NORTHPOLE GEM3NFC User manual

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
612.305.0440
GEM3NFC
Hardware Manual
Version 1.0
August 31, 2020
NORTH POLE ENGINEERING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
THIS DOCUMENT IS INTENDED FOR USE BY APPLICATION DEVELOPERS TO
CREATE APPLICATIONS COMPATIBLE WITH THE NORTH POLE ENGINEERING
GEM MODULE. USE OF THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
DOCUMENT TO CREATE COMPETING HARDWARE TO THE NORTH POLE
ENGINEERING GEM MODULE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Revision History
Version
Revision Date
Change History
0.1
October 2, 2019
Initial draft
0.2
October 30, 2019
Added mechanical drawing
0.3
April 13, 2020
Added UART connection note,
added power consumption data
for different modes
1.0
August 31, 2020
Added current consumption
information and I2C interface
details

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
612.305.0440
Table of Contents
Revision History......................................................................................................................................2
Overview and Key Features ................................................................................................................4
Features................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Specification.............................................................................................................................................6
Specification Summary................................................................................................................................... 6
Hardware Specifications......................................................................................................................7
Block Diagrams.................................................................................................................................................. 7
GEM3NFC Overview ...............................................................................................................................9
Overview .............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Data, power, & I/O connector ...................................................................................................................... 9
Additional I/O ..................................................................................................................................................10
NFC Reader........................................................................................................................................................10
NFC Antenna.....................................................................................................................................................10
GEM3 module ...................................................................................................................................................10
Specifications........................................................................................................................................ 10
Operating Parameters...................................................................................................................................10
GEM3NFC Considerations ................................................................................................................. 12
Antenna Characteristics...............................................................................................................................12
Mechanical Information.................................................................................................................... 13
Dimensions (in mm)......................................................................................................................................13
Connecting GEM3NFC to Console MCU ......................................................................................... 13
GEM3NFC Host Protocol .................................................................................................................... 14
NFC Reader T4T card mode operation......................................................................................... 14
ISO/IEC 1444A card mode ..........................................................................................................................14
ISO/IEC 14443B card mode........................................................................................................................15
Regulatory & Standards Information........................................................................................... 15
FCC & Industry Canada.................................................................................................................................15
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radiation Exposure Statement: ...................15
FCC Labeling Requirements...................................................................................................................16
FCC Warning:...............................................................................................................................................16
Industry Canada (IC) Warning:.............................................................................................................17
CE ..........................................................................................................................................................................19
Bluetooth Qualification.................................................................................................................................19
Ordering Details................................................................................................................................... 20
Further Assistance .............................................................................................................................. 20

GEM3NFC Hardware Manual
Overview and Key Features
The GEM3NFC module is been designed to allow OEMs to easily add Bluetooth, ANT+, Apple
GymKit, Samsung Galaxy Active/Active 2 and NFC reader connectivity in their product
offering.
The GEM3NFC module is based on Nordic Semicondutor’s nRF52840 multi-protocol
Bluetooth and ANT+ chipset and integrates NXP’s PN7150X NFC reader controller. There is
also space on the board for the Apple authentication 3.0 coprocessor to be mounted for
applications where Apple GymKit support is needed. The GEM3NFC module offers a serial
host interface and has a maximum transmit power of +8dBm, and a sensitivity of -95dBm.
This manual is intended to assist with hardware integration of the GEM3NFC module into a
given design. Details on North Pole Engineering’s GEMHCI protocol software can be found
at http://npe-inc.zendesk.com.
Features
•-95 dBm sensitivity
•TX Power-20 to +8dBm in 4dB steps
•240m line of sight range @ +8dBm
•15 mA peak TX @ 8dB, 6.2mA @ 0dBm
•4.6 mA peak RX
•1dB dB RSSI resolution
•ARM® CortexTMM4F 32 bit processor running at 64MHz
•1MB embedded flash memory and 256 kB RAM
•Serial Host Interface
•I2C Interface
•AES HW encryption
•FCC, CE, IC certified
•Integrated Bluetooth, ANT, and NFC antennas
•RoHS compliant
•Bluetooth End Product Listed
•Integrated GEMHCI software
•Integrated support for ANT+ FE and Bluetooth FTMS
•ANT+ and BLE HRM scanning and connection

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
612.305.0440
•Integrated NFC tap to pair support for wearables including Apple Watch through
GymKit and Samsung Galaxy Active/Active2 Watches.

Specification
Specification Summary
Category
Feature
Implementation
RF
Bluetooth
ANT+
Frequency
Maximum Transmit Power
Minimum Transmit Power
Receive Sensitivity
Range
5.0 Single Mode Peripheral and Central
Broadcaster and receiver
2.402-2.480 GHz
+2dBm
-20dBm
-95dBm
up to 360m line of sight
NFC
Reader
Frequency
Read/Write mode
Peer to Peer mode
Card emulation mode
Tag Type 1,2,3,4,5
13.56MHz
MIFARE, FeliCA, ISO/IEC 14443 A/B,
ISO/IEC 15893
ISO/IEC 18092 target and initiator
NFC Forum T4T
Peripherals
Serial Host Interface
I2C Interface
TX, RX 115.2kbps n,8,1
I2C Master –400Kbps
FW Upgrade
North Pole Engineering
Firmware
Over the air
SWD interface
UART Interface
Control Protocol
GEMHCI
GEMHCI binary command interface
Supply Voltage
Recommended
3.3V
Power Consumption
Less than 50mA peak
Physical
40mm x 40mm
Environmental
-40 to +85C
Approvals
FCC, IC, CE, Bluetooth EPL

Software Diagram

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
612.305.0440
GEM3NFC Overview
Overview
The following picture provides an overview of the various hardware elements of GEM3NFC
board.
Data, power, & I/O connector
The data, power, and I/O connector provides a means to connect a supply voltage of 3.3V to
the GEM3NFC module as well as UART TX and RX lines for serial communications between
the GEM3NFC module and the fitness equipment console MCU. The GEM3NFC UART lines
are TTL level and operate at 115.2Kbps.
NOTE: External connection to the UART TX and UART RX lines should be connected as
shown below. Connect host MCU TX to pin 10 (TX) on GEM3NFC module and host MCU RX
to pin 12 (RX) on GEM3NFC module.
The connector is JST BM14B-ZPDSS-TF(LF)(SN). The mating JST connector housing is JST
ZPDR-14V-S and is available through Digi-Key and other distributors.
Data, power, and I/O connections:
GEM3
Data, Power & I/O
NFC
Reader
NFC Tag Board ConnectorNFC Antenna

NFC Tag Board Connection
The GEM3NFC module includes an additional connector to support connection of an NFC
tag board using I2C communications. Pinout of the I2C interface is shown below:
NFC Reader
The GEM3NFC module incorporates an NFC reader chip allowing for decoding of compatible
NFC tags for user identification for example. In addition, the NFC reader also supports NFC
type 4 tag emulation for tap to pair support with compatible Android and iOS applications.
NFC Antenna
The GEM3NFC module includes an integrated NFC antenna.
GEM3 module
The GEM3NFC includes North Pole Engineering’s GEM3 Bluetooth 5.0 and ANT wireless
OEM module and includes North Pole Engineering’s embedded software specifically
designed for fitness equipment mobile app, group fitness, and wearable connectivity
applications.
Specifications
Operating Parameters
Parameter
Min
Typical
Max
Supply Voltage
3.0V
3.3V
+3.6V
Operating Temperature @ 3.3V
-40C
+85C
Serial Interface
3.0
3.3V
3.6V
1
2
3
4
5
P2
NFC TAG
GND
V3R3
TAG_I2C_SCL
TAG_I2C_SDA
TAG_FD
GND
TP3
TP4
TP5
4.7uF
C4

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
612.305.0440
Power Consumption
Power Mode
Average (mA)
Peak (mA)
Standby
0.890
1
NFC Polling
7
135
NFC Read & Connection
37
228
Watch Connected
2
14
BLE Only
1.5
7
ANT+ Only
1
4

GEM3NFC Considerations
Mechanical items (especially metal) should be kept as far as possible from the module
antenna in all directions, including above and below the board surface. If possible, move
mechanical items out and away from a keepout area of 53mm x 20mm from the GEM3NFC
module edge.
Antenna Characteristics
The GEM3NFC module includes an integrated monopole chip antenna. Antenna
performance will depend on host PCB layout. The following plots show antenna radiation
pattern of the GEM3NFC antenna.
2.4GHz 2.442GHz 2.484GHz
Antenna Performance
Efficiency
Peak Gain
S11
2400MHz
65.72%
4.08 dBi
-16.0 dB
2442MHz
62.72%
3.95 dBi
-14.8 dB
2484MHz
59.73%
4.17dBi
-13.3 dB

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
612.305.0440
Mechanical Information
Dimensions (in mm)
Connecting GEM3NFC to Console MCU
The GEM3NFC is designed for connection to fitness equipment console MCUs through its
Serial interface.
The GEM3NFC serial interface has a TX line and RX line that are 3.3V tolerant and operate at
115.2Kpbs.

GEM3NFC Host Protocol
The GEM3NFC supports North Pole Engineering’s GEMHCI protocol for communication
between the GEM3NFC board and the console MCU using the GEM3NFC module’s serial host
connection. The GEMHCI protocol supports a port speed of 115.2Kbps.
The GEMHCI protocol is a binary protocol and is used to configure the GEM3NFC operation
as well as pass fitness equipment related data to the GEM3NFC for broadcasting to
connection applications using its Bluetooth/ANT+ radio. The GEMHCI protocol can also be
used to send data such as heart rate and calories from a connected fitness application or
device to the console through the GEM3NFC module.
Details of the GEMHCI protocol are provided in the GEMHCI reference manual. Please visit
our knowledge base at http://npe-inc.zendesk.com for the latest version of the GEMHCI
reference manual.
NFC Reader T4T card mode operation
ISO/IEC 1444A card mode

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
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ISO/IEC 14443B card mode
Regulatory & Standards Information
FCC & Industry Canada
The GEM3NFC module has modular approval for the United States and Canada. To ensure
compliance when using the GEM3NFC module in a design, the OEM is required to adhere to
the implementation considerations supplied in this hardware integration guide.
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radiation Exposure Statement:
This device is in compliance with SAR for general population/uncontrolled exposure limits
in ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1999 and had been tested in accordance with the measurement
methods and procedures specified in OET Bulletin 65 Supplement C.
This transceiver must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna,
transmitter, or external amplifiers. Further testing / evaluation of the end product will be
required if the OEM’s device violates any of these requirements.
The GEM3NFC Module is fully approved for mobile and portable applications.

FCC Labeling Requirements
WARNING: The OEM must ensure that FCC labeling requirements are met. This includes a
clearly visible label on the outside of the OEM enclosure specifying the appropriate FCC
identifier is visible.
Contains FCC ID: XRH-NPE109
IC: 11922A-NPE109
If OEM device is larger than 8x10cm, the following FCC part 15.19 statement has to be
visible on outside of device:
The enclosed device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Label and text information type should be large enough to be legible and consistent with the
dimensions of the equipment and the label. The type size is not required to be larger than
eight points.
Comments
The OEM should have their device tested by a qualified test house to verify compliance with
FCC Part 15 Subpart B limits for unintentional radiators.
Any modifications to the GEM3NFC module could void the OEM’s authority to operate the
equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does not cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna
•Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
•Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit that is different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC Warning:
“THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES AND INDUSTRY CANADA
LICENSE-EXEMPT RSS STANDARD(S). OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
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CONDITIONS: (1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS
DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT
MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.
Industry Canada (IC) Warning:
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
French equivalent:
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicable aux appareils radio
exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1)
l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter
tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en
compromettre le fonctionnement.
IC Radiation Exposure Statement
This device is in compliance with SAR for general population/uncontrolled exposure limits
in IC RSS-102 and had been tested in accordance with the measurement methods and
procedures specified in IEEE 1528.
REMARQUE IMPORTANTE
Déclaration IC d'exposition aux radiations
Ce EUT est conforme avec SAR pour la population générale / limites d'exposition non
contrôlée à IC RSS-102 et a été testé en conformité avec les méthodes de mesure et
procédures spécifiées dans la norme IEEE 1528.
Modular Approval
OEM is still responsible for testing their product for any additional compliance
requirements required with this module installed (for example, digital device emissions, PC
peripheral requirements, etc.).
Approbation modulaire
OEM intégrateur est toujours responsable de tester leur produit final pour les exigences de
conformité supplémentaires nécessaires à ce module installé (par exemple, les émissions de
périphériques numériques, les exigences de périphériques PC, etc.)
IMPORTANT NOTE:
In the event that these conditions cannot be met (for example certain laptop configurations
or co-location with another transmitter), then the Canada authorization is no longer
considered valid and the IC ID cannot be used on the final product. In these circumstances,

the OEM integrator will be responsible for re-evaluating the end product (including the
transmitter) and obtaining a separate Canadian authorization.
NOTE IMPORTANTE:
Dans le cas où ces conditions ne peuvent être satisfaites (par exemple pour certaines
configurations d'ordinateur portable ou de certaines co-localisation avec un autre
émetteur), l'autorisation du Canada n'est plus considéré comme valide et l'ID IC ne peut pas
être utilisé sur le produit final. Dans ces circonstances, l'intégrateur OEM sera chargé de
réévaluer le produit final (y compris l'émetteur) et l'obtention d'une autorisation distincte
au Canada.
Le produit final doit être étiqueté dans un endroit visible avec l'inscription suivante: "
GEM3NFC Module Contient des IC: 11922A-NPE109"

North Pole Engineering © North Pole Engineering Inc. 2020
221 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.npe-inc.com
612.305.0440
CE
The GEM3NFC Module has been tested against the appropriate regulatory standards for
European market. OEMs should consult a qualified test house to ensure their product meets
all regulatory requirements.
The GEM3NFC Module Declaration of Conformities is below. Test reports are available upon
request.
Health and Safety –EN60950-1: 2006+A11:2009+A1:2010+A12:2011
Electromagnetic compatibility –EN301489-17 V2.2.1 in accordance with EN 301 489-1
V1.9.2
Radio Frequency Radiated Emissions: EN300 328 V1.9.1
North Pole Engineering declares under our sole responsibility that the essential radio tests
have been carried out and that the GEM Module to which this declaration relates is in
conformity with all applicable essential requirements of Article 3 of the EU Directive
1999/5/EC when used for its intended purpose.
Place of Issue: North Pole Engineering
221 North First Street, Suite 310
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Bluetooth Qualification
The Bluetooth SIG requires every product implementing Bluetooth technology to have a
Declaration ID even though the end product references a Bluetooth design with its own
Declaration ID.
An over of the Bluetooth SIG Qualification Process is as follows:
1. Register as a member of the Bluetooth SIG –www.bluetooth.org
2. Go to product listing page https://www.bluetooth.org/en-us/test-
qualification/qualification-overview
3. Go to Create a Listing: https://www.bluetooth.org/tpg/QLI_SDoc.cfm
4. In the area “Reference a Qualified Design, Enter End Product ID: 77930
5. Select your Declaration ID or Purchase a Declaration ID. Fees for Declaration IDs
vary based on Bluetooth SIG membership level.
6. Once you have completed your listing and paid your declaration fee, your design will
be listed on the Blueooth SIG website.

You can find more details on the Bluetooth SIG listing process at the following webpage:
https://www.bluetooth.org/en-us/test-qualification/qualification-overview
Ordering Details
Part Number
Trays
Shipping Weight
MOQ
Multiple
GEMNFC0301
100 pieces
100
100
Further Assistance
Please contact North Pole Engineering at 1-612-305-0440 or via email at sales@npe-
inc.com if additional help is needed.
NORTH POLE ENGINEERING
221 North 1st Street, Suite 310
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.npe-inc.com