Sierra Wireless EM7700 Operators Guide

AirPrime EM7700

Hardware Integration Guide

4112206

Rev 2

Preface

Important Notice

Safety and Hazards

Due to the nature of wireless communications, transmission and reception of data
can never be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted (i.e., have errors) or be
totally lost. Although significant delays or losses of data are rare when wireless
devices such as the Sierra Wireless modem are used in a normal manner with a
well-constructed network, the Sierra Wireless modem should not be used in
situations where failure to transmit or receive data could result in damage of any
kind to the user or any other party, including but not limited to personal injury,
death, or loss of property. Sierra Wireless accepts no responsibility for damages
of any kind resulting from delays or errors in data transmitted or received using
the Sierra Wireless modem, or for failure of the Sierra Wireless modem to
transmit or receive such data.

Do not operate the Sierra Wireless modem in areas where blasting is in progress,
where explosive atmospheres may be present, near medical equipment, near life
support equipment, or any equipment which may be susceptible to any form of
radio interference. In such areas, the Sierra Wireless modem MUST BE
POWERED OFF. The Sierra Wireless modem can transmit signals that could
interfere with this equipment.

Do not operate the Sierra Wireless modem in any aircraft, whether the aircraft is
on the ground or in flight. In aircraft, the Sierra Wireless modem MUST BE
POWERED OFF. When operating, the Sierra Wireless modem can transmit
signals that could interfere with various onboard systems.

Limitation of Liability

Note: Some airlines may permit the use of cellular phones while the aircraft is on the
ground and the door is open. Sierra Wireless modems may be used at this time.

The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the Sierra Wireless
modem while in control of a vehicle. Doing so will detract from the driver or
operator's control and operation of that vehicle. In some states and provinces,
operating such communications devices while in control of a vehicle is an offence.

The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of Sierra Wireless. SIERRA WIRELESS AND
ITS AFFILIATES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL
DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, GENERAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL,
PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUE OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS OR REVENUE
ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY SIERRA WIRELESS
PRODUCT, EVEN IF SIERRA WIRELESS AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR THEY ARE
FORESEEABLE OR FOR CLAIMS BY ANY THIRD PARTY.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Sierra Wireless and/ or its
affiliates aggregate liability arising under or in connection with the Sierra Wireless
product, regardless of the number of events, occurrences, or claims giving rise to
liability, be in excess of the price paid by the purchaser for the Sierra Wireless
product.

Rev 2 Apr.12 Proprietary and Confidential 3

AirPrime EM7700 Hardware Integration Guide

Patents This product may contain technology developed by or for Sierra Wireless Inc.

This product includes technology licensed from QUALCOMM

This product is manufactured or sold by Sierra Wireless Inc. or its affiliates under
one or more patents licensed from InterDigital Group.

®

.

Copyright © 2012 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved.

Trademarks Sierra Wireless™, AirPrime™, Watcher™, and the Sierra Wireless logo are

trademarks of Sierra Wireless.

Windows

Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

®

is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Contact Information

Sales Desk: Phone: [phone]

Hours: 8:00
E-mail: [e-mail]

Post: Sierra Wireless

13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4

AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time

Fax: [phone]
Web: www.sierrawireless.com

Consult our website for up-to-date product descriptions, documentation,
application notes, firmware upgrades, troubleshooting tips, and press releases:

www.sierrawireless.com

Revision History

Revision
number

1 April 2012 • FCC submission
2 April 2012 • Updated gain values in Regulatory section

Release date Changes

4 Proprietary and Confidential 4112206

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

The Universal Development Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Required connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Power Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Overview of operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Power signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Module power states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

RF Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

RF connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Ground connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Shielding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Antenna and cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Interference and sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Methods to mitigate decreased Rx performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Radiated Spurious Emissions (RSE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Radiated sensitivity measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Power supply noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Interference from other wireless devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Host-generated RF interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Device-generated RF interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Regulatory Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Important notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Safety and hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Important compliance information for North American users . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Acronyms and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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AirPrime EM7700 Hardware Integration Guide

6 Proprietary and Confidential 4112206

1: Introduction

Sierra Wireless’ AirPrime Intelligent Embedded Modules form the
radio component for the products in which they are embedded.

The AirPrime EM7700 is available for use on LTE and HSPA+
networks.

1

Note: An understanding of
network technology, and
experience in integrating
hardware components into
electronic equipment is
assumed.

Purpose of this guide

This guide addresses issues that affect the integration of AirPrime
embedded modules into host products, and includes design
recommendations for the host products.

The Universal Development Kit

A hardware development platform is available from Sierra Wireless
for evaluating and developing with the EM7700. The Universal
Development Kit (UDK) (for AirPrime MC-series modules) and a
separate adapter board and RF cable may be ordered to use the
UDK with the EM7700.

The UDK contains hardware components for evaluating and
developing with the module, including:

• Development board

• Cables

• Antennas (Band 17 is not supported by supplied antennas)

• Documentation suite

• Other accessories

For instructions on setting up the UDK, see PCI Express Mini Card
Dev Kit Quick Start Guide (Document 2130705).

For over-the-air LTE testing, ensure that suitable antennas are used.
(Two antennas are required for this testing; Sierra Wireless offers an
LTE-capable antenna covering 700–2600 MHz BW—please order
part number 6000492 (Qty 1—this contains two antennas).)

Rev 2 Apr.12 Proprietary and Confidential 7

AirPrime EM7700 Hardware Integration Guide

Required connectors

Ta bl e 1- 1 describes the connectors used to integrate the EM7700 Module into

your host device.

Table 1-1: Required host-module connectors

Connector type Description

RF cables • Mate with I-PEX MHF-A13 connectors

a

• Two connector jacks

FPC (70-pin) • Hirose Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) connector

FH29BJ-70S-0.2SHW(05)

SIM • Industry-standard connector. Type depends on how host

device exposes the SIM socket

• Example: UDK board uses ITT CCM03-3518

a. Manufacturers/part numbers are for reference only and are subject to change. Choose

connectors that are appropriate for your own design.

8 Proprietary and Confidential 4112206