AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide 41113915 Rev 0.6 August 17, 2022 Proprietary and Confidential Contents subject to change DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Important Notice Due to the nature of wireless communications, transmission and reception of data can never be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted (i.e., have errors) or be totally lost. Although significant delays or losses of data are rare when wireless devices such as the Sierra Wireless modem are used in a normal manner with a well-constructed network, the Sierra Wireless modem should not be used in situations where failure to transmit or receive data could result in damage of any kind to the user or any other party, including but not limited to personal injury, death, or loss of property. Sierra Wireless accepts no responsibility for damages of any kind resulting from delays or errors in data transmitted or received using the Sierra Wireless modem, or for failure of the Sierra Wireless modem to transmit or receive such data. Safety and Hazards Do not operate the Sierra Wireless modem in areas where cellular modems are not advised without proper device certifications. These areas include environments where cellular radio can interfere such as explosive atmospheres, medical equipment, or any other equipment which may be susceptible to any form of radio interference. The Sierra Wireless modem can transmit signals that could interfere with this equipment. Do not operate the Sierra Wireless modem in any aircraft, whether the aircraft is on the ground or in flight. In aircraft, the Sierra Wireless modem MUST BE POWERED OFF. When operating, the Sierra Wireless modem can transmit signals that could interfere with various onboard systems. Note:
Some airlines may permit the use of cellular phones while the aircraft is on the ground and the door is open. Sierra Wireless modems may be used at this time. The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the Sierra Wireless modem while in control of a vehicle. Doing so will detract from the driver or operators control and operation of that vehicle. In some states and provinces, operating such communications devices while in control of a vehicle is an offence. Limitations of Liability This manual is provided as is. Sierra Wireless makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or noninfringement. The recipient of the manual shall endorse all risks arising from its use. The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Sierra Wireless. SIERRA WIRELESS AND ITS AFFILIATES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, GENERAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUE OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS OR REVENUE ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY SIERRA WIRELESS PRODUCT, EVEN IF SIERRA WIRELESS AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR THEY ARE FORESEEABLE OR FOR CLAIMS BY ANY THIRD PARTY. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Sierra Wireless and/or its affiliates aggregate liability arising under or in connection with the Sierra Wireless product, regardless of the number of events, occurrences, or claims giving rise to liability, be in excess of the price paid by the purchaser for the Sierra Wireless product. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 2 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Patents This product may contain technology developed by or for Sierra Wireless Inc. This product includes technology licensed from QUALCOMM. This product is manufactured or sold by Sierra Wireless Inc. or its affiliates under one or more patents licensed from MMP Portfolio Licensing. Copyright 2019 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved. Trademarks Sierra Wireless, AirPrime, AirLink, AirVantage, WISMO, ALEOS and the Sierra Wireless and Open AT logos are registered trademarks of Sierra Wireless, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries. Watcher is a registered trademark of NETGEAR, Inc., used under license. Windows and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh and Mac OS X are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Used under license. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Contact Information Sales information and technical support, including warranty and returns Web: sierrawireless.com/company/contact-us/
Global toll-free number: 1-877-687-7795 6:00 am to 5:00 pm PST Corporate and product information Web: sierrawireless.com Document History Version Date Updates Rev 0.1 May 26, 2020 Creation for FCC/IC certification Rev 0.2 June 10, 2020 Added section 3.7 Antenna Specification;
Updated FCC ID and IC, and FCC compliance standards. Rev 0.3 June 17, 2020 Added mmWave clarification in section 3.6 Supported Frequencies Rev 0.4 April 23, 2021 Updated Table 4-1 Antenna Gain and Collocated Radio Transmitter Specifications Rev 0.5 Unreleased Added bands n7, n12, n25; Updated Table 4-1 Antenna Gain and Collocated Radio Transmitter Specifications Rev 0.6 August 17, 2022 Updated Table 4-1 Antenna Gain and Collocated Radio Transmitter Specifications Updated supported bands 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 3 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Contents 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 5 1.1. 1.2. Accessories ......................................................................................................................... 5 Required Connectors ........................................................................................................... 5 2. POWER ................................................................................................................ 6 Power Supply....................................................................................................................... 6 Module Power States .......................................................................................................... 6 Power State Transitions ............................................................................................. 7 2.2.1. 3. RF SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................... 9 3.1. RF Connections ................................................................................................................. 10 Shielding .................................................................................................................. 10 3.1.1. Sub-6G Antennas and Cabling .......................................................................................... 10 Ground Connection ........................................................................................................... 11 Interference and Sensitivity ............................................................................................... 11 Interference from Other Wireless Devices ............................................................... 11 Host-generated RF Interference .............................................................................. 12 Device-generated RF Interference .......................................................................... 12 Methods to Mitigate Decreased Rx Performance .................................................... 12 Radiated Spurious Emissions (RSE) ....................................................................... 12 3.4.1. 3.4.2. 3.4.3. 3.4.4. 3.4.5. 3.5. Radiated Sensitivity Measurement .................................................................................... 12 Sierra Wireless Sensitivity Testing and Desensitization Investigation ..................... 13 Sensitivity vs. Frequency ......................................................................................... 13 3.5.1. 3.5.2. Supported Frequencies ..................................................................................................... 13 Antenna Specification ........................................................................................................ 16 Recommended WWAN Antenna Specifications ...................................................... 16 Recommended GNSS Antenna Specifications ....................................................... 18 3.7.1. 3.7.2. 2.1. 2.2. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.6. 3.7. 4. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION ................. 19 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. RoHS Directive Compliant ................................................................................................. 19 Important Notice ................................................................................................................ 19 Safety and Hazards ........................................................................................................... 19 Important Compliance Information for the United States and Canada .............................. 20 5. ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................. 23 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 4 DRAFT 1. Introduction 1 The Sierra Wireless EM9190 Embedded Module is a FirstNet-ready (B14 LTE) M.2 module and provides 5G NR Sub-6G, 5G mmWave, 4G LTE advanced Pro, 3G (HSPA+, UMTS), and GNSS connectivity for a wide range of devices and purposes, including business, personal, and portable computing and communication devices, IoT devices, M2M applications and industrial use cases. EM9190 Embedded Modules are available in a variety of region-specific and function-specific SKUs, including both 5G NR Sub-6G and 5G mmWave-capable variants. 1.1. Accessories A hardware development kit is available for AirPrime M.2 modules. The kit contains hardware components for evaluating and developing with the module, including:
Development board Cables Other accessories Antennas For over-the-air 5G and LTE testing, ensure that an appropriate antenna is being used. 1.2. Required Connectors Table 1-1 describes the connectors used to integrate the EM9190 Embedded Module into your host device. Table 1-1 Required Host-Module Connectors1 Connector Type Description RF cables 5G NR Sub-6G/ LTE/GNSS RF cables mmWave EDGE (67 pin) Mate with M.2-spec connectors Four connector jacks (mate with I-PEX 20448-001R-081 or equivalent) Eight connector jacks (mate with I-PEX 20955-001R-13 or equivalent) Two cables for each mmWave antenna module (up to 8 cables in total) Slot B compatible Per the M.2 standard (PCI Express M.2 Specification Revision 3.0, Version 1.2), a generic 75-pin position EDGE connector on the motherboard uses a mechanical key to mate with the 67-pin notched module connector. Manufacturers include LOTES (part #APCI0018-P001A01), Kyocera, JAE, Tyco, and Longwell. SIM Industry-standard connector. 1. Manufacturers/part numbers are for reference only and are subject to change. Choose connectors that are appropriate for your own design. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 5 DRAFT 2. Power 2.1. Power Supply 2 The host provides power to the EM9190 through multiple power and ground pins as summarized in Table 2-1. The host must provide safe and continuous power (via battery or a regulated power supply) at all times; the module does not have an independent power supply, or protection circuits to guard against electrical issues. Table 2-1 Power and Ground Specifications Name Pins Specification Min Typ Max Units VCC
(3.3V) 2, 4, 24, 38, 68, 70, 72, 74 GND 3, 5, 11, 27, 33, 39, 45, 51, 57, 71, 73 Voltage range 3.135 3.3 4.4 V Ripple voltage Peak Current Continuous Current
100 mVpp 4000 mA TBD 0
mA V 2.2. Module Power States The module has five power states, as described in Table 2-2. Table 2-2 Module Power States State Details H o s t I s P o w e r e d H o s t I n t e r f a c e A c t i v e R F E n a b l e d Module is active Default state. Occurs when VCC is first applied, Full_Card_Power_Off# is deasserted (pulled high), and W_DISABLE# is deasserted Normal (Default State) Module is capable of placing/receiving calls, or establishing data connections on the wireless network Current consumption is affected by several factors, including:
Radio band being used Transmit power Receive gain settings Data rate 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 6 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Power State Details H o s t I s P o w e r e d H o s t I n t e r f a c e A c t i v e R F E n a b e d l Module is active Module enters this state:
Under host interface control:
Low Power
(Airplane Mode) Host issues AT+CFUN=0 (3GPP TS 27.007), or Host asserts W_DISABLE#, after AT!PCOFFEN=0 has been
issued. Automatically, when critical temperature or voltage trigger limits have been reached) Normal state of module between calls or data connections Module cycles between wake (polling the network) and sleep, at network provider-determined interval. Host keeps module powered off by asserting Full_Card_Power_Off#
(signal pulled low or left floating) Module draws minimal current Sleep Off Disconnected Host power source is disconnected from the module and all voltages associated with the module are at 0 V.
2.2.1. Power State Transitions The module uses state machines to monitor supply voltage and operating temperature and notifies the host when critical threshold limits are exceeded. (See Table 2-3 for trigger details and Figure 2-1 for state machine behavior.) Power state transitions may occur:
Automatically, when critical supply voltage or module temperature trigger levels are encountered. Under host control, using available AT commands in response to user choices (for example, opting to switch to airplane mode) or operating conditions. Table 2-3 Power State Transition Trigger Levels Transition Voltage Temperature1 Trigger V Trigger Normal to Low Power VOLT_HI_CRIT VOLT_LO_CRIT Low Power to Normal VOLT_HI_NORM 4.6 2.9 4.4 TEMP_LO_CRIT TEMP_HI_CRIT TEMP_NORM_LO
-30 Notes RF activity suspended
-45 118 Low Power to Normal Or Remain in Normal
(Remove warnings) Normal
(Issue warning) Power off/on
(Host-initiated) VOLT_LO_NORM 3.135 TEMP_HI_NORM 100 RF activity resumed VOLT_LO_WARN 3.135 TEMP_HI_WARN 100
In the TEMP_HI_WARN state, the module may have reduced performance (Class B temperature range). Power off recommended when supply voltage or module operating temperature is critically low or high. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 7 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Power 1. Module junction temperature at the printed circuit board. Normal mode current_vcc <VOLT_LO_WARN current_temp > TEMP_HI_WARN current_vcc >VOLT_LO_NORM current_temp < TEMP_HI_NORM Normal mode Low supply voltage warning or High temperature warning current_vcc < VOLT_LO_CRIT current_temp > TEMP_HI_CRIT current_vcc > VOLT_HI_CRIT current_temp < TEMP_LO_CRIT current_vcc < VOLT_HI_NORM current_temp > TEMP_NORM_LO Low power mode Handled by Power State state machine.
(Manual transition) Host deasserts Full_Card_Power_Off#
Off mode Handled by Power State state machine Figure 2-1 Voltage/Temperature Monitoring State Machines Note:
Make sure that your system design provides sufficient cooling for the module. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 8 DRAFT 3. RF Specifications 3 The EM9190 includes Four MHF4 RF connectors for use with host-supplied antennas, and eight MHF7S connectors for use with up to four mmWave antenna modules (2 connectors per antenna module):
Figure 3-1 Module Connectors Include Image with Spacing Info Sub-6G/GNSS connectors:
Main: Primary Tx/PRx path for 3G/4G/5G (except for n41) Auxiliary: Diversity Rx (except for n41) and GNSS L1 MIMO1: MIMO1 Rx Path and n41 TRx MIMO2: MIMO2 Rx Path and n41 DRx and GNSS L5 mmWave connectors:
Eight connectors Up to four mmWave antenna modules (QTM525 or QTM527), two connectors as a pair (H/V) for each. The EM9190 module does not have integrated antennas. Refer to Table 3-1 for each pair of coaxial connections. For low-power usage, if not all 4 QTM525 modules are equipped, integration sequence from QTM0 to QTM3 is recommended, leave unused connectors NC (Contact Sierra Wireless as the RFC has to be updated to reflect the number of QTMs). Note that for high-power usage, its not recommended to leave any QTM527 NC as it will violate 3GPP EIRP compliance for PC1. Table 3-1 mmWave Port Assignment QTM P_ON QTM525 IF port <-> mmWave IF Connector QTM527 IF port <-> mmWave IF Connector IF1 IF2 IF1 IF2 QTM0 QTM0_PON QTM0_H <-> IFH1 QTM0_V <-> IFV4 QTM0_H <-> IFH1 QTM0_V <-> IFV4 QTM1 QTM1_PON QTM1_H <-> IFH4 QTM1_V <-> IFV1 QTM1_H <-> IFH2 QTM1_V <-> IFV3 QTM2 QTM2_PON QTM2_H <-> IFH2 QTM2_V <-> IFV3 QTM2_H <-> IFH3 QTM2_V <-> IFV2 QTM3 QTM3_PON QTM3_H <-> IFH3 QTM3_V <-> IFV2 QTM3_H <-> IFH4 QTM3_V <-> IFV1 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 9 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications 3.1. RF Connections When attaching antennas to the module:
Sub-6G /GNSS connectors:
Use RF plug connectors that are compatible with the following RF receptacle connectors:
I-PEX (20449-001E (MHF4)). Match coaxial connections between the module and the antenna to 50. Minimize RF cable losses to the antenna; the recommended maximum cable loss for antenna cabling is 0.5 dB. mmWave connectors:
Use RF plug connectors that are compatible with the following RF receptacle connectors:
I-PEX (20956-001E-01 (MHF7S)). To ensure best thermal performance, use the ground hole (if possible) to attach (ground) the device to a metal chassis. Note:
If antenna connection is shorted or open, the modem will not sustain permanent damage. 3.1.1. Shielding The module is fully shielded to protect against EMI and must not be removed. 3.2. Sub-6G Antennas and Cabling When selecting the Sub-6G antennas and cables, it is critical to RF performance to match antenna gain and cable loss. Note:
There is no explicit list of antennas required in the application. The PWB-6-60-RSMAP Wide Band 4G/5G Terminal Paddle Antenna has been verified as a reference. For detailed electrical performance criteria, see Antenna Specification. Choosing the Correct Sub-6G Antenna and Cabling When matching antennas and cabling:
The antenna (and associated circuitry) should have a nominal impedance of 50 with a return loss of better than 10 dB across each frequency band of operation. The system gain value affects both radiated power and regulatory (FCC, IC, CE, etc.) test results. Designing Custom Sub-6G Antennas Consider the following points when designing custom antennas:
A skilled RF engineer should do the development to ensure that the RF performance is maintained. If multiple modules will be installed on the same platform, you may want to develop separate antennas for maximum performance. Determining the Sub-6G Antennas Location When deciding where to put the antennas:
Antenna location may affect RF performance. Although the module is shielded to prevent interference in most applications, the placement of the antenna is still very important if the host device is insufficiently shielded, high levels of broadband or spurious noise can degrade the modules performance. Connecting cables between the module and the antenna must have 50 impedance. If the impedance of the module is mismatched, RF performance is reduced significantly. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 10 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications Antenna cables should be routed, if possible, away from noise sources (switching power supplies, LCD assemblies, etc.). If the cables are near the noise sources, the noise may be coupled into the RF cable and into the antenna. See Interference from Other Wireless Devices. Disabling the Auxiliary (Diversity) Antenna Certification testing of a device with an integrated EM9190 may require the modules main and diversity antennas to be tested separately. To facilitate this testing, receive diversity can be enabled/disabled using AT commands:
!RXDEN used to enable/disable diversity for single-cell call (no carrier aggregation).
!LTERXCONTROL used to enable/disable paths (in carrier aggregation scenarios) after a call is set up. Note:
LTE networks expect modules to have more than one antenna enabled for proper operation. Therefore, customers must not commercially deploy their systems with the diversity antenna disabled. A diversity antenna is used to improve connection quality and reliability through redundancy. Because two antennas may experience different interference effects (signal distortion, delay, etc.), when one antenna receives a degraded signal, the other may not be similarly affected. 3.3. Ground Connection When connecting the module to system ground:
Prevent noise leakage by establishing a very good ground connection to the module through the host connector. Connect to system ground using the ground hole shown in Figure 3-1. Minimize ground noise leakage into the RF. Depending on the host board design, noise could potentially be coupled to the module from the host board. This is mainly an issue for host designs that have signals traveling along the length of the module, or circuitry operating at both ends of the module interconnects. 3.4. Interference and Sensitivity Several interference sources can affect the modules RF performance (RF desense). Common sources include power supply noise and device-generated RF. RF desense can be addressed through a combination of mitigation techniques (Methods to Mitigate Decreased Rx Performance) and radiated sensitivity measurement (Radiated Sensitivity Measurement). Note:
The EM9190 is based on ZIF (Zero Intermediate Frequency) technologies. When performing EMC
(Electromagnetic Compatibility) tests, there are no IF (Intermediate Frequency) components from the module to consider. 3.4.1. Interference from Other Wireless Devices Wireless devices operating inside the host device can cause interference that affects the module. To determine the most suitable locations for antennas on your host device, evaluate each wireless devices radio system, considering the following:
Any harmonics, sub-harmonics, or cross-products of signals generated by wireless devices that fall in the modules Rx range may cause spurious response, resulting in decreased Rx performance. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 11 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications The Tx power and corresponding broadband noise of other wireless devices may overload or increase the noise floor of the modules receiver, resulting in Rx desense. The severity of this interference depends on the closeness of the other antennas to the modules antenna. To determine suitable locations for each wireless devices antenna, thoroughly evaluate your host devices design. 3.4.2. Host-generated RF Interference All electronic computing devices generate RF interference that can negatively affect the receive sensitivity of the module. Proximity of host electronics to the antenna in wireless devices can contribute to decreased Rx performance. Components that are most likely to cause this include:
Microprocessor and memory Display panel and display drivers Switching-mode power supplies 3.4.3. Device-generated RF Interference The module can cause interference with other devices. Wireless devices such as AirPrime embedded modules transmit in bursts (pulse transients) for set durations (RF burst frequencies). Hearing aids and speakers convert these burst frequencies into audible frequencies, resulting in audible noise. 3.4.4. Methods to Mitigate Decreased Rx Performance It is important to investigate sources of localized interference early in the design cycle. To reduce the effect of device-generated RF on Rx performance:
Put the antenna as far as possible from sources of interference. The drawback is that the module may be less convenient to use. Shield the host device. The module itself is well shielded to avoid external interference. However, the antenna cannot be shielded for obvious reasons. In most instances, it is necessary to employ shielding on the components of the host device (such as the main processor and parallel bus) that have the highest RF emissions. Filter out unwanted high-order harmonic energy by using discrete filtering on low frequency lines. Form shielding layers around high-speed clock traces by using multi-layer PCBs. Route antenna cables away from noise sources. 3.4.5. Radiated Spurious Emissions (RSE) When designing an antenna for use with AirPrime embedded modules, the host device with an AirPrime embedded module must satisfy any applicable standards/local regulatory bodies for radiated spurious emission (RSE) for receive-only mode and for transmit mode (transmitter is operating). Note that antenna impedance affects radiated emissions, which must be compared against the conducted 50 emissions baseline. (AirPrime embedded modules meet the 50 conducted emissions requirement.) 3.5. Radiated Sensitivity Measurement A wireless host device contains many noise sources that contribute to a reduction in Rx performance. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 12 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications To determine the extent of any receiver performance desensitization due to self-generated noise in the host device, over-the-air (OTA) or radiated testing is required. This testing can be performed by Sierra Wireless or you can use your own OTA test chamber for in-house testing. 3.5.1. Sierra Wireless Sensitivity Testing and Desensitization Investigation Although AirPrime embedded modules are designed to meet network operator requirements for receiver performance, they are still susceptible to various performance inhibitors. As part of the Engineering Services package, Sierra Wireless offers modem OTA sensitivity testing and desensitization (desense) investigation. Note:
Sierra Wireless has the capability to measure TIS (Total Isotropic Sensitivity) and TRP (Total Radiated Power) according to CTIA's published test procedure. 3.5.2. Sensitivity vs. Frequency Sensitivity definitions for supported RATs:
UMTS bands sensitivity is defined as the input power level in dBm that produces a BER (Bit Error Rate) of 0.1%. Sensitivity should be measured at all UMTS frequencies across each band. LTE bands sensitivity is defined as the RF level at which throughput is 95% of maximum. 5G NR Sub-6G bands sensitivity is defined as RF level at which throughput is 95% of maximum. 3.6. Supported Frequencies The EM9190 supports data operation on 5G NR, 4G LTE and 3G networks over the bands described in Table 3-2. Table 3-2 RF Band Support Technology Bands 5G LTE 3G GNSS1 mmWave1 Sub-6G LTE n257, n258, n260, n261 n1, n2, n3, n5, n74, n84, n124, n204, n254, n28, n384, n404, n41, n484, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B14, B17, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28, B29, B302, B32, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, B434, B463, B48, B66, B71 HSPA+/WCDMA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 19 L1 L5 GPS/QZSS L1, GLONASS G1, Galileo E1, BeiDou B1i GPS L5, GAL E5a, QZSS L5, BDS B2a 1. EM9190 hardware include IF and BB part for mmWave support, it has to work with Qualcomm QTM525 or QTM527 chipset to implement mmWave. QTM527 and QTM527 array with dedicate power management, RF power amplifiers and frequency converters integrated. 2. Devices can choose to operate B30 as Tx/Rx or Rx only. 3. LTE-LAA 4. Band support is firmware and SKU dependent. See following tables for supported bands frequency and bandwidth:
41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 13 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications Table 3-3 Supported Frequency Bands, by RAT (5G/LTE/3G) Band#
5G
(n<band#>) LTE
(B<band#>) 3G
(Band<band#>) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes1 Yes Yes Yes Yes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 25 26 28 29 30 32 34 38 39 40 41 42 43 46 48 66 71 77 78 79 257 258 260 261 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes1 Yes1 Yes1 Yes1 Yes1 Yes Yes1 Yes1 Yes Yes1 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Frequency (Tx) Frequency (Rx) 19201980 MHz 21102170 MHz 18501910 MHz 19301990 MHz 17101785 MHz 18051880 MHz 17101755 MHz 21102155 MHz 824849 MHz 830840 MHz 869894 MHz 875885 MHz 25002570 MHz 26202690 MHz 880915 MHz 925960 MHz 1749.91784.9 MHz 1844.91879.9 MHz 699716 MHz 777787 MHz 788798 MHz 704716 MHz 815830 MHz 830845 MHz 832862 MHz 729746 MHz 746756 MHz 758768 MHz 734746 MHz 860875 MHz 875890 MHz 791821 MHz 18501915 MHz 19301995 MHz 814849 MHz 703748 MHz N/A 23052315 MHz Note: B30 Tx is disabled. 859894 MHz 758803 MHz 717728 MHz 23502360 MHz N/A 14521496 MHz 20102025 MHz (TDD) 25702620 MHz (TDD) 18801920 MHz (TDD) 23002400 MHz (TDD) 24962690 MHz (TDD) 34003600 MHz (TDD) 36003800 MHz (TDD) N/A 51505925 MHz (TDD) 35503700 MHz (TDD) 17101780 MHz 21102200 MHz 663698 MHz 617652 MHz 33004200 MHz (TDD) 33003800 MHz (TDD) 44005000 MHz (TDD) 2650029500 MHz (TDD) 2425027500 MHz (TDD) 3700040000 MHz (TDD) 2750028350 MHz (TDD) 1. Band support is firmware and SKU dependent. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 14 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications Table 3-4 LTE Bandwidth Support1 Band 1.4 MHz 3 MHz 5 MHz 10 MHz 15 MHz 20 MHz B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7 B8 B12 B13 B14 B17 B18 B19 B20 B25 B26 B28 B29 B30 B32 B34 B38 B39 B40 B41 B42 B434 B46 B48 B66 B71 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes2 Yes Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes Yes2 Yes2 Yes Yes2 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes2 Yes Yes2 Yes2 Yes Yes3 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2 Yes Yes Yes3 Yes3 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes2 Yes Yes2 Yes2 Yes Yes2,3 Yes2 Yes2 Yes2,3 Yes Yes3 Yes3 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes2 1. Table contents are derived from 3GPP TS 36.521-1 v15.5.0, table 5.4.2.1-1. 2. Bandwidth for which a relaxation of the specified UE receiver sensitivity requirement (Clause 7.3 of 3GPP TS 36.521-1 v15.5.0) is allowed. 3. Bandwidth for which uplink transmission bandwidth can be restricted by the network for some channel assignments in FDD/TDD co-existence scenarios in order to meet unwanted emissions requirements (Clause 6.6.3.2 of 3GPP TS 36.521-
1 v15.5.0). 4. Band support is firmware and SKU dependent. Table 3-5 NR Bandwidth Support1,2,3 Band 5 MHz 10 MHz 15 MHz 20 MHz 25 MHz 30 MHz 40 MHz 50 MHz 60 MHz 70 MHz 80 MHz 90 MHz 100 MHz n1 n2 n3 n5 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 15 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications Band 5 MHz 10 MHz 15 MHz 20 MHz 25 MHz 30 MHz 40 MHz 50 MHz 60 MHz 70 MHz 80 MHz 90 MHz 100 MHz Yes Yes n75 n85 Yes Yes n125 Yes6 Yes6 n205 Yes Yes n255 Yes Yes n28 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes6 Yes Yes Yes n385 n405 n41 n485 n66 n71 n77 n78 n79 Yes6 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes6 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes6 Yes Yes4 Yes Yes6 Yes6, 7 Yes6, 7 Yes6, 7 Yes6, 7 Yes6, 7 Yes Yes6 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes6 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes6 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes4, 6 Yes4 Yes6 Yes Yes Yes 1. Table contents are derived from 3GPP TS 38.521-1 v16.3.0, table 5.3.5-1. 2. For FR1 Sub-6G bands, NR TDD Bands (n41/77/78/79), only SCS 30KHz is supported, and for other FDD bands, only SCS 15KHz is supported. 3. For FR2 mmWave bands, only 50MHz and 100MHz bandwidth is supported. 4. This UE channel bandwidth is optional in Release 15. 5. Band support is firmware and SKU dependent. 6. Indicated bandwidths may be disabled by default due to carrier deployment requirements. 7. Downlink only 3.7. Antenna Specification This appendix describes recommended electrical performance criteria for Sub-6G, GNSS, and mmWave antennas used with AirPrime embedded modules. The performance specifications described in this section are valid while antennas are mounted in the host device with antenna feed cables routed in their final application configuration. Note:
Antennas should be designed before the industrial design is finished to make sure that the best antennas can be developed. 3.7.1. Recommended WWAN Antenna Specifications Table 3-6 Antenna Requirements1 Parameter Requirements Comments Antenna System
(NR/LTE) External multi-band 4x4 MIMO antenna system (Ant1/ Ant2/Ant3/Ant4)2
(3G) External multi-band antenna system with diversity (Ant1/Ant2) If Ant2 or Ant3 includes GNSS, then it must also satisfy requirements in Table 3-
7. Operating Bands Ant1 All supporting Tx and Rx frequency bands. Operating Bands Ant2/3/4 VSWR of Ant1 and Ant2 All supporting Rx frequency bands, plus GNSS frequency bands if Ant2 is used in shared Diversity/MIMO/GNSS mode.
< 2:1 (recommended)
< 3:1 (worst case) On all bands including band edges 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 16 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications Parameter Requirements Comments Total Radiated Efficiency
> 50% on all bands Radiation Patterns Envelope Correlation Coefficient between Ant Mean Effective Gain of Ant1 and Ant2
(MEG1, MEG2) Ant1 and Ant2 Mean Effective Gain Imbalance
| MEG1 / MEG2 |
Maximum Antenna Gain Isolation Nominally Omni-directional radiation pattern in azimuth plane.
< 0.5 on Rx bands below 960 MHz
< 0.2 on Rx bands above 1.4 GHz
-3 dBi
< 2 dB for MIMO operation
< 6 dB for diversity operation Must not exceed antenna gains due to RF exposure and ERP/ EIRP limits, as listed in the modules FCC grant.
>10dB for all antennas at all bands frequency range.
>20dB for Ant1 and Ant4 at B41 frequency range. Power Handling
>1W Measured at the RF connector. Includes mismatch losses, losses in the matching circuit, and antenna losses, excluding cable loss. Sierra Wireless recommends using antenna efficiency as the primary parameter for evaluating the antenna system. Peak gain is not a good indication of antenna performance when integrated with a host device (the antenna does not provide omni-directional gain patterns). Peak gain can be affected by antenna size, location, design type, etc. the antenna gain patterns remain fixed unless one or more of these parameters change. See Important Compliance Information for the United States and Canada. If antennas can be moved, test all positions for both antennas. Make sure all other wireless devices
(Bluetooth or WLAN antennas, etc.) are turned OFF to avoid interference. Measure power endurance over 4 hours
(estimated talk time) using a 1 W CW signal set the CW test signal frequency to the middle of each supporting Tx band. Visually inspect device to ensure there is no damage to the antenna structure and matching components. VSWR/TIS/TRP measurements taken before and after this test must show similar results. 1. These worst-case VSWR figures for the transmitter bands may not guarantee RSE levels to be within regulatory limits. The device alone meets all regulatory emissions limits when tested into a cabled (conducted) 50 system. With antenna designs with up to 2.5:1 VSWR or worse, the radiated emissions could exceed limits. The antenna system may need to be tuned in order to meet the RSE limits as the complex match between the module and antenna can cause unwanted levels of emissions. Tuning may include antenna pattern changes, phase/delay adjustment, passive component matching. Examples of the application test limits would be included in FCC Part 22, Part 24 and Part 27, test case 4.2.2 for WCDMA
(ETSI EN 301 908-1), where applicable. 2. Ant1 - Primary, Ant2 - Secondary (Diversity/GNSS L1), Ant3 - MIMO1 Rx path and n41 TRx, Ant4 - MIMO2 Rx path, n41 DRx path and GNSS L5. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 17 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide RF Specifications 3.7.2. Recommended GNSS Antenna Specifications Table 3-7 GNSS Antenna Requirements Parameter Requirements Comments Frequency Range Wide-band GNSS: 15591606 MHz recommended Narrow-band GPS: 1575.42 MHz 2 MHz minimum Narrow-band Galileo: 1575.42 MHz 2 MHz minimum Narrow-band BeiDou: 1561.098 MHz 2 MHz minimum Narrow-band GLONASS: 1601.72 MHz 4.2 MHz minimum Narrow-band QZSS: 1575.42 MHz 2 MHz Field of View (FOV) minimum Omni-directional in azimuth
-45 to +90 in elevation Polarization (Average Gv/Gh)
>0 dB Free Space Average gain (Gv+Gh) over FOV Gain
> -6 dBi (preferably > -3 dBi) Maximum gain and uniform coverage in the high elevation angle and zenith. Gain in azimuth plane is not desired. Average 3D Gain
> -5 dBi Isolation between GNSS and ANTx for WWAN Tx
> 15 dB in all uplink bands and GNSS Rx Bands Typical VSWR
< 2.5:1 Polarization Any other than LHCP (left-hand circular polarized) is acceptable. Note:
GNSS active antenna is forbidden to use. Vertical linear polarization is sufficient. Gv and Gh are measured and averaged over -45 to +90 in elevation, and 180 in azimuth. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 18 DRAFT 4. Regulatory Compliance and 4 Industry Certification This module is designed to meet, and upon commercial release, will meet the requirements of the following regulatory bodies and regulations, where applicable:
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States The National Communications Commission (NCC) of Taiwan, Republic of China The Certification and Engineering Bureau of Industry Canada (IC) The European Union Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU Russia Federal Agency of Communication (FAC) China CCC, NAL and SRRC South Korea KCC Upon commercial release, the following industry certifications will have been obtained, where applicable:
GCF PTCRB Additional certifications and details on specific country approvals may be obtained upon customer request contact your Sierra Wireless account representative for details. Additional testing and certification may be required for the end product with an embedded EM9190 module and are the responsibility of the OEM. Sierra Wireless offers professional services-based assistance to OEMs with the testing and certification process, if required. 4.1. Important Notice Because of the nature of wireless communications, transmission and reception of data can never be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted (i.e., have errors) or be totally lost. Although significant delays or losses of data are rare when wireless devices such as the Sierra Wireless module are used in a normal manner with a well-constructed network, the Sierra Wireless module should not be used in situations where failure to transmit or receive data could result in damage of any kind to the user or any other party, including but not limited to personal injury, death, or loss of property. Sierra Wireless and its affiliates accept no responsibility for damages of any kind resulting from delays or errors in data transmitted or received using the Sierra Wireless module, or for failure of the Sierra Wireless module to transmit or receive such data. 4.2. Safety and Hazards Do not operate your EM9190 module:
In areas where blasting is in progress Where explosive atmospheres may be present including refueling points, fuel depots, and chemical plants Near medical equipment, life support equipment, or any equipment which may be susceptible to any form of radio interference. In such areas, the EM9190 module MUST BE POWERED OFF. Otherwise, the EM9190 module can transmit signals that could interfere with this equipment. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 19 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Regulatory Compliance and Industry Certification In an aircraft, the EM9190 module MUST BE POWERED OFF. Otherwise, the EM9190 module can transmit signals that could interfere with various onboard systems and may be dangerous to the operation of the aircraft or disrupt the cellular network. Use of a cellular phone in an aircraft is illegal in some jurisdictions. Failure to observe this instruction may lead to suspension or denial of cellular telephone services to the offender or legal action, or both. Some airlines may permit the use of cellular phones while the aircraft is on the ground and the door is open. The EM9190 module may be used normally at this time. 4.3. Important Compliance Information for the United States and Canada The EM9190 module, upon commercial release, will have been granted modular approval for mobile applications. Integrators may use the EM9190 module in their final products without additional FCC/IC
(Industry Canada) certification if they meet the following conditions. Otherwise, additional FCC/IC approvals must be obtained. 1. At least 20 cm separation distance between the antenna and the users body must be maintained at all times. 2. To comply with FCC/IC regulations limiting both maximum RF output power and human exposure to RF radiation, the maximum antenna gain including cable loss in a mobile-only exposure condition must not exceed the limits stipulated in Table 4-1. 3. The EM9190 module may transmit simultaneously with other collocated radio transmitters within a host device, provided the following conditions are met:
Each collocated radio transmitter has been certified by FCC/IC for mobile application. At least 20 cm separation distance between the antennas of the collocated transmitters and the users body must be maintained at all times. The radiated power of a collocated transmitter must not exceed the EIRP limit stipulated in Table 4-1. Table 4-1 Antenna Gain and Collocated Radio Transmitter Specifications Device Operating Mode Tx Freq Range (MHz) Max Time-
Avg Cond. Power
(dBm) Antenna Gain Limit (dBi) Standalone Collocated EM9190 WCDMA Band 2 1850 1910 24.5 WCDMA Band 4 1710 1755 24.5 WCDMA Band 5 824 849 24.5 LTE B2 1850 1910 LTE B4 1710 1755 LTE B5 824 849 24 24 24 LTE B7 2500 2570 24.8 LTE B12 699 716 LTE B13 777 787 24 24 LTE B14 788 798 24 8.5 5.5 6 8.5 5.5 6 8 6 6 6 8 5.5 5.5 8 5.5 6 8 5.5 5.5 6 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 20 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Regulatory Compliance and Industry Certification Device Operating Mode Tx Freq Range (MHz) Max Time-
Avg Cond. Power
(dBm) Antenna Gain Limit (dBi) Standalone Collocated LTE B17 704 716 LTE B25 1850 1915 LTE B26 814 849 LTE B30 2305 2315 24 24 24 24 LTE B41 2496 2690 24.8 LTE B41-HPUE 2496 2690 26 LTE B421 3450 3550 24.8 LTE B42/B432 3450 3650 24.8 LTE B481 3550 3700 24.8 LTE B66 1710 1780 24 LTE B71 663 698 24 6 8.5 6 0 7 7 5
-1.8
-1.8 6 6 5G NR n2 1850 1910 24.5 8.5 5G NR n5 824 849 24.5 5G NR n7 2500 2570 24.5 5G NR n12 699 716 24.5 5G NR n25 1850 1915 24.5 5G NR n41 2496 2690 24.5 5G NR n481 3550 3700 24.5 5G NR n66 1710 1780 24.5 5G NR n71 663 698 24.5 5G NR n771/n781 3450 3550 3700 3980 24.5 5G NR n772/n782 3450 3650 24.5 WLAN 2.4 GHz 2400 2500 Collocated Transmitters WLAN 5 GHz 5150 5850 Bluetooth 2400 2500 20 20 17 1. USA only 2. Canada only 6 8 6 8.5 7
-1.8 5.5 5.5 5.5
-1.5
5.5 8 6 0 7 7 5
-1.8
-1.8 6 5.5 8 5.5 8 5 8 7
-1.8 5.5 5 5.5
-1.5 5 8 5 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 21 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Regulatory Compliance and Industry Certification Note:
The FCC and IC have a strict EIRP limit in Band 30 for mobile and portable stations in order to protect adjacent satellite radio, aeronautical mobile telemetry, and deep space network operations. Mobile and portable stations must not have antenna gain exceeding 0 dBi in Band 30. Additionally, both the FCC and IC prohibit the use of external vehicle-mounted antennas for mobile and portable stations in this band. Fixed stations may use antennas with higher gain in Band 30 due to relaxed EIRP limits. EM9190modules used as fixed subscriber stations in Canada or fixed customer premises equipment (CPE) stations in the United States may have an antenna gain up to 9 dBi in Band 30, however, the use of outdoor antennas or outdoor station installations are prohibited except if professionally installed in locations that are at least 20 meters from roadways or in locations where it can be shown that the ground power level of -44 dBm per 5 MHz in the bands 23052315 MHz and 23502360 MHz or
-55 dBm per 5 MHz in the bands 23152320 MHz and 23452350 MHz will not be exceeded at the nearest roadway. For the purposes of this notice, a roadway includes a highway, street, avenue, parkway, driveway, square, place, bridge, viaduct or trestle, any part of which is intended for use by the general public for the passage of vehicles. Mobile carriers often have limits on total radiated power (TRP), which requires an efficient antenna. The end product with an embedded module must output sufficient power to meet the TRP requirement but not too much to exceed FCC/IC's EIRP limit. If you need assistance in meeting this requirement, please contact Sierra Wireless. Airborne operations in LTE Band 48 are prohibited. 4. A label must be affixed to the outside of the end product into which the EM9190 module is incorporated, with a statement similar to the following:
This device contains FCC ID: N7NEM91, IC: 2417C-EM91. 5. A user manual with the end product must clearly indicate the operating requirements and conditions that must be observed to ensure compliance with current FCC/IC RF exposure guidelines. The end product with an embedded EM9190 module may also need to pass the FCC Part 15 unintentional emission testing requirements and be properly authorized per FCC Part 15. Note:
If this module is intended for use in a portable device, you are responsible for separate approval to satisfy the SAR requirements of FCC Part 2.1093 and IC RSS-102. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 22 DRAFT 5. Abbreviations Table 5-1 Abbreviations and Definitions Abbreviation or Term Definition 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project 5 BeiDou BeiDou Navigation Satellite System A Chinese system that uses a series of satellites in geostationary and middle earth orbits to provide navigational data. BER Bit Error Rate A measure of receive sensitivity dB dBm DRX EIRP EMC EMI FCC FDD Galileo GCF Decibel = 10 x log10 (P1/P2) P1 is calculated power; P2 is reference power Decibel = 20 x log10 (V1/V2) V1 is calculated voltage, V2 is reference voltage A logarithmic (base 10) measure of relative power (dB for decibels); relative to milliwatts
(m). A dBm value will be 30 units (1000 times) larger (less negative) than a dBW value, because of the difference in scale (milliwatts vs. watts). Discontinuous Reception Effective (or Equivalent) Isotropic Radiated Power Electromagnetic Compatibility Electromagnetic Interference Federal Communications Commission The U.S. federal agency that is responsible for interstate and foreign communications. The FCC regulates commercial and private radio spectrum management, sets rates for communications services, determines standards for equipment, and controls broadcast licensing. Consult http://www.fcc.gov. Frequency Division Duplexing A European system that uses a series of satellites in middle earth orbit to provide navigational data. Global Certification Forum GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System A Russian system that uses a series of 24 satellites in middle circular orbit to provide navigational data. GNSS Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo) GPS Host HSPA+
Hz IC IF LTE MHz MIMO OEM Global Positioning System An American system that uses a series of 24 satellites in middle circular orbit to provide navigational data. The device into which an embedded module is integrated Enhanced HSPA, as defined in 3GPP Release 7 and beyond Hertz = 1 cycle/second Industry Canada Intermediate Frequency Long Term Evolution a high-performance air interface for cellular mobile communication systems. Megahertz = 10e6 Hz Multiple Input Multiple Output wireless antenna technology that uses multiple antennas at both transmitter and receiver side. This improves performance. Original Equipment Manufacturer a company that manufactures a product and sells it to a reseller. 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 23 DRAFT AirPrime EM9190 Hardware Integration Guide Abbreviations Abbreviation or Term OTA PCB PST Definition Over the air (or radiated through the antenna) Printed Circuit Board Product Support Tools PTCRB PCS Type Certification Review Board QZSS RAT RF RSE SAR Sensitivity
(Audio) Quasi-Zenith Satellite System Japanese system for satellite-based augmentation of GPS. Radio Access Technology Radio Frequency Radiated Spurious Emissions Specific Absorption Rate Measure of lowest power signal that the receiver can measure. Sensitivity (RF) Measure of lowest power signal at the receiver input that can provide a prescribed BER/BLER/ SNR value at the receiver output. SIM SKU SNR TDD TIS TRP UMTS VCC Subscriber Identity Module. Also referred to as USIM or UICC. Stock Keeping Unit identifies an inventory item: a unique code, consisting of numbers or letters and numbers, assigned to a product by a retailer for purposes of identification and inventory control. Signal-to-Noise Ratio Time Division Duplexing Total Isotropic Sensitivity Total Radiated Power Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Supply voltage WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (also referred to as UMTS) WLAN ZIF Wireless Local Area Network Zero Intermediate Frequency 41113915 Rev 0.6 Aug 17, 2022 24 DRAFT