Embedded Planet CHRONOS User manual

USER MANUAL | CHRONOS
4G LTE-M EMBEDDED
CELLULAR MODEM
Embedded Planet | Updated October 2020 | v1.0.0

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User Manual | Chronos
Table of Contents
1Introduction.....................................................................................................................................3
2Orderable Part Numbers.................................................................................................................3
3Additional Resources ......................................................................................................................3
4Features...........................................................................................................................................4
5Block Diagram..................................................................................................................................6
6Device Specifications.......................................................................................................................7
6.1 2 x 10-pin headers...........................................................................................................................7
6.2 Castellated Pins ...............................................................................................................................9
6.3 Antenna Connections....................................................................................................................12
6.4 Cellular Antenna Requirements....................................................................................................12
6.5 Recommended Cellular Antennae................................................................................................12
6.6 GNSS Antenna Requirements .......................................................................................................13
6.7 Recommended GNSS Antennae ...................................................................................................13
7Electrical Specifications.................................................................................................................14
7.1 Absolute Maximum and Minimum Ratings .................................................................................14
7.2 Recommended Operating Conditions ..........................................................................................14
7.3 Typical Power Consumption .........................................................................................................15
8Mechanical Specifications.............................................................................................................16
8.1 Physical Parameters......................................................................................................................16
8.2 Mating Connectors........................................................................................................................16
8.3 Mechanical Drawing......................................................................................................................17
8.4 Recommended PCB Footprint (2 x 10-pin headers).....................................................................18
8.5 Recommended PCB Footprint (Castellated pins).........................................................................18
8.6 Environmental Specifications .......................................................................................................19
9Design Considerations...................................................................................................................20
9.1 Power Supply Design Considerations...........................................................................................20
10 Getting Started..............................................................................................................................21
10.1 Telit Documentation .....................................................................................................................21
10.2 Arm Mbed OS Support..................................................................................................................21
10.3 USB Compatibility .........................................................................................................................21
10.4 Embedded Planet Online Documentation....................................................................................21
11 Regulatory Information.................................................................................................................22
11.1 Cellular Certifications....................................................................................................................22
11.2 RoHS Compliance ..........................................................................................................................22
11.3 Interference Statement.................................................................................................................22
11.4 FCC and ISED Compliance..............................................................................................................22
11.5 Wireless Notice..............................................................................................................................23
11.6 Antenna Notice: FCC .....................................................................................................................23

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User Manual | Chronos
11.7 Antenna Notice: ISED....................................................................................................................24
11.8 End-Product Labeling Requirements............................................................................................24
11.9 FCC Additional Testing, Part 15 Subpart B disclaimer..................................................................24
12 Revision History.............................................................................................................................25

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User Manual | Chronos
1Introduction
Chronos is a 4G LTE-M (CAT M1) embedded cellular modem based on Telit’s acclaimed ME310
cellular module. The low power modem provides LTE and GPS connectivity and is compatible with most
global LTE and NB-IoT networks.
Chronos operates as a client to an external host MCU or processor, accepting AT commands and
providing responses over UART or USB.
Chronos offers the familiar 20-position modem pin header for easy integration into existing
systems. Uniquely, Chronos offers a 40-position castellated footprint which, along with Telit’s AppZone,
provides additional serial and analog interfaces and GPIO.
With PTCRB and cellular carrier certifications complete, Chronos requires no further cellular
certification, allowing designers to get to market quickly, without having to negotiate the expensive
cellular certification processes.
At only 33mm x 29.5mm, Chronos is an excellent solution for designers seeking low power LTE
connectivity in a compact, cost-effective package.
2Orderable Part Numbers
Orderable Part Number
Mounting
GNSS
EP-CHRONOS-GNSS-H
2x10-pin headers
Yes
EP-CHRONOS-H
2x10-pin headers
No
EP-CHRONOS-GNSS-C
Castellated
Yes
EP-CHRONOS-C
Castellated
No
3Additional Resources
•https://www.embeddedplanet.com/chronos/
•Telit ME310G1 Datasheet
•Telit ME310G1 User Guides and Application Notes

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4Features
Feature / Specification
Description
Cellular Capabilities
Cellular Technologies: LTE-M (LTE CAT M1), LTE CAT NB2
SMS: over NAS
Lower power modes: PSM, eDRX
Operating frequencies: 699MHz to 1980MHz
Cellular Operating Mode: Half-duplex FDD
RF Output Power: up to +20dBm (Power Class 5)
Internet Protocols
IPv4/IPv6 stack with TCP and UDP protocols
TLDS/DTLS
LTE CAT M1 Specifications
Bands: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B8, B12, B13, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B27,
B28, B66, B71, B85
RX Sensitivity CAT M1: -102.2 to -107.5 dBm depending on band
Uplink: up to 1Mbps
Downlink: up to 588kbps
LTE CAT NB2 Specifications
Bands: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B8, B12, B13, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B27,
B28, B66, B71, B85
RX Sensitivity CAT NB2: -111.3 to -115.8dBm depending on band
Uplink: up to 160kbps
Downlink: up to 120kbps
SIM
Removable: 4FF (nano) SIM card slot
Soldered down: MFF2
Internal: Telit simWISE™
Cellular Certifications
PTCRB: Complete
AT&T: In Progress
Verizon: In Progress
GNSS Specifications
Constellations: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS
Tracking Sensitivity: -159dBm
Navigation Sensitivity: -155dBm
Cold Start Sensitivity: -144dBm
Power Supply
Main Power Supply: 3.4Vdc to 4.2Vdc (3.8Vdc nominal)
GPIO Reference Voltage: 1.65Vdc to 5.5Vdc

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Feature / Specification
Description
Power Consumption
Main supply = 3.8Vdc
GPIO supply = 3.3Vdc
To be determined
Form Factor
Dimensions (with headers, unmated): 29.5 x 33.0 x 10.34mm
Dimensions (with headers, mated): 29.5 x 33.0 x 7.14mm
Dimensions (castellated): 29.5 x 33.0 x 4.35mm
Environmental
Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°C
Storage Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°C
Humidity Range: 20% RH to 90% RH

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User Manual | Chronos
5Block Diagram

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User Manual | Chronos
6Device Specifications
6.1 2 x 10-pin headers
The diagram below shows the bottom side of Chronos:
Pin #
Pin Name
Pin Type
Description
If not used
Notes
1
Vcell
Power input
Main power supply input
Must be
implemented
2
DOUT
Digital output
Main UART data output from
cell module
Leave open
3
DIN
Digital input
Main UART data input to cell
module
Leave open
4
GND
n/a
GND
Must be
implemented
5
RSVD
n/a
Reserved for future use
Leave open
Do not
connect pin
6
VUSB
Analog input
USB power sense
Leave open
7
USB_DP
Digital I/O
USB data (+)
Leave open
8
USB_DN
Digital I/O
USB data (-)
Leave open
9
DTR
Digital input
Main UART DTR input to cell
module
Leave open
If not used as
DTR, this pin
can be used
as a GPIO
10
GND
n/a
GND
Must be
implemented
11
GND
n/a
GND
Must be
implemented
12
CTS
Digital output
Main UART CTS output from
cell module
Leave open

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Pin #
Pin Name
Pin Type
Description
If not used
Notes
13
PWR_MON
Digital output
Cell module power monitor
Leave open
High when
cell module is
ON
14
Vcell_ref
Power input
Reference voltage for host
GPIO
Leave open
15
GND
n/a
GND
Must be
implemented
16
RTS
Digital input
Main UART RTS input to cell
module
Leave open
17
TX_AUX
Digital output
Aux UART output from cell
module
Leave open
18
RX_AUX
Digital input
Aux UART input to cell
module
Leave open
19
RING
Digital output
Output from cell module
indicating incoming call
Leave open
If not used as
RING, this pin
can be used
as a GPIO
20
ON_OFF#
Open
collector
input
Input command for power
ON/OFF and to wake from
deep sleep mode
Tie to GND
(see note
below)
Active Low
Note: In some use cases, ON_OFF# can be tied to GND.
If this is done, there are two items to consider:
1. PSM asynchronous wake-up capability will be lost.
2. To perform an unconditional shutdown in this configuration, it is necessary to send
AT#SHDN and then turn off Vcell.

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6.2 Castellated Pins
The diagram below shows the top side of Chronos:
Pin #
Pin Name
Pin Type
Description
If not used
Notes
1
DVI_WA0
Digital I/O
Digital audio
Leave open
2
DVI_RX
Digital output
Digital audio
Leave open
3
DVI_TX
Digital input
Digital audio
Leave open
4
DVI_CLK
Digital I/O
Digital audio
Leave open
5
Vcell
Power input
Main power supply
input
Must be
implemented
6
DOUT
Digital output
Main UART data
output from cell
module
Leave open
7
DIN
Digital input
Main UART data
input to cell module
Leave open
8
GND
n/a
GND
Must be
implemented
9
RSVD
n/a
Reserved for future
use
Leave open
Do not connect
pin
10
IO3
Digital I/O
GPIO
Leave open
11
IO4
Digital I/O
GPIO
Leave open
12
VUSB
Analog input
USB power sense
Leave open
13
USB_DP
Digital I/O
USB data (+)
Leave open
14
USB_DN
Digital I/O
USB data (-)
Leave open

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Pin #
Pin Name
Pin Type
Description
If not used
Notes
15
DTR
Digital input
Main UART DTR
input to cell module
Leave open
If not used as
DTR, this pin
can be used as
a GPIO
16
GND
n/a
GND
Must be
implemented
17
SPI_CS
Digital I/O
Standard 3-wire SPI
master or slave with
chip select control
Leave open
18
SPI_MOSI
Digital I/O
Leave open
19
SPI_MISO
Digital I/O
Leave open
20
SPI_CLK
Digital I/O
Leave open
21
GND
n/a
GND
Must be
implemented
22
CELL_LED
Digital output
Cell module status
LED
Leave open
Refer to Telit
documentation
23
CTS
Digital output
Main UART CTS
output from cell
module
Leave open
24
PWR_MON
Digital output
Cell module power
monitor
Leave open
High when cell
module is ON
25
Vcell_ref
Power input
Reference voltage
for host GPIO
Leave open
26
RTS
Digital input
Main UART RTS
input to cell module
Leave open
27
TX_AUX
Digital output
Aux UART output
from cell module
Leave open
28
RX_AUX
Digital input
Aux UART input to
cell module
Leave open
29
DAC
Analog output
Leave open
Refer to Telit
documentation
30
RING
Digital output
Output from cell
module indicating
incoming call
Leave open
If not used as
RING, this pin
can be used as
a GPIO
31
ON_OFF#
Open collector input
Input command for
power ON/OFF and
to wake from deep
sleep mode
Tie to GND
(see note
below)
Active Low
32
CTS1
Digital output
UART1
Leave open
33
RTS1
Digital input
UART1
Leave open
Internal 100k
pullup
34
IO2
Digital I/O
GPIO
Leave open

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Pin #
Pin Name
Pin Type
Description
If not used
Notes
35
RXD1
Digital output
UART1
Leave open
36
TXD1
Digital input
UART1
Leave open
Internal 100k
pullup
37
IO1
Digital I/O
GPIO
Leave open
38
GNSS_PPS
Digital output
1 pulse per second
Leave open
39
GND
n/a
GND
Must be
implemented
40
ADC
Analog input
Leave open
Refer to Telit
documentation
Note: In some use cases, ON_OFF# can be tied to GND.
If this is done, there are two items to consider:
1. PSM asynchronous wake-up capability will be lost.
2. To perform an unconditional shutdown in this configuration, it is necessary to send AT#SHDN
and then turn off Vcell.

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6.3Antenna Connections
The modem has two U.FL connectors, J1 and J2, that are used to connect external antennae for the
cellular interface and the GNSS interface, respectively.
6.4Cellular Antenna Requirements
The cellular antenna shall fulfill the following requirements:
Frequency Range
The customer shall use the most suitable antenna for the bands provided by
the network operator(s) used.
Impedance
50Ω
Input power
>24dBm average power
VSWR (abs max)
≤10:1 to avoid permanent damage
VSWR recommended
≤ 2:1 to fulfill all regulatory requirements
6.5Recommended Cellular Antennae
The general recommendation is to use a wide-band LTE antenna with acceptable efficiency across
applicable bands. The table below has examples of several LTE antennae that are compatible with
Chronos.
Type
Manufacturer
Part Number
Notes
Internal adhesive
Taoglas
FXUB64.18.150A
Antenna has U.FL connector
External
Taoglas
TG.10.0113
Requires U.FL to SMA(F) adapter
J1
(cell)
J2
(GNSS)

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6.6GNSS Antenna Requirements
An active GNSS antenna must be used.The antenna must meet or exceed the following requirements:
Frequency Range
1559 –1610MHz
Gain
15 –30dB
Impedance
50Ω
Noise Figure of LNA
<1.5 recommended
DC supply voltage
1.8 –3.3Vdc
VSWR recommended
≤ 3:1
6.7Recommended GNSS Antennae
The general recommendation is to use a wide-band LTE antenna with acceptable efficiency across
applicable bands. The table below has examples of several LTE antennae that are compatible with
Chronos.
Type
Manufacturer
Part Number
Notes
Internal adhesive
Taoglas
AP.12F.07.0045A
Antenna has U.FL connector

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7Electrical Specifications
7.1Absolute Maximum and Minimum Ratings
Modem Pin
Min
Max
Notes
Vcell
-0.3V
4.5V
With respect to GND
Vcell_ref
-0.5V
6.5V
With respect to GND
VUSB
-0.3V
6.0V
With respect to GND
Pins referred to Vcell_ref
-0.5V
6.5V
With respect to GND
All other pins
-0.3V
2.1V
With respect to GND
7.2Recommended Operating Conditions
Modem Pin
Min
Typ
Max
Notes
Vcell
3.4V
3.8V
4.2V
With respect to GND
Vcell_ref
1.65V
5.5V
With respect to GND
VUSB
5.0V
5.25V
With respect to GND
Pins referred to Vcell_ref
0V
Vcell_ref
With respect to GND
All other pins
0V
1.8V
With respect to GND
Modem Pin
VIH(min)
VIL(max)
VOH(min)
VOL(max)
Notes
DOUT, CTS, RING,
PWR_MON, TX_AUX
--
--
0.67*Vcell_ref
0.4V
DIN, RTS, DTR, RX_AUX
0.7*Vcell_ref
0.3*Vcell_ref
--
--
VUSB
1.0V
0.4V
--
--
DVI_xx, IOx, SPI_xx,
CELL_LED, TXD1, RXD1,
CTS1, RTS1, GNSS_PPS
1.5V
0.35V
1.6V
0.2V

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7.3Typical Power Consumption
To be determined

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8Mechanical Specifications
8.1Physical Parameters
Parameter
Description
Min
Typ
Max
Dimensions, unmated
Modem with headers J3 and J4
not mated with host board
29.5 x 33.0 x 10.34 mm
1.161 x 1.299 x 0.407”
Dimensions, mated
Modem with headers J3 and J4
mated with host board
29.5 x 33.0 x 7.14 mm
1.161 x 1.299 x 0.281”
Dimensions, castellated
Modem without headers when
soldered to host board
29.5 x 33.0 x 4.35 mm
1.161 x 1.299 x 0.171”
Mass with headers
6g
Mass without headers
5g
J1 and J2 mating cycles
Number of insertions and
removals until possible U.FL
connector failure
30
>100
J3 and J4 mating cycles
Number of insertions and
removals until possible header
connector failure
>500
8.2Mating Connectors
Chronos versions with headers may be installed into sockets on the host board.
The 2 x 10-pin headers populated on the modem are Samtec TMM-110-01-T-S-SM.
Refer to Samtec documentation for mating connector details.
https://www.samtec.com/products/tmm
Other manufacturers such as Sullins have similar offerings.
Please refer to the socket manufacturer’s documentation for recommended PCB footprints.
The sockets should be located as shown in section 8.4 below; the required pads depend on the socket
being used.
The U.FL connectors populated on the modem are Hirose U.FL-R-SMT-1(10). Refer to Hirose
documentation for mating connector details:
https://www.hirose.com/product/p/CL0331-0472-2-10?lang=en

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8.3Mechanical Drawing
All dimensions in mm

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8.4Recommended PCB Footprint (2 x 10-pin headers)
Chronos versions with headers may be soldered directly to the host board.
8.5Recommended PCB Footprint (Castellated pins)
The recommended PCB footprint for Chronos castellated versions is given below.

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8.6Environmental Specifications
Parameter
Min
Typ
Max
Operating Temperature
-40°C
+25°C
+85°C
Storage Temperature
-40°C
+25°C
+85°C
Operating Humidity, non-condensing
20% RH
90% RH