Ublox SARA-R5 Series User manual

UBX-19042592 - R09
C1-Public www.u-blox.com
EVK-R5
SARA-R5 series cellular evaluation kits
User guide
Abstract
This guide explains how to set up the EVK-R5 evaluation kits to begin evaluating the u-blox SARA-R5
series modules supporting multi-band LTE-M / NB-IoT cellular radio access technology and the
u-blox’s leading GNSS technology.

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Document information
Title
EVK-R5
Subtitle
SARA-R5 series cellular evaluation kits
Document type
User guide
Document number
UBX-19042592
Revision and date
R09
06-Aug-2021
Disclosure restriction
C1-Public
Product status
Corresponding content status
Functional sample
Draft
For functional testing. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
In development /
Prototype
Objective specification
Target values. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
Engineering sample
Advance information
Data based on early testing. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
Initial production
Early production information
Data from product verification. Revised and supplementary data may be published later.
Mass production /
End of life
Production information
Document contains the final product specification.
This document applies to the following products:
Product name
Type number
Modem version
Application version
PCN reference
Product status
EVK-R500S
EVK-R500S-1-00
03.14
A00.01
UBX-21028004
Engineering sample
EVK-R510S
EVK-R510S-1-00
03.14
A00.01
UBX-21028004
Engineering sample
EVK-R510M8S
EVK-R510M8S-1-00
03.14
A00.01
UBX-21028004
Engineering sample
u-blox or third parties may hold intellectual property rights in the products, names, logos and designs included in this
document. Copying, reproduction, modification or disclosure to third parties of this document or any part thereof is only
permitted with the express written permission of u-blox.
The information contained herein is provided “as is” and u-blox assumes no liability for its use. No warranty, either express or
implied, is given, including but not limited to, with respect to the accuracy, correctness, reliability and fitness for a particular
purpose of the information. This document may be revised by u-blox at any time without notice. For the most recent
documents, visit www.u-blox.com.
Copyright © u-blox AG.

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Contents
Document information................................................................................................................................2
Contents ..........................................................................................................................................................3
1Starting up...............................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Overview........................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 Block diagram .............................................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Switches, jumpers, and buttons .............................................................................................................. 6
1.4 LEDs...............................................................................................................................................................7
1.5 Connectors ................................................................................................................................................... 8
1.6 Pin out............................................................................................................................................................9
1.7 Board setup ................................................................................................................................................11
Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
ASetting up AT terminal communication...................................................................................... 13
BSetting up cellular packet data connection on Windows...................................................... 14
B.1 Install a new modem from the control panel .......................................................................................14
B.2 Configuring a new connection ................................................................................................................16
CAT commands examples .................................................................................................................. 17
C.1 Define the initial default bearer for connectivity................................................................................17
C.2 Data connection using internal TCP/IP stack .....................................................................................17
C.3 Opening a TCP socket ..............................................................................................................................18
C.4 Opening a UDP socket..............................................................................................................................19
DCurrent consumption measurement............................................................................................ 20
EDeclaration of conformities............................................................................................................. 21
FGlossary ................................................................................................................................................. 22
Related documentation ........................................................................................................................... 23
Revision history.......................................................................................................................................... 23
Contact.......................................................................................................................................................... 24

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1Starting up
1.1 Overview
The EVK-R5 kit is a powerful and easy-to-use tool that simplifies the evaluation of the u-blox SARA-R5
series LTE-M / NB-IoT cellular modules.
The following evaluation kits are available with u-blox SARA-R5 cellular modules:
•EVK-R500S evaluation kit is for evaluation of SARA-R500S modules
•EVK-R510S evaluation kit is for evaluation of SARA-R510S modules
•EVK-R510M8S evaluation kit is for evaluation of SARA-R510M8S modules
All the evaluation kits are identified herein as the EVK-R5.
SIM card holder
J300
Cellular power-on
SW302
GND
9 –18 V
Power input
J400
Cellular
adapter board
DL400
Main power switch
SW400
DL401
SARA-R5
cellular module
DIL B2B connector
J103
DIL B2B connector
J104
GND
NEO-M8N GNSS
antenna connector
J208
NEO-M8N
GNSS module
GNSS
adapter board
Cellular VCC
supply jumper
J404
Cellular USB
(Single UART)
J501
Cellular RS232
(Single UART)
J500
DL501DL403
DL405
GNSS USB
J102
SW403
SW401
DL404
SW300
SW304
SW204
DS132
DS118DS124
DS121
DS107
DS105
DS109
DS103
DS500
DS501
GND
GND
BT200
Cellular native USB
J105
DS100
DS201
Cellular antenna
connector (ANT)
J106
SARA-R510M8S GNSS
antenna connector
J112
Cellular USB
(Two UARTs)
J201
Cellular VCC
supply jumper
J109
3-pin header
J248
Cellular reset
SW303
J107
DS139
Figure 1: Overview of EVK-R5 evaluation kit for SARA-R5 series modules
☞See the SARA-R5 series data sheet [2] and the SARA-R5 series system integration manual [3] to
learn about the features supported by SARA-R5 series modules.

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1.2 Block diagram
Figure 2 shows the main interfaces and internal connections of the EVK-R5 evaluation kit:
SIM
card holder
(J300)
Power-on
(SW302)
SARA-R5
adapter board
SARA-R5
module
42-pin DIL B2B connector (J103)
42-pin DIL B2B connector (J104)
EVB-WL3
GNSS
module
GNSS adapter board
RF_IN
USB
UART
converter
Cellular USB
(main UART)
(J501)
Cellular RS232
(main UART)
(J500)
RS232
UART
converter UART
MiniUSB/DB9
switch
(SW403)
On-board/B2B
switch
(SW401)
USB I2C
Step - down
Main power switch
(SW400)
12 V
(J400)
3.8 V
VCC jumper
(J404)
LDO
GPIO2/3/4
GNSS switch
(SW304)
Native
USB
(J105)
CEL
ANT
(J106)
Cellular USB
(two UARTs)
(J201)
GNSS
ANT
(J112)
USB/UART
converter
VCC jumper
(J109)
UART
(J248)
Reset
(SW303)
2-pins
header
(J107)
Figure 2: Block diagram of the EVK-R5 for SARA-R5 series modules
The EVK-R5 evaluation kit is formed by three boards:
1. The lower one, called EVB-WL3, contains the power supply and other peripherals for the u-blox
SARA-R5 series cellular module (such as SIM card holder, reset button and power-on button).
2. The cellular adapter board, called ADP-R5, contains the u-blox SARA-R5 cellular module and
connectors to access the cellular module interfaces. These are antenna connectors for the
cellular RF interface and the GNSS RF interface
1
of the cellular module, USB connectors for the
two UART interfaces and the USB interface of the cellular module, the DIL header connectors
(J103 and J104), and the 2-pins header connector (J107).
3. The GNSS adapter board, called ADP-GNSS, contains the u-blox NEO-M8N GNSS module, the
GNSS antenna connector, and the USB connector for the u-blox NEO-M8N GNSS module.
The cellular and the GNSS adapter boards are connected by means of male header board-to-board
connectors provided on the bottom of the adapter boards and their corresponding female connectors
provided on top of the lower board, called EVB-WL3.
If the on-board / B2B switch (SW401) on the EVB-WL3 board is set to “on-board” and if a jumper
socket is inserted on the pin 1 and pin 2 of the 3-pin header J248 on the cellular adapter board (see
Figure 3), then the main UART interface of the cellular module, routed through the DIL header
board-to-board connectors mounted on the bottom of the cellular adapter board, can be accessed as
converted to USB interface on the USB connector (J501) on the EVB-WL3 board, or it can be accessed
as converted to RS232 interface on the RS232 DB9 connector (J500) on the EVB-WL3 board,
according to the mini-USB / DB9 switch (SW403) setting.
If the on-board / B2B switch (SW401) on the EVB-WL3 board is set to “B2B” and if a jumper socket is
inserted on the pin 2 and pin 3 of the 3-pin header cellular UART jumper (J248) on the adapter board
(illustrated in Figure 3), the UART interfaces of SARA-R5 series module can be accessed as USB
interfaces on the USB connector (J201) on the cellular adapter board.
If the on-board / B2B switch (SW401) on the EVB-WL3 board is set to “B2B” and if there is no jumper
socket inserted on the 3-pin header J248 on the cellular adapter board (illustrated in Figure 3), then
the UART interface(s) of the SARA-R5 module can be accessed at 1.8 V CMOS signal levels on the DIL
header connector mounted on the top of the cellular adapter board, to communicate, for example,
with an external MCU.
1
EVK-R510M8S only.

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The USB interface of the cellular module (available for diagnostic purpose only) is available on the
native USB connector (J105) mounted on the cellular adapter board.
Other SARA-R5 series peripherals are available on the dual-in-line male board-to-board connectors
(J103, and J104) and the 2-pins header connector (J107) provided on the top layer of the cellular
adapter board.
The lower board (EVB-WL3) is also designed to be used with other u-blox cellular adapter boards. It
contains additional switches, jumpers, connectors, LEDs and parts that may be only partially
described in Figure 1 or in this document, because they are intended for use only with other u-blox
cellular modules. It is recommended to leave any additional connector unconnected and any additional
switch in its default configuration.
J248
Pin 1
J248
Pin 3
J107
Pin 1
Figure 3: 3-pin header J248 available to set the routing of the UART interfaces on the EVK for SARA-R5 series modules
1.3 Switches, jumpers, and buttons
Function
Description
Name
Board
Main power switch
Power on / off the whole evaluation kit
SW400
EVB-WL3
Cellular VCC jumper
Jumper socket to provide the 3.8 V supply to the cellular module VCC input
J404
EVB-WL3
J109
ADP-R5
Cellular power on
Push button to switch on / off the cellular module
SW302
EVB-WL3
Cellular reset
Push button to reset the cellular module
SW303
EVB-WL3
Cellular UART detach
Slide switch to attach / detach the cellular module main UART from the
USB / RS232 connectors on EVB-WL3
SW401
EVB-WL3
Cellular UART routing
Slide switch to select cellular module main UART routing on the USB or
RS232 connector on EVB-WL3
SW403
EVB-WL3
Cellular UART routing
3-pin header to route and make accessible the UART(s) of SARA-R5 series
over the USB connector on the ADP board, or over the USB or RS232
connectors on the EVB-WL3, or over the DIL B2B connector on the ADP board
J248
ADP-R5
Cellular GPIO detach
Slide switch to attach / detach the cellular module GPIOs from peripherals:
when detached, the signals are available only on the DIL B2B connector on the
ADP board
SW300
EVB-WL3
Cellular GNSS detach 2
Slide switch to attach / detach the cellular module to / from the GNSS module
(GPIO2-3-4): when detached, the signals are available only on the DIL B2B
connector on the ADP board
SW304
EVB-WL3
GNSS V_BCKP
Slide switch to connect / disconnect backup battery to / from the V_BCKP pin
of the GNSS module
SW204
EVB-WL3
Table 1: EVK-R5 switch and button descriptions
2
For EVK-R510M8S it is recommended to keep this switch in “detach” position.

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1.4 LEDs
Function
Description
LED #
Board
Color
Main power
Power supply plugged in the 9 - 18 V Power Input
DL401
EVB-WL3
Cellular VCC
Cellular module supplied. Main power switch must be switched on.
DL400
EVB-WL3
Cellular USB
(main UART)
USB cable plugged in the Cellular USB connector (J501) for access to
the main UART interface of the cellular module
DL501
EVB-WL3
Cellular USB
(main UART)
Green light is on when the SW401 is in “on-board” position, and when
the cellular module main UART is routed to the Cellular USB connector.
Red light blinks at UART TX or RX data on the Cellular USB connector.
DL403
EVB-WL3
Cellular main UART
attach/detach
UART signals of the cellular module are available only on the ADP board.
DL404
EVB-WL3
Cellular RS232
(main UART)
Green light is on when the main UART of the cellular module is routed to
the Cellular RS232 connector (J500).
Red light blinks at UART TX or RX data on the Cellular RS232 connector.
DL405
EVB-WL3
Cellular RI indicator
RI line turns ON (active low)
DS501
EVB-WL3
Cellular CTS indicator
CTS line turns ON (active low)
DS500
EVB-WL3
Cellular GPIO1 indicator
Green light is activated when cellular GPIO1 is high
DS107
EVB-WL3
Cellular GPIO2 indicator
Green light is activated when cellular GPIO2 is high
DS105
EVB-WL3
Cellular GPIO3 indicator
Green light is activated when cellular GPIO3 is high
DS109
EVB-WL3
Cellular GPIO4 indicator
Green light is activated when cellular GPIO4 is high
DS103
EVB-WL3
Cellular GPIO6 indicator
Green light is activated when cellular GPIO6 is high, e.g., to be used for
time pulse function
DS139
ADP-R5
Cellular native USB
USB cable plugged in the Cellular native USB connector (J105) on the
ADP-R5, for access to the cellular USB interface
DS100
ADP-R5
Cellular USB
(two UARTs)
USB cable plugged in the Cellular USB connector (J201) on the ADP-R5,
for access to the two UART interfaces
DS201
ADP-R5
GNSS VCC supply
NEO-M8N GNSS module supply is turned on
DS118
ADP-GNSS
GNSS USB
USB cable plugged into the GNSS USB connector for NEO-M8N
DS124
ADP-GNSS
NEO GNSS time pulse
NEO-M8N GNSS TimePulse output
DS121
ADP-GNSS
Cellular / GNSS I2C
Cellular / GNSS module communication over the I2C interface
DS132
ADP-GNSS
Table 2: EVK-R5 LED descriptions

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1.5 Connectors
Function
Description
Name
Board
9 - 18 V power input
Connector for the AC / DC power adapter of EVK
AC: 100-240 V, 0.8 A, 50-60 Hz / DC: +12 V, 2.5 A
IEC 60417-5172
Class II equipment
J400
EVB-WL3
SIM card holder
SIM card holder
J300
EVB-WL3
Cellular USB
(main UART)
Mini-USB connector for the cellular module main UART interface converted
as a USB interface
J501
EVB-WL3
Cellular RS232
(main UART)
DB9 connector for the cellular module main UART interface converted as an
RS232 interface
J500
EVB-WL3
GNSS backup battery
Backup battery socket for the GNSS module (under GNSS adapter board)
BT200
EVB-WL3
GND
Ground terminals for the probe reference
J402, J403
J405, J406
EVB-WL3
Cellular antenna
SMA connector for the module cellular antenna (ANT)
J106
ADP-R5
GNSS antenna
(for SARA-R510M8S)
SMA connector for the GNSS antenna to be connected to the GNSS RF
input of the SARA-R510M8S module (ANT_GNSS)
J112
ADP-R5
Cellular native USB
Mini-USB connector for the cellular module native USB interface
J105
ADP-R5
Cellular USB
(two UARTs)
Mini-USB connector for the cellular module two UART interfaces converted
as USB interfaces
J201
ADP-R5
DIL B2B headers
Dual-in-line board-to-board connectors for cellular module interfaces
J103, J104
ADP-R5
2-pin header
Header providing access to EXT_INT and V_INT pins of the cellular module
J107
ADP-R5
GNSS antenna
(for NEO-M8N)
SMA connector for the GNSS antenna to be connected to the GNSS RF
input of the NEO-M8N GNSS module (RF_IN)
J208
ADP-GNSS
GNSS USB
Mini-USB connector for the GNSS module USB interface
J102
ADP-GNSS
Table 3: EVK-R5 connector descriptions
⚠Caution! In the unlikely event of a failure in the internal protection circuitry, there is a risk of an
explosion when charging a fully or a partially discharged battery. Replace the battery when it no
longer has sufficient charge for unit operation. Check the battery before use if the device has not
been used for an extended period.
⚠Caution! Risk of explosion if the battery is replaced with an incorrect type. Dispose of used
batteries according to the instructions.

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1.6 Pin out
SARA-R5 module
Connector
SARA-R5 module
Connector
Pin no.
Signal name
Name / pin number
Pin no.
Signal name
Name / pin number
1
GND
J104 pins 7-10
33
EXT_INT
J107 pin 2
2
RSVD
J104 pin 4
34
I2S_WA
J103 pin 26
3
GND
J104 pins 7-10
35
I2S_TXD
J103 pin 23
4
V_INT
J104 pin 35, J107 pin 1
36
I2S_CLK
J103 pin 21
5
GND
J104 pins 7-10
37
I2S_RXD
J103 pin 24
6
DSR
J104 pin 17
38
SIM_CLK
J103 pin 16
7
RI
J104 pin 18
39
SIM_IO
J103 pin 13
8
DCD
J104 pin 12
40
SIM_RST
J103 pin 15
9
DTR
J104 pin 11
41
VSIM
J103 pin 14
10
RTS
J104 pin 14
42
GPIO5
J104 pin 24
11
CTS
J104 pin 13
43
GND
J104 pins 7-10
12
TXD
J104 pin 16
44
SDIO_D2
J203 pin 1
13
RXD
J104 pin 15
45
SDIO_CLK
J203 pin 5
14
GND
J104 pins 7-10
46
SDIO_CMD
J203 pin 3
15
PWR_ON
J104 pin 30
47
SDIO_D0
J203 pin 7
16
GPIO1
J104 pin 34
48
SDIO_D3
J203 pin 2
17
VUSB_DET
J105 pin 1
49
SDIO_D1
J203 pin 8
18
RESET_N
J103 pin 25
50
GND
J104 pins 7-10
19
GPIO6
J104 pin 23
51
VCC
J103 pins 7-10
20
GND
J104 pins 7-10
52
VCC
J103 pins 7-10
21
ADC
J104 pin 22
53
VCC
J103 pins 7-10
22
GND
J104 pins 7-10
54
GND
J104 pins 7-10
23
GPIO2
J104 pin 32
55
GND
J104 pins 7-10
24
GPIO3
J104 pin 31
56
ANT
J106 pin 1
25
GPIO4
J104 pin 26
57
GND
J104 pins 7-10
26
SDA
J103 pin 22
58
GND
J104 pins 7-10
27
SCL
J103 pin 19
59
GND
J104 pins 7-10
28
USB_D-
J105 pin 2
60
GND
J104 pins 7-10
29
USB_D+
J105 pin 3
61
GND
J104 pins 7-10
30
GND
J104 pins 7-10
62
ANT_DET
J106 pin 1
31
ANT_GNSS
J112 pin 1
63
GND
J104 pins 7-10
32
GND
J104 pins 7-10
64
GND
J104 pins 7-10
Table 4: Interfaces of the SARA-R5 series modules, as routed up to the 42-pin dual-in-line board-to-board connectors J103
and J104, the 2-pin header connector J107, the mini USB connector J105, the micro SD card connector J203 or the SMA
connectors J106 and J112 available on the ADP-R5 adapter board of the EVK-R5 evaluation kit

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Dual-In-Line Board-to-Board connector J104
Dual-In-Line Board-to-Board connector J103
Signal name
Pin no.
Pin no.
Signal name
Signal name
Pin no.
Pin no.
Signal name
Not connected
1
2
GND
Not connected
1
2
GND
Not connected
3
4
RSVD
Not connected
3
4
Not connected
Not connected
5
6
Not connected
Not connected
5
6
Not connected
GND
7
8
GND
VCC
7
8
VCC
GND
9
10
GND
VCC
9
10
VCC
DTR
11
12
DCD
Not connected
11
12
Not connected
CTS
13
14
RTS
SIM_IO
13
14
VSIM
RXD
15
16
TXD
SIM_RST
15
16
SIM_CLK
DSR
17
18
RI
Not connected
17
18
Not connected
Not connected
19
20
Not connected
SCL
19
20
Not connected
Not connected
21
22
ADC
I2S_CLK
21
22
SDA
GPIO6
23
24
GPIO5
I2S_TXD
23
24
I2S_RXD
Not connected
25
26
GPIO4
RESET_N
25
26
I2S_WA
Not connected
27
28
Not connected
Not connected
27
28
Not connected
Not connected
29
30
PWR_ON
Not connected
29
30
Not connected
GPIO3
31
32
GPIO2
Not connected
31
32
Not connected
Not connected
33
34
GPIO1
Not connected
33
34
Not connected
V_INT
35
36
Not connected
Not connected
35
36
Not connected
Not connected
37
38
Not connected
Not connected
37
38
Not connected
Not connected
39
40
Not connected
Not connected
39
40
Not connected
GND
41
42
Not connected
GND
41
42
Not connected
Table 5: Pin-out of the 42-pin dual-in-line board-to-board connectors (J103, J104) available on the ADP-R5 adapter board of
the EVK-R5 evaluation kit
☞The pins / interfaces that are not supported by a specific SARA-R5 module product version should
be not driven by an external device. (See the SARA-R5 series data sheet [2] and the SARA-R5
series system integration manual [3] to learn about the features supported by each SARA-R5
module product version.)