2.0 dB
+ 23.5 dBm to +1.0/-2.0 dB
+23 dBm +1.0/-2.0 dB
+26 dBm +1.0/-2.0 dB
+23 dBm +1.0/-2.0 dB
+26 dBm +1.0/-2.0
---|---
Allowance for reduction in maximum transmitter power is specified in the 3GPP standard for GPRS multi-slot operation. Per 3GPP TS 05.05, the following Maximum Output Power Reduction will be taken during Multi-slot GPRS operation (MSPP = 0):
-
0 dB back -off for 1TX slot
-
3 dB back-off for 2TX slots
-
4.5 dB back-off for 3TX slots
-
6 dB back-off for 4TX slots
Per 3GPP TS 05.05, the following Maximum Output Power Reduction will be taken during Multi-slot EDGE operation (MSPP = 0): -
0 dB back -off for 1TX slot
-
2.0 dB back-off for 2TX slots
-
3.0 dB back-off for 3TX slots
-
4.0 dB back-off for 4TX slots
5.2 NAD Module RF Receiver Sensitivity
The Receiver Sensitivity at the NAD antenna terminal (not the RF port of the
evaluation board or the Telematics/parent module) at Room Temperature:
• GSM low bands (800/900):
• WCDMA bands:
• LTE bands:
• 5G NR bands:
• GNSS bands:| 3GPP TS 51.010-1 Section 14.2
3GPP TS 34.121-1 Section 6.2
3GPP TS GPP 36.521 Section 7.3
3GPP TS GPP 38.521 Section 7.3
-163 dBm (in Out-Of-Service mode)
---|---
Mechanical Information
6.1 Module Exploded View
Figure 6-1: Module Exploded View
- Label
- Covers
- Frames
- PCB Assembly
6.2 Module Side View
Storage and Handling
7.1 Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)
All NAD modules are moisture sensitive and should be kept in their sealed
moisture resistant bags until ready for assembly onto the DCM via the
soldering process. Any parts that are not used immediately should be properly
resealed in the same moisture resistant bag using appropriate equipment or
placed into a dry box until they are needed again. The moisture sensitivity
level (MSL) shown below is the amount of time the NAD modules may be exposed
before this action must be taken. If the allowed MSL time elapses, the NAD
modules must be baked per standard protocol to remove moisture.
Moisture Sensitivity Level: MSL Level 3 (1 Week) This remainder of this
section will be completed in a future release of this document.
Part Reliability
This section will be completed in a future release of this document.
Layout and Routing Recommendations
9.1 ANTENNAS
The NAD has eight antenna pins.
• LTE/5G NR: | LTE_ANT_1 – LTE_ANT_2 |
---|---|
• GNSS: | GNSS_ANT_1, GNSS_ANT_2 |
• DSDA: | ANT5_DSDA, ANT6_DSDA |
9.1.1 NAD Antenna Breakout
The FE5NA0D31 should be oriented on the main board to minimize the length of
the primary Cellular TX/RX antenna (ANT1). This 50ohm line should be as short
as possible to the external RF connector or internal antenna feed point.
The RF traces on the main board connecting from the NAD antenna pins can be
either stripline or microstrip, but the microstrip routing must be on the
layer opposite from the NAD, since the bottom layer of the NAD will be mostly
ground and it would become a near RF short to any trace that runs on the main
board’s top layer, while still underneath the NAD. For a given line length,
the stripline approach will tend to be more lossy, so it is generally not
recommended. Thus, microstrip antenna lines are favored in most cases.
9.1.1.1 NAD Antenna Pad Ground Cutout
It is likely that the parent device’s PCB will use only thru-hole vias, and so the antenna pads on the parent PCB may need to be offset slightly from their vias for manufacturability reasons. The NAD bottom layers have been designed to accomodate this need, and ground cutout in these layers has been extended to avoid shorting to those vias on the parent PCB’s top layer, where it mates with the NAD. Figure 9-1 details the ground cutout provided on the bottom six layers of the NAD. The PCB of the parent device should utilize this cutout area for placement of any thru vias which serve the antenna pads:
9.1.1.2 Parent PCB Antenna Pad Design Recommendation
The main board on which the FE5NA0D31 will be mounted should have ground cut
out under the RF antenna pins of the NAD as shown in Figure 9-4 and Figure
9-4:
The dimensions of the RF trace on the Main Board will be dependent on the layer stack-up of the board, their thicknesses and how many layers are used. As an example, the main PCB shown in Figure 9-5 is a 6 layer stack up with Ground cut out on layer 5 so the microstrip lines on the bottom (layer 6) reference Ground on layer 4. For this example, the dielectric thickness from L6 to L4 is 21.2 mils.
Using an online microstrip impedance tool, the calculation resulting in
microstrip line width [w] of 37.7mils (967micron).
The line width will of course vary, depending on the stack up and use of
layers on the main board. In the end, the characteristics of the RF traces
connecting to the NAD on the main board should remain within the guidelines of
Table 9-1.
Table 9-2: RF Antenna Layout Parameters
Type of Guidance | Requirement |
---|---|
Trace impedance | 50±10% Ohms, single-ended |
Total route length | < 100 mm |
Ground between signals | > 1 x [RF line width] with stitched VIA to ground |
layer
Spacing to other signals| > 3 times RF line width, to any non-RF traces
VSWR for Cellular Antenna ports| < 3:1
- Trace impedances apply to either microstrip or stripline.
- Length for all antenna traces should be kept to a minimum, with priority on cellular antenna 1.
9.1.2 Integrated Device RF Insertion Loss
The integrated device TX and RX performance must comply with 3GPP and MNO RF
requirements at the RF connectors. In addition, in some use cases, such as on-
board antenna, TRP and TIS performance requirements must be met. It is a
Product Team’s responsibility to insure the integrated device complies with
these requirements.
The Insertion Loss between NAD’s RF and the parent module antenna terminal (RF
Connector of the evaluation board or the Telematics/parent module) must be
kept at minimum and not to exceed these values:
- RF Loss < 0.6dB from 700 – 1000MHz
- RF Loss < 1.2dB from 1.7 – 2.7GHz
- RF Loss < 2.5dB from 2.7 – 6.0GHz
9.2 SDC / eMMC Routing
Table 9-3: SDC / eMMC Layout Parameters
Type of Guidance | Requirement |
---|---|
Trace impedance | 50-Ohms ± 10% single-ended |
Total route length | < 50-mm recommended, but 75-mm is acceptable |
Trace matching (SDC application) | < 1.6-mm |
Trace matching (eMMC application) | < 5 – mm |
Trace spacing | > 0.508-mm / > 20-mils |
Number of vias per trace | < 5 |
Spacing to other signals | >= 2 times line width |
- Trace impedances should follow table, either as microstrip or stripline.
- Trace lengths should follow table.
- Number of vias per trace should follow table.
- No stubs allowed on traces.
- No test points allowed on traces.
- Trace lengths should follow table.
- Spacing to ground or other signals on outside of bundled signals should follow table.
Internal
Documents / Resources
|
Continental FE5NA0D31 5G DSDA NAD
Module
[pdf] User Guide
FE5NA0D31, LHJ-FE5NA0D31, LHJFE5NA0D31, FE5NA0D31 5G DSDA NAD Module,
FE5NA0D31, 5G DSDA NAD Module, DSDA NAD Module, NAD Module, Module
---|---
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