This document provides the necessary information to successfully
design in and configure the PAM-7Q u-blox 7 GPS antenna module
featuring the u-blox 7 positioning engine. This module has the
exceptional performance of the u-blox 7 receiver and delivers high
sensitivity and minimal acquisition times.
Incorporating the PAM‑7Q into customer designs is simple and
straightforward, thanks to the embedded antenna, low power
consumption, simple interface, and sophisticated interference
suppression that ensures maximum performance even in GPS-hostile
environments.
www.u-blox.com
UBX-13003143 - R06
PAM-7Q
u-blox 7 GPS Antenna Module
Hardware Integration Manual
PAM-7Q - Hardware Integration Manual
Document Information
Title
PAM-7Q
Subtitle
u-blox 7 GPS Antenna Module
Document type
Hardware Integration Manual
Document number
UBX-13003143
Revision, date
R06
06-Oct-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.
u-blox is a registered trademark of u-blox Holding AG in the EU and other countries.
PAM-7Q complies with all relevant requirements for RED 2014/53/EU. The PAM-7Q Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is available at
www.u-blox.com within Support > Product resources > Conformity Declaration.
This document applies to the following products:
UBX-13003143 - R06Page 2 of 26
PAM-7Q - Hardware Integration Manual
Preface
u-blox Technical Documentation
As part of our commitment to customer support, u-blox maintains an extensive volume of technical
documentation for our products. In addition to our product-specific technical data sheets, the following manuals
are available to assist u-blox customers in product design and development.
GPS Compendium: This document, also known as the GPS book, provides a wealth of information
regarding generic questions about GPS system functionalities and technology.
Receiver Description including Protocol Specification: This document describes messages, configuration
and functionalities of the u-blox 7 software releases and receivers.
Hardware Integration Manuals: These manuals provide hardware design instructions and information on
how to set up production and final product tests.
Application Notes: These documents provide general design instructions and information that applies to all
u-blox GNSS positioning modules.
How to use this Manual
This manual has a modular structure. It is not necessary to read it from the beginning to the end.
The following symbols are used to highlight important information within the manual:
An index finger points out key information pertaining to module integration and performance.
A warning symbol indicates actions that could negatively influence or damage the module.
Questions
If you have any questions about PAM-7Q Hardware Integration, please:
Read this manual carefully.
Contact our information service on the homepage http://www.u-blox.com
Read the questions and answers on our FAQ database on the homepage http://www.u-blox.com
Technical Support
Worldwide Web
Our website (www.u-blox.com) is a rich pool of information. Product information, technical documents and
helpful FAQ can be accessed 24h a day.
By E-mail
If you have technical problems or cannot find the required information in the provided documents, contact the
closest Technical Support office. To ensure that we process your request as soon as possible, use our service pool
email addresses rather than personal staff email addresses. Contact details are at the end of the document.
Helpful Information when Contacting Technical Support
When contacting Technical Support please have the following information ready:
Receiver type (e.g. PAM-7Q-0-000), Datacode (e.g. 172100.0100.000) and firmware version (e.g. ROM1.00)
Receiver configuration
Clear description of your question or the problem together with a u-center logfile
A short description of the application
Your complete contact details
UBX-13003143 - R06 Early Production Information Preface
2.5 Connecting power ................................................................................................................................ 7
2.5.1 VCC: Main Supply Voltage ............................................................................................................ 7
2.5.2 V_BCKP: Backup Supply Voltage ................................................................................................... 8
6.1 u-blox in-series production test ........................................................................................................... 21
6.2 Test parameters for OEM manufacturer .............................................................................................. 21
6.3 System sensitivity test ......................................................................................................................... 22
6.3.1 Guidelines for sensitivity tests ...................................................................................................... 22
6.3.2 ‘Go/No go’ tests for integrated devices ........................................................................................ 22
UBX-13003143 - R06 Early Production Information Contents
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PAM-7Q - Hardware Integration Manual
1 Quick reference
When using this manual for a design, make sure you also have the corresponding data sheet for the specific
positioning module (see the Related documents section).
2 Hardware description
2.1 Overview
PAM-7Q module is standalone GPS positioning receiver featuring the high performance u-blox 7 positioning
engine. They are easy to integrate and combine exceptional positioning performance with highly flexible power,
design, and connectivity options.
For product features see the PAM-7Q Data Sheet [1]. To determine which u-blox product best meets your needs, see the product selector tables on the u-blox
website (www.u-blox.com).
2.2 Architecture
PAM-7Q module consists of two functional parts - the RF block and the digital block (see Figure 1).
The RF block includes the input matching elements, the SAW band pass filter, the integrated LNA and the
oscillator, while the digital block contains the u-blox 7 GNSS engine, the RTC crystal and additional elements
such as the optional FLASH Memory for enhanced programmability and flexibility.
Figure 1: PAM-7Q block diagram
2.3 Operating modes
u-blox receivers support different power modes. These modes represent strategies of how to control the
acquisition and tracking engines in order to achieve either the best possible performance or good performance
with reduced power consumption.
2.3.1 Continuous Mode
During a cold start, a receiver in Continuous Mode continuously deploys the acquisition engine to search for all
satellites. Once the receiver can calculate a position and track a sufficient number of satellites, the acquisition
engine powers off, resulting in significant power savings. The tracking engine continuously tracks acquired
UBX-13003143 - R06 Early Production Information Quick reference
satellites and acquires other available or emerging satellites. Whenever the receiver can no longer calculate a
position or the number of satellites tracked is below the sufficient number, the acquisition engine powers on
again to guarantee a quick reacquisition. Even if the acquisition engine powers off, the tracking engine
continues to acquire satellites.
For best performance, use continuous mode.
2.3.2 Power Save Mode
Two Power Save Mode (PSM) operations called ON/OFF and Cyclic tracking are available. These use different
ways to reduce the average current consumption in order to match the needs of the specific application. PSM
operations are set and configured using serial commands. For more information, see the u-blox 7 Receiver Description Including Protocol Specification [2].
2.4 Configuration
The configuration settings can be modified using UBX protocol configuration messages. The modified settings
remain effective until power-down or reset. If these settings have been stored in BBR (Battery Backed RAM), then
the modified configuration will be retained, as long as the backup battery supply is not interrupted.
.
2.4.1 Electrical Programmable Fuse (eFuse)
PAM-7Q includes an integrated eFuse memory for permanently saving configuration settings.
The eFuse memory can also be used to store the configuration. The customer can program the eFuse.
eFuse is One-Time-Programmable; it cannot be changed if it has been programmed once.
String to change the default Baud rate:
Table 1: Strings to change baud rate
2.5 Connecting power
The PAM-7Q positioning module has two power supply pins: VCC and V_BCKP.
2.5.1 VCC: Main Supply Voltage
The VCC pin provides the main supply voltage. During operation, the current drawn by the module can vary by
some orders of magnitude, especially if enabling low-power operation modes. For this reason, it is important
that the supply circuitry be able to support the peak power (see datasheet for specification) for a short time.
PAM-7Q module integrates a DC/DC converter. This allows reduced power consumption, especially when using
a main supply voltage above 2.5 V.
UBX-13003143 - R06 Early Production Information Hardware description
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PAM-7Q - Hardware Integration Manual
When switching from backup mode to normal operation or at start-up, PAM-7Q module must charge
the internal capacitors in the core domain. In certain situations, this can result in a significant current
draw. For low power applications using Power Save and backup modes, it is important that the power
supply or low ESR capacitors at the module input can deliver this current.
2.5.2 V_BCKP: Backup Supply Voltage
If the module supply has a power failure, then V_BCKP will supply the real-time clock (RTC) and battery backed
RAM (BBR). Use of valid time and the GNSS orbit data at start-up will improve the GNSS performance, as with
hot starts, warm starts, AssistNow Autonomous and AssistNow Offline. If no backup battery is connected, the
module performs a cold start at power up.
Avoid high resistance on the V_BCKP line: During the switch from main supply to backup supply, a short
current adjustment peak can cause high voltage drop on the pin with possible malfunctions.
As long as the PAM-7Q module is supplied to VCC, the backup battery is disconnected from the RTC
and the BBR to avoid unnecessary battery drain (see Figure 2). In this case, VCC supplies power to the
RTC and BBR.
Figure 2: Backup battery and voltage (for exact pin orientation, see data sheet)
2.6 Interfaces
2.6.1 UART
PAM-7Q positioning module includes a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) serial interface
RxD/TxD supporting configurable baud rates. The baud rates supported are specified in the u-blox 7 Receiver
Description Including Protocol Specification [2].
The signal output and input levels are 0 V to VCC. An interface based on RS232 standard levels (+/- 12 V) can be
implemented using level shifters such as Maxim MAX3232. Hardware handshake signals and synchronous
operation are not supported.
2.6.2 Display Data Channel (DDC)
An I2C compatible Display Data Channel (DDC) interface is available for serial communication with an external
host CPU. The interface only supports operation in slave mode (master mode is not supported). The DDC
protocol and electrical interface are fully compatible with the Fast-Mode of the I2C industry standard. DDC pins
SDA and SCL have internal pull-up resistors.
For more information about the DDC implementation, see the u-blox 7 Receiver Description Including Protocol
Specification [2]. For bandwidth information, see the Data Sheet. For timing, parameters consult the I 2C-bus
specification [7].
The u-blox 7 DDC interface supports serial communication with u-blox cellular modules. See the
specification of the applicable cellular module to confirm compatibility.
With u-blox 7, when reading the DDC internal register at address 0xFF (messages transmit buffer), the
master must not set the reading address before every byte is accessed, as this could cause faulty behavior.
UBX-13003143 - R06 Early Production Information Hardware description
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