UNICORECOMM UT4B0 User manual

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INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
USER MANUAL
GPS/BDS/GLONASS/Galileo
Data subject to change without notice.
Copyright© 2009-2020, Unicore Communications, Inc.
U T4B0
High Precision Timing Module
Multi-constellation, Multi-frequency

I
Revision History
Version
Revision History
Date
V1.0
Initial released revision
Jul. 2017
R2
Update with a new hardware version
Jan. 2020
Disclaimer
This manual provides information about the products of Unicore Communications,
Inc. This document does not transfer the patent, trademark, copyright of the
company or any third party, or any right or permission under it by implication,
estoppel or otherwise.
Except as stated in the sales terms and conditions of the products, the company
shall not assume any other responsibilities. Furthermore, Unicore Communications,
Inc. makes no warranty, express or implied, for the sale and/or use of its products,
including the suitability of a particular purpose and marketability of products, or
liability for infringement of any patent, copyright or other intellectual property rights.
If the connection or operation is not in accordance with the manual, the company is
not liable. Unicore Communications, Inc. may make changes to product
specifications and product descriptions at any time without prior notice.
The company's products may contain certain design defects or errors, which will be
included in the corrigendum once found, and may therefore result in differences
between the products’ actual specifications and the published ones. Updated
corrigendum is available upon request.
Before placing an order, please contact our company or local distributors for the
latest specifications.
* Unicore Communications, Unicorecomm, NebulasII and its logo have been applied
for trademark registration by Unicore Communications, Inc.
Other names and brands are the property of their respective owners.
© Copyright 2009-2020 Unicore Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

II
Foreword
This document describes the information of the hardware, installation, specification
and the use of of Unicore UT4B0 product.
Audience
This manual is applied to the technical personnel, who possess the expertise of
GNSS receivers.

III
Contents
Contents................................................................................ III
1Product Introduction ......................................................... 1
1.1 Key Features ................................................................................................................1
1.2 Technical Specifications.............................................................................................2
1.3 Block Diagram..............................................................................................................3
2Hardware .......................................................................... 4
2.1 Pin Definition................................................................................................................5
2.2 Electrical Characteristics ............................................................................................5
2.3 Operating Conditions...................................................................................................6
2.4 Physical Characteristics .............................................................................................6
3Hardware Design ............................................................... 6
3.1 Design in Considerations ............................................................................................6
3.2 Module Reset Signal....................................................................................................7
3.3 Antenna ........................................................................................................................7
4Installation and Configuration............................................ 9
4.1 ESD Handling Precautions ..........................................................................................9
4.2 Installation Guide.........................................................................................................9
4.3 Power-on................................................................................................................... 12
4.4 Setting and Output.................................................................................................... 12
4.4.1 Operating Steps...................................................................................13
5Common Configuration Commands ................................. 15
5.1 High Precision Timing Setting ................................................................................. 17
6Firmware Upgrade ........................................................... 19

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Product Introduction
1
1Product Introduction
UT4B0 is the world's first multi-constellation, multi-frequency and high-performance
RTK timing module independently developed by Unicore. It is designed with standard
8Pin and provides high-precision satellite synchronous clock for the most stringent
timing applications in the world.
Equipped with the new generation multi-constellation, multi-frequency high precision
NebulasII SoC from Unicore, UT4B0 supports 432 channels. With the powerful
processing capability and the built-in JamShield multi-frequency anti-jamming
technology, it simultaneously tracks the multi-constellation, multi-frequency satellite
signals such as BDS, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and performs multi-frequency anti-
jamming processing, significantly improving the timing stability and reliability.
Figure 1- 1 UT4B0 High-Precision Timing Module
1.1 Key Features
Multi-constellation, multi-frequency high-precision timing module, provides
the world's leading timing accuracy
20Hz data output rate
JamShield adaptive anti-jamming and U-AutoAlign multi-path suppression
technology, applicable to complex and harsh environments with signal
interference

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Product Introduction
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1.2 Technical Specifications
Performance Specifications
Channels
432 channels, based on
NebulasII
Cold Start
＜45s
Frequencies
BDS B1/B2/B3
GPS L1/L2/L5
GLONASS
L1/L2
Galileo E1/E5a/E5b
Initialization Time
＜10s (typical)
Single Point
Positioning (RMS)
Horizontal: 1.5m
Vertical: 3.0m
Initialization
Reliability
＞99.9%
TTFF (Time To First
Fix)
＜50s
Dgps（Rms）
Horizontal: 0.4m
Reacquisition
<1s
Vertical: 0.8m
Differential Data
RTCM 2.X/3.X CMR
Rtk（Rms）
Horizontal: 1cm+1ppm
Data Format
NMEA-0183, Unicore
Vertical: 1.5cm+1ppm
Data Update Rate
20Hz
Dimensions
67.2 mm*31.8mm
Time Accuracy (1σ)
2ns
Functional Interfaces
UART (LV-TTL)
2x1PPS (LV-TTL)1
1
Optional

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Product Introduction
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1.3 Block Diagram
Figure 1- 2 UT4B0 Structure Diagram
1. RF
The receiver obtains the filtered and enhanced GNSS signal from the antenna through
the coaxial cable. The RF section converts the RF input signal to IF signal and coverts
the IF analog signal to the digital signal required by NebulasII chip (UC4C0).
2. NebulasII Chip (UC4C0)
As the new-generation multi-constellation, multi-core high-precision SoC developed
independently by Unicore, NebulasII chip, based on the mature core technology of Nebulas
baseband chips and 55nm low power design, supports 432 hyperchannels. It has built-in
broadband ADC and anti-jamming unit, as well as two integrated 600MHz ARM processors
and a special high-speed floating-point processor to provide more powerful satellite
navigation signal processing capability.
3. Pulse Per Second (1PPS)
UT4B0 provides one IPPS signal with adjustable output pulse width and polarity.
4. Reset (RST)
Low active, with retention time no less than 5ms.
RF input
RF
front
end
Interface

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Hardware
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2Hardware
Figure 2- 1 Mechanical Drawing

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Hardware
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Pin definition:
UT4B0 data / power interface is designed with 8 Pin (2 × 4) pins, with a standard
spacing of 2mm.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Pin Layout
2.1 Pin Definition
No
Pin
I/O
Description
1
ANT_PWR
I
Antenna DC power
2
VCC
I
3.3V DC power
3
TXD
O
Transmit, LVCMOS logic level
4
RST
I
Hardware reset, active low
5
RXD
I
Receive, LVCMOS logic level
6
1PPS
O
1PPS, LVCMOS logic level
7
Reserved/1PPS2
I
Reserved/1PPS2
8
GND
I
Ground
2.2 Electrical Characteristics
Maximum Absolute Rating
Parameter
Symbol
Min
Max
Units
Supply voltage (VCC)
Vcc
-0.3
3.6
V
Input pin voltage
Vin
-0.3
VCC+0.2
V
LNA power supply (antenna)
ANT_PWR
-0.3
6
V
VCC maximum ripple
Vrpp
0
50
mV
Input pin voltage (all other
pins except those mentioned
above)
Vin
-0.3
3.6
V
Maximum ESD Stress
VES (HBM)
± 2000
V

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Hardware Design
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2.3 Operating Conditions
Parameter
Symbol
Min
Typical
value
Max
Units
Conditions
Supply voltage (VCC)
Vcc
3.0
3.3
3.6
V
Peak Current
Iccp
8.8
A
Vcc=3.3V
Low Level Input
Voltage
Vin_low_1
-0.3
VCC*0.3
V
High Level Input
Voltage
Vin_high_1
VCC*0.7
VCC+0.3
V
Low Level Output
Voltage
Vout_low
0
0.45
V
Iout=4mA
High Level Output
Voltage
Vout_high
VCC-0.45
VCC
V
Iout=4mA
Optimum input gain
Gant
20
30
36
dB
Noise Figure
Nftot
2.5
3
3.5
dB
LNA antenna power
supply
ANT_PWR
3.0
5
5.5
V
<100mA
Operating
temperature
Topr
-40
85
°C
Power consumption
P
1.5
1.8
2.0
W
2.4 Physical Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions
67.2mm× 31.8mm
Operating Temperature
-40℃～+85℃
Storage Temperature
-55℃～+95℃
Humidity
95% non-condensation
Vibration
GJB150.16-2009，MIL-STD-810
Impact
GJB150.18-2009，MIL-STD-810
3Hardware Design
3.1 Design in Considerations
To ensure UT4B0 works normally, the following signals shall be connected correctly:
Provide reliable power supply with DC pins
Attention to 50 ohm impedance matching of circuit for ANT_IN
ANT_PWR pin is connected to +3.3~5.0V feed, and then +3.3~5.0V feed is
provided to the antenna via ANT_IN Pin

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Hardware Design
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The module reset pin RST is for quick reset. Please connect it correctly to ensure
the module can be reset reliably
To achieve good performance, special attention shall be paid to the following items in the
design:
Power supply: good performance requires stable and low-ripple power supply.
The ripple voltage peak shall not exceed 50mVpp. In addition to LDO, to
guarantee the pure power supply, the following shall also be considered:
–Widen the power layout or split the copper surface to transmit the current
–Place LDO as close as possible to the module
–The power layout shall bypass the high-power and high-impedance
devices, such as magnetic coil
Interface: ensure that the signals and baud rate of the main equipment are
consistent with that of UT4B0
Avoid wiring below UT4B0
Try to keep the module away from the high temperature gas flow
3.2 Module Reset Signal
UT4B0 needs to be reset correctly before it can work normally when it is powered on. To
ensure effective reset, the reset pin RST of the module and the power supply VCC shall
meet the following timing requirements when powered on. Pulling down the RST pin for
over 5ms during normal operation of the module can also reset UT4B0.
Figure 3- 1 UT4B0 Module Reset Signal
3.3 Antenna
The antenna input signal pin ANT_IN of UT4B0 module provides +3.3~5.0V antenna
feed externally. When +3.3~5.0V active antenna is used in UT4B0 module, attention
Over
5ms

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Hardware Design
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shall be paid to the impedance matching of 50 ohm with the antenna.
Figure 3- 2 UT4B0 Antenna Connection Diagram

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Installation and Configuration
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4Installation and Configuration
4.1 ESD Handling Precautions
Most components on the UT4B0 module are static sensitive devices (SSD) and require
ESD protection for IC circuits and other devices. Perform the following protection
measures before opening antistatic plastic boxes.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) may cause a damage to the device. All operations
should be performed on an ESD workbench using wrist straps and conductive
foam pads. If there is no anti-static workbench, wear wrist straps and connect
their other ends to the metal frame to avoid electrostatic damages;
Hold the edge of the module, do NOT touch the components directly;
Check the components carefully for excessive looseness or damage when extracting the
board. Please contact the local dealer in time and keep the packing box and blister box if
you have any questions.
4.2 Installation Guide
UT4B0 is delivered in the form of module and can be assembled flexibly according to
the application scenarios and market demands. The following figure shows the
instructions of UT4B0 typical installation with the use of evaluation kit (EVK). Users
may also use another receiver housing for installation by the same method.
Figure 4- 1 UT4B0 Installation Diagram

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Installation and Configuration
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Prerequisites
UT4B0 module and the evaluation kit (EVK) (or shell)
User manual
Command book
UPrecise software
Qualified antenna
MMCX antenna connecting cable
Desktop computer or laptop computer (Win7 and above) with serial port and
installed with relevant serial port drive and UPrecise software
Installation steps
Step 1: The user using UT4B0 evaluation kit shall align UT4B0 board at the location hole
and pin and install in the evaluation kit (EVK). EVK supplies power for board, leads out
various interfaces of the module and provides the standard interface for direct
communication with the external devices (such as PC, CAN and USB).
Figure 4- 2 UT4B0 Connection Diagram

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Installation and Configuration
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Step 2: Select GNSS antenna with proper gain, set up the GNSS antenna in a stable and
unsheltered area and connect the antenna and the module through the coaxial RF cable.
When installing the antenna, Ant antenna interface in UT4B0 module corresponds to the
antenna at the moving base station.
Note: The RF connector of the board is SMB. Select the appropriate connecting line
according to the packaging. The input signal gain at the antenna interface is optimal
between 20-36dB. Please choose the proper antenna, antenna cable and online LNA
accordingly.
Step 3: Connect the serial ports of PC and EVK
Figure 4- 3 Connect the Serial Port of UT4B0
Step 4: Connect 12V adapter to EVK power supply and start UT4B0 module
Figure 4- 4 Power up UT4B0

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Installation and Configuration
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Step 5: Start UPrecise software installed in PC and connect the receiver through the
software
Step 6: Operate the receiver through UPrecise and record relevant data
4.3 Power-on
Connect the serial port and GNSS antenna of UT4B0, start the power supply (UT4B0
supply voltage at 3.3VDC). The receiver starts and quickly establishes communication
upon being powered on.
Unicore provides dedicated test tooling for the board test.
4.4 Setting and Output
The satellite display and control software UPrecise provides a graphic interface for
users of the UT4B0 module based receiver. With the software, the user can make
various settings of the receiver conveniently and quickly obtain the receiver status and
required information. UPrecise offers the following functions:
Connect the receiver and configure the baud rate
Display the graphical window of the preliminary orientation, PRN and SNR of
the satellite (Constellation View)
Display the trajectory window of the current points and historical points of the
receiver and display the location, speed and time (Trajectory View)
Record the graphical window of various logs and issue the instructions to the
receiver (Logging Control View)
Window to issue instructions to the receiver (Console View)
Issue instructions to the receiver
Trajectory point display
Upgrade firmware
TTFF test

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Installation and Configuration
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Figure 4- 5 Uprecise View
4.4.1 Operating Steps
1Install the power supply and antenna according to 4.2 Installation Guide,
connect the board and switch on EVK.
2File -> connect the serial port and set the baud rate. The default baud rate of
UT4B0 is 115200bps.
Figure 4- 6 Serial Port Configuration
3Click the “receiver setting”button, configure NMEA message output and
click “Send”. It is recommended to configure GPGGA, GPGSV and other
statements.

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Installation and Configuration
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Figure 4- 7 Reveiver Settings
4Directly click “Send all Message” in the data session window to complete
output of all NMEA messages (update at 1Hz). Right click the data session
window to adjust: output log font, stop/recover log output or clear logs.
5View and use various UPrecise views and configure or input the instructions
according to requirements.

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Common Configuration
Commands
15
5Common Configuration Commands
UT4B0 supports simplified ASCII format. The simplified ASCII format without checksum
bits is easier for the user to enter commands. All commands consist of a command
header and configuration parameter (if the parameter field is empty, the command has
only one header). The header field contains the command name or message header.
UT4B0 is simple and easy to use. The common commands are shown in the following
table:
Command
Description
freset
Factory reset
version
Query the version number
config
Query the serial port status
mask BDS
Disable BDS satellite system
Disable BDS, GPS, GLO and GAL respectively
mask –BDS mask –
Enable BDS satellite system.
Enable BDS, GPS, GLO and GAL respectively;
Enable all satellite systems by default
config com1 115200
Set com1 baud rate to 115200
Set com1, com2 and com3 to any baud rate in 9600, 19200,
38400, 57600, 115200, 230400 and 460800
unlog
Disable all outputs
saveconfig
Save settings
Timing related settings
mode base time 60 1.5 2.5
Automatically generate the reference point coordinates if
the positioning time reaches 60s or when the horizontal
accuracy is superior to 1.5m and the vertical accuracy is
superior to 2.5m. Automatically set the reference point
coordinates to repeatedly calculate and generate the new
reference point coordinates after power off and restart
Mode base lat Lon height
Manually set the reference point coordinates to lat, lon,
height (the reference point coordinates are not changed
after power off and restart)
For example: lat=40.07898324818, lon=116.23660197714,
height=60.4265
Note: If the position is south latitude, enter a negative
value in Lat; if the position is west longitude, enter a
negative value in lon
mode rover
Default mode, real-time positioning and timing
NMEA0183 output statement
gpgga comx 1
Set 1Hz output GGA message. The message type and
update rate are customizable; 1, 0.5, 0.2 and 0.1
correspond to the output frequency 1Hz, 2Hz, 5Hz and
10Hz respectively; the types include GGA, RMC, ZDA, VTG

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Common Configuration
Commands
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and NTR.
gphdt comx 1
Output the course information HDT in the current
moment
Course type includes HDT
and TRA
PPS Configuration Command
The command sets the receiver to output the PPS pulse signal with specific period and
pulse width, and can compensate the PPS delay. Command format:
CONFIG PPS [dev parameter]
CONFIG PPS ENABLE GPS POSITIVE 500000 1000 0 0
Abbreviated ASCII syntax:
CONFIG PPS [dev device parameters]
CONFIG PPS ENABLE GPS POSITIVE 500000 1000 0 0
UPS configuration command
ID
Field
ASCII Value
Description
1
PPS
-
2
switch
DISABLE
Disable PPS output (when this field is
set to DISABLE, all other parameters
will be ignored), DISABLE by default
ENABLE
Enable PPS output
3
Timeref
GPST or BDST
Currently only BDS and GPS are
supported
4
polarity
POSITIVE
PPS rising edge is effective
NEGATIVE
PPS falling edge is effective
5
Width
Pulse width shall be less than
the period
PPS pulse width (us)
6
Period
Period of pulse output (ms)
Value is taken as:
50，100，200，250，500，1000，
2000，3000…，20000
7
RfDelay
an integer between -32768 and
32767
RF delay (ns）
8
UserDelay
an integer between -32768 and
32767
User setting delay (ns)
UT4B0 board (module) defaults PPS to be enabled. Default PPS configuration:
CONFIG PPS ENABLE GPS POSITIVE 500000 1000 0 0