unicorecomm UM980 High Precision RTK Positioning Module
Revision History
Version | Revision History | Date |
R1.0 | First release | 2022-08 |
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UM980 User Manual
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Foreword
This document describes the information of the hardware, package, specification and the use of Unicore UM980 modules.
Target Readers
This document applies to technicians who possess the expertise on GNSS receivers.
Introduction
UM980 is a new generation of GNSS high precision RTK positioning module from Unicore. It supports all constellations and all frequencies, and can simultaneously track BDS B1I/B2I/B3I/B1C/B2a/B2b* , GPS L1/L2/L5, GLONASS L1/L2, Galileo E1/E5a/E5b, QZSS L1/L2/L5, and SBAS. The module is mainly used in surveying and mapping, precise agriculture, UAVs, and autonomous robots.
UM980 is based on NebulasIVTM , a GNSS SoC which integrates the RF-baseband and high precision algorithm. Besides, the SoC integrates a dual-core CPU, a high speed floating point processor and an RTK co-processor with 22 nm low power design, and it supports 1408 super channels. All these above enable stronger signal processing.
With the built-in JamShield adaptive anti-jamming technology, UM980 can fulfill a strengthening RTK engine solution of multi-mode multi-frequency, which ensures a good performance on RTK initialization speed, measurement accuracy and reliability even in the most challenging environments such as urban canyons and tree shades.
Furthermore, UM980 supports abundant interfaces such as UART I C* , SPI* , as well as 1PPS, EVENT, CAN* , which meets the customers’ needs in different applications.
Supports B2b after firmware upgrade I2C, SPI, CAN: reserved interfaces, not supported currently
Key Features
- Based on the new generation GNSS SoC -NebulasIVTM , with RF-baseband and high precision algorithm integrated
- 17 mm × 22 mm × 2.6 mm, surface-mount device
- Supports all-constellation all-frequency on-chip RTK positioning solution
- Supports BDS B1I/B2I/B3I/B1C/B2a/B2b* + GPS L1/L2/L5 + GLONASS L1/L2 + Galileo E1/E5a/E5b + QZSS L1/L2/L5 + SBAS
- All-constellation all-frequency RTK engine and advanced RTK processing technology
- Instantaneous RTK initialization technology
- Independent track of each frequency, and 60 dB narrowband anti-jamming technology
Key Specifications
Table 1-1 Technical Specifications
Basic Information | |
Channels | 1408 channels, based on NebulasIVTM |
Constellations | BDS/GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS |
Frequencies | BDS: B1I, B2I, B3I, B1C, B2a, B2b1 GPS: L1 C/A, L1C1, L2P (Y), L2C, L5 GLONASS: L1, L2 Galileo: E1, E5a, E5b QZSS: L1, L2, L5 |
Power | |
Voltage | +3.0 V ~ +3.6 V DC |
Power Consumption | 480 mW (Typical) |
1 Supports B2b and L1C after firmware upgrade
Performance | ||||
Positioning Accuracy | Single Point Positioning2 (RMS) | Horizontal: 1.5 m | ||
Vertical: 2.5 m | ||||
DGPS (RMS)2,3 | Horizontal: 0.4 m | |||
Vertical: 0.8 m | ||||
RTK (RMS)2,3 | Horizontal: 0.8 cm + 1 ppm | |||
Vertical: 1.5 cm + 1 ppm | ||||
Observation Accuracy (RMS) | BDS | GPS | GLONASS | Galileo |
B1I/B1C/L1C1 /L1 C/A/G1/E1 Pseud orange | 10 cm | 10 cm | 10 cm | 10 cm |
B1I/B1C/L1C1 /L1 C/A/G1/E1 Carrier Phase | 1 mm | 1 mm | 1 mm | 1 mm |
B3I/L2P(Y)/L2C/G2 Pseud orange | 10 cm | 10 cm | 10 cm | 10 cm |
B3I/L2P(Y)/L2C/G2 Carrier Phase | 1 mm | 1 mm | 1 mm | 1 mm |
B2I/B2a/B2b1 /L5/E5a/E5b Pseud orange | 10 cm | 10 cm | 10 cm | 10 cm |
B2I/B2a/B2b1 /L5/E5a/E5b Carrier Phase | 1 mm | 1 mm | 1 mm | 1 mm |
Time Accuracy (RMS) | 20 ns | |||
Velocity Accuracy4 (RMS) | 0.03 m/s | |||
Time to First Fix5 (TTFF) | Cold Start < 30 s | |||
Warm Start < 20 s | ||||
Hot Start < 5 s | ||||
Initialization Time2 | < 5 s (Typical) | |||
Initialization Reliability2 | > 99.9% | |||
Data Update Rate | 50 Hz6 Positioning | |||
Differential Data | RTCM 3.X | |||
Data Format | NMEA-0183, Unicore |
Physical Characteristics | |
Package | 54 pin LGA |
Dimensions | 22 mm × 17 mm × 2.6 mm |
Weight | 1.88 g ± 0.03 g |
Environmental Specifications | |
Operating Temperature | -40 °C ~ +85 °C |
Storage Temperature | -55 °C ~ +95 °C |
Humidity | 95% No condensation |
Vibration | GJB150.16A-2009, MIL-STD-810F |
Shock | GJB150.18A-2009, MIL-STD-810F |
Functional Ports | |
UART × 3 | |
I2C* × 1 | |
SPI* × 1 | Slave |
CAN* × 1 | Shared with UART3 |
* I2C, SPI, CAN: reserved interfaces, not supported currently
2 Test results may be biased due to atmospheric conditions, baseline length, GNSS antenna type, multipath, number of visible satellites, and satellite geometry
3 The measurement uses a 1 km baseline and a receiver with good antenna performance, regardless of possible errors of antenna phase center offset
4 Open sky, unobstructed scene, 99% @ static
5 -130dBm @ more than 12 available satellites
6 Supports 50 Hz after firmware upgrade
Block Diagram
- RF Part
The receiver gets filtered and enhanced GNSS signal from the antenna via a coaxial cable. The RF part converts the RF input signals into the IF signals, and converts IF analog signals into digital signals required for NebulasIVTM chip (UC9810). - NebulasIVTM SoC (UC9810)
NebulasIV (UC9810) is UNICORECOMM’s new generation high precision GNSS SoC with 22 nm low power design, supporting all constellations all frequencies and 1408 super channels. It integrates a dual-core CPU, a high speed floating point processor and an RTK co-processor, which can fulfill the high precision baseband processing and RTK positioning independently. - 1PPS
UM980 outputs 1 PPS with adjustable pulse width and polarity. - Event
UM980 provides the Event Mark Input with adjustable frequency and polarity - Reset (RESET_N)
Active LOW, and the active time should be no less than 5 ms.
Hardware
Dimensions
Table 2-1 Dimensions
Symbol | Min. (mm) | Typ. (mm) | Max. (mm) |
A | 21.80 | 22.00 | 22.50 |
B | 16.80 | 17.00 | 17.50 |
C | 2.40 | 2.60 | 2.80 |
D | 3.75 | 3.85 | 3.95 |
E | 0.95 | 1.05 | 1.15 |
F | 1.80 | 1.90 | 2.00 |
G | 1.00 | 1.10 | 1.20 |
H | 0.70 | 0.80 | 0.90 |
K | 1.40 | 1.50 | 1.60 |
M | 3.55 | 3.65 | 3.75 |
N | 3.15 | 3.25 | 3.35 |
P | 2.00 | 2.10 | 2.20 |
R | 1.00 | 1.10 | 1.20 |
X | 0.72 | 0.82 | 0.92 |
Pin Definition
No. | Pin | I/O | Description |
1 | GND | — | Ground |
2 | ANT_IN | I | GNSS antenna signal input |
3 | GND | — | Ground |
4 | ANT_DETECT | I | Antenna signal detection |
5 | ANT_OFF | O | Disable external LNA |
6 | ANT_SHORT_N | I | Detection of antenna short circuit; active low |
7 | VCC_RF7 | O | External LNA power supply |
8 | SPIS_CSN | I | Chip select input of SPI slave |
9 | SPIS_MOSI | I | Data input of SPI slave |
10 | SPIS_CLK | I | Clock input of SPI slave |
11 | SPIS_MISO | O | Data output of SPI slave |
12 | GND | — | Ground |
13 | RSV | — | Reserved |
14 | GND | — | Ground |
15 | NC | — | No internal connections |
16 | NC | — | No internal connections |
17 | NC | — | No internal connections |
18 | NC | — | No internal connections |
19 | PVT_STAT | O | PVT positioning indicator: active high;
outputs high when positioning and low when not positioning |
20 | RTK_STAT | O | RTK positioning indicator: active high; outputs high with RTK fixed solution, and low with other positioning status or no
positioning |
21 | ERR_STAT | O | Abnormal indicator: active high;
outputs high when failing self-detection, and low when passing |
22 | RSV | — | Reserved, recommended to be floating |
23 | RSV | — | Reserved, recommended to be floating |
24 | NC | — | No internal connections |
25 | NC | — | No internal connections |
26 | RXD2 | I | COM2 receiving data, LVTTL level |
27 | TXD2 | O | COM2 transmitting data, LVTTL level |
28 | BIF | — | Built-in function; recommended to add a through-hole testing point and a 10 kΩ pull- up resistor; cannot connect ground or power supply, and cannot be peripheral I/O, but can
be floating |
29 | BIF | — | Built-in function; recommended to add a through-hole testing point and a 10 kΩ pull- up resistor; cannot connect ground or power supply, and cannot be peripheral I/O, but can
be floating |
30 | TXD3 | O | COM3 transmitting data, LVTTL level, can be used as CAN TXD |
31 | RXD3 | I | COM3 receiving data, LVTTL level, can be used as CAN RXD |
32 | GND | — | Ground |
33 | VCC | I | Power supply |
34 | VCC | I | Power supply |
35 | RSV | — | Reserved |
36 | V_BCKP | I | When the main power supply VCC is cut off, V_BCKP supplies power to RTC and relevant register. Level requirements: 2.0 V ~ 3.6 V, and the working current is less than 60 μA at 25 °C. When the hot start function is not used, V_BCKP can be connected to VCC/ground, or floating. |
37 | GND | — | Ground |
38 | NC | — | No internal connections |
39 | NC | — | No internal connections |
40 | NC | — | No internal connections |
41 | GND | — | Ground |
42 | TXD1 | O | COM1 transmitting data, LVTTL level |
43 | RXD1 | I | COM1 receiving data, LVTTL level |
44 | SDA | I/O | I2C data |
45 | SCL | I/O | I2C clock |
46 | NC | — | No internal connections |
47 | NC | — | No internal connections |
48 | GND | — | Ground |
49 | RESET_N | I | System reset; active Low |
50 | NC | — | No internal connections |
51 | EVENT | I | Event mark |
52 | NC | — | No internal connections |
53 | PPS | O | Pulse per second |
54 | NC | — | No internal connections |
Electrical Specifications
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Table 2-3 Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter | Symbol | Min. | Max. | Unit |
Power Supply Voltage | VCC | -0.3 | 3.6 | V |
Input Voltage | Vin | -0.3 | 3.6 | V |
GNSS Antenna Signal Input | ANT_IN | -0.3 | 6 | V |
Antenna RF Input Power | ANT_IN input power | +10 | dBm | |
External LNA Power Supply | VCC_RF | -0.3 | 3.6 | V |
VCC_RF Output Current | ICC_RF | 100 | mA | |
Storage Temperature | Tstg | -55 | 95 | °C |
Operational Conditions
Table 2-4 Operational Conditions
Parameter | Symbol | Min. | Typ. | Max. | Unit | Condition |
Power Supply Voltage8 | VCC | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.6 | V | |
Maximum VCC Ripple | Vrpp | 0 | 50 | mV | ||
Working Current9 | Iopr | 145 | 180 | mA | VCC=3.3 V | |
VCC_RF Output Voltage | VCC_RF | VCC-0.1 | V | |||
VCC_RF Output Current | ICC_RF | 50 | mA | |||
Operating Temperature | Topr | -40 | 85 | °C | ||
Power Consumption | P | 480 | mW |
7 Not recommended to take VCC_RF as ANT_BIAS to feed the antenna See section 3.1 for more details.
8 The voltage range of VCC (3.0 V ~ 3.6 V) has already included the ripple voltage.
9 Since the product has capacitors inside, inrush current occurs during power-on. You should evaluate in the actual environment in order to check the effect of the supply voltage drop caused by inrush current in the system.
IO Threshold
Table 2-5 IO Threshold
Parameter | Symbol | Min. | Typ. | Max. | Unit | Condition |
Low Level Input Voltage | Vin_low | -0.3 | 0.7 | V | ||
High Level Input Voltage | Vin_high | VCC × 0.65 | VCC + 0.3 | V | ||
Low Level Output Voltage | Vout_low | 0 | 0.45 | V |
Iout = 2 mA |
|
High Level Output Voltage | Vout_high | VCC – 0.45 | VCC | V |
Iout = 2 mA |
Antenna Feature
Table 2-6 Antenna Feature
Parameter | Symbol | Min. | Typ. | Max. | Unit | Condition |
Optimum Input Gain | Gant | 18 | 30 | 36 | dB |
Hardware Design
Antenna Feed Design
UM980 just supports feeding the antenna from the external of the module rather than from the internal. It is recommended to use devices with high power and that can withstand high voltage. Gas discharge tube, varistor, TVS tube and other high-power protective devices may also be used in the power supply circuit to further protect the module from lightning strike and surge.
Remarks:
- L1: feed inductor, 68 nH RF inductor in 0603 package is recommended
- C1: decoupling capacitor, recommended to connect two capacitors of 100 nF/100 pF in parallel
- C2: DC blocking capacitor, recommended 100 pF capacitor
- It is not recommended to take VCC_RF as ANT_BIAS to feed the antenna (VCC_RF is not optimized for anti-lightning strike, anti-surge and over current protection due to
the compact size of the module) - D1: ESD diode, choose the ESD protection device that supports high frequency signals (above 1000 MHz)
- D2: TVS diode, choose the TVS diode with appropriate clamping specification according to the requirement of feed voltage and antenna voltage
Grounding and Heat Dissipation

The 48 pads in the rectangle in Figure 3-2 are for grounding and heat dissipation. In the PCB design, it is recommended to connect them to a large sized ground to strengthen the heat dissipation.
Power-on and Power-off
VCC
The VCC initial level when power-on should be less than 0.4 V and has good monotonicity. The voltages of undershoot and ringing should be within 5% VCC.
VCC power-on waveform: The time interval from 10% rising to 90% must be within 100 us ~1 ms.
Power-on time interval: The time interval between the VCC < 0.4 V (after power-off) to the next power-on must be larger than 500 ms.
V_BCKP
The V_BCKP initial level when power-on should be less than 0.4 V and has good monotonicity. The voltages of undershoot and ringing should be within 5% V_BCKP.
V_BCKP power-on waveform: The time interval from 10% rising to 90% must be within 100 us ~1 ms.
Power-on time interval: The time interval between the V_BCKP < 0.4 V (after power-off) to the next power-on must be larger than 500 ms.
Production Requirement
Recommended soldering temperature curve is as follows:
Temperature Rising Stage
- Rising slope: Max. 3 °C/s
- Rising temperature range: 50 °C ~ 150 ° C
Preheating Stage
- Preheating time: 60s ~ 120 s
- Preheating temperature range: 150 ° C ~ 180 °C
Reflux Stage
- Over melting temperature (217 °C) time: 40s ~ 60 s
- Peak temperature for soldering: no higher than 245 ° C
Cooling Stage
- Cooling slope: Max. 4 °C / s
- In order to prevent falling off during soldering of modules, do not solder the module on the back of the board during design, and it is not recommended to go through soldering cycle twice.
- The setting of soldering temperature depends on many factors of the factory, such as board type, solder paste type, solder paste thickness etc. Please also refer to the relevant IPC standards and indicators of solder paste.
- Since the lead soldering temperature is relatively low, if using this method, please give priority to other components on the board.
- The opening of the stencil needs to meet your design requirement and comply to the examine standards. The thickness of the stencil is recommended to be larger than 0.18 mm.
Packaging
Label Description
Product Packaging
The UM980 module uses carrier tape and reel (suitable for mainstream surface mount devices), packaged in vacuum-sealed aluminum foil antistatic bags, with a desiccant inside to prevent moisture. When using reflow soldering process to solder modules, please strictly comply with IPC standard to conduct humidity control on the modules. As packaging materials such as the carrier tape can only withstand the temperature of 55 degrees Celsius, modules shall be removed from the package during baking
Note:
- The cumulative tolerance of 10 side holes should not exceed ± 0.2 mm.
- Material: Black antistatic PS (surface impedance 105-1011) (surface static voltage <100 V), thickness: 0.35 mm.
- Total length of the 13-inch reel package: 6.816 m (Length of the first part of empty packets: 0.408 m, length of packets containing modules: 6 m, length of the last part of empty packets: 0.408 m).
- Total number of packets in the 13-inch reel package: 284 (Number of the first part of empty packets: 17; actual number of modules in the packets: 250; number of the last part of empty packets: 17).
- All dimension designs are in accordance with EIA-481-C-2003.
- The maximum bending degree of the carrier tape within the length of 250 mm should not exceed 1 mm (see the figure below).
Table 5-1 Package Description
Item | Description |
Module Number | 250 pieces/reel |
Reel Size | Tray: 13″ External diameter: 330 ± 2 mm, Internal diameter: 180 ± 2mm, Width: 44.5 ± 0.5 mm Thickness: 2.0 ± 0.2 mm |
Carrier Tape | Space between (center-to-center distance): 24 mm |
Before surface mounting, make sure that the color of the 30% circle on the HUMIDITY INDICATOR is blue (see Figure 5-4). If the color of the 20% circle is pink and the color of the 30% circle is lavender (see Figure 5-5), you must bake the module until it turns to blue. The UM980 is rated at MSL level 3. Refer to the relevant IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020 standards for the package and operation requirements. Users may access to the website www.jedec.org to get more information.
The shelf life of the UM980 module packaged in vacuum-sealed aluminum foil antistatic bags is one year.
Unicore Communications, Inc.
F3, No.7, Fengxian East Road, Haidian, Beijing, P.R.China, 100094
www.unicorecomm.com
Phone: 86-10-69939800
Fax: 86-10-69939888
info@unicorecomm.com
Documents / Resources
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