Telit Wireless Solutions SC872-A Specification sheet

SC872-A
Product User Guide
1VV0301202 Rev. 6
2019-12-05

SC872-A Product User Guide Notices
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SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
NOTICES
While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this document, Telit
assumes no liability resulting from any inaccuracies or omissions in this document, or from use
of the information obtained herein. The information in this document has been carefully checked
and is believed to be reliable, however no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies or
omissions. Telit reserves the right to make changes to any products described herein and
reserves the right to revise this document and to make changes from time to time in content
hereof with no obligation to notify any person of revisions or changes. Telit does not assume
any liability arising out of the application or use of any product, software, or circuit described
herein; neither does it convey license under its patent rights or the rights of others.
It is possible that this publication may contain references to, or information about Telit products
(machines and programs), programming, or services that are not announced in your country.
Such references or information must not be construed to mean that Telit intends to announce
such Telit products, programming, or services in your country.
COPYRIGHTS
This manual and the Telit products described herein may be, include or describe copyrighted
Telit material, such as computer programs stored in semiconductor memories or other media.
Laws in Italy and other countries preserve for Telit and its licensors certain exclusive rights for
copyrighted material, including the exclusive right to copy, reproduce in any form, distribute and
make derivative works of the copyrighted material. Accordingly, any copyrighted material of Telit
and its licensors contained herein or in the Telit products described in this manual may not be
copied, reproduced, distributed, merged or modified in any manner without the express written
permission of Telit. Furthermore, the purchase of Telit products shall not be deemed to grant
either directly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license under the copyrights, patents
or patent applications of Telit, as arises by operation of law in the sale of a product.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE COPYRIGHTS
The Telit and Third Party supplied Software (SW) products described in this manual may
include copyrighted Telit and other Third Party supplied computer programs stored in
semiconductor memories or other media. Laws in Italy and other countries preserve for Telit and
other Third Party supplied SW certain exclusive rights for copyrighted computer programs,
including the exclusive right to copy or reproduce in any form the copyrighted computer
program. Accordingly, any copyrighted Telit or other Third Party supplied SW computer
programs contained in the Telit products described in this manual may not be copied (reverse
engineered) or reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of Telit or the
third-party SW supplier. Furthermore, the purchase of Telit products shall not be deemed to
grant either directly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license under the copyrights,
patents or patent applications of Telit or other Third Party supplied SW, except for the normal
non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use that arises by operation of law in the sale of a product.

SC872-A Product User Guide Notices
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USAGE AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS
I. License Agreements
The software described in this document is the property of Telit and its licensors. It is furnished
by express license agreement only and may be used only in accordance with the terms of such
an agreement.
II. Copyrighted Materials
Software and documentation are copyrighted materials. Making unauthorized copies is
prohibited by law. No part of the software or documentation may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language,
in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of Telit
III. High Risk Materials
Components, units, or third-party products used in the product described herein are NOT fault-
tolerant and are NOT designed, manufactured, or intended for use as on-line control equipment
in the following hazardous environments requiring fail-safe controls: the operation of Nuclear
Facilities, Aircraft Navigation or Aircraft Communication Systems, Air Traffic Control, Life
Support, or Weapons Systems (High Risk Activities"). Telit and its supplier(s) specifically
disclaim any expressed or implied warranty of fitness for such high-risk activities.
IV. Trademarks
TELIT and the Stylized T Logo are registered in the Trademark Office. All other product or
service names are the property of their respective owners.
V. Third Party Rights
The software may include Third Party Right software. In this case you agree to comply with all
terms and conditions imposed on you in respect of such separate software. In addition to Third
Party Terms, the disclaimer of warranty and limitation of liability provisions in this License shall
apply to the Third-Party Right software.
TELIT HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED FROM
ANY THIRD PARTIES REGARDING ANY SEPARATE FILES, ANY THIRD-PARTY
MATERIALS INCLUDED IN THE SOFTWARE, ANY THIRD-PARTY MATERIALS FROM
WHICH THE SOFTWARE IS DERIVED (COLLECTIVELY “OTHER CODE”), AND THE USE OF
ANY OR ALL THE OTHER CODE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE, INCLUDING
(WITHOUT LIMITATION) ANY WARRANTIES OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
NO THIRD PARTY LICENSORS OF OTHER CODE SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS), HOWEVER CAUSED AND
WHETHER MADE UNDER CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHER LEGAL THEORY, ARISING IN
ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OR DISTRIBUTION OF THE OTHER CODE OR THE
EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS GRANTED UNDER EITHER OR BOTH THIS LICENSE AND
THE LEGAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO ANY SEPARATE FILES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

SC872-A Product User Guide Product Applicability Table
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PRODUCT
SC872-A
Table 0-1 Product Applicability Table
PRODUCT APPLICABILITY TABLE

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CONTENTS
NOTICES....................................................................................................................................2
COPYRIGHTS ............................................................................................................................2
COMPUTER SOFTWARE COPYRIGHTS..................................................................................2
USAGE AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS...........................................................................3
PRODUCT APPLICABILITY TABLE..........................................................................................4
CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................5
TABLES .....................................................................................................................................7
FIGURES....................................................................................................................................8
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................9
Purpose ......................................................................................................................9
Contact and Support Information.................................................................................9
Text Conventions ........................................................................................................9
Related Publications and Downloads ........................................................................10
Related Documents and downloads........................................................................10
Related Documents Requiring a Non-Disclosure Agreement ..................................10
2PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ...........................................................................................11
Product Overview......................................................................................................11
Block Diagram...........................................................................................................12
SC872-A Block Diagram .........................................................................................12
Product Pictures........................................................................................................13
3EVALUATION KIT ........................................................................................................14
4PRODUCT FEATURES ................................................................................................16
Multi-Constellation Navigation...................................................................................16
Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) ......................................................................16
Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS)..........................................................16
SBAS Corrections...................................................................................................16
Assisted GPS (AGPS)...............................................................................................16
Locally-generated AGPS - Embedded Assist System (EASY) ................................16
Server-generated AGPS - Extended Prediction Orbit (EPO) ...................................17
Host EPO................................................................................................................17
10 Hz Navigation.......................................................................................................17
Elevation Mask Angle................................................................................................17
Static Navigation .......................................................................................................17
Jamming Rejection – Active Interference Cancellation (AIC).....................................17
Internal LNA..............................................................................................................18

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Serial I/O Port ...........................................................................................................18
Power Management Modes ......................................................................................19
Full Power Continuous Mode ..................................................................................19
Backup Mode (Perpetual) .......................................................................................20
Standby Modes.......................................................................................................20
GLP Mode ..............................................................................................................20
Periodic Modes .......................................................................................................21
AlwaysLocate™ Modes ..........................................................................................22
5DATA RETENTION.......................................................................................................23
6PRODUCT PERFORMANCE........................................................................................24
Performance – SC87x-A ...........................................................................................24
Horizontal Position Accuracy ..................................................................................24
Time to First Fix ......................................................................................................24
Sensitivity ...............................................................................................................25
Jamming Mitigation Performance example................................................................26
7MESSAGE INTERFACE ...............................................................................................27
NMEA Output Messages...........................................................................................27
Standard Messages................................................................................................27
Proprietary Output Messages .................................................................................28
NMEA Input Commands............................................................................................29
NMEA Commands List............................................................................................29
8FLASH UPGRADABILITY ............................................................................................30
9ELECTRICAL INTERFACE ..........................................................................................31
Module Pinout – SC872-A.........................................................................................31
DC Power Supply......................................................................................................32
VCC........................................................................................................................32
Battery ....................................................................................................................32
DC Power Requirements ........................................................................................32
DC Power Consumption .........................................................................................33
Digital Interface Signals ............................................................................................34
UART TX Usage .....................................................................................................34
UART Port Operation..............................................................................................34
TX/RX Signal Levels...............................................................................................34
Built-in Antenna.........................................................................................................35
RF Signal Requirements ...........................................................................................36
GNSS Antenna Polarization....................................................................................37
RF Interference.......................................................................................................37
Shielding.................................................................................................................37
10 REFERENCE DESIGN..................................................................................................38

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11 MECHANICAL DRAWINGS..........................................................................................39
Ground Plane............................................................................................................39
SC872-A Mechanical Drawings.................................................................................40
12 PACKAGING & HANDLING .........................................................................................41
Product Marking and Serialization.............................................................................41
Product Packaging....................................................................................................42
Moisture Sensitivity ...................................................................................................43
Disposal ....................................................................................................................45
Safety........................................................................................................................45
13 ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................46
Operating Environmental Limits ................................................................................46
Storage Environmental Limits ...................................................................................46
14 COMPLIANCES............................................................................................................47
15 SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................48
16 GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS....................................................................................49
17 DOCUMENT HISTORY.................................................................................................52
TABLES
Table 0-1 Product Applicability Table ........................................................................................ 4
Table 4-1 Power Management - Command summary ...............................................................19
Table 5-1 Data Retention ..........................................................................................................23
Table 6-1 Horizontal Position Accuracy.....................................................................................24
Table 6-2 Time to First Fix ........................................................................................................24
Table 6-3 Sensitivity..................................................................................................................25
Table 7-1 Default NMEA output messages ...............................................................................27
Table 7-2 Available Messages ..................................................................................................27
Table 7-3 NMEA Talker IDs ......................................................................................................28
Table 7-4 Proprietary Output Messages....................................................................................28
Table 7-5 NMEA Input Commands............................................................................................29
Table 9-1 DC Supply Voltage....................................................................................................32
Table 9-2 Power Consumption..................................................................................................33
Table 9-3 Logic Levels – TX and RX.........................................................................................34
Table 12-1 Product Label Description .......................................................................................41
Table 13-1 Operating Environmental Limits ..............................................................................46
Table 13-2 Storage Environmental Limits..................................................................................46

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FIGURES
Figure 2-1 SC872-ABlock Diagram ...........................................................................................12
Figure 2-2 SC872-A Pictures ...................................................................................................13
Figure 3-1 Evaluation Kit contents............................................................................................14
Figure 3-2 SC872-A Evaluation Unit ........................................................................................15
Figure 4-1Jamming Rejection ...................................................................................................18
Figure 4-2 GNSS Low Power (GLP) mode diagram ..................................................................20
Figure 4-3 Periodic Modes diagram ..........................................................................................21
Figure 4-4 Periodic Mode example 1.........................................................................................21
Figure 4-5 Periodic Mode example 2.........................................................................................21
Figure 6-1 Jamming with AIC Disabled .....................................................................................26
Figure 6-2 Jamming with AIC Enabled ......................................................................................26
Figure 9-1 SC872-A Pin-out......................................................................................................31
Figure 10-1 SC872-A Reference Design...................................................................................38
Figure 11-1 SC872-A Ground Plane ........................................................................................39
Figure 11-2 SC872-A Mechanical Drawing ..............................................................................40
Figure 12-1 Product Label.........................................................................................................41
Figure 12-2 Tray Packaging......................................................................................................42
Figure 12-3 Moisture Sensitive Devices Label...........................................................................44

SC872-A Product User Guide Introduction
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1 INTRODUCTION
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide information regarding the function, features, and
usage of the Telit products listed in Table 0-1 Product Applicability Table
Contact and Support Information
For general contact, technical support services, technical questions, and to report
documentation errors contact Telit Technical Support at:
•[e-mail]
•[e-mail]
•TS-[email protected]
For detailed information about where you can buy the Telit modules or for recommendations on
accessories and components visit:
•http://www.telit.com
Our aim is to make this guide as helpful as possible. Keep us informed of your comments and
suggestions for improvements.
Telit appreciates feedback from the users of our information.
Text Conventions
Dates are in ISO 8601 format, i.e. YYYY-MM-DD.
Symbol
Description
Danger – This information MUST be followed or catastrophic equipment failure
and/or bodily injury may occur.
Caution or Warning – This is an important point about integrating the product into a
system. If this information is disregarded, the product or system may malfunction or
fail.
Tip – This is advice or suggestion that may be useful when integrating the product.

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Related Publications and Downloads
Please see http://www.telit.com/gnss/ for current documentation and downloads
Related Documents and downloads
•Datasheets
•Product User Guides
•EVK User Guides
•Software User Guides
•Application Notes
•TelitView installation and documentation
Related Documents Requiring a Non-Disclosure Agreement
•Authorized Software User Guides
•Product firmware

SC872-A Product User Guide Product Description
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2 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The SC872-A is an integrated GNSS receiver module using a state of the art GNSS engine
(MT3333) and includes a built-in GNSS antenna. It features a 4-pin connector for easy installation.
It provides a complete position, velocity, and time (PVT) engine featuring high performance,
high sensitivity, and low power consumption.
Special Features
Built-in antenna
Li rechargeable battery
Connector: 4-pin
Product Overview
•Complete high-sensitivity GNSS receiver including flash memory, TCXO, and RTC with
antenna, LNA, and SAW filter
•Rechargeable Li battery
•Based on the MT3333 engine with ARM7 core, 99 search channels and 33 tracking
channels
•Constellations: GPS (L1), QZSS, and either Glonass (L1) or BeiDou (B1) or Galileo
•SBAS corrections capable (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN)
•AGPS support for extended ephemeris using autonomous or server-based solutions:
oAutonomous: Embedded Assist System (EASY) 1
oServer: Extended Prediction Orbit (EPO) 1
•Jamming Rejection: Active Interference Cancellation (AIC)
•Multipath mitigation
•Standard LVTTL serial port for input commands and output messages
•NMEA command input and data output
•Configurable fix reporting - Default: 1Hz, Max: 10 Hz
•Memory: 8 Megabit built-in flash.
•Less than 90 76 mW typical power consumption (Full Power, GPS + GLONASS)
•Power management modes for extended battery life
•Supported by evaluation kits
•-20°C to +60°C temperature range
•FCC 911 compliance
•RoHS compliant design

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Block Diagram
SC872-A Block Diagram
Figure 2-1 SC872-ABlock Diagram

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Product Pictures
Top (antenna)
Bottom
Figure 2-2 SC872-A Pictures

SC872-A Product User Guide Evaluation Kit
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3 EVALUATION KIT
The SC872-A Evaluation Kit (EVK) is available to assist in the evaluation and integration of the
receiver module in custom applications. The EVK contains the necessary items to complete an
evaluation of the module.
Figure 3-1 Evaluation Kit contents

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Figure 3-2 SC872-A Evaluation Unit

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4 PRODUCT FEATURES
Multi-Constellation Navigation
GPS and GLONASS constellations are enabled by default. If BeiDou is enabled, GLONASS and
Galileo are disabled.
The user may enable or disable constellations via the $PMTK353 command
Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS)
The satellites of the Japanese regional SBAS are in a highly inclined, elliptical geosynchronous
orbit, allowing continuous high-elevation coverage over Japan using only three satellites plus
one geostationary satellite. PRNs 193, 194, and 195 are supported. They provide ranging
signals for augmentation of the GPS system.
QZSS constellation usage is controlled by the $PMTK352 command and is disabled by default.
NMEA reporting for QZSS may be enabled/disabled by the $PMTK351 command.
Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS)
The receiver is capable of using SBAS satellites as a source of differential corrections. These
systems (WAAS, EGNOS, GAGAN and MSAS) use geostationary satellites to transmit signals
similar to those of GPS in the same L1 band.
Enabling the SBAS feature limits the maximum fix rate to 5 Hz. Otherwise, the maximum is 10
Hz.
The module is enabled for SBAS by default, but can be disabled by command $PTMK313.
SBAS corrections are set by the $PMTK301 command.
SBAS Corrections
The SBAS satellites transmit a set of differential corrections to their respective regions. The use
of SBAS corrections can improve positioning accuracy.
Assisted GPS (AGPS)
Assisted GPS (or Aided GPS) is a method by which information from a source other than
broadcast GPS signals is used to improve (i.e. reduce) TTFF.
The necessary ephemeris data is calculated either by the receiver itself (locally-generated
ephemeris), or a server (server-generated ephemeris) and is then stored in the module.
Locally-generated AGPS - Embedded Assist System (EASY)
Proprietary algorithms within the module perform GPS ephemeris prediction locally from stored
broadcast ephemeris data (received from tracked satellites). The algorithms predict orbital
parameters for up to three days. The module must operate in Full Power mode for at least 5
minutes to collect ephemeris data from visible satellites, or 12 hours for the full constellation.
EASY is disabled if the fix rate is > 1 Hz
EASY is on by default, but can be disabled by command $PMTK869.

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Server-generated AGPS - Extended Prediction Orbit (EPO)
Server-generated ephemeris predictions are maintained on Telit AGPS servers. The predicted
ephemeris file is obtained from the AGPS server and is transmitted to the module over a serial
port. These predictions do not require local broadcast ephemeris collection, and are valid for up
to 14 days.
Note that the EPO data stream does not conform to the NMEA-0183 standard.
Please refer to the Telit EPO Application Note for details.
Example source code is available under NDA.
Contact TELIT for support regarding this service.
Host EPO
The modules can make use of Host-based EPO. If the system design includes a host processor,
it can access server-generated EPO data and send it to the module over a serial port. This data
is valid for six hours.
Host EPO data is not retained over a power cycle.
Note that the EPO data stream does not conform to the NMEA-0183 standard.
Please refer to the MT333x Host EPO Application Note.
Please contact Telit support for further details.
10 Hz Navigation
The default rate of 1 Hz can be changed by command $PMTK500 to a maximum of 10 Hz.
Enabling the SBAS feature limits the maximum fix rate to 5 Hz.
Elevation Mask Angle
The default elevation mask angle is 5°. It can be changed via the PMTK311 command.
Static Navigation
Static Navigation is an operating mode in which the receiver will freeze the position fix when the
speed falls below a set threshold (indicating that the receiver is stationary).
The course and altitude are also frozen, and the speed is reported as “0”.
The navigation solution is unfrozen when the speed increases above a threshold or when the
computed position exceeds a set distance (10 m) from the frozen position (indicating that the
receiver is again in motion). The speed threshold can be set via the command.
Set this threshold to zero to disable static navigation.
This feature is useful for applications in which very low dynamics are not expected, the classic
example being an automotive application.
Static Navigation is disabled by default, but can be enabled by command $PMTK386.
Jamming Rejection – Active Interference Cancellation (AIC)
The receiver module detects and removes narrow-band interfering signals (jamming signals)
without the need for external components or tuning. It rejects up to 12 CW (Continuous Wave)
type signals of up to –80 dBm (total power signal levels). This feature is useful both in the
design stage and during the production stage for uncovering issues related to unexpected
jamming. When enabled, Jamming Rejection will increase current drain by about 1 mA, and
impact on GNSS performance is low at modest jamming levels. However, at high jamming

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levels (e. g. –90 to –80 dBm), the RF signal sampling ADC starts to become saturated after
which the GNSS signal levels start to diminish.
Jamming rejection is enabled by default, but can be disabled with the PMTK286 command.
Figure 4-1Jamming Rejection
Internal LNA
The modules include a built-in LNA to increase sensitivity followed by a SAW filter..
Serial I/O Port
The message I/O is transmitted and received over the UART serial port.

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Power Management Modes
The receiver supports operating modes that reduce overall current consumption with less
frequent position fixes. Availability of GNSS signals in the operating environment will be a factor
in choosing power management modes. The designer can choose a mode that provides the
best trade-off of navigation performance versus power consumption.
The various power management modes can be enabled by sending the desired command using
the host serial port (RX).
Table 4-1 Power Management - Command summary
Full Power Continuous Mode
The module starts in full power continuous mode when powered up. This mode uses the
acquisition engine to search for all possible satellites at full performance, resulting in the highest
sensitivity and the shortest possible TTFF.
The receiver then switches to the tracking engine to lower the power consumption when:
•A valid GPS/GNSS position is obtained
•The ephemeris for each satellite in view is valid
To return to Full Power mode from a low power mode, send a $PMTK225,0*2B
command just after the module wakes up from its previous sleep cycle.

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Backup Mode (Perpetual)
Do not enter the Perpetual Backup mode. The SC872-A modules do not have a
Force_On pin, and a power cycle will be required to return to normal operation.
Standby Modes
In these modes, the receiver stops navigation, the internal processor enters the standby state,
and the current drain at main supply VCC_IN is substantially reduced.
STOP: ARM baseband, RF, and TCXO are powered down
SLEEP: ARM baseband and RF are powered down
To enter a Standby mode, send the following command:
$PMTK161,0*28 (STOP Mode)
$PMTK161,1*29 (SLEEP Mode)
To exit a Standby mode, send any byte to the host port (RX).
GLP Mode
In the GNSS Low Power (GLP) mode, power consumption is reduced for some time during a
one second period. The module will alternate this cycling with periods of full power when
necessary, for example weak signals or decoding the navigation message.
A typical current draw is 10 to 14 mA, depending on conditions.
Note that position accuracy will be reduced during GLP operation, therefore the user must
determine the tradeoff between power consumption and desired accuracy.
A timeline is shown below:
Figure 4-2 GNSS Low Power (GLP) mode diagram
To enter the GLP mode, send the command:
$PMTK262,3
To exit the GLP mode and return to full-power mode, send the command:
$PMTK262,0