Ublox AMY-6M User manual

AMY-6M
u-blox 6 GPS Module
Data Sheet
Abstract
The technical data sheet specifies the AMY-6M ROM-
based GPS
module featuring the u-blox 6 positioning engine.
The AMY-6M boasts the industry’s smallest form factor and is a fully
tested standalone solution that requires no add
itional components
and no host integration.
This module provides highly flexible power, design, and serial
communication options. The AMY-
6M is pin compatible with the
AMY-5M.
8 x 6.5 x 1.2 mm
www.u-blox.com

AMY-6M - Data Sheet
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Document Information
Title AMY-6M
Subtitle u-blox 6 GPS Module
Document type Data Sheet
Document number UBX-13004381
Document revision R07
Document status Production Information
Document status information
Objective
Specification
This document contains target values. Revised and supplementary data will be published
later.
Advance
Information
This document contains data based on early testing. Revised and supplementary data will
be published later.
Early Production
Information
This document contains data from product verification. Revised and supplementary data
may be published later.
Production
Information
This document contains the final product specification.
This document applies to the following products:
Name Type number ROM/FLASH version PCN reference
AMY-6M AMY-6M-0-002 ROM7.03 UBX-TN-12032
This document and the use of any information contained therein, is subject to the acceptance of the u-blox terms and conditions. They
can be downloaded from www.u-blox.com.
u-blox makes no warranties based on the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this document and reserves the right to make
changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time without notice.
u-blox reserves all rights to this document and the information contained herein. Reproduction, use or disclosure to third parties without
express permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright © 2013, u-blox AG.
u-blox®is a registered trademark of u-blox Holding AG in the EU and other countries. ARM®is the registered trademark of ARM Limited in
the EU and other countries.

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Contents
Contents..............................................................................................................................3
1Functional description..................................................................................................5
1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................. 5
1.2 Product features ................................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 GPS performance.................................................................................................................................. 6
1.4 Block diagram....................................................................................................................................... 7
1.5 Assisted GPS (A-GPS)............................................................................................................................ 7
1.6 AssistNow™ Autonomous.................................................................................................................... 7
1.7 GPS Solution for Android...................................................................................................................... 7
1.8 RTC ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
1.9 Protocols and interfaces........................................................................................................................ 8
1.9.1 UART............................................................................................................................................. 8
1.9.2 USB ............................................................................................................................................... 8
1.9.3 Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)....................................................................................................... 8
1.9.4 Display Data Channel (DDC) .......................................................................................................... 8
1.10 Antenna............................................................................................................................................ 8
1.11 Power management.......................................................................................................................... 9
1.11.1 Operating modes .......................................................................................................................... 9
1.11.2 Eco mode ...................................................................................................................................... 9
1.11.3 Base-band I/O supply voltage (VDD_IO) ......................................................................................... 9
1.11.4 External DC/DC converter control.................................................................................................. 9
1.11.5 Dual Power Supply ...................................................................................................................... 10
1.12 Configuration ................................................................................................................................. 10
1.12.1 Configuration Pins....................................................................................................................... 10
2Pin Definition..............................................................................................................12
2.1 Pin assignment ................................................................................................................................... 12
3Electrical specifications ..............................................................................................14
3.1 Absolute maximum ratings ................................................................................................................. 14
3.2 Operating Conditions ......................................................................................................................... 15
3.2.1 DC Electrical Characteristic (internally generated) ........................................................................ 15
3.2.2 RF AC Parameters........................................................................................................................ 16
3.2.3 BB AC parameters ....................................................................................................................... 16
3.2.4 Power consumption .................................................................................................................... 16
3.3 Indicative power requirements............................................................................................................ 17
3.4 SPI timing diagrams ............................................................................................................................ 17
3.4.1 Timing recommendations ............................................................................................................ 18
4Mechanical specifications ..........................................................................................19
4.1 AMY-6M-0-001.................................................................................................................................. 19

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4.1 AMY-6M-0-002.................................................................................................................................. 20
5Design-in and migration considerations...................................................................21
6Reliability tests and approvals ..................................................................................21
6.1 Reliability tests .................................................................................................................................... 21
6.2 Approvals ........................................................................................................................................... 21
7Product handling ........................................................................................................22
7.1 Packaging........................................................................................................................................... 22
7.1.1 Reels ........................................................................................................................................... 22
7.1.2 Tapes .......................................................................................................................................... 23
7.2 Moisture Sensitivity Levels................................................................................................................... 24
7.3 Reflow soldering................................................................................................................................. 24
7.4 ESD handling precautions ................................................................................................................... 24
8Default settings..........................................................................................................25
9Labeling and ordering information...........................................................................26
9.1 Product labeling.................................................................................................................................. 26
9.2 Explanation of codes........................................................................................................................... 26
9.3 Ordering information.......................................................................................................................... 26
Related documents...........................................................................................................27
Revision history................................................................................................................27
Contact..............................................................................................................................28

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1Functional description
1.1 Overview
The AMY-6M is the world’s smallest standalone GPS module dedicated to consumer applications. It has been
specifically developed to provide basic GPS functionality required by high-volume, portable products. It is a fully
integrated autonomous GPS solution requiring no host integration resulting in fast time-to-market.
The AMY-6M offers four different serial interfaces. The module features an integrated GPS crystal, providing fast
acquisition and tracking performance at an economical price. Furthermore, 2-layer PCB integration is supported,
which brings additional cost savings.
AMY-6M’s miniature size means that it can be integrated into the smallest portable devices. Advanced jamming
suppression mechanisms and innovative RF architecture ensures GPS even in hostile signal environments. The
AMY-6M is pin compatible with the AMY-5M.
1.2 Product features
Table 1: Features of the AMY-6M

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1.3 GPS performance
Parameter Specification
Receiver type 50 Channels
GPS L1 frequency, C/A Code
SBAS: WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS
Time-To-First-Fix1Cold Start (without Aiding) 27s
Warm Start (without Aiding) 27s
Hot Start (without Aiding) 1 s
Aided Starts24 s
Sensitivity3Tracking & Navigation -159 dBm
Reacquisition -159 dBm
Cold Start (without Aiding) -147 dBm
Maximum Navigation update rate 5 Hz
Horizontal position accuracy4GPS 2.5 m
SBAS 2.0 m
Configurable Timepulse frequency range 0.1 Hz to 1 kHz
Accuracy of Timepulse signal4RMS 30 ns
99% <60 ns
Granularity 21 ns
Velocity accuracy50.1m/s
Heading accuracy50.5 degrees
Dynamics ≤4 g
Operational Limits6Altitude 50,000 m
Velocity 500 m/s
Table 2: AMY-6M GPS performance
1All satellites at -130 dBm
2Dependent on aiding data connection speed and latency
3Demonstrated with a good active antenna
4CEP, 50%, 24 hours static, -130 dBm
550% @ 30 m/s
6Assuming Airborne <4g platform

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1.4 Block diagram
Figure 1: AMY-6M Hardware Block Schematic
1.5 Assisted GPS (A-GPS)
Supply of aiding information like ephemeris, almanac, rough last position and time and satellite status and an
optional time synchronization signal will reduce time to first fix significantly and improve the acquisition
sensitivity. The AMY-6M module supports the u-blox AssistNow Online and AssistNow Offline-GPS services7, and
is OMA SUPL ready.
1.6 AssistNow™ Autonomous
AssistNow Autonomous provides functionality similar to Assisted-GPS without the need for a host or external
network connection. Based on previously broadcast satellite ephemeris data downloaded to and stored by the
GPS receiver, AssistNow Autonomous automatically generates accurate satellite orbital data (“AssistNow
Autonomous data”) that is usable for future GPS position fixes. AssistNow Autonomous data is reliable for up to
3 days after initial capture.
u-blox’ AssistNow Autonomous benefits are:
•Faster position fix
•No connectivity required
•Complementary with AssistNow Online and Offline services
•No integration effort, calculations are done in the background
For more details see the u-blox 6 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification [2].
1.7 GPS Solution for Android
u-blox provides a GPS Android solution enabling customers to easily integrate and evaluate GPS functionality in
their Android-based end products. The solution includes A-GPS capabilities for high performance GPS.
u-blox Android GPS Solution is available free of charge. The royalty- free GPS hardware driver library is licensed
for reuse in customer products and available upon request. For more information contact u-blox.
1.8 RTC
The RTC crystal is optional as it is only required in stand-alone applications where hot or warm starts are enabled
and AssistNow Autonomous applications. In these cases, actual time is maintained in the RTC and Ephemeris
7AssistNow Offline requires external memory.

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and other last known data is kept in the backup RAM. In A-GPS based systems, the RTC is not required and
coarse or fine time information is available from the network or from the host application.
The RTC Crystal is not required if the Host CPU provides the time via a serial interface (UBX-AID-INI message) or
a digital 32.768 kHz signal is available.
1.9 Protocols and interfaces
Protocol Type
NMEA Input/output, ASCII, 0183, 2.3 (compatible to 3.0)
UBX Input/output, binary, u-blox proprietary
RTCM Input, 2.3
Table 3: Available protocols
All listed protocols are available on UART, USB, SPI and DDC. For specification of the various protocols see the
u-blox_6 Receiver Description including Protocol Specification [2].
1.9.1 UART
The AMY-6M includes a UART interface. The baud rate can be configured at system start-up through
configuration pins or settings stored permanently in non-volatile memory.
1.9.2 USB
AMY-6M provides a USB version 2.0 FS (Full Speed, 12Mbit/s) interface as an alternative to the UART. The pull-
up resistor on USB_DP is integrated to signal a full-speed device to the host. The VDD_USB pin supplies the USB
interface, independently from the VDD_IO pin. u-blox provides a Microsoft®certified USB driver for Windows XP,
Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.
1.9.3 Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
The SPI interface allows for the connection of an external device with a serial interface to permanently store
configuration or/and AssistNow offline data , e.g. serial Flash or to interface to a host CPU. The interface can be
operated in master or slave mode. In master mode, one chip select signal is available to select external slave. In
slave mode a single chip select signal enables communication with the host.
The maximum speed is 100 kbit/s.
1.9.4 Display Data Channel (DDC)
The I2C compatible DDC interface can be used either to access external memory to save configuration data (e.g.
EEPROM) or to interface with a host CPU. It is capable of master and slave operation and communicates at a rate
of <100kbit/s.
Master Mode is only supported when external EEPROM is used to store configuration. No other nodes
are connected to the bus. For additional information consult the AMY-6M Hardware Integration
Manual [1].
The DDC interface supports a Max speed of 100kbit/s.
1.10Antenna
The AMY-6M module is designed for use with passive and active8antennas.
With AMY-6M an external LNA is required if no active antenna is used.
8For information on using active antennas with AMY-6 modules, see the AMY-6 Hardware Integration Manual [1].

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Parameter Specification
Antenna Type Passive and active antenna
Active Antenna Recommendations
Minimum gain
Maximum gain
Maximum noise figure
15 dB (to compensate signal loss in RF cable)
50 dB
1.5 dB
Table 4: Antenna Specification for AMY-6M modules
1.11Power management
For more information about power management options, see the u-blox_6 Receiver Description including
Protocol Specification [2] and the u-blox 6 Power Management Application Note [3].
1.11.1 Operating modes
AMY-6M modules only operate in Eco mode, this mode optimizes the use of the acquisition engine to deliver
lower current consumption.
Power Save Mode is not supported with AMY-6M.
1.11.2 Eco mode
In Eco mode, u-blox 6 receivers use the acquisition engine to search for new satellites only when needed for
navigation:
•In cold starts, u-blox 6 searches for enough satellites to navigate and optimizes use of the acquisition
engine to download their ephemeris.
•In non-cold starts, u-blox 6 focuses on searching for visible satellites whose orbits are known from the
Almanac.
In Eco mode, the u-blox 6 acquisition engine limits use of its searching resources to minimize power
consumption.
u-blox 6 deactivates the acquisition engine as soon as a position is fixed and a sufficient number (at least 4) of
satellites are being tracked. The tracking engine continues to search and track new satellites without orbit
information.
1.11.3 Base-band I/O supply voltage (VDD_IO)
The digital I/Os of the baseband part are supplied with VDD_IO from the host system. The wide range of VDD_IO
allows seamless interfacing to standard logic voltage levels independently of the baseband supply voltage level.
Without VDD_IO supply the system will be kept in reset state.
1.11.4 External DC/DC converter control
Pin DCDC_EN enables external DC/DC converter.

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1.11.5 Dual Power Supply
The AMY-6M provides the following power supply options:
1. A single supply voltage can be used for the complete system.
2. The RF and baseband sections can be separately supplied using different voltages.
Using dual voltages enables significant reductions in power consumption. The highest efficiencies are achieved
by supplying the baseband with 1.4V and the RF with 1.8V.
1.12Configuration
System configuration goes through multiple steps. The priority of the information found at different sources is as
follows:
1. Actual configuration in system RAM
2. Configuration in backup RAM
3. Configuration in serial EEPROM, serial Flash (DDC, SPI)
4. Configuration through CFG pins
5. Default (ROM) settings
During system boot, the system first starts from the ROM default settings. Then it tries to find out where the
actual configuration can be found, i.e. it searches for EEPROM, backup RAM and looks for valid contents. Thus,
a search tree can be built and any configuration setting that is needed by the firmware is searched downwards
from the most actual (system RAM) to the most outdated (system ROM) information. The system uses the first
valid information it finds.
1.12.1 Configuration Pins
The AMY-6M provides 2 configuration pins (CFG_xxx)for boot-time configuration. These become effective
immediately after start-up. Once the module has started, the configuration settings may be modified with UBX
configuration messages. The modified settings remain effective until power-down or reset. If these settings have
been stored in battery-backup RAM, then the modified configuration will be retained, as long as the backup
battery supply is not interrupted. In the following tables, all default settings (pin left open) are bold.
The first step performed by the system at boot-time is to analyze the SAFEBOOT_N pin. If it is pulled low, the
system will start up in safe mode using as few configuration settings as possible and with only the minimum
functionality required to establish communication with the host. No GPS operation is started.
TDI / SAFEBOOT_N
1 Normal Boot
0 Safe Mode, minimal ROM boot, Ignore Backup RAM & FLASH.
Table 5: SAFEBOOT Configuration
The protocol and baud rate of the communication interfaces (UART, USB) can be configured using the
CFG_COM pins as follows: