Fibocom NL668-LA Installation instructions

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FIBOCOM NL668-LA Series Hardware Guide Page 1 of 61
FIBOCOM NL668-LA Series
Hardware Guide
Version: V1.0.9
Date: 2022-03-29

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FIBOCOM NL668-LA Series Hardware Guide Page 2 of 61
Applicability Type
N
o.
Product Model
Description
7
NL668-LA
MCP is 4Gbit Flash + 2Gbit RAM, support MAIN_ANT, DIV_ANT

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FIBOCOM NL668-LA Series Hardware Guide Page 3 of 61
Copyright
Copyright ©2021 Fibocom Wireless Inc. All rights reserved.
Without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, any company or individual is prohibited to
excerpt, copy any part of or the entire document, or transmit the document in any form.
Notice
The document is subject to update from time to time owing to the product version upgrade or other
reasons. Unless otherwise specified, the document only serves as the user guide.All the statements,
information and suggestions contained in the document do not constitute any explicit or implicit
guarantee.
Trademark
The trademark is registered and owned by Fibocom Wireless Inc.

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Change History
Version
Author
Reviewer
Approver
Update
Date
Description
V1.0.9
Yuan Dele
Yu Yong
Jin Haibo
2022-03-29
Update diversity sensitivity
Add development board models
Update RTS and CTS description
Added model NL668-LA-31-90
V1.0.8
Zheng
Shuai
Yu Yong
Jin Haibo
2021-08-30
Add software description
Update PIN description
Add model NL668-LA-30/40
V1.0.7
Guo
Zhenqi
Tan Lefan
Jin Haibo
2021-05-10
Modify pin 138 refer to design
description
V1.0.6
Tan Lefan
Hu Wenkai
Luke Liu
2021-03-10
Add model NL668-LA-05 and
NL668-LA-10
V1.0.5
Lee Du
Hu Wenkai
Luke Liu
2020-08-10
Update product appearance
V1.0.4
Hu Wenkai
Lee Du
Luke Liu
2020-03-13
Update power consumption
V1.0.3
Lee Du
Hu Wenkai
Luke Liu
2020-01-10
Add model NL668-LA-01
V1.0.2
Tan Lefan
Hu Wenkai
Luke Liu
2019-10-09
Modify module size. Increase the
requirements of boot_config1, 2, 3
pins forbidden to pull up externally.
V1.0.1
Liu Qiang
Li Xiyi
Chen
Guojiang
2019-07-09
Update RF parameters
V1.0.0
Gao Ying
Tu Min
Chen
Guojiang
2019-06-06
Initial version

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FIBOCOM NL668-LA Series Hardware Guide Page 5 of 61
Content
Content................................................................................................................................ 5
1Introduction .................................................................................................................. 8
1.1 Document Introduction..................................................................................................8
1.2 Safety Precautions .......................................................................................................8
2Product Overview....................................................................................................... 10
2.1 Product Introduction ...................................................................................................10
2.2 Product Specification..................................................................................................10
2.3Functional Diagram ....................................................................................................11
2.4 Evaluation Board........................................................................................................12
3Pin Description........................................................................................................... 13
3.1 Pin Assignment...........................................................................................................13
3.2 Pin Function ...............................................................................................................13
4Electrical Characteristics .......................................................................................... 21
4.1 Power.........................................................................................................................21
4.2 Power Supply.............................................................................................................21
4.3 1.8V Output................................................................................................................22
4.4 Power Consumption...................................................................................................23
5Functional Interface................................................................................................... 25
5.1 Control Interface.........................................................................................................25
5.1.1 Power On/Off......................................................................................................................25
5.1.1.1 Power On...................................................................................................................................25
5.1.1.2 Power Off...................................................................................................................................26
5.1.2 RESET................................................................................................................................27
5.2 Network Status Indicate Interface...............................................................................29
5.2.1 Interface Status Description ...............................................................................................29
5.3 (U)SIM Card Interface ................................................................................................30
5.3.1 (U)SIM Pin Definition..........................................................................................................30
5.3.2 (U)SIM Interface Circuit......................................................................................................30
5.3.2.1 (U)SIM Card Connector with Card Detection Signal..................................................................30
5.3.2.2 (U)SIM Card Connector Without Detection Signal.....................................................................32
5.3.3 (U)SIM Hot Plug .................................................................................................................32
5.3.4 (U)SIM Design Requirements ............................................................................................33
5.4 USB Interface.............................................................................................................34

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5.4.1 USB Pin Definition..............................................................................................................34
5.5 UART Interface...........................................................................................................35
5.5.1 UART Interface Definition...................................................................................................35
5.5.2 UART Port Application........................................................................................................35
5.6 ADC Interface.............................................................................................................36
5.7 PCM Interface ............................................................................................................37
5.7.1 Supported Model................................................................................................................37
5.7.2 PCM Interface Definition ....................................................................................................37
5.7.3 PCM Interface Description .................................................................................................38
5.7.4 PCM Signal Description......................................................................................................38
6Low Power Consumption .......................................................................................... 40
6.1 Airplane Mode ............................................................................................................40
6.2 Sleep Mode................................................................................................................40
6.2.1 USB Application (Nonsupport USB Suspend, Support VBUS)..........................................40
6.2.2 USB Application (Nonsupport USB Suspend, Nonsupport VBUS)....................................41
6.2.3 USB Application (Support USB Suspend)..........................................................................41
6.2.4 UARTApplication (WAKEUP_IN Pin Level Control)..........................................................41
6.2.5 UARTApplication (DTR Pin Level Control)........................................................................42
6.2.6 ATS24 Command ...............................................................................................................42
7RF Interface................................................................................................................. 44
7.1 Operating Bands.........................................................................................................44
7.2 Output Power .............................................................................................................44
7.3 Receive Sensitivity .....................................................................................................45
7.4 GNSS Receiver..........................................................................................................46
7.4.1 GNSS Specification............................................................................................................46
7.4.2 GNSS Observe Protocol ....................................................................................................46
7.5 Antenna Design..........................................................................................................46
7.5.1 Antenna Index.....................................................................................................................46
7.5.2 Antenna Reference Design ................................................................................................48
8Reliability .................................................................................................................... 50
8.1 Limiting Voltage Range...............................................................................................50
8.1.1 Absolute Voltage Range.....................................................................................................50
8.1.2 Operating Voltage Range...................................................................................................50
8.2 Environment Temperature Range...............................................................................50

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8.3 Environmental Reliability Requirements......................................................................51
8.4 ESD Characteristics ...................................................................................................51
9Structure Specification.............................................................................................. 53
9.1 Product Appearance...................................................................................................53
9.2 Structure Dimension...................................................................................................53
9.3 PCB Soldering Pad and Stencil Design ......................................................................54
9.4 SMT............................................................................................................................54
9.5 Carrier and storage.....................................................................................................54
10 Regulatory ............................................................................................................ 55
11 Terms and Acronyms........................................................................................... 59
11.1 Related Documents....................................................................................................60
11.2 Reference Standards..................................................................................................61

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1 Introduction
1.1 Document Introduction
This document describes the electrical characteristics, RF performance, structure size, application
environment, etc. of NL668-LA module. With the assistance of the document and other instructions, the
developers can quickly understand the hardware functions of the NL668-LA module and develop
products.
1.2 Safety Precautions
By following the safety guidelines below, you can protect the personal safety and help protect the product
and work environment from potential damage. Product manufacturers need to communicate the
following safety instructions to end users. In case of failure to comply with these safety rules, Fibocom
Wireless will not be responsible for the consequences caused by the user’s misuse.
Road safety first! When you drive, do not use the handheld devices even if it has a
hand-free feature. Please stop and call!
Please turn off the mobile device before boarding. The wireless feature of the mobile
device is not allowed on the aircraft to prevent interference with the aircraft
communication system. Ignoring this note may result in flight safety issue or even
breaking the law.
When in a hospital or health care facility, please be aware of restrictions on the use of
mobile devices. Radio frequency interference may cause medical equipment to
malfunction, so it may be necessary to turn off the mobile device.
The mobile device does not guarantee that an effective connection can be made under
any circumstances, for example, when there is no prepayment for the mobile device or
the (U)SIM is invalid. When you encounter the above situation in an emergency,
remember to use an emergency call, while keeping your device turned on and in areas
where signal is strong.
Your mobile device receives and transmits RF signals when it is powered on. Radio
interference occurs when it is near televisions, radios, computers, or other electronic
devices.

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Keep the mobile device away from flammable gases. Turn off the mobile device when
near gas stations, oil depots, chemical plants or explosive workplaces. There is a
safety hazard in operating electronic equipment in any potentially explosive
environment.

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2 Product Overview
2.1 Product Introduction
The NL668-LA series wireless module is a broadband wireless terminal product applicable to various
network formats and multi-bands include FDD-LTE/WCDMA.
2.2 Product Specification
Table 2-1 Product specification
Specification
Operating frequency
LTE FDD: Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28
WCDMA/HSPA+: Band 1, 2, 5, 8
Data transmission
LTE FDD Rel.9
150Mbps DL/50Mbps UL (Cat 4) LTE Downlink MIMO
2×2, 4×2 (support part of R10)
WCDMA Rel.8
UMTS: 384 kbps DL/384 kbps UL
DC-HSDPA+: 42MbpsDL (Cat24)/HSUPA:5.76Mbps UL
(Cat 6)
Power
3.3V to 4.3V (typical 3.8V)
Temperature
Normal: -30°C to +75°C
Extended:-40°C to +85°C 1
Storage:-40°C to +90°C
Power consumption
Base current: < 2mA
Sleep mode: ≤ 4mA
Idle mode: < 20mA (USB sleep), < 30mA (USB wakeup)
Physical characteristics
Package: LCC+LGA 144 Pin
Size: (32.0±0.15) mm ×(29.0±0.15) mm ×(2.4±0.2) mm
Weight: about 5.2g
Interface
Antenna
Antenna: MAIN, GNSS, DIV
Functional Interface
(U)SIM 3.0V/1.8V
USB 2.0
Status Indicator

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UART x 2, PCM, I2C, SGMII, SPI, SDIO, GPIOs
ADC x 2
Software
Protocol Stack
Embedded TCP/IP and UDP/IP protocol stack
AT Command
3GPP TS 27.007 and 27.005, and proprietary FIBOCOM AT
Firmware update
USB (UART does not support DOWNLOAD) and DFOTA upgrade 2
Voice service 3
VoLTE, HR, FR, EFR, AMR, DTMF, Caller ID, Call Transfer, Call Hold, Call
Waiting and Multi-Talk, etc.
SMS
point-to-point MO, MT; cell broadcast; support Text and PDU modes
Note:
1. When the temperature is beyond the normal operating temperature range (-30 °C to +
75 °C), the RF performance of the module may slightly exceed the 3GPP specification.
2. Models with Memory configured as 1Gbit Flash + 1Gbit RAM are optional and available in
two versions. Data version supports DFOTA upgrade, voice version does not support
DFOTA upgrade.
3. The data version does not support voice services, but the voice version supports voice
services.
2.3 Functional Diagram
Functional diagram shows the main hardware features of the NL668-LA series module, including
baseband and RF features.
Baseband includes:
PMIC
MCP
USB, (U)SIM, PCM, I2C, SPI, UART, SGMII, SDIO, GPIOs
WCDMA /LTE FDD controller
RF includes:
RF Transceiver
RF PA
RF filter
Antenna

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2.4 Evaluation Board
Fibocom provides EVK-GT8230-NL, ADP-NL668-LA; EVB-LGA-F01,ADP-NL668-CN-30-00
development board to facilitate module debugging and use.
Note:
Nl668-LA-05/10/30/31/40 models use EVB-LGA-F01,ADP-NL668-CN-30-00 development board;
Nl668-LA-00/01 models use the EVK-GT8230-NL,ADP-NL668-LAdevelopment board.

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3 Pin Description
3.1 Pin Assignment
The NL668-LAseries module is available in 144 pins. The numbers of the LCC pins are 80, and the LGA
pins are 64. the top view of the pin assignment is shown as follow figure:
Figure 3-1 Pin assignment (top view diagram)
85 to 112 are thermal pins, and the module is grounded internally. It is recommended that the heat
sink pad is reserved for PCB packaging and welded.
3.2 Pin Function
Table 3-1 I/O description parameters
Note:

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Symbol
Description
IO
Input/Output
DI
Digital input
DO
Digital output
PI
Power input
PO
Power output
AI
Analog input
AO
Analog output
OD
Open drain
OC
Open collector
The pin function description of NL668-LA series module is shown as table 3-2:
Table 3-2 Pin function description
Pin No.
Pin Name
I/O
Level
Description
1
WAKEUP_IN
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
External device wake-up module, low
active by default. with software
programmable option. Boot_config GPIO,
forbidden to pull-up externally.
2
AP_READY
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
Reserved
3
RESERVED
-
-
Reserved
4
W_DISABLE#
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
Module flight mode control. pull up by
default. Pull down this pin, module enter
airplane mode
5
NET_MODE
O
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
Module network state indicate (by
default), Boot_config GPIO, forbidden to
pull-up externally.
6
NET_STATUS
O
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
Module network state indicate
7
VDD_EXT
PO
1.8V
Module digital level, 1.8V output, 80mA
8
GND
G
-
Ground
9
GND
G
-
Ground
10
GND
G
-
Ground

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Pin No.
Pin Name
I/O
Level
Description
11
DBG_RXD
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
Debug serial port receive data
12
DBG_TXD
O
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
Debug serial port transmit data
13
USIM_PRESENCE
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
(U)SIM card hot plug detection
14
USIM_VDD
PO
For 1.8V (U)SIM:
Vmax=1.9V
Vmin=1.7V
For 3.0V (U)SIM:
Vmax=3.05V
Vmin=2.7V
IOmax=50mA
(U)SIM power, identify 1.8V or 3V (U)SIM
card automatically
15
USIM_DATA
IO
For 1.8V (U)SIM:
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
For 3.0V (U)SIM:
VILmax=1.0V
VIHmin=1.95V
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=2.55V
(U)SIM data signal
16
USIM_CLK
O
For 1.8V (U)SIM:
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
For 3.0V (U)SIM:
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=2.55V
(U)SIM clock signal
17
USIM_RST
O
For 1.8V (U)SIM:
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
For 3.0V (U)SIM:
(U)SIM reset signal

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Pin No.
Pin Name
I/O
Level
Description
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=2.55V
18
NC
-
-
NC
19
GND
G
-
Ground
20
RESET_N
I
VIHmax=2.1V
VIHmin=1.3V
VILmax=0.5V
Module reset signal, active low, no need
pull up externally
21
PWRKEY
I
VIHmax=2.1V
VIHmin=1.3V
VILmax=0.5V
Module power on/off signal, active low, no
need pull up externally. The input is pulled
up to an internal voltage minus a diode
drop.As per the design, this causes the
voltage of the pin is about 0.8V
22
GND
G
-
Ground
23
SD_INS_DET
I
-
Reserved
24
PCM_IN
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
PCM input signal
25
PCM_OUT
O
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
PCM output signal
26
PCM_SYNC
IO
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
PCM synchronization signal
27
PCM_CLK
IO
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
PCM clock signal
28
SDC2_DATA3
IO
-
Reserved
29
SDC2_DATA2
IO
-
Reserved
30
SDC2_DATA1
IO
-
Reserved
31
SDC2_DATA0
IO
-
Reserved
32
SDC2_CLK
O
-
Reserved

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Pin No.
Pin Name
I/O
Level
Description
33
SDC2_CMD
IO
-
Reserved
34
VREG_L13_2P85
PO
-
Reserved
35
ANT_DIV
I
-
Diversity antenna
36
GND
-
-
Ground
37
SPI_CS_N
O
-
Reserved
38
SPI_MOSI
O
-
Reserved
39
SPI_MISO
I
-
Reserved
40
SPI_CLK
O
-
Reserved
41
I2C_SCL
OD
-
I2C interface clock signal
42
I2C_SDA
OD
-
I2C interface data signal
43
NC
-
-
NC
44
ADC1
I
-
Analog to digital converter interface1
45
ADC0
I
-
Analog to digital converter interface 0
46
GND
G
-
Ground
47
ANT_GNSS
I
-
GNSS antenna
48
GND
-
-
Ground
49
ANT_MAIN
IO
-
Main antenna
50
GND
G
-
Ground
51
GND
G
-
Ground
52
GND
G
-
Ground
53
GND
G
-
Ground
54
GND
G
-
Ground
55
NC
-
-
NC
56
GND
G
-
Ground
57
VBAT_RF
PI
Vmax=4.3V
Vmin=3.3V
Vnorm=3.8V
RF power input (3.3V~4.3V)
58
VBAT_RF
PI
Vmax=4.3V
Vmin=3.3V
Vnorm=3.8V
RF power input (3.3V~4.3V)
59
VBAT_BB
PI
Vmax=4.3V
Vmin=3.3V
Vnorm=3.8V
Baseband power input（3.3V~4.3V）
60
VBAT_BB
PI
Vmax=4.3V
Vmin=3.3V
Vnorm=3.8V
Baseband Power Input (3.3V~4.3V)

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Pin No.
Pin Name
I/O
Level
Description
61
STATUS
O
VOHmin=1.35V
VOLmax=0.45V
Module network state indicate
62
RI
O
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
Module output ring indicator
63
DCD
O
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
Module output data carrier detection
64
CTS
O
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
Request to send
65
RTS
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
Clear to send
66
DTR
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
Data ready. The control of the sleep mode
67
TXD
O
VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V
Transmit data
68
RXD
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
Receive data
69
USB_DP
IO
Conform to
USB2.0 standard
specification
USB differential data bus (+)
70
USB_DM
IO
Conform to
USB2.0 standard
specification
USB differential data bus (-)
71
USB_VBUS
PI
Vmax=5.25V
Vmin=3.8V
Vnorm=5.0V
USB plug detection
72,76
GND
G
-
Ground
73~75,77
~84
RESERVED
-
-
Reserved
85~112
GND
G
-
GND
113
NC
-
-
NC
114
NC
-
-
NC

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Pin No.
Pin Name
I/O
Level
Description
115
USB_BOOT
I
VILmin=-0.3V
VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V
VIHmax=2.0V
Emergency download, active high,
recommended to reserve test point
116
NC
-
-
NC
117
RESERVED
-
-
Reserved
118
WLAN_SLP_CLK
O
-
Reserved
119
EPHY_RST_N
O
-
Reserved
120
EPHY_INT_N
I
-
Reserved
121
SGMII_MDATA
IO
-
Reserved
122
SGMII_MCLK
O
-
Reserved
123
SGMII_TX_M
O
-
Reserved
124
SGMII_TX_P
O
-
Reserved
125
SGMII_RX_P
I
-
Reserved
126
SGMII_RX_M
I
-
Reserved
127
PM_ENABLE
O
-
Reserved
128
VREG_L5_UIM2
PO
-
Reserved
129
SDC1_DATA3
IO
-
Reserved
130
SDC1_DATA2
IO
-
Reserved
131
SDC1_DATA1
IO
-
Reserved
132
SDC1_DATA0
IO
-
Reserved
133
SDC1_CLK
O
-
Reserved
134
SDC1_CMD
O
-
Reserved
135
WAKE_WLAN
I
Reserved
136
WLAN_EN
O
-
Reserved
137
NC
-
-
Reserved (Do not pull up)
138
Reserved
-
-
Reserved (Do not pull up)
139
BT_EN
O
-
Reserved
140
NC
-
-
NC
141
RESERVED
-
-
Reserved
142
RESERVED
-
-
Reserved
143
RESERVED
-
-
Reserved
144
RESERVED
-
-
Reserved

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FIBOCOM NL668-LA Series Hardware Guide Page 20 of 61
Note:
Keep the unused pins floating. The reserved pins are in development.