FIBOCOM NL668-LA Series Hardware Guide Version: V1.0.9 Date: 2022-03-29 Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
Applicability Type N o. Product Model Description 7 NL668-LA MCP is 4Gbit Flash + 2Gbit RAM, support MAIN_ANT, DIV_ANT Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
Copyright Copyright ©2021 Fibocom Wireless Inc. All rights reserved. Without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, any company or individual is prohibited to excerpt, copy any part of or the entire document, or transmit the document in any form. Notice The document is subject to update from time to time owing to the product version upgrade or other reasons. Unless otherwise specified, the document only serves as the user guide.
Change History Version Author Reviewer Approver Update Date Description Update diversity sensitivity V1.0.9 Yuan Dele Yu Yong Jin Haibo 2022-03-29 Add development board models Update RTS and CTS description Added model NL668-LA-31-90 Add software description Zheng V1.0.8 Yu Yong Jin Haibo 2021-08-30 Shuai Add model NL668-LA-30/40 Guo V1.0.7 Update PIN description Modify pin 138 refer to design Tan Lefan Jin Haibo 2021-05-10 Zhenqi description Add model NL668-LA-05 and V1.0.
Content Content ................................................................................................................................ 5 1 2 3 4 5 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 8 1.1 Document Introduction.................................................................................................. 8 1.2 Safety Precautions ....................................................................
5.4.1 USB Pin Definition .............................................................................................................. 34 5.5 UART Interface ........................................................................................................... 35 5.5.1 UART Interface Definition ................................................................................................... 35 5.5.2 UART Port Application ..............................................................................
9 8.3 Environmental Reliability Requirements...................................................................... 51 8.4 ESD Characteristics ................................................................................................... 51 Structure Specification .............................................................................................. 53 9.1 Product Appearance ................................................................................................... 53 9.
1 Introduction 1.1 Document Introduction This document describes the electrical characteristics, RF performance, structure size, application environment, etc. of NL668-LA module. With the assistance of the document and other instructions, the developers can quickly understand the hardware functions of the NL668-LA module and develop products. 1.
Keep the mobile device away from flammable gases. Turn off the mobile device when near gas stations, oil depots, chemical plants or explosive workplaces. There is a safety hazard in operating electronic equipment in any potentially explosive environment. Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
2 Product Overview 2.1 Product Introduction The NL668-LA series wireless module is a broadband wireless terminal product applicable to various network formats and multi-bands include FDD-LTE/WCDMA. 2.2 Product Specification Table 2-1 Product specification Specification LTE FDD: Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 Operating frequency WCDMA/HSPA+: Band 1, 2, 5, 8 150Mbps DL/50Mbps UL (Cat 4) LTE Downlink MIMO LTE FDD Rel.
UART x 2, PCM, I2C, SGMII, SPI, SDIO, GPIOs ADC x 2 Software Protocol Stack Embedded TCP/IP and UDP/IP protocol stack AT Command 3GPP TS 27.007 and 27.005, and proprietary FIBOCOM AT Firmware update USB (UART does not support DOWNLOAD) and DFOTA upgrade 2 VoLTE, HR, FR, EFR, AMR, DTMF, Caller ID, Call Transfer, Call Hold, Call Voice service 3 SMS Waiting and Multi-Talk, etc. point-to-point MO, MT; cell broadcast; support Text and PDU modes Note: 1.
2.4 Evaluation Board Fibocom provides EVK-GT8230-NL, ADP-NL668-LA; EVB-LGA-F01,ADP-NL668-CN-30-00 development board to facilitate module debugging and use. Note: Nl668-LA-05/10/30/31/40 models use EVB-LGA-F01,ADP-NL668-CN-30-00 development board; Nl668-LA-00/01 models use the EVK-GT8230-NL, ADP-NL668-LA development board. Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
3 Pin Description 3.1 Pin Assignment The NL668-LA series module is available in 144 pins. The numbers of the LCC pins are 80, and the LGA pins are 64. the top view of the pin assignment is shown as follow figure: Figure 3-1 Pin assignment (top view diagram) Note: 85 to 112 are thermal pins, and the module is grounded internally. It is recommended that the heat sink pad is reserved for PCB packaging and welded. 3.
Symbol Description IO Input/Output DI Digital input DO Digital output PI Power input PO Power output AI Analog input AO Analog output OD Open drain OC Open collector The pin function description of NL668-LA series module is shown as table 3-2: Table 3-2 Pin function description Pin No. 1 Pin Name WAKEUP_IN I/O I Level Description VILmin=-0.3V External device wake-up module, low VILmax=0.6V active by default. with software VIHmin=1.2V programmable option.
Pin No. Pin Name I/O Level Description VILmin=-0.3V 11 DBG_RXD I VILmax=0.6V VIHmin=1.2V Debug serial port receive data VIHmax=2.0V 12 DBG_TXD O VOLmax=0.45V VOHmin=1.35V Debug serial port transmit data VILmin=-0.3V 13 USIM_PRESENCE I VILmax=0.6V VIHmin=1.2V (U)SIM card hot plug detection VIHmax=2.0V For 1.8V (U)SIM: Vmax=1.9V Vmin=1.7V 14 USIM_VDD PO For 3.0V (U)SIM: Vmax=3.05V (U)SIM power, identify 1.8V or 3V (U)SIM card automatically Vmin=2.7V IOmax=50mA For 1.
Pin No. Pin Name I/O Level Description VOLmax=0.45V VOHmin=2.55V 18 NC - - NC 19 GND G - Ground VIHmax=2.1V 20 RESET_N I VIHmin=1.3V VILmax=0.5V Module reset signal, active low, no need pull up externally Module power on/off signal, active low, no 21 PWRKEY I VIHmax=2.1V need pull up externally. The input is pulled VIHmin=1.3V up to an internal voltage minus a diode VILmax=0.5V drop. As per the design, this causes the voltage of the pin is about 0.
Pin No.
Pin No. Pin Name I/O 61 STATUS O 62 RI O 63 DCD O 64 CTS O Level VOHmin=1.35V VOLmax=0.45V VOLmax=0.45V VOHmin=1.35V VOLmax=0.45V VOHmin=1.35V VOLmax=0.45V VOHmin=1.35V Description Module network state indicate Module output ring indicator Module output data carrier detection Request to send VILmin=-0.3V VILmax=0.6V 65 RTS I VIHmin=1.2V Clear to send VIHmax=2.0V VILmin=-0.3V 66 DTR I VILmax=0.6V VIHmin=1.2V Data ready. The control of the sleep mode VIHmax=2.
Pin No. Pin Name I/O Level Description VILmin=-0.3V 115 USB_BOOT I VILmax=0.6V Emergency download, active high, VIHmin=1.2V recommended to reserve test point VIHmax=2.
Note: Keep the unused pins floating. The reserved pins are in development. Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
4 Electrical Characteristics 4.1 Power Table 4-1 show the power interface of NL668-LA series module. Table 4-1 Power interface Pin Name I/O Pin Description VBAT_RF PI 57, 58 Module power supply, 3.3V~4.3V, typical value 3.8V VBAT_BB PI 59, 60 Module power supply, 3.3V~4.3V, typical value 3.8V VDD_EXT PO 7 Module digital voltage output, 1.
Table 4-2 Filter capacitors design of power supply Recommended Capacitor Application Description Reduce power fluctuations during module operation, requiring low ESR Capacitor 220uF x 2 Regulating capacitor LDO or DCDC power requires not less than 440uF capacitor Battery power can be properly reduced to 100uF ~ 220uF capacitor Filter clock and digital signal 1uF, 100nF Digital signal noise interference 39pF, 33pF 700, 850/900 MHz bands Filter low band RF interference 1700/1800/1900,2100/2300,2500
Power on/off, or for external low current (< 80mA) circuits. leave the signal floating if no use. The logic level of VDD_EXT is defined as follows: Table 4-3 VDD_EXT logic level Parameter Minimum Typical Maximum Unit VDD_EXT 1.71 1.8 1.89 V 4.4 Power Consumption The power consumption of NL668-LA series module measured at 3.8V power supply is shown as follow table, for USB sleep and USB wakeup AT commands please refer to 6.1.
Parameter IWCDMA-RMS ILTE-RMS Mode WCDMA LTE FDD Condition Average Current Typ. (mA) WCDMA Data transfer Band 1 @+23.5dBm 650 WCDMA Data transfer Band 2 @+23.5dBm 620 WCDMA Data transfer Band 5 @+23.5dBm 550 WCDMA Data transfer Band VIII@+23.
5 Functional Interface 5.1 Control Interface Control interfaces used for module power on/off and reset operations. The pin definitions are as follows: Table 5-1 Control signal Pin name I/O Pin No. RESET_N I 20 Description When the module in operating mode, pull down RESET_N 700ms to 1s, and then release it, the module is reset.
Figure 5-2 Button switch power on reference circuit Figure 5-3 shows power on timing. Figure 5-3 Power on timing Note: Before pull down PWRKEY pin, the Voltage of VBAT must be stable, recommended time interval between VBAT enable and pull down PWRKEY pin at least 30ms. 5.1.1.2 Power Off The module supports three power off methods as table 5-2. Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
Table 5-2 Power Off Power Off Mode Power Off Method Low-voltage power When VBAT voltage is low or power off down, the module will power off Applicable Scenario The module does not power off through normal process, i.e. does not logout from the base station Hardware power off Pull down PWRKEY 3s to 8s AT power off AT+ CPWROFF Hardware normal power off Software normal power off Note: 1.When module at operating mode, please do not cut off module power supply to avoid damage internal flash.
Clients can control RESET_N pin by two modes: OC/OD drive circuits and button switch, corresponding reference circuit as Figure 5-5 and Figure 5-6: Figure 5-5 OC driven reset reference circuit Figure 5-6 Button reset reference circuit The reset timing is shown as follows: Figure 5-7 Reset timing Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
5.2 Network Status Indicate Interface NL668-LA series module provides three network status indicate pins. Pin 5 is network status indicator by default, AT commands AT+LEDCFG can switch to pin6 or pin61, table 5-4 is the pin definition. Table 5-4 Network status indicator PIN Name I/O PIN No. Description NET_MODE O 5 Network status indicator (by default) NET_STATUS O 6 Network status indicator STATUS O 61 Network status indicator 5.2.
Figure 5-8 Network indicator light reference circuits 5.3 (U)SIM Card Interface NL668-LA series module has built-in (U)SIM card interface, and supports 1.8V and 3.0V (U)SIM card. 5.3.1 (U)SIM Pin Definition (U)SIM pin definition is shown in the following table: Table 5-6 (U)SIM card pin Pin name I/O Pin No. Description USIM_PRESENCE I 13 Detect (U)SIM card for Hot-swap USIM_VDD PO 14 (U)SIM Power USIM_DATA IO 15 (U)SIM DATA USIM_CLK O 16 Clock Signal USIM_RESET O 17 Reset Signal 5.
Figure 5-9 (U)SIM card connector (SIM016-8P-220P) SIM016-8P-220P card connector, DET and POL are short connected when the card is inserted; DET and POL are disconnected when there is no card. The following is the reference design circuit, (U)SIM card insert, USIM_PRESENCE pin is high level; (U)SIM card pull out, USIM_PRESENCE pin is low level. Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
Figure 5-10 (U)SIM card connector with detection signal reference circuit 5.3.2.2 (U)SIM Card Connector Without Detection Signal If use (U)SIM card connector without detection signal USIM_ PRESENCE pin must keep floating. Figure 5-11 (U)SIM card connector without detection signal reference circuit 5.3.3 (U)SIM Hot Plug NL668-LA series module support (U)SIM hot plug function, it determines the insertion and removal of (U)SIM card by detect the USIM_ PRESENCE pin state.
AT Command (U)SIM Card Hot Plug Detection Function Description (U)SIM card hot plug detection is enabled by default.
USIM_CLK and USIM_DATA signals are ground isolated to avoid mutual interference. If it is difficult to do so, (U)SIM signal needs to be ground protected as a set; The filter capacitor and ESD device of (U)SIM card signal cable should place close to the (U)SIM card connector. Please select equivalent capacitor is 22pF to 33pF for ESD device. USIM_DATA should pull up to USIM_VDD with a 10K resistor. 5.4 USB Interface 5.4.1 USB Pin Definition NL668-LA series module support USB2.
5.5 UART Interface 5.5.1 UART Interface Definition NL668-LA series module has two serial ports: the main serial port and debug serial port. The main serial ports support 4800bps, 9600bps, 19200bps, 38400bps, 57600bps, 115200bps, 230400bps baud rate. The default baud rate is 115200bps, used for data transmission and AT command transmission. Debug serial port support 115200bps baud rate for FIBOCOM internal debug. Table 5-8 and table 5-9 are the pin definition of main serial port and debug serial port.
Figure 5-12 UART level translate reference 1 The other level translator circuit is shown as Figure 5-13, The rest input and output circuit design of dotted line please refer to solid line part, but pay attention to signal connection direction. Figure 5-13 UART level translate reference 2 Note: Level translate circuits is not suitable for applications of baud rates above 460Kbps. 5.6 ADC Interface NL668-LA series module support two channels ADC interface.
Table 5-12 ADC pin definition PIN Name I/O Pin No. Description ADC0 I 45 Analog to digital converter interface 0 ADC1 I 44 Analog to digital converter interface 1 5.7 PCM Interface NL668-LA series module provides a PCM interface for communication with digital audio devices such as an external CODEC. 5.7.
5.7.3 PCM Interface Description Table 5-15 PCM interface description Coded Pin Name Frequency Duty Cycle Operating Mode Description Format PCM_CLK 2.048MHz 50% PCM CLK PCM_OUT - - PCM Output PCM_IN - - 16bit mono PCM_SYNC 8KHz Liner Module as master Short pulse serves PCM Input PCM Synchronous Signal (Falling edge sampling) NL668-LA series module adopts the above configuration by default, any adjustment please contact Fibocom Wireless technical support. 5.7.
Figure 5-16 NL668-LA to PCM_CODEC timing Table 5-16 Codec timing parameters Parameter Min Typ. Max Unit t(sync) PCM_SYNC cycle time – 125 – μs t(synca) PCM_SYNC asserted time – 488 – ns t(syncd) PCM_SYNC deasserted time – 124.
6 Low Power Consumption 6.1 Airplane Mode W_DISABLE# Pin Description: Table 6-1 W_DISABLE# pin description Pin name I/O Pin No. Description W_DISABLE# I 4 Module airplane mode control NL668-LA series module supports two ways to enter airplane mode: Table 6-2 Module enter airplane mode ways First send “AT+WDISABLEEN=1” to enable W_DISABLE# Hardware I/O interface button pin function.
Plug in USB cable or enable the USB HUB controller can wake up the module. 6.2.2 USB Application (Nonsupport USB Suspend, Nonsupport VBUS) If the host nonsupport USB suspend and nonsupport VBUS function, the module can enter sleep mode by disconnect USB_VBUS from the external control circuit: Sleep: Send AT+GTLPMMODE=1,X command to set the WAKEUP_IN pin’s level of control module enter sleep mode. Reset module, command effective.
(X=0, WAKEUP_IN pin is high level, module enter sleep mode; X=1, WAKEUP_IN pin is low level, module enter sleep mode) AT+GTUSBSLEEPEN=2,X command to disable USB function (X can be 0 or 1) AT+CSCLK=1 command to enable sleep function. Wake up: The level of WAKEUP_IN pin contrary with that when the module enters sleep mode, module allow be waked up. (X=0, WAKEUP_IN pin is low level, wake up module; X=1, WAKEUP_IN pin is high level, wake up module) 6.2.
overtime strictly, but try to enter sleep mode. If system don’t support after overtime, it will timekeeping automatically. If you want to use the RI signal to represent the state of the module, please refer to the AT+GTWAKE command in FIBOCOM AT Commands _Sleep. For more sleep command description, please refer to FIBOCOM AT Commands _Sleep Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
7 RF Interface NL668-LA series module has ANT_MAIN, ANT_DIV and ANT_ GNSS(LA-01 / LA-31 without GNSS) antenna interfaces, its pin definition is shown as table 7-1: Table 7-1 RF Interface Pin Name I/O Pin No. Description ANT_DIV I 35 Diversity antenna ANT_GNSS I 47 GPS antenna ANT_MAIN IO 49 Main antenna 7.
Mode LTE FDD Band Tx Power (dBm) Note Band 1 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB Band 2 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB Band 3 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB Band 4 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB Band 5 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB Band 7 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB Band 8 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB Band 20 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB Band 28 23±2 10MHz Bandwidth, 1 RB 7.3 Receive Sensitivity Table 7-4 Receive sensitivity Mode Band Rx Sensitivity (dBm) Typ. RxD Sensitivity (dBm)Typ.
7.4 GNSS Receiver 7.4.1 GNSS Specification NL668-LA series module (except NL668-LA-01, NL668-LA-31-90) supports GNSS function and adopts Qualcomm Gen8 technology, its specification show as follows: Table 7-5 GNSS specification Description Condition Typ. GNSS fixing 62mA GNSS tracking 62mA Standby 34mA Cold start 45s Warm start 40s Hot Start 5s Power (AT+CFUN=0) TTFF GNSS Sensitivity Positional accuracy Acquisition -144dbm Tracking -155dbm CN0 GNSS Signal@-130dBm 38.
It is recommended to use linear polarization. 4) Radiation pattern Radiation pattern refers to the antenna’s electromagnetic field strength in the far field in all directions. Half-wave dipole antenna is the most suitable terminal antenna. For built-in antenna, PIFA antennas or IFA antennas are recommended: Antenna area: 6mm high x 10mm wide x 100mm long. Antenna radiation direction: Omni_directional (all direction).
NL668-LA series module main antenna requirements LTE band 1 (2100): 250 MHz LTE band 2 (1900): 140 MHz LTE Band 3 (1800): 170 MHz LTE Band 4 (2100): 440 MHz Bandwidth (LTE) LTE Band 5 (850): 70 MHz LTE Band 7 (2600): 190 MHz LTE Band 8 (900): 80 MHz LTE Band 20 (800): 71 MHz LTE Band 28 (700): 100 MHz Impedance 50Ω > 33dBm (2 W) peak power GSM Input power > 23dBm average power WCDMA & LTE &TD-SCDMA&CDMA&EVDO Standing wave ratio ≤ 2:1 recommended 7.5.
Figure 7-1 Main and diversity antenna reference circuit Figure 7-2 is reference design of GNSS antenna. Figure 7-2 GNSS antenna reference circuit Note: All matches must be placed close to antenna to make sure the characteristic impedance of transmission cable is 50 ohms. Since the antenna loss should be less than 0.3dB, keep PCB cable as short as possible. Keep the PCB LAYOUT straight, and reduce holes on the route to another layer; also avoid right-angle and acute-angle wiring.
8 Reliability 8.1 Limiting Voltage Range The limiting voltage range is maximum voltage range that power supply and digital or analog input/output interfaces can withstand. 8.1.1 Absolute Voltage Range The absolute voltage range of NL668-LA series module is shown as table 8-1. Table 8-1 Absolute voltage range Parameter description Min Typ. Max Unit VBAT Power supply -0.3 3.8 4.7 V GPIO Digital IO supply voltage -0.3 1.8 2.0 V 8.1.
Table 8-3 Environment temperature range Temperature Min Typ. Max Unit Operating temperature -30 25 75 ℃ Limited operating temperature -40 - 85 ℃ Storage temperature -40 - 90 ℃ 8.3 Environmental Reliability Requirements Table 8-4 Environmental reliability requirements Test Item Test Condition Low temperature storage test Temperature -40℃±3℃, 24 hours in shutdown state High temperature storage test Temperature +85℃±3℃, 24 hours in shutdown state In shutdown state, 0.
Interface Air Discharge Contact Discharge GND ±10KV ±5KV Antenna port ±8KV ±4KV Other port ±1KV ±0.5KV Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
9 Structure Specification 9.1 Product Appearance The product appearance of NL668-LA series module is shown in Figure 9-1: Figure 9-1 Product appearance 9.2 Structure Dimension The structure dimension of NL668-LA series module is shown as Figure 9-2: Figure 9-2 Structure dimension (unit: mm) Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
9.3 PCB Soldering Pad and Stencil Design PCB soldering pad and stencil design please refer to FIBOCOM NL668 LCC SMT Design Guide. 9.4 SMT SMT production process parameters and related requirements please refer to FIBOCOM NL668 LCC SMT Design Guide. 9.5 Carrier and storage Carrier and storage please refer to FIBOCOM NL668 LCC SMT Design Guide. Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
10 Regulatory CE Conformance information The device could be used with a separation distance of 20cm to the human body. Hereby, [Fibocom Wireless Inc.] declares that the radio equipment type [NL668-LA] is in compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU. Reproduction forbidden without Fibocom Wireless Inc. written authorization - All Rights Reserved.
FCC Warning Important Notice to OEM integrators 1. This module is limited to OEM installation ONLY. 2. This module is limited to installation in mobile or fixed applications, according to Part 2.1091(b). 3. The separate approval is required for all other operating configurations, including portable configurations with respect to Part 2.1093 and different antenna configurations 4. For FCC Part 15.
module. Other types of antennas and/or higher gain antennas may require additional authorization for operation. In the event that these conditions cannot be met (for example certain laptop configurations or co-location with another transmitter), then the FCC authorization is no longer considered valid and the FCC ID/IC ID cannot be used on the final product.
List of applicable FCC rules This module has been tested and found to comply with part 22, part 24, part 27 requirements for Modular Approval. The modular transmitter is only FCC authorized for the specific rule parts (i.e., FCC transmitter rules) listed on the grant, and that the host product manufacturer is responsible for compliance to any other FCC rules that apply to the host not covered by the modular transmitter grant of certification.
11 Terms and Acronyms Table 11-1 Terms and acronyms Term Definition AMR Adaptive Multi-rate bps Bits Per Second CS Coding Scheme DRX Discontinuous Reception EGSM Extended GSM900 Band FDD Frequency Division Duplexing GMSK Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying GSM Global System for Mobile Communications HSDPA High Speed Down Link Packet Access IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity Imax Maximum Load Current LED Light Emitting Diode LSB Least Significant Bit LTE Long Term Evolution
Term Definition Rx Receive SMS Short Message Service TDMA Time Division Multiple Access TE Terminal Equipment TX Transmitting Direction TDD Time Division Duplexing UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver & Transmitter UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System URC Unsolicited Result Code (U)SIM (Universal) Subscriber Identity Module USSD Unstructured Supplementary Service Data Vmax Maximum Voltage Value Vnorm Normal Voltage Value Vmin Minimum Voltage Value VIHmax Maximum Inp
11.2 Reference Standards The design of the product complies with the following standards: 3GPP TS 51.010-1 V10.5.0: Mobile Station (MS) conformance specification; Part 1: Conformance specification 3GPP TS 34.121-1 V10.8.0: User Equipment (UE) conformance specification; Radio transmission and reception (FDD); Part 1: Conformance specification 3GPP TS 34.122 V10.1.0: Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Radio transmission and reception (TDD) 3GPP TS 36.521-1 V10.6.