NOTE: The current firmware version of the LTE IoT 5 Click does not support LTE CAT NB2 bands, audio interface, and a configuration of SDIO's (FW upgrades will be available in the future).

HOW DOES IT WORK?

LTE IoT 5 Click is based on the SARA-R510M8S, a cellular module that supports LTE-M/NB-IoT bands with integrated high-performance standard precision M8 GNSS receiver from u-Blox. It comes in a miniature SARA LGA form factor module that is a drop-in migration from other u-Blox cellular module families. The SARA-R510 series modules provide software-based multi-band configurability enabling international multi-regional coverage in LTE Cat M1/NB2 radio access technologies, supporting a comprehensive set of 3GPP Rel. 14 features that are relevant for IoT applications with data communications up to 1200 kbit/s.

The GNSS RF input of the SARA-R510M8S, designed with 50Ω characteristic impedance and with an internal DC block, is suitable for both active and/or passive GNSS antennas due to the built-in SAW filter followed by an LNA in front of the integrated high performing u-Blox M8 concurrent positioning engine.

This module requires a power supply of 3.8V. Therefore, the Click board™ incorporates an integrated buck (step-down DC-DC) converter, labeled as TPS7A7002 by Texas Instruments. This IC can output up to 3A of current, still maintaining an excellent regulation. Its task is to provide a stable 3.8V power supply, capable of mitigating voltage drops at the input when a high current peak appears (typically at the StartUp of the device).

The SARA-R510M8S communicates with MCU using the UART interface with automatic baud rate detection used for module control from the external application host processor that can be conveniently configured through AT commands that u-Blox provides. This Click board™ is also USB 2.0 compliant, equipped with the USB type C connector with a maximum 480 Mbit/s data rate available for the diagnostic purpose only. The module itself acts as a USB device and can be connected to any USB host equipped with compatible drivers.

Besides two female SMA connectors (for LTE and active GNSS antennas), the LTE IoT 5 Click also has a nano-SIM card slot that provides multiple connections and interface options. The J1 header allows you to access the configurable GPIO and EXT Interrupt pin of the SARA module, while test points labeled from TP1 to TP6 enables you easy FW upgrades and testing of the module.

The onboard active-low push-button labeled as PWR routed to the AN pin on the mikroBUS™ socket represents the Ignition (Power-On) button, which successful action will be indicated by the STAT LED. If the device is already powered up, a LOW pulse with a duration of 1.5s on this pin will power the module down. It is also possible to power down the module by issuing the AT+CPWROFF command or with a Reset function routed to the RST pin on the mikroBUS™ socket that will cause an abrupt Power-Down (forced Power-Down) by sending an active low input on this pin with the duration of 10s.

In addition to the Power LED indicator, this Click board™ has two additional LED indicators: the yellow LED labeled as STAT used to visually indicate the Operational Status of the device, and a red LED labeled as TX used to indicate the Network Status.

Customers can future-proof their solutions through over-the-air firmware updates, thanks to the uFOTA client/server solution that utilizes LwM2M, light and compact protocol ideal for IoT. We have also provided accessible test points directly connected to the TxD and RxD pins for FW upgrade purposes.

This Click board™ can be interfaced with both 3.3V and 5V MCUs because a proper logic voltage level conversion is performed by appropriate voltage level shifters, while the on-board LDOs are ensuring that the module is powered by recommended voltage levels.