User's Manual

SARA-G3 and SARA-U2 series - System Integration Manual
UBX-13000995 - R18 Advance Information Design-in
Page 105 of 206
Combining a SARA-G3 or a SARA-U2 cellular module with a u-blox GNSS positioning receiver, the positioning
receiver VCC supply is controlled by the cellular module by means of the “GNSS supply enable” function
provided by the GPIO2 of the cellular module. In this case the V_BCKP supply output of the cellular module can
be connected to the V_BCKP backup supply input pin of the GNSS receiver to provide the supply for the
positioning real time clock and backup RAM when the VCC supply of the cellular module is within its operating
range and the VCC supply of the GNSS receiver is disabled. This enables the u-blox GNSS receiver to recover
from a power breakdown with either a hot start or a warm start (depending on the duration of the positioning
VCC outage) and to maintain the configuration settings saved in the backup RAM. Refer to section 2.6.4 for
more details regarding the application circuit with a u-blox GNSS receiver.
On SARA-G300 and SARA-G310 modules, the V_BCKP supply output can be used to supply an external 32 kHz
oscillator which provides a 32 kHz signal to the EXT32K input pin as reference clock for the RTC timing, so that
the modules can enter the low power idle-mode and can make available the RTC functions.
The internal regulator for V_BCKP is optimized for low leakage current and very light loads. Do not apply
loads which might exceed the limit for maximum available current from V_BCKP supply, as this can cause
malfunctions in the module. SARA-G3 series Data Sheet [1] and SARA-U2 series Data Sheet [2] describe
the detailed electrical characteristics.
V_BCKP supply output pin provides internal short circuit protection to limit start-up current and protect the
device in short circuit situations. No additional external short circuit protection is required.
ESD sensitivity rating of the V_BCKP supply pin is 1 kV (Human Body Model according to JESD22-A114).
Higher protection level can be required if the line is externally accessible on the application board, e.g. if
an accessible back-up battery connector is directly connected to V_BCKP pin, and it can be achieved by
mounting an ESD protection (e.g. EPCOS CA05P4S14THSG varistor array) close to the accessible point.
2.2.2.2 Guidelines for V_BCKP layout design
RTC supply (V_BCKP) requires careful layout: avoid injecting noise on this voltage domain as it may affect the
stability of the 32 kHz oscillator.
2.2.3 Interface supply (V_INT)
2.2.3.1 Guidelines for V_INT circuit design
The V_INT digital interfaces 1.8 V supply output can be mainly used to:
x Pull-up DDC (I
2
C) interface signals (see section 2.6.4 for more details)
x Pull-up SIM detection signal (see section 2.5 for more details)
x Supply voltage translators to connect digital interfaces of the module to a 3.0 V device (see section 2.6.1)
x Supply a 1.8 V u-blox 6 or subsequent GNSS receiver (see section 2.6.4 for more details)
x Indicate when the module is switched on (see sections 1.6.1, 1.6.2 for more details)
Do not apply loads which might exceed the limit for maximum available current from V_INT supply, as
this can cause malfunctions in internal circuitry supplies to the same domain. The SARA-G3 series Data
Sheet [1] and the SARA-U2 series Data Sheet [2] describe the detailed electrical characteristics.
V_INT can only be used as an output; do not connect any external regulator on V_INT.