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Introduction.
The Hiberband modem is a highly integrated, low-power communications front-end designed for global delivery of sensor data through Hiber’s satellite-based Hiberband Low-Power Global Area Network (LPGAN). Designed as a compact, solderable SMT module, it is straightforward to integrate in IoT devices. The application host processor of the IoT device interacts with the Hiberband modem through a UART-based serial interface using a commandresponse protocol. The Hiberband modem provides two connectors for the Hiberband and GPS antennas.
For detailed technical documentation, please contact Hiber at [email protected].
The information on the internal GPS receiver of the Hiberband modem is provided for reference purposes only; this functionality has been discontinued. The application developer must provide current the geo-location by other means to the modem.
Mechanical dimensions.
Figure 1: Mechanical drawing hiberband modem
The mechanical drawing of the Hiberband modem is shown in figure 1 (all dimensions in millimeters).
The Hiberband modem has two antenna connectors: one MMCX-female for the Hiberband antenna and one U.FLfemale for the GPS antenna (only for versions with integrated GPS receiver).
Hiber LPGAN modem pin-assignment.
figure 2: Hiber LPGAN modem pin numbering scheme
The pin numbering scheme of the Hiberband modem is shown in figure 2. The module pins are implemented as so-called castellations that allow soldering onto a printed circuit board (PCB) using standard reflow manufacturing techniques.
The Hiberband modem provides one or two on-board antenna connectors (depending on the modem version), one for the Hiberband satellite communication, and one for the GPS antenna (for modem versions with integrated GPS receiver). The antenna details are described in section 1.
The pin function assignment is given in table 1.
| Function | Pin name | I/O | Description | Hiber LPGAN Modem Pin Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | VCC | I | Supply voltage | 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 40, 41, 42 |
| GND | n/a | Ground | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 23, 25, 29, 43, 44, 45 | |
| VREF | n/a | I/O reference voltage | 19 | |
| System | SYS_RXD | I | System UART receive | 18 |
| SYS_TXD | O | System UART transmit | 17 | |
| SYS_TXD | O | System UART transmit | 25 | |
| RESETn | I | System reset | 24 | |
| Debug | DBG_RXD | I | Debug UART receive | 28 |
| DBG_TXD | O | Debug UART transmit | 27 | |
| Reserved | - | n/a | Reserved for internal or future use. Leave unconnected | 11, 21, 22, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 |
Table 1: Hiber lpgan modem pin assignment overview
Power supply.
The power supply characteristics of the Hiberband modem are specified in table 2.
| Parameter | Description | Min | Typ | Max | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCC | Module supply voltage | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.9 | V |
| ICC | Current consumption - Hibernation Mode | 0.5 | 5 | 20 | µA |
| Current consumption - Host Communication Mode | 10 | 20 | 25 | mA | |
| Current consumption - Geo-location Mode | 40 | 100 | 120 | mA | |
| Current consumption - Hiberband Listen Mode | 20 | 23 | 30 | mA | |
| Current consumption - Hiberband Transmission Mode | 100 | 1250 | 1500 | mA | |
| VREF | VREF supply voltage (all ranges) | 2.7 | 3.3 | 4.5 | V |
Table 2: power supply specifications
Operating temperature ranges.
The following temperature ranges are defined for operation of the Hiber LPGAN modem:
-
Normal operating temperature:
the Hiber LPGAN modem is fully functional and meets all its product specifications across the specified temperature range.
-
Extended operating temperature:
the Hiber LPGAN modem is fully functional but RF performance may be degraded.
The environmental operating ranges of the Hiber LPGAN modem are defined in table 3.
| Parameter | Description | Min | Typ | Max | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-operating | Typical operating temperature | +25 | °C | ||
| ICC | Normal operating temperature | -30 | +70 | °C | |
| Extended operating temperature | -40 | +85 | °C |
Table 3: environmental conditions
Frequency ranges.
The frequency ranges of the Hiberband modem are given in table 4.
| Parameter | Min | Max | Unit | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiberband frequency range | Uplink | 399.90 | 400.05 | MHz | |
| Downlink | 400.15 | 401.00 | MHz | ||
| GPS frequency range | Downlink | 1575.42 | 1575.42 | MHz | Only GPS is supported |
Table 4: Hiberband modem RF frequency bands
Typical application circuit.
Figure 3: Typical integration of a Hiberband modem with an application host processor
A typical interface between the application host processor, generally a microcontroller, and the Hiberband modem is shown in Figure 3.
In the example design shown above, the host application processor runs at 3.0V, while the Hiberband modem has a +3.3V supply voltage. The processor interfaces with the Hiberband modem through a UART interface for serial device-to-device communication. Optionally, the debug UART may be used in the application. Furthermore, two GPIO pins (configured as outputs) are used to drive the RESET and WKUP inputs of the Hiberband modem, both of which have active HIGH levels. The signal levels of the processor-modem UART interfaces is set by applying the appropriate voltage to the VREF input of the Hiberband modem. Other than ensuring that the power supply is able to deliver the necessary current within a sufficiently fast transient response time, this covers the integration of Hiber’s LPGAN connectivity in an IoT device.
Hiberband modem design support.
Hiber is strongly committed to providing good support to its partners. In addition to documentation, Hiber offers CAD libraries, reference schematics and board layout footprints, that can be obtained upon request. Please contact us at [email protected] for any assistance you may need.
Revision history.
| Date | Revision | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| March 14, 2018 | 1 | Initial release |
| April 18, 2018 | 1.1 | Changed naming of RESETn to RESET to reflect active HIGH level |
| February 5, 2019 | 1.2 | Changed product name to Hiberband modem Updated information related to discontinued GPS support |
Table 5: Document revision history
Important notice - please read carefully.
Hiber BV and its affiliated entities (“Hiber”), reserves the right to make changes, corrections, enhancements, modifications, and improvements to Hiber products, services and to this document at any time without notice. Purchasers should obtain the latest relevant information on Hiber products and services before placing orders. Hiber products and services are sold pursuant to Hiber’s terms and conditions of sale in place at the time of order acknowledgement, as posted on Hiber's web site, www.hiber.global.
Purchasers are solely responsible for the choice, selection, and use of Hiber products and services, and Hiber assumes no liability for application assistance or the design of Purchasers’ products.
No license, express or implied, to any intellectual property right is granted by Hiber herein.
Resale of Hiber products and services with provisions different from the information set forth herein shall void any warranty granted by Hiber for such product. Hiber and the Hiber logo are trademarks of Hiber BV. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
Information in this document supersedes and replaces information previously supplied in any prior versions of this document.
Company contact details can be found on Hiber’s corporate website at www.hiber.global.
