EVK-M8xCAM
Evaluation Kits
User Guide
Abstract
This document describes the structure and use of the EVK-M8QCAM and
EVK-M8CCAM evaluation kits and provides information for evaluating and
testing the u-blox CAM-M8Q and CAM-M8C GNSS chip antenna
modules.
www.u-blox.com
UBX-14002462 - R07
EVK-M8xCAM - User Guide
UBX-14002462 - R07 Early Production Information Page 2 of 24
Document Information
Title
EVK-M8xCAM
Subtitle
Evaluation Kits
Document type
User Guide
Document number
UBX-14002462
Revision and Date
R07
30-Nov-2017
Document status
Early Production Information
Document status explanation
Objective Specification
Document contains target values. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
Advance Information
Document contains data based on early testing. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
Early Production Information
Document contains data from product verification. Revised and supplementary data may be published later.
Production Information
Document contains the final product specification.
European Union regulatory compliance
EVK-M8QCAM & EVK-M8CCAM comply with all relevant requirements for RED 2014/53/EU. The EVK-M8xCAM Declaration of Conformity
(DoC) is available at www.u-blox.com within Support > Product resources > Conformity Declaration.
This document applies to the following products:
Product name
Type number
ROM/FLASH version
PCN reference
EVK-M8QCAM
EVK-M8QCAM-0-01
ROM SPG 3.01
N/A
EVK-M8CCAM
EVK-M8CCAM-0-01
ROM SPG 3.01
N/A
u-blox reserves all rights to this document and the information contained herein. Products, names, logos and designs described herein
may in whole or in part be subject to intellectual property rights. Reproduction, use, modification or disclosure to third parties of this
document or any part thereof without the express permission of u-blox is strictly prohibited.
The information contained herein is provided “as is” and u-blox assumes no liability for the use of the information. No warranty, either
express or implied, is given, including but not limited, with respect to the accuracy, correctness, reliability and fitness for a particular
purpose of the information. This document may be revised by u-blox at any time. For most recent documents, visit www.u-blox.com.
Copyright © 2017, u-blox AG.
u-blox is a registered trademark of u-blox Holding AG in the EU and other countries.
EVK-M8CAM User Guide
UBX-14002462 - R07 Early Production Information Preface
Page 3 of 24
Preface
Using this guide
This guide assumes, the user has basic computer skills and is familiar with the Windows Graphical User Interface
(GUI) and GNSS receiver environments.
The following symbols are used in the document to highlight information:
A warning symbol indicates actions that could negatively impact or damage the device.
An index finger points out key information pertaining to device operation and performance.
Warnings and certifications
EVK-M8QCAM and EVK-M8CCAM are Electrostatic Sensitive Devices (ESD).
CAUTION! RISK OF SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY WHEN TOUCHING IT WITH
CONDUCTING PARTS. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF A FAILURE IN THE INTERNAL
PROTECTION CIRCUITRY THERE IS A RISK OF AN EXPLOSION WHEN CHARGING
FULLY OR PARTIALLY DISCHARGED BATTERIES. REPLACE THE BATTERY IF IT NO
LONGER HAS SUFFICIENT CHARGE FOR UNIT OPERATION. CONTROL THE BATTERY
BEFORE USING IF THE DEVICE HAS NOT BEEN OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED
PERIOD OF TIME.
Products marked with this lead-free symbol on the product label comply with the
“Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the Restriction of
Use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment” (RoHS).
EVK-M8QCAM and EVK-M8CCAM evaluation kits are RoHS compliant and green (no
halogens).
EVK-M8CAM User Guide
UBX-14002462 - R07 Early Production Information Contents
Page 4 of 24
Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................................ 3
Using this guide ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Warnings and certifications ............................................................................................................................. 3
Contents .............................................................................................................................. 4
1 Product description ...................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................. 6
1.2 Kit includes ........................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Software and documentation ............................................................................................................... 6
1.4 u-center GNSS evaluation software ....................................................................................................... 6
1.5 System requirements ............................................................................................................................ 6
2 Specifications ................................................................................................................ 7
2.1 Safety precautions ................................................................................................................................ 7
3 Getting Started ............................................................................................................. 8
3.1 Software installation ............................................................................................................................. 8
3.2 Hardware installation ............................................................................................................................ 8
3.3 Serial port default configuration ........................................................................................................... 8
4 Device description ........................................................................................................ 9
4.1 Interface connection and measurement ................................................................................................ 9
4.2 Active antenna ..................................................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Evaluation unit ...................................................................................................................................... 9
4.3.1 Antenna connector ..................................................................................................................... 10
4.3.2 USB ............................................................................................................................................. 10
4.3.3 UART ........................................................................................................................................... 10
4.3.4 Time pulse ................................................................................................................................... 10
4.3.5 RST button .................................................................................................................................. 11
4.3.6 Safe boot button ......................................................................................................................... 11
4.3.7 Slide Switch ................................................................................................................................. 11
4.3.8 Test Connector ............................................................................................................................ 11
4.3.9 LED ............................................................................................................................................. 12
4.3.10 Backup Battery ............................................................................................................................ 12
4.3.11 GNSS Configuration .................................................................................................................... 12
5 Measuring tracking current ....................................................................................... 13
6 Testing Power Save Mode ......................................................................................... 14
7 Block diagram ............................................................................................................. 15
EVK-M8CAM User Guide
UBX-14002462 - R07 Early Production Information Contents
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8 Board layout ............................................................................................................... 16
9 Schematic .................................................................................................................... 19
10 Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................... 20
11 Common evaluation pitfalls ...................................................................................... 22
Related documents........................................................................................................... 23
Revision history ................................................................................................................ 23
Contact .............................................................................................................................. 24
EVK-M8CAM User Guide
UBX-14002462 - R07 Early Production Information Product description
Page 6 of 24
1 Product description
1.1 Overview
The EVK-M8QCAM and EVK-M8CCAM evaluation kits simplify the evaluation of the high performance u-blox
CAM-M8Q and CAM-M8C GNSS chip antenna modules. The built-in USB interface provides both power supply
and high-speed data transfer, and eliminates the need for an external power supply. The u-blox evaluation kits
are compact, and their user friendly interface and power supply make them ideally suited for use in laboratories,
vehicles and outdoor locations. Furthermore, they can be used with a PDA or a notebook PC, making them the
perfect companion through all stages of design-in projects.
Evaluation Kit
Suitable for
EVK-M8QCAM: u-blox M8 concurrent GNSS chip antenna Evaluation Kit with TCXO
CAM-M8Q
EVK-M8CCAM: u-blox M8 concurrent GNSS chip antenna Evaluation Kit with Crystal
CAM-M8C
Table 1: List of available evaluation kits
1.2 Kit includes
Evaluation unit (plain PCB board)
USB cable
Active GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / BeiDou antenna with 3 m cable
Quick Start card
Because of the integrated antennas in the CAM-M8Q and CAM-M8C modules, the standard u-blox GNSS
EVK aluminum box cannot be used for the EVK-M8QCAM and EVK-M8CCAM.
A plastic cap is attached on the top of the antenna module in EVK-M8QCAM and EVK-M8CCAM. The
purpose of the cap is to prevent air flowing inside the CAM-M8Q and CAM-M8C shield.
1.3 Software and documentation
The EVK-M8QCAM/M8CCAM installation software (and documentation) package can be downloaded from the
Web; see the Quick Start card for the URL.
1.4 u-center GNSS evaluation software
The installation software includes u-center, which is an interactive tool for configuration, testing, visualization
and data analysis of GNSS receivers. It provides useful assistance during all phases of a system integration
project.
1.5 System requirements
PC with USB interface
Operating system: Windows Vista onwards (x86 and x64 versions)
USB drivers are provided in the evaluation kit installation software
EVK-M8CAM User Guide
UBX-14002462 - R07 Early Production Information Specifications
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2 Specifications
Parameter
Specification
Serial Interfaces
1 USB V2.0
1 RS232, max. baud rate 921,6 kBd
- DB9: PC compatible
1 DDC (I2C compatible) max. 400 kHz
Timing Interfaces
1 Time pulse output
Dimensions
100 x 60 x 26 mm
Power Supply
5 V via USB or external powered via extra power supply
pin 14 (V5_IN) 13 (GND)
Normal Operating temperature
-40 °C to +65 °C
Table 2: EVK-M8QCAM and EVK-M8CCAM specifications
2.1 Safety precautions
EVK-M8QCAM and EVK-M8CCAM must be supplied by an external limited power source in compliance with
clause 2.5 of the standard IEC 60950-1. In addition to the external limited power source, only separated or
Safety Extra-Low Voltage (SELV) circuits are to be connected to the evaluation kit, including interfaces and
antennas.
For more information about SELV circuits, see section 2.2 in Safety standard IEC 60950-1 [5].
EVK-M8CAM User Guide
UBX-14002462 - R07 Early Production Information Getting Started
Page 8 of 24
3 Getting Started
3.1 Software installation
Installation of the EVK-M8QCAM/M8CCAM software and documentation requires internet access.
Choose the “Software only” or “Software and documentation” installation package from the u-blox
website. Once the zip file is downloaded, unzip the file in the Tools folder and double-click the extracted exe
file.
The software components will be installed on your system and placed under the “u-blox” folder in the “Start
Programs” menu.
3.2 Hardware installation
1. Connect the unit to a PC running Microsoft Windows. Options:
USB: Connect via USB port. Set the slide switch to USB.
UART: Connect via RS232. Set the slide switch to RS232.
2. The device must always have power, either via the USB port on the rear or the V5_IN input on the front.
3. The EVK-M8QCAM or EVK-M8CCAM evaluation kit includes a CAM-M8Q or CAM-M8C concurrent GNSS
module with embedded chip antenna. Optionally, an external GNSS antenna can be connected to the
evaluation unit. Be sure to place the EVK in a location with unobstructed sky views.
4. Start the u-center GNSS Evaluation Software and select corresponding COM port and baud rate. (Refer to
the u-center User Guide [4] for more information.)
3.3 Serial port default configuration
Parameter
Description
Remark
UART Port 1, Input
UBX and NMEA protocol at 9600 Bd
UART Port 1, Output
UBX and NMEA protocol at 9600 Bd
Only NMEA messages are activated
USB, Input
UBX and NMEA protocol
USB, Output
UBX and NMEA protocol
Only NMEA messages are activated
Table 3: Default configuration
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