Quectel L76C User manual

L76C EVB User Guide
GNSS Module Series
Rev. L76C_EVB_User_Guide_V1.0
Date: 2018-08-29
Status: Released
www.quectel.com

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Copyright © Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd. 2018. All rights reserved.

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About the document
History
Revision
Date
Author
Description
1.0
2018-08-29
Brooke WANG/
Gobber HU
Initial

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Contents
About the document ...................................................................................................................................2
Contents.......................................................................................................................................................3
Table Index...................................................................................................................................................4
Figure Index.................................................................................................................................................5
1Introduction..........................................................................................................................................6
1.1. Safety Information.......................................................................................................................7
2General Overview.................................................................................................................................8
2.1. Top and Bottom Views................................................................................................................8
2.2. Key Features.............................................................................................................................10
2.3. EVB KitAccessories .................................................................................................................10
3Interface Applications .......................................................................................................................12
3.1. Micro-USB Interface..................................................................................................................12
3.2. SD Card Interface .....................................................................................................................13
3.3. Antenna Interface......................................................................................................................13
3.4. Switches and Buttons ...............................................................................................................14
3.5. Operation Status Indication LEDs.............................................................................................15
3.6. Test Points.................................................................................................................................16
4EVB and Accessories Assembly......................................................................................................17
5EVB Operation Procedures...............................................................................................................18
5.1. Communication via USB Interface............................................................................................18
5.2. Firmware Upgrade....................................................................................................................19
6Usage of uSTAR.................................................................................................................................20
6.1. uSTAR Interface........................................................................................................................20
6.1.1. COM Port and Baud Rate Setting..................................................................................20
6.1.2. Explanations of uSTAR Interface...................................................................................21
6.2. Command Sending ...................................................................................................................22
6.3. TTFF Testing.............................................................................................................................23
7Appendix A Reference.......................................................................................................................26

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Table Index
TABLE 1: INTERFACES OF L76C EVB.............................................................................................................. 9
TABLE 2: KEY FEATURES OF L76C EVB........................................................................................................ 10
TABLE 3: LIST OF ACCESSORIES...................................................................................................................11
TABLE 4: L76C SWITCHES AND BUTTONS................................................................................................... 15
TABLE 5: OPERATION STATUS INDICATION LEDS....................................................................................... 15
TABLE 6: PIN DESCRIPTION OF J106............................................................................................................ 16
TABLE 7: EXPLANATIONS OF USTAR INTERFACE....................................................................................... 21
TABLE 8: TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS........................................................................................................ 26

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Figure Index
FIGURE 1: TOP VIEW OF L76C EVB................................................................................................................. 8
FIGURE 2: BOTTOM VIEW OF L76C EVB......................................................................................................... 9
FIGURE 3: EVB KIT ACCESSORIES ............................................................................................................... 10
FIGURE 4: MICRO-USB INTERFACE.............................................................................................................. 12
FIGURE 5: SD CARD INTERFACE................................................................................................................... 13
FIGURE 6: L76C EVB ANTENNA INTERFACE................................................................................................ 14
FIGURE 7: L76C EVB SWITCHES AND BUTTONS ........................................................................................ 14
FIGURE 8: OPERATION STATUS INDICATION LEDS .................................................................................... 15
FIGURE 9: L76C EVB TEST POINTS - J106.................................................................................................... 16
FIGURE 10: L76C EVB AND ACCESSORIES ASSEMBLY.............................................................................. 17
FIGURE 11: USB PORTS.................................................................................................................................. 18
FIGURE 12: COM PORT SETTING INTERFACE OF QCOM .......................................................................... 18
FIGURE 13: FIREBIRD UPDATE FW TOOL CONFIGURATIONS FOR FIRMWARE UPGRADE................... 19
FIGURE 14: USTAR TOOL INTERFACE .......................................................................................................... 20
FIGURE 15: COM PORTAND BAUD RATE SELECTION ............................................................................... 21
FIGURE 16: COMMAND SENDING VIA USTAR.............................................................................................. 23
FIGURE 17: STATIC TTFF TESTING VIA USTAR............................................................................................ 24
FIGURE 18: COLD START TTFF TESTING CONFIGURATION...................................................................... 24
FIGURE 19: HOT START TTFF TESTING CONFIGURATION OPTIONS ....................................................... 25
FIGURE 20: WARM START TTFF TESTING CONFIGURATION OPTIONS.................................................... 25

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1Introduction
This document defines and specifies the usage of L76C EVB (Evaluation Board) which is an assistant tool
for engineers to develop and test Quectel L76C module.

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1.1. Safety Information
The following safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation, such as usage, service
or repair of any cellular terminal or mobile incorporating L76C module. Manufacturers of the cellular
terminal should send the following safety information to users and operating personnel, and incorporate
these guidelines into all manuals supplied with the product. If not so, Quectel assumes no liability for
customers' failure to comply with these precautions.
Full attention must be given to driving at all times in order to reduce the risk of an
accident. Using a mobile while driving (even with a handsfree kit) causes
distraction and can lead to an accident. Please comply with laws and regulations
restricting the use of wireless devices while driving.
Switch off the cellular terminal or mobile before boarding an aircraft. The operation
of wireless appliances in an aircraft is forbidden to prevent interference with
communication systems. If the device offers an Airplane Mode, then it should be
enabled prior to boarding an aircraft. Please consult the airline staff for more
restrictions on the use of wireless devices on boarding the aircraft.
Wireless devices may cause interference on sensitive medical equipment, so
please be aware of the restrictions on the use of wireless devices when in
hospitals, clinics or other healthcare facilities.
Cellular terminals or mobiles operating over radio signals and cellular network
cannot be guaranteed to connect in all possible conditions (for example, with
unpaid bills or with an invalid (U)SIM card). When emergent help is needed in such
conditions, please remember using emergency call. In order to make or receive a
call, the cellular terminal or mobile must be switched on in a service area with
adequate cellular signal strength.
The cellular terminal or mobile contains a transmitter and receiver.When it is ON, it
receives and transmits radio frequency signals. RF interference can occur if it is
used close to TV set, radio, computer or other electric equipment.
In locations with potentially explosive atmospheres, obey all posted signs to turn
off wireless devices such as your phone or other cellular terminals. Areas with
potentially explosive atmospheres include fuelling areas, below decks on boats,
fuel or chemical transfer or storage facilities, areas where the air contains
chemicals or particles such as grain, dust or metal powders, etc.

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2General Overview
2.1. Top and Bottom Views
The following illustrate the top and bottom views of L76C EVB.
B
CD
E
F
GH
I
J
Figure 1: Top View of L76C EVB

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A
Figure 2: Bottom View of L76C EVB
Table 1: Interfaces of L76C EVB
SN.
Reference
Number
Description
A
J303
SD card interface
B
S301
USB ←→ SD (serial port alternation switch)
C
S102
RESET button
D
S103
Reserved
E
S201
POWER switch
F
J201
Micro-USB interface
G
D105, D106
Indication LEDs
H
J101
Antenna interface
I
U101
L76C module
J
J106
Test points

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2.2. Key Features
The following table describes the detailed features of L76C EVB.
Table 2: Key Features of L76C EVB
2.3. EVB Kit Accessories
GNSS Antenna
EVB
USB Flash
Drive
USB Cable
Bolts and
Coupling
Nuts
Figure 3: EVB Kit Accessories
Features
Implementation
Power Supply
DC power supply (J201): 4.5V~5.5V, typically: 5.0V
SD Card Interface
SD card for NEMA output data storage
Micro-USB Interface
Power supply and NEMA sentence output
Signal Indication
2 LEDs are available for signal indication
Switches and Buttons
POWER Switch (S201)
RESET (S102)
USB ←→ SD (serial port alternation switch) (S301)
Physical Characteristics
Size: 115mm ×80mm

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Table 3: List of Accessories
Items
Description
Quantity
EVB
L76C EVB
1
Cable
USB cable
1
Antenna
Active GNSS antenna
1
USB Flash Drive
GNSS_EVB_Micro-USB_Driver_CP210x
1
Instruction Sheet
A sheet of paper giving instructions for EVB
connection, details of EVB accessories, etc.
1
Others
Bolts and coupling nuts
4 for each type

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3Interface Applications
3.1. Micro-USB Interface
The main power is supplied via a Micro-USB interface. Both Micro-USB and SD card interfaces can be
used for data communication, and they can be switched to each other by the alternation switch (S301). If
SD card interface is used for data communication (NMEA sentence output), then both SD card and
Micro-USB cables are necessary for operating the EVB. So it is strongly recommended to use the
Micro-USB interface for both power supply and NEMA sentence output, during which only a USB cable is
needed.
Micro-USB
Interface
Figure 4: Micro-USB Interface

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3.2. SD Card Interface
The interface supports SD card to store module output data. The memory storage capacity of supported
SD card should be no more than 32GB.
Figure 5: SD Card Interface
3.3. Antenna Interface
The L76C module can be connected to a dedicated passive or active GNSS antenna and it has a built-in
LNA to improve sensitivity. The antenna interface is used for connection with an external antenna.

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Antenna
Figure 6: L76C EVB Antenna Interface
3.4. Switches and Buttons
The following illustrates the switches and buttons of the EVB.
S301
S201 S102 S103
Figure 7: L76C EVB Switches and Buttons

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Table 4: L76C Switches and Buttons
3.5. Operation Status Indication LEDs
D105 D106
Figure 8: Operation Status Indication LEDs
Table 5: Operation Status Indication LEDs
Part No.
Name
I/O
Description
S102
RESET
DI
Press and then release the button, the module
will be reset.
S103
-
-
Reserved
S201
POWER
PI
Control power supply via Micro-USB interface.
S301
USB ←→ SD
(serial port
alternation switch)
IO
L76C EVB supports data communication via both
Micro-USB and SD card interfaces which are
controlled and switched by the S301 switch.
Part
Name
I/O
Description
D105
TXD
DO
Flash: the module is turned on successfully, and
either Micro-USB or SD card interface can be used to
output messages.
Extinct: failed to turn on the module.
D106
1PPS
DO
Flash: successful fix. The frequency is 1Hz.
Extinct: no fix.

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3.6. Test Points
The following figure illustrates the test points of the EVB.
1
23
45
6789 10
Figure 9: L76C EVB Test Points - J106
Table 6: Pin Description of J106
Pin No.
Signal
I/O
Description
1/10
GND
-
Ground
2
NC
-
Reserved
3
1PPS
DO
1 pulse per second
4
NC
-
Reserved
5
NC
-
Reserved
6
NC
-
Reserved
7
RESET
DI
System reset
8
TXD1
DO
Transmit data
9
RXD1
DI
Receive data

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4EVB and Accessories Assembly
The following figure shows the assembly of L76C EVB and its accessories.
Figure 10: L76C EVB and Accessories Assembly

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5EVB Operation Procedures
This chapter mainly illustrates the operation procedures of L76C EVB.
5.1. Communication via USB Interface
Step 1: Connect the EVB and the PC with a USB cable through USB interface, and then switch S201 to
ON state to power on the EVB.
Step 2: Run the USB flash drive on PC to install the USB driver. The USB port numbers can be viewed
through the PC Device Manager, shown as below.
Figure 11: USB Ports
Step 3: Install and then use the QCOM tool provided by Quectel to realize the communication between
the L76C module and the PC.
The following figure shows the COM Port Setting interface of QCOM: select the correct “COM
Port”(USB Port shown in the above figure) and set the correct “Baudrate” (the default value:
9600bps). For more details of QCOM usage, please refer to Quectel_QCOM_User_Guide.
Figure 12: COM Port Setting Interface of QCOM

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5.2. Firmware Upgrade
Quectel L76C module upgrades its firmware via USB interface by default. Please follow the procedures
below to upgrade the firmware.
Step 1: Install and open the firmware upgrade tool (Firebird Update FW Tool) on PC.
Step 2: Power on the EVB according to the procedures mentioned in step 1 of Chapter 5.1.
Step 3: Follow the steps below to start firmware upgrade.
a) Select the COM port.
b) Choose the firmware package.
c) Click the “Baud rate” dropdown list and select “9600”.
d) Click the “START” button to upgrade the firmware.
a
b
c
d
Figure 13:Firebird Update FW Tool Configurations for Firmware Upgrade