Quectel Wireless Solutions 201609MC20 User Manual
MC20 Hardware Design
GSM/GPRS/GNSS Module Series
Rev. MC20_Hardware_Design_V1.0
Date: 2016-07-12
www.quectel.com
GSM/GPRS/GNSS Module Series
MC20 Hardware Design
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About the Document
History
Revision Date Author Description
1.0 2016-07-12 Tiger CHENG Initial
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Contents
About the Document ................................................................................................................................ 2
Contents .................................................................................................................................................... 3
Table Index ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Figure Index .............................................................................................................................................. 8
1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 10
1.1. Safety Information ................................................................................................................. 10
2 Product Concept ............................................................................................................................. 12
2.1. General Description .............................................................................................................. 12
2.2. Directives and Standards ...................................................................................................... 13
2.2.1. 2.2.1. FCC Statement .................................................................................................. 13
2.2.2. FCC Radiation Exposure Statement ............................................................................ 13
2.3. Key Features ......................................................................................................................... 13
2.4. Functional Diagram ............................................................................................................... 17
2.5. Evaluation Board ................................................................................................................... 18
3 Application Functions..................................................................................................................... 19
3.1. Pin of Module ........................................................................................................................ 20
3.1.1. Pin Assignment ............................................................................................................ 20
3.1.2.
Pin Description ............................................................................................................. 21
3.2. Application Modes Introduction ............................................................................................. 25
3.3. Power Supply ........................................................................................................................ 27
3.3.1. Power Features ........................................................................................................... 27
3.3.2. Decrease Supply Voltage Drop .................................................................................... 28
3.3.2.1. Decrease Supply Voltage Drop for GSM Part .................................................. 28
3.3.2.2. Decrease Supply Voltage Drop for GNSS Part ................................................ 29
3.3.3. Reference Design for Power Supply ............................................................................ 30
3.3.3.1. Reference Design for Power Supply of GSM Part ........................................... 30
3.3.3.2. Reference Design for Power Supply of GNSS Part ......................................... 31
3.3.4. Monitor Power Supply .................................................................................................. 31
3.3.5. Backup Domain of GNSS ............................................................................................ 31
3.4. Operating Modes .................................................................................................................. 32
3.4.1. Operating Modes of GSM Part ..................................................................................... 32
3.4.1.1. Minimum Functionality Mode ........................................................................... 33
3.4.1.2. SLEEP Mode ................................................................................................... 34
3.4.1.3. Wake up GSM Part from SLEEP Mode ........................................................... 34
3.4.2. Operating Modes of GNSS Part ................................................................................... 34
3.4.2.1. Full on Mode.................................................................................................... 34
3.4.2.2. Standby Mode ................................................................................................. 36
3.4.2.3. Backup Mode .................................................................................................. 36
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3.4.3. Summary of GSM and GNSS Parts’ State in All-in-one Solution .................................. 37
3.4.4. Summary of GSM and GNSS Parts’ State in Stand-alone Solution ............................. 37
3.5. Power on and down .............................................................................................................. 38
3.5.1. Power on ..................................................................................................................... 38
3.5.2. Power down ................................................................................................................. 40
3.5.2.1. Power down Module Using the PWRKEY Pin ................................................. 40
3.5.2.2. Power down Module Using AT Command ....................................................... 41
3.5.2.3. Power down GNSS Part Alone Using AT Command ....................................... 42
3.5.2.4. Under-voltage Automatic Shutdown ................................................................ 42
3.6. Serial Interfaces .................................................................................................................... 43
3.6.1. UART Port ................................................................................................................... 45
3.6.1.1. Features of UART Port .................................................................................... 45
3.6.1.2. The Connection of UART ................................................................................ 46
3.6.1.3. Firmware Upgrade ........................................................................................... 48
3.6.2. Debug Port................................................................................................................... 49
3.6.3. Auxiliary UART Port and GNSS UART Port ................................................................. 49
3.6.3.1. Connection in All-in-one Solution ..................................................................... 49
3.6.3.2. Connection in Stand-alone Solution ................................................................ 50
3.6.4. UART Application ......................................................................................................... 51
3.7. Audio Interfaces .................................................................................................................... 52
3.7.1. Decrease TDD Noise and Other Noises ...................................................................... 54
3.7.2. Microphone Interfaces Design ..................................................................................... 54
3.7.3. Receiver and Speaker Interface Design ...................................................................... 55
3.7.4. Earphone Interface Design .......................................................................................... 56
3.7.5. Loud Speaker Interface Design.................................................................................... 56
3.7.6. Audio Characteristics ................................................................................................... 57
3.8. SIM Card Interface ................................................................................................................ 57
3.9. ADC ...................................................................................................................................... 61
3.10. Behaviors of the RI ............................................................................................................... 61
3.11. Network Status Indication ...................................................................................................... 63
3.12. EASY Autonomous AGPS Technology ................................................................................. 64
3.13. EPO Offline AGPS Technology ............................................................................................. 64
3.14. Multi-tone AIC ....................................................................................................................... 65
4 Antenna Interface ............................................................................................................................ 66
4.1. GSM Antenna Interface ......................................................................................................... 66
4.1.1. Reference Design ........................................................................................................ 66
4.1.2. RF Output Power ......................................................................................................... 67
4.1.3. RF Receiving Sensitivity .............................................................................................. 68
4.1.4. Operating Frequencies ................................................................................................ 68
4.1.5. RF Cable Soldering ..................................................................................................... 68
4.2. GNSS Antenna Interface ....................................................................................................... 69
4.2.1. Antenna Specifications ................................................................................................ 69
4.2.2. Active Antenna ............................................................................................................. 70
4.2.3. Passive Antenna .......................................................................................................... 71
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4.3. Bluetooth Antenna Interface .................................................................................................. 71
5 Electrical, Reliability and Radio Characteristics .......................................................................... 74
5.1. Absolute Maximum Ratings .................................................................................................. 74
5.2. Operating Temperature ......................................................................................................... 74
5.3. Power Supply Ratings ........................................................................................................... 75
5.4. Current Consumption ............................................................................................................ 77
5.5. Electrostatic Discharge ......................................................................................................... 79
6 Mechanical Dimensions.................................................................................................................. 81
6.1. Mechanical Dimensions of Module ....................................................................................... 81
6.2. Recommended Footprint ....................................................................................................... 83
6.3. Top and Bottom View of the Module ...................................................................................... 84
7 Storage and Manufacturing ............................................................................................................ 85
7.1. Storage.................................................................................................................................. 85
7.2. Soldering ............................................................................................................................... 85
7.3. Packaging ............................................................................................................................. 86
7.3.1. Tape and Reel Packaging ............................................................................................ 87
8 Appendix A References .........................................................................................................
......... 88
9 Appendix B GPRS Coding Schemes ............................................................................................. 93
10 Appendix C GPRS Multi-slot Classes ............................................................................................ 95
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Table Index
TABLE 1: KEY FEATURES (GMS/GPRS PART OF MC20) .................................................................... 13
TABLE 2: CODING SCHEMES AND MAXIMUM NET DATA RATES OVER AIR INTERFACE ............... 15
TABLE 3: KEY FEATURES (GNSS PART OF MC20) ............................................................................. 16
TABLE 4: PROTOCOLS SUPPORTED BY THE MODULE ..................................................................... 17
TABLE 5: I/O PARAMETERS DEFINITION ............................................................................................. 21
TABLE 6: PIN DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................. 21
TABLE 7: MULTIPLEXED FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................. 25
TABLE 8: COMPARISON BETWEEN ALL-IN-ONE AND STAND-ALONE SOLUTION ........................... 27
TABLE 9: OPERATING MODES OVERVIEW OF GSM PART ................................................................ 32
TABLE 10: DEFAULT CONFIGURATION OF FULL ON MODE (GNSS PART) ...................................... 35
TABLE 11: COMBINATION STATES OF GSM AND GNSS PARTS IN ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION ........... 37
TABLE 12: COMBINATION STATES OF GSM AND GNSS PARTS IN STAND-ALONE SOLUTION ...... 37
TABLE 13: LOGIC LEVELS OF THE UART INTERFACE ....................................................................... 44
TABLE 14: PIN DEFINITION OF THE UART INTERFACES ................................................................... 44
TABLE 15: PIN DEFINITION OF AUDIO INTERFACE ............................................................................ 52
TABLE 16: AOUT2 OUTPUT CHARACTERISTICS ................................................................................ 53
TABLE 17: TYPICAL ELECTRET MICROPHONE CHARACTERISTICS ................................................ 57
TABLE 18: TYPICAL SPEAKER CHARACTERISTICS ........................................................................... 57
TABLE 19: PIN DEFINITION OF THE SIM INTERFACE ......................................................................... 58
TABLE 20: PIN DEFINITION OF THE ADC ............................................................................................. 61
TABLE 21: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ADC ...................................................................................... 61
TABLE 22: BEHAVIORS OF THE RI ....................................................................................................... 61
TABLE 23: WORKING STATE OF THE NETLIGHT ................................................................................ 63
TABLE 24: PIN DEFINITION OF THE RF_ANT ...................................................................................... 66
TABLE 25: ANTENNA CABLE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................... 67
TABLE 26: ANTENNA REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................ 67
TABLE 27: RF OUTPUT POWER ........................................................................................................... 67
TABLE 28: RF RECEIVING SENSITIVITY .............................................................................................. 68
TABLE 29: OPERATING FREQUENCIES ............................................................................................... 68
TABLE 30: RECOMMENDED ANTENNA SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................. 69
TABLE 31: PIN DEFINITION OF THE BT_ANT ...................................................................................... 72
TABLE 32: ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS ........................................................................................ 74
TABLE 33: OPERATING TEMPERATURE .............................................................................................. 75
TABLE 34: POWER SUPPLY RATINGS OF GSM PART (GNSS IS POWERED OFF) ........................... 75
TABLE 35: POWER SUPPLY RATINGS OF GNSS PART ...................................................................... 76
TABLE 36: CURRENT CONSUMPTION OF GSM PART (GNSS IS POWERED OFF) .......................... 77
TABLE 37: CURRENT CONSUMPTION OF THE GNSS PART .............................................................. 79
TABLE 38: ESD ENDURANCE (TEMPERATURE: 25ºC, HUMIDITY: 45%) ........................................... 79
TABLE 39: REEL PACKAGING ............................................................................................................... 87
TABLE 40: RELATED DOCUMENTS ...................................................................................................... 88
TABLE 41: TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................ 89
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TABLE 42: DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT CODING SCHEMES ......................................................... 93
TABLE 43: GPRS MULTI-SLOT CLASSES ............................................................................................. 95
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Figure Index
FIGURE 1: MODULE FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM ..................................................................................... 18
FIGURE 2: PIN ASSIGNMENT ............................................................................................................... 20
FIGURE 3: ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM ............................................................... 26
FIGURE 4: STAND-ALONE SOLUTION SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM .......................................................... 26
FIGURE 5: VOLTAGE RIPPLE DURING TRANSMITTING (GSM PART) ............................................... 28
FIGURE 6: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR THE VBAT INPUT (GSM PART) ............................................ 29
FIGURE 7: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR THE GNSS_VCC INPUT ....................................................... 29
FIGURE 8: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR POWER SUPPLY OF THE GSM PART ................................. 30
FIGURE 9: REFERENCE CIRCUIT DESIGN FOR GNSS PART ............................................................ 31
FIGURE 10: INTERNAL GNSS’S BACKUP DOMAIN POWER CONSTRUCTION ................................. 32
FIGURE 11: TURN ON THE MODULE WITH AN OPEN-COLLECTOR DRIVER ................................... 38
FIGURE 12: TURN ON THE MODULE WITH A BUTTON ...................................................................... 39
FIGURE 13: TURN-ON TIMING .............................................................................................................. 39
FIGURE 14: TURN-OFF TIMING BY USING THE PWRKEY PIN ........................................................... 41
FIGURE 15: TURN-OFF TIMING OF GNSS PART BY USING AT COMMAND ...................................... 42
FIGURE 16: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR FULL-FUNCTION UART ...................................................... 47
FIGURE 17: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR UART PORT (THREE LINE CONNECTION) ........................ 47
FIGURE 18: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR UART PORT WITH HARDWARE FLOW CONTROL............ 48
FIGURE 19: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR FIRMWARE UPGRADE ....................................................... 48
FIGURE 20: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR DEBUG PORT ...................................................................... 49
FIGURE 21: AUXILIARY AND GNSS UART PORT CONNECTION IN ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION ........... 50
FIGURE 22: AUXILIARY AND GNSS UART PORT CONNECTION IN STAND-ALONE SOLUTION ...... 51
FIGURE 23: LEVEL MATCH DESIGN FOR 3.3V SYSTEM .................................................................... 51
FIGURE 24: SKETCH MAP FOR RS-232 INTERFACE MATCH ............................................................ 52
FIGURE 25: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR AIN ........................................................................................ 54
FIGURE 26: HANDSET INTERFACE DESIGN FOR AOUT1 .................................................................. 55
FIGURE 27: SPEAKER INTERFACE DESIGN WITH AN AMPLIFIER FOR AOUT1 .............................. 55
FIGURE 28: EARPHONE INTERFACE DESIGN .................................................................................... 56
FIGURE 29: LOUD SPEAKER INTERFACE DESIGN ............................................................................ 56
FIGURE 30: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR SIM1 INTERFACE WITH AN 8-PIN SIM CARD HOLDER ... 59
FIGURE 31: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR SIM1 INTERFACE WITH A 6-PIN SIM CARD HOLDER ...... 59
FIGURE 32: REFERENCE CIRCUIT FOR SIM2 INTERFACE WITH A 6-PIN SIM CARD HOLDER ...... 60
FIGURE 33: RI BEHAVIOR AS A RECEIVER WHEN VOICE CALLING ................................................. 62
FIGURE 34: RI BEHAVIOR AS A CALLER.............................................................................................. 62
FIGURE 35: RI BEHAVIOR WHEN URC OR SMS RECEIVED .............................................................. 62
FIGURE 36: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR NETLIGHT ............................................................................ 63
FIGURE 37: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR GSM ANTENNA ................................................................... 66
FIGURE 38: RF SOLDERING SAMPLE ................................................................................................. 69
FIGURE 39: REFERENCE DESIGN WITH ACTIVE ANTENNA ............................................................. 70
FIGURE 40: REFERENCE DESIGN WITH PASSIVE ANTENNA ........................................................... 71
FIGURE 41: REFERENCE DESIGN FOR BLUETOOTH ANTENNA ...................................................... 72
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FIGURE 42: MC20 TOP AND SIDE DIMENSIONS (UNIT: MM) .............................................................. 81
FIGURE 43: MC20 BOTTOM DIMENSIONS (UNIT: MM) ....................................................................... 82
FIGURE 44: RECOMMENDED FOOTPRINT (UNIT: MM) ...................................................................... 83
FIGURE 45: TOP VIEW OF THE MODULE ............................................................................................ 84
FIGURE 46: BOTTOM VIEW OF THE MODULE .................................................................................... 84
FIGURE 47: REFLOW SOLDERING THERMAL PROFILE .................................................................... 86
FIGURE 48: TAPE AND REEL SPECIFICATION .................................................................................... 87
FIGURE 49: DIMENSIONS OF REEL ..................................................................................................... 87
FIGURE 50: RADIO BLOCK STRUCTURE OF CS-1, CS-2 AND CS-3 .................................................. 93
FIGURE 51: RADIO BLOCK STRUCTURE OF CS-4 ............................................................................. 94
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1 Introduction
This document defines the MC20 module and describes its hardware interface which is connected with
the customer application as well as its air interface.
The document can help you quickly understand module interface specifications, as well as the electrical
and mechanical details. Associated with application note and user guide, you can use MC20 module to
design and set up mobile applications easily.
1.1. Safety Information
The following safety precautions must be observed during all phases of the operation, such as usage,
service or repair of any cellular terminal or mobile incorporating MC20 module. Manufacturers of the
cellular terminal should send the following safety information to users and operating personnel, and
incorporate these guidelines into all manuals supplied with the product. If not so, Quectel assumes no
liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these precautions.
Full attention must be given to driving at all times in order to reduce the risk of an
accident. Using a mobile while driving (even with a handsfree kit) causes
distraction and can lead to an accident. You must comply with laws and regulations
restricting the use of wireless devices while driving.
Switch off the cellular terminal or mobile before boarding an aircraft. Make sure it is
switched off. The operation of wireless appliances in an aircraft is forbidden, so as
to prevent interference with communication systems. Consult the airline staff about
the use of wireless devices on boarding the aircraft, if your device offers a Airplane
Mode which must be enabled prior to boarding an aircraft.
Switch off your wireless device when in hospitals, clinics or other health care
facilities. These requests are desinged to prevent possible interference with
sentitive medical equipment.
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Cellular terminals or mobiles operating over radio frequency signal and cellular
network cannot be guaranteed to connect in all conditions, for example no mobile
fee or with an invalid SIM card. While you are in this condition and need emergent
help, please remember using emergency call. In order to make or receive a call,
the cellular terminal or mobile must be switched on and in a service area with
adequate cellular signal strength.
Your cellular terminal or mobile contains a transmitter and receiver. When it is ON ,
it receives and transmits radio frequency energy. RF interference can occur if it is
used close to TV set, radio, computer or other electric equipment.
In locations with potencially explosive atmospheres, obey all posted signs to turn
off wireless devices such as your phone or other cellular terminals. Areas with
potencially explosive atmospheres include fuelling areas, below decks on boats,
fuel or chemical transfer or storage facilities, areas where the air contains
chemicals or particles such as grain, dust or metal powders, etc.
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2 Product Concept
2.1. General Description
MC20 is a multi-purpose module which integrates a high performance GNSS engine and a quad-band
GSM/GPRS engine. It can work as all-in-one solution or stand-alone solution according to customers'
application demands. For detailed introduction on all-in-one solution and stand-alone solution, please
refer to Chapter 3.2.
The quad-band GSM/GPRS engine can work at frequencies of GSM850MHz, EGSM900MHz,
DCS1800MHz and PCS1900MHz. MC20 features GPRS multi-slot class 12 and supports the GPRS
coding schemes CS-1, CS-2, CS-3 and CS-4. For more details about GPRS multi-slot classes and coding
schemes, please refer to the Appendix B & C.
The GNSS engine is a single receiver integrating GPS and BeiDou systems. It supports multiple
positioning and navigation systems including autonomous GPS, BeiDou, SBAS (including WAAS,
EGNOS, MSAS and GAGAN), and QZSS. It is able to achieve the industry’s highest level of sensitivity,
accuracy and TTFF with the lowest power consumption. The embedded flash memory provides capacity
for storing user-specific configurations and allows for future updates.
MC20 is an SMD type module with 54 LCC pads and 14 LGA pads which can be easily embedded into
applications. With a compact profile of 18.7mm × 16.0mm × 2.1mm, the module can meet almost all the
requirements for M2M applications, including vehicle and personal tracking, wearable devices, security
systems, wireless POS, industrial PDA, smart metering, remote maintenance & control, etc.
Designed with power saving technique, the current consumption of MC20’s GSM part is as low as 1.2mA
in SLEEP mode when DRX is 5 and the GNSS part is powered off. The GNSS engine also has many
advanced power saving modes including standby and backup modes which can fit the requirement of
low-power consumption in different scenes.
GSM part of MC20 is integrated with Internet service protocols such as TCP, UDP, PPP, HTTP and FTP.
Extended AT commands have been developed for you to use these Internet service protocols easily.
EASY technology as a key feature of GNSS part of MC20 module is one kind of AGPS. Capable of
collecting and processing all internal aiding information like GNSS time, ephemeris, last position, etc., the
GNSS part will have a fast TTFF in either Hot or Warm start.
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The module fully complies with the RoHS directive of the European Union.
2.2. Directives and Standards
The MC20module is designed to comply with the FCC statements. FCC ID: XMR201609MC20
The Host system using MC20 should have label “contains FCC ID: XMR201609MC20”.
2.2.1. 2.2.1. FCC Statement
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
2.2.2. FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.
This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator and
your body as well as kept minimum 20cm from radio antenna depending on the Mobile status of this
module usage. This module should NOT be installed and operating simultaneously with other radio. The
manual of the host system, which uses MC20, must include RF exposure warning statement to advice
user should keep minimum 20cm from the radio antenna of MC20 module depending on the Mobile status.
Note: If a portable device (such as PDA) uses MC20 module, the device needs to do permissive change
and SAR testing.
The following list indicates the performance of antenna gain in certificate testing.
Part
Number
3R007
Frequency Range (MHz)
GSM850:824～894MHz
PCS1900: 1850～1990MHz
Peak Gain
(XZ-V)
1 dBi typ. 1 dBi typ. 2 max 50Ω
Average
Gain(XZ-V)
VSWR Impedance
2.3. Key Features
The following table describes the detailed features of MC20 module.
Table 1: Key Features (GMS/GPRS Part of MC20)
Features Implementation
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Power Supply
Single supply voltage: 3.3V ~ 4.6V
Typical supply voltage: 4V
Typical power consumption in SLEEP mode (GNSS is powered off):
Power Saving
Quad-band: GSM850, EGSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900.
Frequency Bands
The module can search these frequency bands automatically
The frequency bands can be set by AT commands
Compliant to GSM Phase 2/2+
GSM Class Small MS
Transmitting Power
Class 4 (2W) at GSM850 and EGSM900
Class 1 (1W) at DCS1800 and PCS1900
GPRS multi-slot class 12 (default)
GPRS Connectivity
GPRS multi-slot class 1~12 (configurable)
GPRS mobile station class B
GPRS data downlink transfer: max. 85.6kbps
GPRS data uplink transfer: max. 85.6kbps
Coding scheme: CS-1, CS-2, CS-3 and CS-4
DATA GPRS
Support the protocols PAP (Password Authentication Protocol)
usually used for PPP connections
Internet service protocols TCP/UDP, FTP, PPP, HTTP, NTP, PING
Support Packet Broadcast Control Channel (PBCCH)
Support Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)
Temperature Range
Operation temperature range: -35°C ~ +75°C
Extended temperature range: -40°C ~ +85°C
1.2mA@DRX=5
0.8mA@DRX=9
1)
2)
SMS
SIM Interface
Audio Features
UART Interfaces
Text and PDU mode
SMS storage: SIM card
Support SIM card: 1.8V, 3.0V
Support Dual SIM Single Standby
Speech codec modes:
Half Rate (ETS 06.20)
Full Rate (ETS 06.10)
Enhanced Full Rate (ETS 06.50/06.60/06.80)
Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR)
Echo Suppression
Noise Reduction
Embedded one amplifier of class AB with maximum driving power up
to 800mW
UART Port:
Seven lines on UART port interface
Used for AT command and GPRS data
Used for PMTK command and NMEA output in all-in-one solution
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Multiplexing function
Support autobauding from 4800bps to 115200bps
Debug Port:
Two lines on debug port interface DBG_TXD and DBG_RXD
Debug port only used for firmware debugging
Auxiliary Port:
Two lines on auxiliary port interface: TXD_AUX and RXD_AUX
Used for communication with the GNSS Part in all-in-one solution
Phonebook Management Support phonebook types: SM, ME, ON, MC, RC, DC, LD, LA
SIM Application Toolkit Support SAT class 3, GSM 11.14 Release 99
Physical Characteristics
Size: (18.7±0.15) × (16±0.15) × (2.1±0.2)mm
Weight: Approx. 1.3g
Firmware Upgrade Firmware upgrade via UART port
Antenna Interface Connected to antenna pad with 50 Ohm impedance control
NOTES
1. 1) Within operation temperature range, the module is 3GPP compliant.
2. 2) Within extended temperature range, the module remains the ability to establish and maintain a
voice, SMS, data transmission, emergency call, etc. There is no unrecoverable malfunction. There
are also no effects on radio spectrum and no harm to radio network. Only one or more parameters like
P
might reduce in their value and exceed the specified tolerances. When the temperature returns to
out
the normal operating temperature levels, the module will meet 3GPP compliant again.
Table 2: Coding Schemes and Maximum Net Data Rates over Air Interface
Coding Scheme 1 Timeslot 2 Timeslot 4 Timeslot
CS-1 9.05kbps 18.1kbps 36.2kbps
CS-2 13.4kbps 26.8kbps 53.6kbps
CS-3 15.6kbps 31.2kbps 62.4kbps
CS-4 21.4kbps 42.8kbps 85.6kbps
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Table 3: Key Features (GNSS Part of MC20)
Features Implementation
GNSS GPS+BeiDou
Power Supply Supply voltage: 2.8V~4.3V Typical: 3.3V
Acquisition: 25mA @-130dBm (GPS)
Tracking: 19mA @-130dBm (GPS)
Power Consumption
Acquisition: 23mA @-130dBm (GPS+BeiDou)
Tracking: 18mA @-130dBm (GPS+BeiDou)
Standby: 300uA @VCC=3.3V
Backup: 14uA @V_BCKP=3.3V
Receiver Type
Sensitivity
GPS+BeiDou
Time-to-First-Fix
(EASY Enabled)
1)
Time-to-First-Fix
(EASY Disabled)
Horizontal Position
Accuracy (Autonomous)
GPS L1 1575.42MHz C/A Code
BeiDou B1 1561.098MHz C/A Code
Acquisition: -148dBm
Reacquisition: -160dBm
Tracking: -163dBm
Cold Start: <15s average @-130dBm
Warm Start: <5s average @-130dBm
Hot Start: 1s @-130dBm
Cold Start (Autonomous): <35s average @-130dBm
Warm Start (Autonomous): <30s average @-130dBm
Hot Start (Autonomous): 1s @-130dBm
<2.5 m CEP @-130dBm
Update Rate Up to 10Hz, 1Hz by default
Velocity Accuracy Without aid: 0.1m/s
Acceleration Accuracy Without aid: 0.1m/s²
Maximum Altitude: 18,000m
Dynamic Performance
Maximum Velocity: 515m/s
Acceleration: 4G
GNSS UART port: GNSS_TXD and GNSS_ RXD
Support baud rate from 4800bps to 115200bps; 115200bps by
GNSS UART Port
default
Used for communication with the GSM Part in all-in-one solution
Used for communication with peripherals
in stand-alone solution
NOTE
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GSM/GPRS/GNSS Module Series
MC20 Hardware Design
1)
In this mode, GNSS part’s backup domain should be valid.
Table 4: Protocols Supported by the Module
Protocol Type
NMEA output, ASCII, 0183, 3.01
PMTK Input/output, MTK proprietary protocol
NOTE
Please refer to document [2] for details of NMEA standard protocol and MTK proprietary protocol.
2.4. Functional Diagram
The following figure shows a block diagram of MC20 and illustrates the major functional parts.
Radio frequency part
Power management
Peripheral interfaces
—Power supply
—Turn-on/off interface
—UART interface
—Audio interface
—SIM interface
—ADC interface
—RF interface
—PCM interface
—BT interface
—SD interface
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GSM/GPRS/GNSS Module Series
MC20 Hardware Design
Figure 1: Module Functional Diagram
2.5. Evaluation Board
In order to help you develop applications with MC20, Quectel supplies an evaluation board (EVB), TE-A
board, RS-232 to USB cable, power adapter, earphone, GSM antenna, GNSS antenna and other
peripherals to control or test the module. For details, please refer to document [11].
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GSM/GPRS/GNSS Module Series
MC20 Hardware Design
3 Application Functions
MC20 is an SMD type module with 54 LCC pads and 14 LGA pads. The following chapters provide
detailed descriptions about these pins.
Pin of module
Power supply
Operating modes
Power on/down
Power saving
Backup domain of GNSS
Serial interfaces
Audio interfaces
SIM card interface
ADC
Behaviors of the RI
Network status indication
RF transmitting signal indication
EASY autonomous AGPS technology
EPO offline AGPS technology
Multi-tone AIC
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3.1. Pin of Module
3.1.1. Pin Assignment
Figure 2: Pin Assignment
NOTE
Please keep all reserved pins open.
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3.1.2. Pin Description
Table 5: I/O Parameters Definition
Type Description
IO Bidirectional input/output
DI Digital input
DO Digital output
PI Power input
PO Power output
AI Analog input
AO Analog output
Table 6: Pin Description
Power Supply
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
It must be able to
Power supply of
VBAT 50, 51 PI
GSM/GPRS part:
VBAT=3.3V~4.6V
max=4.6V
V
I
V
min=3.3V
I
V
norm=4.0V
I
provide sufficient
current up to 1.6A
in a transmitting
burst.
GNSS_
VCC
26 PI
Power supply of GNSS
part:
GNSS_VCC=2.8V~4.3V
VRTC 52 IO
V
max=4.3V
I
V
min=2.8V
I
V
norm=3.3V
I
Assure load
current no less
than 150mA.
Keep this pin
open
1. If unused, keep
this pin open.
VDD_
EXT
43 PO
Supply 2.8V voltage for
external circuit.
V
max=2.9V
O
V
min=2.7V
O
V
norm=2.8V
O
I
max=20mA
O
2. Recommend
adding a
2.2~4.7uF bypass
capacitor, when
using this pin for
power supply.
GND 14,27, Ground
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31,40,
42,44,
45,48,
49
Turn on/off
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
PWRKEY 5 DI
Power on/off key.
PWRKEY should be
pulled down for a
moment to turn on or
turn off the system.
V
max=
IL
0.1×VBAT
V
min=
IH
0.6×VBAT
V
max=3.1V
IH
Audio Interface
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
MICP
MICN
1,
2
AI
Positive and negative
voice input
If unused, keep
these pins open.
If unused, keep
SPKP
SPKN
3,
4
AO
Channel 1 positive and
negative voice output
these pins open.
Support both
voice and
ringtone output.
Refer to Chapter 3.7.6
1. If unused, keep
these pins open.
LOUD
SPKP
LOUD
SPKN
54
53
AO
Channel 2 positive and
negative voice output
2. Integrate a
Class- AB
amplifier
internally.
3. Support both
voice and
ringtone output.
Network Status Indicator
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
V
min=
OH
NETLIGHT 47 DO
Network status
indication
0.85×VDD_EXT
V
max=
OL
If unused, keep
this pin open.
0.15×VDD_EXT
UART Port
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
TXD 34 DO Transmit data VILmin=0V If only TXD, RXD
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RXD 33 DI Receive data
DTR 37 DI Data terminal ready
V
V
RI 35 DO Ring indication
V
DCD 36 DO Data carrier detection
CTS 38 DO Clear to send
V
max=
IL
0.25×VDD_EXT
min=
IH
0.75×VDD_EXT
max=
IH
VDD_EXT+0.2
min=
OH
and GND are
used for
communication, it
is recommended
to keep all other
pins open.
0.85×VDD_EXT
V
max=
RTS 39 DI Request to send
OL
0.15×VDD_EXT
Debug Port
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
DBG_
TXD
DBG_
RXD
29 DO Transmit data
30 DI Receive data
The same as UART
port
If unused, keep
these pins open.
Auxiliary UART Port
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
TXD_
AUX
RXD_
AUX
25 DO Transmit data
24 DI Receive data
The same as UART
port
Refer to Chapter
3.6.3
GNSS UART Port
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
GNSS_
TXD
GNSS_
RXD
22 DO Transmit data
23 DI Receive data
V
max=0.42V
OL
V
min=2.4V
OH
V
nom=2.8V
OH
V
min=-0.3V
IL
V
max=0.7V
IL
V
min=2.1V
IH
V
max=3.1V
IH
Refer to Chapter
3.6.3
SIM Interface
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
SIM1_ VDD
SIM2_ VDD
SIM1_ CLK
SIM2_ CLK
18
13
19
10
PO
Power supply for SIM
card
DO SIM clock
The voltage can be
selected by software
automatically. Either
1.8V or 3.0V.
V
max=
OL
0.15×SIM_VDD
All signals of SIM
interface should
be protected
against ESD with
a TVS diode
array.
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SIM1_
DATA
SIM2_
DATA
SIM1_ RST
SIM2_ RST
SIM_
GND
SIM1_
PRESENCE
21
11
IO SIM data
VOHmin=
0.85×SIM_VDD
V
max=
IL
0.25×SIM_VDD
min=
V
IH
0.75×SIM_VDD
max=
V
OL
Maximum trace
length is 200mm
from the module
pad to SIM card
holder.
0.15×SIM_VDD
min=
V
OH
0.85×SIM_VDD
V
max=
OL
20
12
DO SIM reset
0.15×SIM_VDD
V
min=
OH
0.85×SIM_VDD
16 SIM ground
V
min =0V
IL
V
max =
IL
0.25×VDD_EXT
37 I SIM1 card detection
V
min =
IH
0.75×VDD_EXT
VIHmax =
VDD_EXT+0.2
ADC
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
General purpose
ADC 6 AI
analog to digital
converter.
Voltage range:
0V to 2.8V
If unused, keep
this pin open.
Digital Audio Interface (PCM)
PCM_CLK 59 DO PCM clock
PCM_OUT 60 DO PCM data output
If unused, keep
these pins open
PCM_SYNC 61 DO
PCM frame
synchronization
PCM_IN 62 DI PCM data input
SD Card Interface
SD_CMD 7 DO SD Command line
SD_CLK 8 DO SD clock
If unused, keep
these pins open
SD_DATA 9 IO SD data line
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Antenna Interface
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
RF_
ANT
BT_
ANT
GNSS_
ANT
41 IO GSM antenna pad Impedance of 50Ω
32 IO BT antenna pad Impedance of 50Ω
If unused, keep
this pin open.
15 I GNSS signal input Impedance of 50Ω
Other Interface
PIN Name PIN No. I/O Description DC Characteristics Comment
Refer to
Chapter 3.3.3.2
V
GNSS_
VCC_EN
28 O GNSS power enabled
min=
OH
0.85×VDD_EXT
V
max=
OL
0.15×VDD_EXT
in all-in-one
solution.
Keep this pin
open in
stand-alone
solution.
17, 46
55, 56,
RESERVED
57, 58,
63, 64,
Keep these pins
open
65, 66,
67, 68,
Table 7: Multiplexed Functions
PIN Name PIN No. Function After Reset Alternate Function
DTR/SIM1_PRESENCE 37 DTR SIM1_PRESENCE
3.2. Application Modes Introduction
MC20 module integrates both GSM and GNSS engines which can work as a whole (all-in-one solution)
unit or work relatively independent (stand-alone solution) according to customer demands.
All-in-one solution allows for convenient communication between GSM and GNSS parts. The commands
and data (e.g. AT and PMTK commands, NMEA sentences output, etc.) in both GSM and GNSS parts are
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GSM/GPRS/GNSS Module Series
MC20 Hardware Design
transmitted through UART port, thus realizing communication between the module and the MCU.
In stand-alone solution, GSM data and AT commands are transmitted through UART port; while GNSS
data such as PMTK command and NMEA sentences output are transmitted through GNSS UART port.
The hardware difference between all-in-one solution and stand-alone solution mainly lies in the
connection method of UART, UART_AUX, and GNSS_UART. The corresponding schematic diagrams are
shown below.
Figure 3: All-in-one Solution Schematic Diagram
Figure 4: Stand-alone Solution Schematic Diagram
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NOTE
In order to ensure the normal operation of GNSS part, please don't power off the GSM part.
Table 8: Comparison between All-in-one and Stand-alone Solution
All-in-one. Stand-alone Remarks
Firmware upgrade
Data transmission
GNSS wake up GSM
GNSS’s EPO data
download
Firmware upgrade via
UART Port (GSM and
GNSS Parts share the
same firmware package)
Both GSM and GNSS data
are transmitted through
the GSM UART Port
GNSS can wake up GSM
by interrupts
EPO data is downloaded
directly through the GSM
part.
Firmware upgrade via
UART Port (GSM and
GNSS Parts share the
Refer to Chapter
3.6.1.3 for details
same firmware package)
GSM data is transmitted
through the GSM UART
Port.
GNSS data is transmitted
through the GNSS UART
Port.
N/A
MCU receives the EPO
data which is downloaded
through the GSM part, and
then transmit it to the
Refer to Chapter
3.13 for details
GNSS part.
3.3. Power Supply
3.3.1. Power Features
The power supply of the GSM part is one of the key issues in MC20 module design. Due to the 577us
radio burst in GSM part every 4.615ms, the power supply must be able to deliver high current peaks in a
burst period. During these peaks, drops on the supply voltage must not exceed the minimum working
voltage of the GSM part.
The maximum current consumption of GSM part could reach 1.6A during a burst transmission. It will
cause a large voltage drop on the VBAT. In order to ensure stable operation of the part, it is
recommended that the maximum voltage drop during the burst transmission does not exceed 400mV.
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MC20 Hardware Design
Figure 5: Voltage Ripple during Transmitting (GSM Part)
The power supply for GNSS part is controlled by the GSM part through AT command control over
GNSS_VCC_EN pin.
3.3.2. Decrease Supply Voltage Drop
3.3.2.1. Decrease Supply Voltage Drop for GSM Part
Power supply range of the GSM part is from 3.3V to 4.6V. Make sure that the input voltage will never drop
below 3.3V even in a burst transmission. If the power voltage drops below 3.3V, the module will be turned
off automatically. For better power performance, it is recommended to place a 100uF tantalum capacitor
with low ESR (ESR=0.7Ω) and ceramic capacitors 100nF, 33pF and 10pF near the VBAT pin. A reference
circuit is illustrated in the following figure.
The VBAT trace should be wide enough to ensure that there is not too much voltage drop during burst
transmission. The width of trace should be no less than 2mm; and in principle, the longer the VBAT trace,
the wider it will be.
MC20_Hardware_Design Confidential / Released 28 / 95
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