Ublox EVK-F9P-01 User manual

UBX-22038408 - R03
C1- Public www.u-blox.com
EVK-F9P-01
Evaluation kit
User guide

Abstract
This document describes the structure and use of the EVK-F9P
evaluation kit and provides
information for evaluating and testing u-blox F9 high precision positioning technology.

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Document information
Title EVK-F9P-01
Subtitle Evaluation kit
Document type User guide
Document number UBX-22038408
Revision and date R03 15-May-2023
Disclosure restriction C1- Public
Product status Corresponding content status
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 Ordering code Firmware version Application version PCN reference Product status
EVK-F9P-01 EVK-F9P-01-00 HPG 1.32 N/A Initial production
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
1Product description ..............................................................................................................................5
1.1 Overview........................................................................................................................................................ 5
1.2 Kit contents.................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Software and documentation................................................................................................................... 5
1.4 System requirements ................................................................................................................................ 5
2Specifications .........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Safety precautions ..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1.1 Certifications ....................................................................................................................................... 6
3Getting started.......................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Installing u-center software...................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Installing hardware ..................................................................................................................................... 7
3.3 Default interface settings .........................................................................................................................8
4Device description.................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Interface connection and measurement................................................................................................9
4.2 Active antenna............................................................................................................................................. 9
4.3 Evaluation unit............................................................................................................................................. 9
4.3.1 Antenna connector (RF IN) ............................................................................................................... 9
4.3.2 USB connector..................................................................................................................................... 9
4.3.3 DB9 connector (RS232)...................................................................................................................10
4.3.4 RST button.........................................................................................................................................10
4.3.5 Safe boot button...............................................................................................................................10
4.3.6 Slide switch ........................................................................................................................................10
4.3.7 Pin header...........................................................................................................................................11
4.3.8 LED.......................................................................................................................................................12
5Measuring current.............................................................................................................................. 13
6RTK setup.............................................................................................................................................. 14
6.1 Setting up NTRIP client in u-center.......................................................................................................14
6.2 Setting up MQTT client in u-center.......................................................................................................15
6.3 Monitoring RTK status ............................................................................................................................16
7Block diagram ...................................................................................................................................... 18
8Board layout.......................................................................................................................................... 19
9Component list .................................................................................................................................... 20
10 Schematic ............................................................................................................................................. 22
11 Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................................. 24
12 Common evaluation pitfalls ............................................................................................................ 26
Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 27
AGlossary ................................................................................................................................................. 27

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Related documentation ........................................................................................................................... 28
Revision history.......................................................................................................................................... 28
Contact.......................................................................................................................................................... 28

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1Product description
1.1 Overview
The EVK-F9P evaluation kit simplifies the evaluation of the more efficient u-blox F9 high precision
positioning products. The built-in USB interface provides both power supply and high-speed data
transfer and eliminates the need for an external power supply. The u-blox evaluation kits are compact,
and their user-friendly interface and power supply make them ideally suited for use in laboratories,
vehicles, and outdoor locations. Furthermore, they can be used with a notebook PC, making them the
perfect companion through all stages of design-in process.
Evaluation Kit Description Suitable for
EVK-F9P u-blox F9 high accuracy timing module with
L1/L2 bands
ZED-F9P-01B, ZED-F9P-02B and ZED-F9P-04B
Table 1: List of products supported by EVK-F9P evaluation kit
1.2 Kit contents
The delivered package contains:
•Compact 105 x 64 x 26 mm EVK-F9P evaluation unit
•14-pin front connector breakout cable
•ANN-MB multi-band (L1/L2) active GNSS antenna with 3 m cable
•Antenna ground plane
•EVK Welcome card
•Promotional PointPerfect Service trial, when applicable
1.3 Software and documentation
The product evaluation software includes u-center, an interactive tool for configuration, testing,
visualization, and data analysis of GNSS receivers. It provides useful assistance during all phases of
system integration. Use the latest software version available for F9 products.
The product evaluation software and documentation are available on the u-blox web site.
1.4 System requirements
•PC with USB interface (compatible with USB 2.0)
•Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 onwards (x86 and x64 versions)
•Internet connection for the first-time use

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2Specifications
Parameter Specification
Serial interfaces 1 USB Type-C
1 RS232, max baud rate 230,400 Baud
DB9 +/- 12 V level
14 pin – 3.3 V logic
1 DDC (I2C compatible) max 400 kHz
1 SPI – clock signal max 5,5 MHz – SPI DATA max 1 Mbit/s
Timing interfaces 1 timepulse output through 14-pin connector
1 timepulse LED
1 timepulse output through RS232
1 external interrupt input
Dimensions 105 x 64 x 26 mm
Power supply 5 V via USB or powered via external power supply pin 14
(V5_IN) and pin 13 (GND)
Normal operating temperature -40 °C to +65 °C
Table 2: EVK-F9P specifications
2.1 Safety precautions
EVK-F9P must be supplied by a PS1 class limited power source. See section 6.2.2.4 of IEC 62368-
1:2018 [5] for more information on the PS1 class.
In addition to a limited power source, only ES1 class circuits are to be connected to the EVK-F9P,
including interfaces and antennas. See section 5.2.1.1 of IEC 62368-1:2018 [5] for more information
on the ES1 class.
2.1.1 Certifications
The EVK-F9P is designed to comply with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of
Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU.
The EVK-F9P complies with the Directive 2011/65/EU (EU RoHS 2) and its amendment Directive (EU)
2015/863 (EU RoHS 3).
Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is available on the u-blox website.

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3Getting started
3.1 Installing u-center software
u-center, the u-blox interactive evaluation software tool is required for configuration, testing,
visualization, and data analysis of u-blox GNSS receivers as well as EVKs. The provided user guide
together with the evaluation tool provide useful assistance during all phases of a system integration
project.
1. Download the u-center software from http://www.u-blox.com/product/u-center.
2. Once the zipped installer file is downloaded, unzip it and double-click the exe file.
The u-center software will be installed on your system and placed under the “u-blox” folder in the
“Start > Programs” menu. You can alternatively choose the destination folder for the program
installation.
3. After a successful installation, start the u-center from the Start menu (All Programs > u-blox >
u-center > u-center).
For more information on using u-center, refer to the u-center User guide [4].
The required Microsoft CDC-ACM driver for Windows 10 USB interface is available from the Microsoft
Windows Update service. The Windows system driver search mechanism will download and install the
USB driver automatically from the Microsoft Windows Update service. To evaluate with the Windows
7 and 8 operating systems, the u-blox GNSS standard driver (x64bit) is needed which can be found in
the u-center package.
3.2 Installing hardware
4. Before connecting the interface cable to the EVK, select the interface that you are using for the
connection by sliding the interface switch to the correct position:
•USB-C: Connect via USB-C connector
•UART: Connect via RS-232. Set the slide switch to I2C.
•SPI / I2C compliant DDC: Connect the corresponding pins (see Table 5 for pin description). Set the
slide switch accordingly to SPI or I2C.
⚠CAUTION Changing the interface switch position while the EVK is powered on may damage the
GNSS receiver chip. Power off the EVK before changing the interface switch setting.
1. Power the device on, either via USB on the back or through the V5_IN input on the front of the
EVK.
2. Connect the GNSS antenna to the RF IN SMA jack and place the antenna in a location with good
sky view.
3. Start the u-center GNSS Evaluation Software and select the corresponding COM port and baud
rate.
☞Refer to the u-center User Guide [4] for more information.

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3.3 Default interface settings
Parameter Specification
UART Port 1, input 38400 baud, 8 bits, no parity bit, 1 stop bit.
UBX, NMEA and RTCM 3.3 input protocols are enabled by default.
SPARTN input protocol is enabled by default.
UART Port 1, output 38400 baud, 8 bits, no parity bit, 1 stop bit.
NMEA protocol with GGA, GLL, GSA, GSV, RMC, VTG, TXT messages are output
by default.
UBX and RTCM 3.3 protocols are enabled by default, but no output messages are
enabled by default.
UART2, input 38400 baud, 8 bits, no parity bit, 1 stop bit.
UBX protocol is enabled by default
RTCM 3.3 protocol is enabled by default.
SPARTN protocol is enabled by default.
NMEA protocol is disabled by default.
UART2, output 38400 baud, 8 bits, no parity bit, 1 stop bit.
UBX protocol is disabled by default.
RTCM 3.3 protocol is enabled by default but no output messages are enabled by
default.
NMEA protocol is disabled by default.
USB Default messages activated as in UART1.
Input/output protocols available as in UART1.
I2C Compatible with the I2C industry standard, available for communication with an
external host CPU or u-blox cellular modules, operated in slave mode only. Default
messages activated as in UART1. Input/output protocols available as in UART1.
Maximum bit rate 400 kb/s.
SPI Allow communication to a host CPU, operated in slave mode only. Default
messages activated as in UART1. Input/output protocols available as in UART1.
SPI is not available unless D_SEL pin is set to low.
Table 3: Default configuration
☞Refer to the ZED-F9P Integration manual [3] for more information.

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4Device description
4.1 Interface connection and measurement
To connect the EVK to a PC, use the included Micro-USB cable. Alternatively, a standard SUB DB-9
cable can also be used. Additional measurement equipment can be connected to the front connector.
+
Figure 1: Connecting the unit for power supply and communication
4.2 Active antenna
EVK-F9P evaluation kits include an ANN-MB multi-band (L1/L2) active GNSS antenna with a 3-meter
cable and an SMA connector.
The recommended maximum antenna supply current for active antennas is 15 mA.
4.3 Evaluation unit
Figure 2 shows the front and the rear panel of the EVK-F9P evaluation unit.
Front panel
Rear panel
Figure 2: EVK-F9P evaluation unit – front and rear panels
4.3.1 Antenna connector (RF IN)
An SMA female jack is available on the front side (see Figure 2) of the evaluation unit for connecting
an active GNSS antenna. A DC voltage of 3.3 V is provided to power the active antenna, and the RF
input is 3.3 V. The internal short circuit protection limits the maximum current to 60 mA. Note that
the 15-mA maximum supply current for the active antenna stays the same. This pin is also ESD
protected.
⚠CAUTION Risk of equipment damage. Connecting this equipment to cable distribution systems
may damage the EVK. Use the connector only with a GNSS antenna or simulator.
4.3.2 USB connector
A USB port is featured for data communication and power supply. It is connected to a USB hub and
then to two FTDIs where the user can maintain communication from the USB to UART1 of the module
and can transmit correction data through UART2 using the same USB port at the same time. The user

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can utilize the USB interface to connect directly to UART1 or UART2, see the Interface description [2]
for configuration details.
4.3.3 DB9 connector (RS232)
The evaluation unit includes an RS232 port for serial communication that is compatible with PC serial
ports. The DB9 connector can only have the UART1 input if the user prefers not to use UART1 from
USB.
Connect using a straight RS232 serial cable with male and female connectors to the port on your PC.
The maximum cable length is 3 meters. To configure the RS232 port, use the CFG-UART1 command
in the u-center application. The maximum operating baud rate is 230400 Baud. If you are using a
USB to RS232 adaptor cable, you can connect it directly to the evaluation kit RS232 port.
The 9-pin D-SUB female connector is assigned as listed in Table 4 and diagram from schematic:
Pin Nr. Assignment
1 Timepulse 1 output (RS232 levels)
2 TXD, GNSS Transmit Data, serial data to DTE
3 RXD, GNSS Receive Data, serial data from DTE
4 Optional time-mark input (RS232 levels) using EXTINT0 (internal jumper J6 fitment required)
5 GND
6 Timepulse 1 output (RS232 levels)
7 Not connected
8, 9 not connected
Table 4: SUB-DB9 connector pin description for EVK-F9P
4.3.4 RST button
The RST button on the front panel resets the unit.
⚠CAUTION Risk of data loss. The RESET pin deletes all information from the volatile memory and
triggers a cold start. Reset the system only as a recovery option.
4.3.5 Safe boot button
This is used to set the unit in safe boot mode. In this mode, the receiver executes only minimal
functionality, such as updating new firmware into the flash memory. To set the receiver in safe boot
mode:
1. Press the BOOT button and keep holding it down.
2. Press the RST button.
3. Release the RST button.
4. Release the BOOT button.
5. If the UART interface is used, a training sequence must be sent to the receiver.
The training sequence is a transmission of 0x55 0x55 at a baud rate of 9600 baud. Wait for at
least 100 milliseconds before the interface is ready to accept commands.
4.3.6 Slide switch
Use the slide switch on the front panel to choose between I2C (and UART) and SPI communication
ports. You must reset the unit by pressing the RST button when the slide switch has been changed.
•I2C – In this selection the EVK operates with the UART (RS232 DB9 – rear panel or the 3.3 V level
TxD (MISO), RxD (MOSI) at the front panel). Also, the communication via 3.3 V DDC interface (I2C)
is selected.