Microchip Technology R30M User Manual

ATSAMR30M18A User manual

RF Trace Layout Design Instructions

The ATSAMR30M18A module transmitter is certified with

1. A SMA

(1)

connector and micro strip layout

2. On-board chip antenna and micro strip layout

This section describes the PCB stack up, mechanical details of the PCB trace leading up to SMA
connector for case 1 and up to chip antenna for case 2. The host PCB can follow these trace design to
maintain compliance under the modular grant(FCC) and certificate(IC). Schematics, BoM, Layout source
files and Gerber files are available for download on the SAMR30M18A product web page.

Below is a snapshot of the schematic diagram for the host board showing the RF frontend. For case 1,
R115 will be populated and L106 will be not populated. For case 2, L106 will be populated and R115 will
be not populated.

Note:

(1) If the host board of ATSAMR30M18A is designed to have an antenna port that is accessible

to the end-user, RP (Reverse Polarity)-SMA socket must be used.
If an RF coaxial cable is used between the module RF output and the enclosure, then an
RP-SMA connector must be used in the enclosure wall for interface with antenna.

Trace layout dimensions:

Trace width – 0.22 mm

Trace gap – 0.42 mm

Finished copper weight – 1 ounce

Layout of Trace design:

Below figure shows the Top layer routing of the complete reference board.

Below figure shows the Top layer layout of the reference host board focussed on RF traces. The
snapshot also indicates the critical dimensions that are required to be replicated in the design to
maintain compliance.

Below board shows the bottom layer layout of the reference board directly beneath the RF traces

PCB Stack up for the reference board:

Chip Antenna Specification:

Below table lists the technical specification of the chip antenna used in the SAMR30 Module XPRO which
is the reference design for the ATSAMR30M18A module.

Parameter

Value

Peak gain

2.0 dBi

Operating Frequency

858- 928 MHz

Antenna vendor

Johanson Technology

Antenna P/N

0900AT43A0070

External Antenna Specification:

Below table lists the technical specification of the external antenna used for certification of the SAMR30
Module XPRO which is the reference design for the ATSAMR30M18A module.

Parameter

Value

Peak gain

1.8 dBi

Operating Frequency

865- 965 MHz

Antenna vendor

Linx technologies

Antenna P/N

ANT-916-CW-QW-SMA

Antenna connector type

SMA

Parameter

Value

Peak gain

1.0 dBi

Operating Frequency

824- 960 MHz

Antenna vendor

PulseLarsen

Antenna P/N

W1910

Antenna connector type

SMA

Test Procedure for ensuring compliance

The below test is to be performed both at design verification stage and in production for ensuring
compliance.

1. Initiate Continuous Transmission in the appropriate modulation mode from the device i.e.,

868.3 MHz; BPSK-20 for European band and 914 MHz; BPSK-ALT-40 for North American band.

2. Verify RF power through conducted measurement at junction between L106 and L105.

3. Remove L106 and R115 to isolate the antenna path from the measurement point. The measured

Tx power should be within the datasheet specification for Transmit output power.

Regulatory Approval

United States(FCC)

The ATSAMR30M18A module has received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) CFR47

Telecommunications, Part 15 Subpart C “Intentional Radiators” modular approval in accordance with

Part 15.212 Modular Transmitter approval. Modular approval allows the end user to integrate the
ATSAMR30M18A module into a finished product without obtaining subsequent and separate FCC
approvals for intentional radiation, provided no changes or modifications are made to the module
circuitry. Changes or modifications could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

The user must comply with all of the instructions provided by the Grantee, which indicate the
installation and/or operating conditions necessary for compliance.

The finished product is required to comply with all applicable FCC equipment authorization regulations,
requirements and equipment functions that are not associated with the transmitter module portion. For
example, compliance must be demonstrated: to regulations for other transmitter components within a
host product; to requirements for unintentional radiators (Part 15 Subpart B), such as digital devices,
computer peripherals, radio receivers, etc.; and to additional authorization requirements for the non
transmitter functions on the transmitter module (i.e., SDoC or certification) as appropriate (e.g.,
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi® transmitter modules may also contain digital logic functions)

ATSAMR30M18A has been tested with BPSK-ALT-40, OQPSK-SIN-250 and OQPSK-SIN-1000-SCR-ON PHY
modulation modes for FCC modular approval. The user must restrict the PHY modulation mode to the
above specified modes for usage in United states.

Labelling and User Information Requirements

Due to the limited module size of ATSAMR30M18A (12.7 mm x 11 mm), the FCC identifier is displayed
only in the datasheet and packaging box label. FCC identifier cannot be displayed on the module label.
When the module is installed inside another device, then the outside of the finished product into which
the module is installed must display a label referring to the enclosed module. This exterior label should
use the following wording:

For the ATSAMR30M18A:

Contains Transmitter Module FCC ID: 2ADHKR30M or
Contains FCC ID: 2ADHKR30M
This 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

A user's manual for the finished product should include the following statement:

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 cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is

connected

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Additional information on labeling and user information requirements for Part 15 devices can be found
in KDB Publication 784748, which is available at the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET)
Laboratory Division Knowledge Database (KDB) https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/index.cfm

RF Exposure

All transmitters regulated by FCC must comply with RF exposure requirements. KDB 447498 General RF
Exposure Guidance provides guidance in determining whether proposed or existing transmitting
facilities, operations or devices comply with limits for human exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) fields
adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

From the FCC Grant: Output power listed is conducted. This grant is valid only when the module is sold
to OEM integrators and must be installed by the OEM or OEM integrators. This transmitter is restricted
for use with the specific antenna(s) tested in this application for Certification and must not be co-located

or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitters within a host device, except in
accordance with FCC multi-transmitter product procedures.

These modules are approved for installation into mobile or/and portable host platforms.

This module can only be used with a host antenna circuit trace layout design in strict compliance with
the OEM instructions provided.

Approved Antenna Types

To maintain modular approval in the United States, only the antenna types that have been tested shall
be used. It is permissible to use a different antenna, provided the same antenna type and antenna gain
(equal to or less than) is used. An antenna type comprises antennas having similar in-band and out-of
band radiation patterns.

Antennas approved for ATSAMR30M18A module with the antenna types are listed in the section
Approved Antennas.

Canada

The ATSAMR30M18A module has been certified for use in Canada under Innovation, Science, and
Economic Development (ISED, formerly Industry Canada) Radio Standards Procedure (RSP) RSP-100,
Radio Standards Specification (RSS) RSS-Gen and RSS-247. Modular approval permits the installation of a
module in a host device without the need to recertify the device.

ATSAMR30M18A has been tested with BPSK-ALT-40, OQPSK-SIN-250 and OQPSK-SIN-1000-SCR-ON PHY
modulation modes for ISED modular approval. The user must restrict the PHY modulation mode to the
above specified modes for usage in Canada.

Labelling and User Information Requirements

Labelling Requirements (from RSP-100 - Issue 10, Section 3): The host device shall be properly labelled
to identify the module within the host device.

Due to the limited module size of ATSAMR30M18A (12.7 mm x 11 mm), the Innovation, Science, and
Economic Development Canada certification number identifier is displayed only in the datasheet and
packaging box label, and it cannot be displayed on the module. Therefore, the host product must be
labelled to display the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada certification number of

the module, preceded by the word “Contains” or similar wording expressing the same meaning, as

follows:

For ATSAMR30M18A:

Contains IC: 20266-R30M

User Manual Notice for License-Exempt Radio Apparatus (from Section 8.4 RSS-Gen, Issue 5, April 2018):
User manuals for license-exempt radio apparatus shall contain the following or equivalent notice in a
conspicuous location in the user manual or alternatively on the device or both:

This device contains licence-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science
and Economic Development Canada’s licence-exempt RSS(s). Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference;
(2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.

L’émetteur/récepteur exempt de licence contenu dans le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR
d’Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada applicables aux appareils radio
exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes:

• L’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage;

• Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio

exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes:

Transmitter Antenna (From Section 6.8 RSS-GEN, Issue 5, April 2018): User manuals, for transmitters
shall display the following notice in a conspicuous location:

This radio transmitter [IC: 20266-093167] has been approved by Innovation, Science and Economic
Development Canada to operate with the antenna types listed below, with the maximum permissible
gain indicated. Antenna types not included in this list that have a gain greater than the maximum gain
indicated for any type listed are strictly prohibited for use with this device.
Le présent émetteur radio [IC: 20266-093167] a été approuvé par Innovation, Sciences et
Développement économique Canada pour fonctionner avec les types d'antenne énumérés ci-dessous
et ayant un gain admissible maximal. Les types d'antenne non inclus dans cette liste, et dont le gain
est supérieur au gain maximal indiqué pour tout type figurant sur la liste, sont strictement interdits
pour l'exploitation de l'émetteur.

Immediately following the above notice, the manufacturer shall provide a list of all antenna types which
can be used with the transmitter, indicating the maximum permissible antenna gain (in dBi) and the
required impedance for each antenna type.

RF Exposure

All transmitters regulated by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) must
comply with RF exposure requirements listed in RSS-102 - Radio Frequency (RF) Exposure Compliance of
Radiocommunication Apparatus (All Frequency Bands).

This transmitter is restricted for use with a specific antenna tested in this application for certification,
and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitters within a
host device, except in accordance with Canada multi-transmitter product procedures.

The device operates at an output power level which is within ISED SAR test exemption limits at any user
distance.

Approved Antennas

The device is tested and approved for use with the antenna type listed in the following table. The device
may be integrated with other custom design antennas which OEM installer must authorize with

respective regulatory agencies. The used antenna is to be connected to the ATSAMR30M18A module via
PCB trace in the host board as in SAMR30 Module XPRO board.

Manufacturer

Part Number

Antenna Type

Gain

Linx technologies

ANT-916-CW-QW­SMA/ANT-916-CW­QW

(1)

Monopole antenna

1.8 dBi

PulseLarsen

W1910/W1911

(1)

Monopole antenna

1.0 dBi

Johanson Technology

0900AT43A0070

Chip antenna

2.0 dBi

Note: (1) - If the host board using ATSAMR30M18A is designed to have an antenna port that is
accessible to the end-user, RP (Reverse Polarity)-SMA socket/ antenna must be used.

According to KDB 178919 (Policy)it is allowed to substitute approved antennas through equivalent
antennas of the same type with equal or less antenna gain:

‘Equivalent antennas must be of the same type (e.g., yagi, dish, etc.), must be of equal or less gain than
an antenna previously authorized under the same FCC ID, and must have similar in band and out-of-band
characteristics (consult specification sheet for cutoff frequencies).’

ATSAMR30M18A Usage Instructions under Modular Approval

For USA/Canada, the module has been certified for the modulation modes listed below. The user must
ensure that the module will only work on the 902-928 MHz frequency band and with one of the
modulation modes listed below, when used in USA and Canada.

- BPSK-ALT-40

- OQPSK-SIN-250

- OQPSK-SIN-500

- OQPSK-SIN-1000-SCR-ON

The availability of some specific channels and/or operating frequency bands are country dependent and
should be programmed at the Host product factory to match the intended destination. Regulatory
bodies prohibit exposing the settings to the end user. This requirement needs to be taken care of via
Host implementation.
The host product manufacturer must ensure that the RF behaviour adheres to the certification (e.g. FCC,
ISED) requirements when the module is installed in the final host product.